Low-cost fluorescence microscopy for point-of-care cell imaging
2010
Fluorescence microscopy has long been a standard tool in laboratory medicine. Implementation of fluorescence microscopy for near-patient diagnostics, however, has been limited due to cost and complexity associated with traditional fluorescence microscopy techniques. There is a particular need for robust, low-cost imaging in high disease burden areas in the developing world, where access to central laboratory facilities and trained staff is limited. Here we
describe a point-of-care assay that combines a disposable plastic cartridge with an extremely low cost fluorescence
imaging instrument. Based on a novel, multi-mode planar waveguide configuration, the system capitalizes on advances
in volume-manufactured consumer electronic components to deliver an imaging system with minimal moving parts and
low power requirements. A two-color cell imager is presented, with magnification optimized for enumeration of
immunostained human T cells. To demonstrate the system, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stained with
fluorescently labeled anti-human-CD4 and anti-human-CD3 antibodies. Registered images were used to generate
fractional CD4+ and CD3+ staining and enumeration results that show excellent correlation with flow cytometry. The
cell imager is under development as a very low cost CD4+ T cell counter for HIV disease management in limited resource settings.
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