CellScope Turns the iPhone 4 Into a Microscope

CellScope, a UC Berkeley project designed to enable microscopic image capture from a cellphone, has developed microscope attachment for the iPhone 4.

"Microscopes are a vital medical tool for diagnosis of disease and analysis of blood samples, but many areas in developing countries lack access to clinical-quality microscopes and qualified medical professionals to evaluate microscopy data.

By attaching low-cost, portable microscopes to mobile phones or netbook computers, the CellScope project helps bring better medical care to regions of the world without local medical centers. Images from slides can be captured in rural areas, and then electronically transmitted to experts in a distant city for diagnosis and treatment recommendations. This can reduce the time and cost of critical medical care.


The CellScope system has been successfully used to image malaria and tuberculosis, with an image quality comparable to standard diagnostic microscopy. The research team is currently working on launching a pilot project that integrates the CellScope with an existing rural telemedicine network in India."