EdgePhase: a portable edge-computational microscope for point-of-care quantitative phase imaging

In contrast to conventional commercial microscopes characterized by bulky dimensions and heavy weight, portable devices offer a viable solution for point-of-care testing (PoCT) applications. However, most existing portable or handheld microscopes still depend on external platforms for image recording, processing, storage, and display, which limits their suitability for field deployment. Addressing this limitation, we developed a portable edge computational microscope named EdgePhase by integrating imaging, computing, storage, and visualization capabilities. The EdgePhase has a size of 18.80 × 20.34 × 19.57 cm³, incorporating a compact quantitative phase imaging system, an edge computing platform, a monitor, and a rechargeable power supply. Relying on parallel computing, it achieves a frame rate of >10 fps following dual-focus image acquisition, phase retrieval, and data storage, and result visualization for 1024 × 1024-pixel imaging. Through validation of phase reconstruction accuracy and demonstration of dynamic and field phase imaging capabilities using live cells and blood smears, the proposed system provides a practical solution for portable edge computational microscopy.