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The EARL-LIGHT A New Tool for Improving Microscopic Diagnosis in the Field in Developing Countries. In most developing countries:
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The EARL-LIGHT A New Tool for Improving Microscopic Diagnosis in the Field in Developing Countries
In most developing countries: • The biologic diagnosis of many infectious diseases (including the two major killers, malaria and tuberculosis) relies on microscopic examination of stained specimens. • However, this examination is often hindered by the lack of a reliable light source to illuminate the specimens. • Microscopes which depend on a light bulb are unusable during power failures. • Microscopes equipped with a mirror that reflects ambient daylight are unusable at night, during cloudy days, or when far from a well-lighted window. • This problem can now be overcome with a versatile illuminator (the EARL-Light*) initially developed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta, USA). *EARL: External, Autonomous, Repositionable, Lightweight
The EARL-Light Figure 2 Figure 1 B B C C A A A battery pack (A) powers a light-emitting diode (C); a flexible stem (B) allows the microscopist to direct the light beam towards a microscope mirror (as in Fig 1), or to shine directly into a microscope condenser (as in Fig 2).
The EARL-Light -670 gm (1.5 lb) -13 X 13 X 4 cm (5.1 X 5.1 X 1.6”) Flexible metal stem (33 cm; 13”) allows variable positioning of the light beam White light-emitting diode: produces an intense, cool bluish white light (thus no filter required and no heat produced) Cover (removed to show batteries) Rotating knob functions as switch and intensity control Three flashlight (D) batteries provide power for 1,250 hours (one year of work, at 4 hours a day, 6 days per week)
Using the EARL-Light under field conditions (Democratic Republic of Congo) Malaria parasites Tuberculosis bacilli Two major killers in the developing world, seen through microscopes using illumination provided by the EARL-Light.