Compact microscope ‘could facilitate infection detection’

A new microscope has been developed that will allow the fastest ever detection of blood poisoning.

The project is being carried out by a group of European scientists, coordinated by the Institute of Photonic Sciences in Barcelona, and centres on the creation of an intuitive device about the size of a small book.

It works by sending polarised beams of light through birefringent crystals and a cartridge containing a blood drop and an array of receptors, allowing it to analyse the interaction of light with the bacteria or proteins captured by the receptors.

The intensity of the transmitted image is then analysed to provide physicians with an accurate detection of what kind of bacteria or proteins are present, as well as what kind of quantity.

It can produce a result in just 30 minutes and simultaneously detect more than one million biomarkers of life-threatening infections caused by bacteria, and conditions such as meningitis and sepsis.

Not only could this device be used in remote areas by junior physicians in future, but its portable nature and easy-to-use integrated software could make self-diagnosis broadly accessible.

Dr Josselin Pello, senior researcher on the project, said: "Although we are a long way off this, a self-diagnosis kit would certainly help with conditions like meningitis where an early diagnosis could be the difference between life and death."

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