via MedGadget
Researchers at The California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA (CNSI) have developed a tiny telemedicine microscope for imaging blood samples or other fluids, testing water quality or other public health need in resource-limited settings.
From the press release:
Slightly wider than a US quarter and weighing just 46 grams, the lensless microscope is a self-contained imaging device. Using LUCAS (Lensless Ultra-wide-field Cell Monitoring Array) technology, it generates holographic images of microparticles or cells by employing a light-emitting diode to (LED) illuminate the objects and a digital sensor array to capture their images.
Samples are loaded using a small chip that can be filled with saliva or a blood smear for health monitoring. With blood smears, the lensless microscope is capable of accurately identifying cells and particles, including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The technology has the potential to help monitor diseases like malaria, HIV and tuberculosis.
The microscope is fairly robust with few moving parts and a large aperture. Images can be uploaded via a direct USB connection to a smart phone or other device, and sent to a hospital.
More information: UCLA engineer invents world's smallest, lightest telemedicine microscope
Comments (1)
Dane
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I must say I’m quite impartial on telemedicine. Whilst standards of technology can be a hinderance on communication (most webcams and sounds devices associated with telemedicine are often thought not to be sophisticated enough for dealing with important dermatological and other health issues), they are certainly improving in parallel with advances in resolution display.
High definition telemedicine is already becoming popular amongst those who are unable to personally interact with their doctor/physician/dermatologist, perhaps because it gives a much clearer and detailed view of the patient making it much easier to appear that they and the doctor are in the same room.
However, the disadvantages remain and as it is early days, high definition telemedicine may not be affordable for everyone just yet.