SBIR-STTR Award

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop a low-cost, easy-to-use, image sensing attachment for standard microscopes that provides phase imaging capabilities. The functionality of the bulk optics typically required for such a specialized microscopy technique is replaced by special processing of the sensor chip itself. The major challenges that must be addressed to develop such a device involve the fundamental limitations of currently available sensor chips in terms of both pixel size and sensor noise. The objective of this research is to develop innovative software algorithms to implement the proposed technology on available sensor chips. This will involve separating the contributions of adjacent sensor elements with the goal of maximizing resolution and minimizing cross-talk. We will then evaluate the devices based on a standard resolution target as well as samples of microscopic soil-borne organisms of interest for low-level teaching laboratory exercises. Finally, the team will develop an interactive software platform for integrating the device in an educational setting. The Principal Investigator anticipates the development of a functional device with a resolution of at least 11 µ in the image plane and cross-talk limited to 5% that is capable of diffraction-limited imaging at magnifications above 40x. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project can be summarized as follows. This proposal describes a simple method that allows microscope users to gain access to high-quality phase imaging for viewing transparent samples. This is important for a number of market segments, specifically research, clinical, and industrial segments. Instead of using optical components that must be carefully aligned by a highly trained microscopist, the imaging device simply screws onto the camera port of a microscope. Since the required fabrication procedures are straightforward, this device can be developed at low-cost for use in teaching and training labs that operate on limited budgets. Digital images are displayed on a screen that can be viewed by multiple students or trainees at one time. Additionally, this novel image sensor is capable of displaying more information than any standard phase imaging microscopy technique, potentially enabling new research directions or new clinical diagnostics. The current market opportunity includes both the sale of such devices with new microscopes, replacing existing phase components, as well as a large amount of installed base (microscopes currently in use) to which our device can be retrofit. Since the camera port on microscopes is standardized, this retrofit does not pose technical challenges

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop and commercialize a revolutionary method to convert standard low-cost optical microscopes into high-performance, low-cost imaging instruments for biological research and education. The technology uses a specialized image sensor to render transparent biological samples visible at optical wavelengths without staining techniques or expensive optical microscope elements requiring extensive training. In addition, the technique naturally deconvolves amplitude and phase, enabling better interpretation of "dark spots". This project represents a major application of silicon photonics, exploiting the vast semiconductor fabrication infrastructure for novel optics manufacturing techniques. In addition, this proposal addresses selected performance improvements, such as noise reduction via an added cooling unit and enlarging the field of view through denser pixel arrays. When fitted to a standard laboratory microscope, our novel sensor camera offers the capability to produce high-quality, real-time in vivo microscopic phase imaging at a significantly lower cost. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is to enable high-quality, real-time microscopic images of in vivo biological samples. Our business strategy and product plan addresses two potential marketplaces: 1) Secondary schools, college teaching laboratories, and other educational settings; and 2) Academic and industrial research laboratories. Our market penetration strategy provides for educational microscope users to access our novel imaging capabilities at significantly reduced cost, revolutionizing bioscience teaching and training by rendering transparent samples visible in real time and enabling new curricula with a higher experimental component. Academic and industrial researchers also can exploit our innovative technology, using it for better imaging capabilities and removing ambiguities in dark spot interpretation. Our camera is entirely compatible with standard microscopes, enabling retrofits without technical challenges or the need for advanced training; it is also useful for observation of cultures in standard culture dishes, unlike competing techniques. This technology lies at the cutting edge of silicon photonics applications for biotechnology and represents an exciting new way to leverage silicon manufacturing economics for imaging applications