μSmartScope - Towards a low-cost microscopic medical device for cervical cancer screening using additive manufacturing and optimization

Developing a low-cost medical device requires numerous stages of prototyping, where using traditional manufacturing technologies can increase development costs. The current study presents the development of a critical component for a low-cost microscope whose goal is to confer an inexpensive solution for automated analysis of microscopic smears. A novel design methodology was developed to optimize the achieved solution. During the exploration of this methodology, it is asked: how can an additive-manufactured prototype be cost-effective for accurate examination of cervical cytology smears? To understand the effect on cost and tensile strength that infill density and perimeter wall count, tensile tests were conducted. These results combined with the developed methodology achieved the most cost-effective solution. To achieve this, topology optimization was used to improve the stiffness-per-weight ratio of different parts. Finally, design for additive manufacturing and topology optimization was proven as an effective design tool.

Automated summary

Developing a low-cost medical device involves multiple stages of prototyping, with traditional manufacturing technologies potentially increasing development costs. This study demonstrates the development of a critical component for a low-cost microscope using novel design methodology and topology optimization to achieve the most cost-effective solution. The effectiveness of additive manufacturing prototypes in cost-effective examination and tensile strength improvement is explored, highlighting the importance of design for additive manufacturing and topology optimization as effective design tools.