Disposable optics for microscopy diagnostics

Abstract

The point-of-care testing (POCT) is having increasing role on modern health care systems due to a possibility to perform tests for patients conveniently and immediately. POCT includes lot of disposable devices because of the environment they are often used. For a disposable system to be reasonably utilized, it needs to be high in quality but low in price. Optics based POCT systems are interesting approach to be developed, and here we describe a low-cost fabrication process for microlens arrays for microscopy. Lens arrays having average lens diameter of 222 μm with 300 μm lens pitch were fabricated. The lenses were characterized to have standard deviation of 0.06 μm in height and 4.61 μm in diameter. The resolution limit of 3.9μm is demonstrated with real images, and the images were compared with ones made with glass and polycarbonate lens arrays. The image quality is at the same level than with the glass lenses and the manufacturing costs are very low, thus making them suitable for POCT applications.

Taming the Coffee Ring Effect: Enhanced Thermal Control as a Method for Thin-Film Nanopatterning

“…(b) Three-dimensional fitting of the spherical surface for the concave-plano lens into an inkjet-printed micro/nanostructure that can be used in disposable microscopy diagnostics. 30 (c) Demonstration of the Leidenfrost effect: the drop of water is hovering over the surface on the vapor cushion. 31 (d) Leidenfrost heat-transfer curve: the colored areas indicate different regions of drop behavior: natural convection where the drop dries slowly, nucleate boiling area where the heat transfer increases significantly, transition boiling where the increasing temperature reduces the drop drying until reaching the Leidenfrost point, and film boiling where the sustained increase of the substrate temperature results in increased heat transfer and rapid drop evaporation.…”

“…The image and the profilometry results confirm that most of the material remains on the edge of the stain. (b) Three-dimensional fitting of the spherical surface for the concave-plano lens into an inkjet-printed micro/nanostructure that can be used in disposable microscopy diagnostics . (c) Demonstration of the Leidenfrost effect: the drop of water is hovering over the surface on the vapor cushion .…”

Mobile Diagnostics Based on Motion? A Close Look at Motility Patterns in the Schistosome Life Cycle

“…Depending on the requirements and circumstances, imaging can be done using a number of innovative mobile microscope solutions [ 16 ]. Add-on lenses of different kinds including ball-lenses, mobile camera lenses [ 21 , 64 , 65 ], and lens arrays have been used [ 66 , 67 , 68 ], as well as lens-free on-chip imaging devices [ 18 , 32 , 54 , 69 , 70 ]. Sophisticated optical and illumination systems and lens-free on-chip holographic imaging with image reconstruction can achieve high-resolution images, wide field of view, and enhanced contrast comparable to—or even surpassing—the image quality of conventional microscopes [ 16 , 54 , 69 , 71 , 72 , 73 ].…”

Direct fabrication of silicone lenses with 3D printed parts

“…The combination creates static pendant drops which are then harvested as optical lenses. Previous droplet lens manufacturing techniques uses active droplet dispensers (syringes, needles) 3,4 hat dispenses droplets of specific volume. While the approach has its advantages in accurate volume being dispensed, it requires a plunger devices i.e.…”