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Multi-purpose machine vision platform for different microfluidics applications

Research Authors
A. M. Esmaeel, T.T.H. ElMelegy, M. Abdelgawad
Research Journal
Biomedical Microdevices
Research Publisher
Springer Nature
Research Vol
21 (3)
Research Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10544-019-0401-1
Research Year
2019
Research_Pages
68
Research Abstract

Image processing is widely growing as a useful tool in biosensing applications. It can be used to convert any camera/microscope into an optical sensor with wide range of capabilities such as monitoring completion of colorimetric reactions, differentiating and counting cells, and tracking motile cells/organisms. However, implementation of image processing in Lab-on-Chip devices is still challenging for researchers with little expertise in this field. Here, we present a multi-purpose real-time machine vision platform for tracking and analyzing objects inside lab-on-chip devices and for automating many microfluidic applications. Our LabVIEWbased machine vision platform, which is freely available on our webpage (http://www.assiutmicrofluidics.com/research), enables
non-experts in image processing and machine vision to easily assemble their image processing pipeline based on the intended application. The program was designed for plug and play interfacing with a wide range of imaging devices including USB microscopes, high-speed cameras, and smartphone cameras. Moreover, to achieve portability, the program can be loaded on myRIO, a portable pocket size fully functional LabVIEWplatform, to performall programcapabilities outside the lab without the need for a PC. To prove functionality of our program, we used it in real-time closed loop control of hydrodynamic focusing and control of flow velocity of cells inside a microchannel. We also demonstrated the program abilities in different lab-on-chip applications such as tracking, differentiation, and counting of blood cells.