Lensless microscopy for rapid portable hematology diagnostics at the point of care

We are developing a new lensless imaging technology for pointof-care diagnostic testing. This technology enables us tocreate pocket-sized diagnostic devices with greater resolution but far lower cost than ordinary lens-based microscopes orother instruments for corresponding diagnostic use. These devices require only a drop of blood from a pinprick, rather thantubes of blood from a vein, and will yield immediate results in the patients presence. We will use this technology to developrapid blood cell diagnostics, focusing on complete blood counts (which are among the most commonly ordered of alldiagnostic blood tests), as well as detection of abnormal cells (e.g., sickle cells) and absolute counts of specific lymphocytetypes, e.g., CD4+ cells (a key marker of immune system function in HIV disease). Starting from our current proof-of-principleprototypes, the devices will be optimized for these tests, including specimen handling and computer vision software forautomated quantitative analysis. Devices will be validated by direct comparison (including in clinical settings) with goldstandard tests in current hospital use.These new devices will be suitable for use in hospitals, clinics, physicians offices, emergency rooms and, uniquely, inremote settings: devices will be battery powered and Bluetooth-enabled, so data can be relayed, if needed, to specialists atdistant sites.