We made a medical diagnostics device less than 200 nanometres thick, which we hope could one day help save millions of lives. Light is shone through the cell and the previously invisible structure of the cell becomes visible on the other side. A transparent object, such as a biological cell, is placed on top of the device. We inscribed a nanostructure into a very thin film (less than 200 nanometres thick) which enables phase imaging using an effect sometimes referred to as “optical spin-orbit coupling”. Our solution is only a few hundred nanometers thick, and could be integrated into camera lenses, in the form of a flat film on top of the lens. We have developed a device that can perform instantaneous phase-imaging without these limitations. Because of the space requirements of these parts, they are incompatible with completely flat optical components and ultra-compact integration. Still use mechanically moving or rotating parts. In the specific case of phase imaging, scientists have previously only been able to develop systems that:Īre reliant on time-consuming computational post processing, which makes the process more complex, and doesn’t allow for real-time imaging These devices could be integrated into mobile devices, such as smartphone cameras, in the future. This is being done by creating nanometer-thick devices with the potential for low-cost mass production. Enter nanotechnologyĪ major scientific effort is currently directed towards leveraging nanotechnology to replace traditional large optical components. Also, expensive and bulky equipment can’t be easily made available in remote regions and economically disadvantaged countries.
Phase imaging exploits the fact that light, which has passed through the cell, contains information about the transparent parts of the cell – and makes this information visible to the human eye.Ĭonventional phase-imaging methods rely on a range of bulky components such as prisms and interference setups, which cost thousands of dollars. Other approaches use a process called “phase imaging”. One way is to introduce some sort of chemical staining, which adds contrast to the transparent features of cells. To make these features visible, we need to apply tricks. Many of their internal features are practically transparent and almost invisible to conventional microscopes.
In the case of malaria, for example, the gold-standard method of detection involves using microscope images to identify specific changes in a patient’s red blood cells.īut biological cells are good at hiding. This is because specific changes in cells that can be observed under a microscope are often indicative of diseases.
World's first mass malaria vaccine rollout could prevent thousands of children dyingīeing able to investigate biological cells through optical microscopes is a fundamental part of medical diagnostics.
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