Application of microscopic smartphone attachment for remote preoperative lab testing

Kefan Song, Alexander T. Adams

Abstract:

Introduction: Current preoperative exam guidelines utilize extensive lab tests, including blood tests and urine analysis, which are crucial for assessing surgical readiness. However, logistical challenges, especially for patients traveling long distances for high-quality medical care, create significant delays and burdens. This study aims to address these challenges by applying a previously developed point-of-care device system to perform accurate and rapid lab tests.

Methods: The system was adapted to the iPhone 14 Pro Max platform to demonstrate its versatility and potential for universal adoption. A custom app was developed to achieve custom control of camera components. Additionally, a cell counting algorithm was tailored to the high-quality images captured using this system, featuring a simple workflow and fast execution time.

Results: The new system provided high-quality images, facilitating effective cell recognition and counting. The cell counting algorithm demonstrated high accuracy, with a strong correlation between algorithm-generated counts and actual counts. Furthermore, the system showed promise in differentiating various cell types though displaying detailed morphological features of cells in captured images.

Discussion: This study highlights the potential of the POC device to streamline preoperative testing, making it more accessible and efficient, particularly for patients in rural areas or those needing to travel for medical care. Future enhancements, including wider field-of-view, adjustable magnification, more advanced and integrated algorithms as well as integration with a microfluidic channel for direct sample analysis, are proposed to expand the device’s functionality. The device's portability, ease of use, and rapid processing time position it as a promising alternative to traditional lab tests, ultimately aiming to improve patient care and surgical outcomes.