2019-09-14 –, Assembly Room
The OpenFlexure Microscope is an open-source, 3D-printed motorised microscope targeted towards medical applications in sub-Saharan Africa. This talk will introduce our work with local innovation hubs, research institutions, and clinics to develop control software that encourages contributions across all communities, from school pupils to professors.
The OpenFlexure Microscope has applications ranging from a low-cost educational tool all the way up to a research-grade laboratory instrument. Previously, everyone used their own set of hastily-written control scripts, leading to duplicated effort and an interface that was difficult for non-programmers to use.
In response, we have been rebuilding our Python-based control software from the ground up, with our collaborators in Cambridge and Tanzania. By introducing a new common core, a comprehensive plugin system, and a Flask-based web API, we have been able to draw on the expertise of a diverse community to create a highly customisable software stack for controlling the device in any setting.
Our work has particularly focused on low-cost Malaria diagnosis, allowing automated analysis on a network of microscopes. Where trained microscopists are in short supply, this automation helps existing technicians diagnose more patients, and facilitates better training. Our developments have also enabled school pupils to develop microscope control scripts as part of outreach projects, and will soon see the microscope used in university-level teaching labs.
Open-source hardware is poised to revolutionise countless industries such as research, local manufacturing, and education. However, developing scientific instrumentation poses a unique set of challenges revolving around synchronisation, data transmission, and resource management. By building a software stack designed from the start to be extensible, we are building a strong community across each of these areas, where every contribution can directly benefit all applications around the globe.
