High numerical aperture telemicroscopy apparatus

• US 10,126,539 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2016
• Issued: 11/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Fletcher, Daniel, Hansen, Wendy, Switz, Neil, Breslauer, David N., Douglas, Erik, Maamari, Robi, Lam, Wilbur, Dill, Jesse
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Allen C
• Application Number:
  US15/346,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20170160533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 348 79
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8483 Investigating reagent band test-element handling not specific to a test method G01N33/4875; analytical elements specific to chemical analysis of biological material G01N33/52; autometer with reagent band G01N35/04
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/0008 Microscopes having a simple construction, e.g. portable microscopes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/0092 Polarisation microscopes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/02 Objectives
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/025 with variable magnification variable magnification G02B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/06 Means for illuminating specimens
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/16 adapted for ultraviolet illumination ; Fluorescence microscopes G02B21/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/26 Stages; Adjusting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/36 arranged for photographic purposes or projection purposes G02B21/18 takes precedenceor digital imaging or video purposes including associated control and data processing arrangements image data processing per se G06T
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/361 Optical details, e.g. image relay to the camera or image sensor G02B21/364 takes precedence; illumination details G02B21/06 and subgroups
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/365 Control or image processing arrangements for digital or video microscopes G02B21/361, G02B21/362 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0264 for a camera module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence

Abstract

An imaging system consisting of a cell-phone with camera as the detection part of an optical train which includes other components. Optionally, an illumination system to create controlled contrast in the sample. Uses include but are not limited to disease diagnosis, symptom analysis, and post-procedure monitoring, and other applications to humans, animals, and plants.

Claims

1. A microscopy imaging apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a microscope housing removably attachable to a wireless communications device having a camera comprising one or more device lenses and an image sensor; and

a microscope lens system mounted to the microscope housing, wherein the microscope lens system comprises a microscope lens that is aligned with the camera when the microscope housing is attached to the wireless communications device;

wherein the microscope housing positions the microscope lens system in alignment with an image sensor of the camera such that an image of a sample is projected onto the image sensor at a suitable numerical aperture (NA) and magnification (M) using a combination of the microscope lens system and one or more device lenses of the camera;

wherein the microscope lens system has a collection NA of at least approximately 0.01 and a M of at least about 1.

2. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein M≥

4.

3. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sample holder.

4. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sample holder comprises a microfluidic device or other small-volume fluid handling system that is removable from the sample holder.

5. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sample holder and comprises a stage allowing for indexed translation in x-y-z directions to allow sample multiple fields of view.

6. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sample holder and microscope lens system comprise a detection arm of a fluorescence assay.

7. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 6, wherein the fluorescence assay configured for illumination comprising one or more of phase contrast, bright field, epi-illumination, or dark field microscopy.

8. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 6, wherein the fluorescence assay comprises an emission filter associated with a Color Filter Array (CFA) of the camera.

9. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microscope lens system is telecentric on an object side, on an image side, or on both sides.

10. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a contrast selected from transillumination brightfield, darkfield, phase contrast, differential interference contrast, polarization contrast, Hoffman modulation contrast, fluorescence, Schlieren, and oblique transillumination.

11. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an illumination source coupled to the microscope lens system.

12. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 11, wherein the illumination source comprises a LED for fluorescence excitation.

13. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 12, wherein the illumination source comprises a monochromatic LED.

14. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microscope housing is configured to snap onto said communications device.

15. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microscope lens system is wirelessly coupled to the wireless communications device for at least one microscopy mode.

16. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured for scaling an image of received from the microscope lens system.

17. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microscope lens system comprises a high resolution condenser.

18. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured for wireless connection to a remote device for one or more of image upload and processing.

19. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microscope lens system comprises a zoom lens to adjust field of view.

20. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 19, wherein the zoom lens is adjustable.

21. The microscopy imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured for imaging samples comprising skin or wounds.