Abstract: A method of using laser scanning cytometry to provide a viewable image of a specimen includes impinging a beam of light from a light source on the specimen and positioning a detector such that the detector captures only a portion of an unimpinged beam from the light source, and the detector captures forward scattered light from the beam after the beam impinges the specimen. Forward scattered light from the beam is captured with the detector after the beam impinges the specimen to produce an image of the specimen, and the position of the detector is adjusted to control the contrast of the image.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for enhancing a two-dimensional digital image to render the image as a three-dimensionally perceived image, which is apparent with both monocular and binocular vision. The method, as applied to images of samples captured in a laser-based imaging system (such as a laser scanning cytometry system, for example), produces images with improved spatial resolution, facilitating improvements in both digital and visual analyses. The method comprises offsetting an image by either hardware or data processing techniques, along with additional data processing, including subtraction, scaling, and addition of digital representation of the two-dimensional image.

Abstract: An absorption detection system is provided. The system includes a plurality of monochromatic light sources and a separator for separating the light from the plurality of monochromatic light sources into a plurality of wavelengths. A plurality of detectors, receives light of a single wavelength to measure absorption of light in a biological sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for focusing a laser scanning cytometer. In the illustrative embodiment, during one cytometric measurement process, a single laser is used for focusing the cytometer and for taking cytometric measurements. Laser light is transmitted though an objective lens and directed at a substrate in order to cause markers in a sample on the substrate 122 to fluoresce. A byproduct the of cytometric measurement is that a portion of the laser light incident on the substrate 122 with or without a sample is backscattered. The objective of the illustrative system collects the backscattered light along with the fluorescing light. Optical elements separate this backscattered laser light from the fluorescing light. The illustrative system uses the backscattered light to focus the objective.

Abstract: A stationary testing media device made of a glass or plastic plate and conveniently a microscope slide, wherein multiple simultaneous tests are conducted on a single multifurcated testing sample. The plate or slide is partitioned into two or more testing zones with each of the zones having been preferably pre-loaded with a stable test reactant. The testing zones are physically separated from one another but are connected, with a fluid flow connection, to a single sample reservoir which simultaneously feeds, such as by capillary action, each of the testing zones with a test portion of the testing sample. The testing zones retain the individual portions for a time sufficient to effect the individual zone reactions with pre-loaded reagents. An optional outflow reservoir is utilized to capture excess sample flow and flushing fluids.

Abstract: A laser scanning cytometer, used with forward light scatter measurements, is provided with a laterally extended, asymmetrically positioned (relative to a light blocking position) light blocker, positioned between a cell sample and a detector such as a photodiode. The light blocker is asymmetrically positioned, at the reference position (i.e., no specimen) to permit some light to pass by a first end thereof and wherein light scatter caused by a specimen cell passes the first end, with other light scatter being blocked by the extended light blocker at a second end. Contrast of light scatter detection is sufficient thereby to provide viewable images of cells by means of the laser scanning cytometer.

Abstract: A method and device for the calibration of microscope slides for use in accurate and repeatable position location and relocation of specific areas of a specimen on the slide, particularly with use of computer correlated location of specimen events. Deviation from orthogonality of a specimen holder positioned on a stage (relative to movement of the microscope slide stage) is determined and compensated for by means of a rectangular calibration slide having a predetermined fixed length diagonal, and visual fixation sites at the ends of the diagonal, i.e., opposite corners of the slide, for the position marking of the corners and determination of the diagonal and its position. The calibration slide is placed on the microscope stage, against a fixed position portion of the slide holder.

Abstract: Cell samples, stained with a fluorescent dye, taken up by DNA in the individual cells, are scanned with a cytometer, which measures the integrated value of fluorescent light/cell. The integrated values of all of the cells are compiled to create an histogram of cell counts versus integrated fluorescent light, representing a cell population of (a) cells having a complement of DNA, but not in the process of division (G.sub.0 phase), (b) cells having two full compliments of DNA, but which have not actually divided into two cells (G.sub.2 phase) and (c) cells which are in the process of replicating their DNA (S, separation phase). The percentages of cells in each of the phases, represented in the histogram as separated peaks of sizes proportional to the G.sub.0 and G.sub.2 populations, and separation S phase population, aids in the prognosis of a patient's cancer development. More serious malignancy is indicated by increased S and G.sub.2 phase populations. Errors, e.g.

Abstract: A computerized slide encoder for use with microscope analysis and pathological studies. The slide encoder is attached to the movable microscope stage, whereby x-y direction plane movement and location, is correlated to examination of an identified slide, with information marking and location being directly correspondingly written, at pre-defined times, on computer storage media, during the examination. Subsequent use of the computer-stored information, coupled with the slide encoder, in a slide re-examination, permits independent retrieval of such information and location on the slide. The computer storage media includes digitized vocal transcription of history of the slide made during the original examination. An embodiment of the slide encoder includes a computer mouse pen affixed to the stage of the microscope and a rolling surface, for the mouse pen, being affixed to the movable slide holder.

Abstract: A microscope slide and read-write system whereby the slide has a pathology specimen thereon and machine readable high density recording media in the form of a magnetic strip, optical reading strip or the like. The read-write system accommodates initial writing of slide and patient identification information on the recording media. The read-write system further embodies elements for operative connection to a microscope system whereby a computer generated representation of the screening history of pathology specimen is recorded and maintained during pathology analysis of the slide showing the mode and parameters of the analysis as well as position related events of interest. The computer generated screening representation is written to the recording media by the read-write system, for constant proximate availability with the slide.

Abstract: A method for the accurate counting of DNA probe spots in cell nuclei wherein anomalies caused by a two dimensional measurement of a three dimensional cell sample are eliminated from evaluation. DNA probe spots in cell nuclei which are counted by means of Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) include cells wherein probe spots of different contoured cells are overlaid or are detected as being adjacent one another with resultant erroneous diagnostic results such as with cancer detection or prognosis. A gating fluorescent value is determined by clusters of fluorescence in regions of non-anomalous values of fluorescence determined by plotting peak fluorescent value against area. The loci of the non-anomalous peak values cluster in specifically definable regions whereby fluorescent values for cells which deviate from the gating fluorescent value, are discounted in the preparation of histograms or other diagnostic measurements.

Abstract: A method of characterizing the chromosomes in a sample of cells by fixing the cell sample on a substrate, contacting the cell sample with a nucleic acid probe having a detectable label under conditions that allow the probe to hybridize preferentially to a chromosome in the cells to form a hybridized complex, optically detecting each labeled complex in the sample, defining a predetermined number of neighboring labeled complexes as a group, generating a distance parameter based on the distance between the position of a group and the position of the next neighboring labeled complex, and comparing the distance parameter for each group to a standard distance value to characterize the chromosomes in the cells of the sample.