Open Hardware: STL Files for Custom 3D-Printed OpenFlexure Microscope and Raspberry Pi Display Holder

Live-cell timelapse imaging is transforming how researchers address critical health challenges, including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). However, advanced imaging systems capable of high-resolution timelapse acquisition are often prohibitively expensive, particularly for researchers in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs). In this project, we present a modified version of the open-source OpenFlexure Microscope (Collins et al. 2020), adapted to enable high-quality imaging of living cells over extended periods within humid tissue culture incubators. Key modifications include:

• A redesigned stage to accommodate standard 35 mm tissue culture dishes

• Relocation of electronic components (Raspberry Pi 4 and Sangaboard) outside the base unit, connected to a Raspberry Pi display

• A custom-designed “hammock” fixture that suspends the microscope using tensioned O-rings, reducing vibration artifacts during imaging

All STL files for the modified microscope are provided here. Additionally, we link to a GitHub repository containing an easy-to-install graphical user interface (GUI), enabling full microscope control, including timelapse acquisition, directly on the Raspberry Pi, without requiring an internet connection once installed.

The files for the original OpenFlexure Microscope can be found at https://build.openflexure.org/openflexure-microscope/v7.0.0-beta5/

Collins et al. "Robotic microscopy for everyone: the OpenFlexure microscope," Biomed. Opt. Express 11, 2447-2460 (2020)