A Modular and Affordable Time-Lapse Imaging and Incubation System Based on 3D-Printed Parts, a Smartphone, and Off-The-Shelf Electronics
Fig 1
ATLIS: an affordable system for time-lapse imaging and incubation of cells.
(a) The basic version of ATLIS was assembled by the combination of four modules. The imaging module, composed of a smartphone, a 3D-printed holder, and a motorized shutter, was designed to capture images of cells at a fixed interval minimizing their exposure to light. The heating unit was created to warm up the air introduced into a 3D-printed onstage incubator where cells are kept. Finally, the control unit was programmed to maintain a constant temperature inside the incubator by adjusting the power supplied to the heating unit. (b) A photograph of the ATLIS mounted on a Nikon TMS microscope fitted with a Samsung Galaxy S I9000 smartphone. (1) Nikon TMS microscope; (2) Samsung Galaxy S I9000 smartphone; (3) smartphone holder; (4) onstage incubator; (5) heating unit; (6) power supply; (7) control unit; (8) shutter; (9) temperature sensor; (10) light source.