A modular smartphone microscopy device for multimodal imaging

A portable microscopy method utilizing a portable imaging platform comprising:

• a) a portable electronic device having a camera element
• b) a base attachment configured for a first side to separably connect to the portable electronic device and for a second side to separably connect to an interchangeable imaging head;
• and
• c) at least two of the interchangeable imaging heads, wherein each of the interchangeable imaging heads is configured to separably connect to the second side of the base attachment, wherein the interchangeable imaging head connected to the base attachment is optically coupled to the camera element,
• wherein each of the interchangeable imaging heads is configured to send a unique optical signal to the camera element, wherein the base attachment comprises a laser diode, at least one battery, and a switch, wherein each of the interchangeable imaging heads comprises a light source disposed therein and/or is optically connected of the laser diode,
• wherein the light source and/or the laser diode is configured to produce an excitation light, and further comprising an independently selected sample holder disposed within at least one of the interchangeable imaging heads and positioned along an optical path between the excitation light and the camera element, wherein the sample holder is configured to accept a sample, and wherein a reflective optical path of the excitation light of at least one of the interchangeable imaging heads is configured to exit the at least one of the interchangeable imaging heads through a port, strike a sample, and reflect back into the at least one of the interchangeable imaging heads through the port;
• the method steps comprising:
• a) attaching a first one of the interchangeable imaging heads to the base attachment
• b) prepping for sample analysis by
• 1) loading a sample into the sample holder, if the sample holder is disposed in the attached interchangeable image head, or
• 2) aiming the portable imaging platform at the sample, whereby the port and the sample are in optical communication, if the attached interchangeable image head has the port;
• c) illuminating the sample with the excitation light;
• and
• d) sending the unique optical signal to the camera element.