Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method for controlling a microscope to scan a microscope slide. By analyzing an overview image it is determined quantatively which swathe contains the most image detail and an optimum scanning order can subsequently be determined relative to the swathe determined as having the most detail. By scanning the swathe with the most detail first a good focus characteristic can be established for a dynamic focussing system and prediction errors in the dynamic focus system are likely to be low when scanning subsequent swathes.

Abstract: A method for controlling the position of a microscope lens comprising receiving a reference signal corresponding to a reference position of the microscope lens; receiving a measurement signal corresponding to an actual position of the microscope lens; receiving a deviation signal characteristic of a predetermined positional deviation from the reference position; and using the measurement signal, the deviation signal and the reference signal to generate a positional control signal for use in setting the position of the microscope lens.

Abstract: A method is provided of forming a micro-channel structure for use in a biosensing device. A master structure is provided having a first configuration of micro-channels with respective first fluid flow characteristics. One or more regions of material are deposited onto the master structure using a fluidjet process so as to modify the first configuration into a second configuration having respective second fluid flow characteristics, different from the first. Functional biosensing devices formed using the method are also described.

Abstract: An inkjet head support assembly comprises a plurality of spaced apart carrier members mounted for relative movement along an elongate path, each carrier member including laterally offset first and second coupling positions. In use alternate inkjet heads are coupled at each of their ends between first coupling positions or between second coupling positions respectively of successive pairs of carrier members. At least one coupling position of each carrier member includes an adjustment mechanism to enable parts of inkjet heads coupled to the respective coupling positions of the same carrier member to be relatively aligned in the elongate direction.

Abstract: An inkjet head support assembly comprises a plurality of spaced apart carrier members mounted for relative movement along an elongate path, each carrier member including laterally offset first and second coupling positions. In use alternate inkjet heads are coupled at each of their ends between first coupling positions or between second coupling positions respectively of successive pairs of carrier members. At least one coupling position of each carrier member includes an adjustment mechanism to enable parts of inkjet heads coupled to the respective coupling positions of the same carrier member to be relatively aligned in the elongate direction.

Abstract: A method of producing a printed output on a substrate is provided using a drop emitting device which is adapted to emit a plurality of ink quantities in response to a control signal.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the sharpness of spatial frequencies in a digital image obtained by a digital imaging system. The method comprising modifying digital data defining the pixel content of the image so as to replace the spatial frequency characteristics of the digital image due to the digital imaging system with spatial frequency characteristics of an image produced by a microscope.

Abstract: A microscope objective lens positioning assembly comprises a lens mounting member to which a microscope objective lens defining an optical axis is mounted; a support member; and a pair of leaf springs. Each leaf spring has first and second ends, the first ends of the leaf springs being secured to upper and lower aligned locations respectively on the support member, and the second ends of the leaf springs being secured to corresponding upper and lower locations respectively on the lens mounting member whereby the two leaf springs, the optical axis of the objective lens, and a line between the upper and lower aligned locations on the support member define a parallelogram, the leaf springs flexing in use in response to movement of the lens mounting member.

Abstract: A method of producing a multiple focus stack image of a target, the stack image comprising a plurality of images of the target, each image having a corresponding focal range or position, wherein the method comprises causing relative scanning movement between the target and an array of light detectors, the array being used to repeatedly receive image information from the target during the scan in the form of scan lines; and causing the relative focus between the target and the array to be modified between the said focal ranges or positions of the respective images during the scan so as to obtain scan lines corresponding to each focal range or position during the scan, thereby obtaining the images in the stack, wherein each image is formed from the image information obtained as scan lines at the respective focal range or position during the scan.

Abstract: A method is provided of producing a multiple focus stack image of a target. The stack image has a plurality of images of the target, each image having a corresponding focal range or position. The method utilizes relative scanning movement between the target and an array of light detectors, the array being used to repeatedly receive image information as scan lines from the target during the scan. During the scan the relative focus between the target and the array is modified between the focal range or position of the respective images so as to obtain the images in the stack. Each image is thereby formed from the image information obtained at the respective focal range or position during the scan. Apparatus for performing the method is likewise provided.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus comprises a time delay integration sensor for obtaining first image information from a target and a scan device for causing relative motion between the time delay integration sensor and the target. The image scanning apparatus is characterized by detector array for obtaining second image information from a target, wherein the first image information corresponds to a first portion of light received from the target and the second image information corresponds to a second portion of light received from the target.

Abstract: A microscope objective lens positioning assembly comprises a lens mounting member to which a microscope objective lens defining an optical axis is mounted; a support member; and a pair of leaf springs. Each leaf spring has first and second ends, the first ends of the leaf springs being secured to upper and lower aligned locations respectively on the support member, and the second ends of the leaf springs being secured to corresponding upper and lower locations respectively on the lens mounting member whereby the two leaf springs, the optical axis of the objective lens, and a line between the upper and lower aligned locations on the support member define a parallelogram, the leaf springs flexing in use in response to movement of the lens mounting member.

Abstract: A method for controlling the position of a microscope lens comprising receiving a reference signal corresponding to a reference position of the microscope lens; receiving a measurement signal corresponding to an actual position of the microscope lens; receiving a deviation signal characteristic of a predetermined positional deviation from the reference position; and using the measurement signal, the deviation signal and the reference signal to generate a positional control signal for use in setting the position of the microscope lens.

Abstract: A method for processing a flexographic printing plate on which patterned flexographic material that is uncured or partially cured has been provided, the method comprising mechanically shaping the upper surface of the flexographic material and fully curing the shaped material.

Abstract: A method of producing a flexographic printing plate, comprises: a) inkjet printing a layer of flexographic material in a predetermined pattern onto a substrate; b) partially curing at least part of the printed layer of flexographic material so as to immobilize it on the substrate; and c) repeating steps (a) and (b) so as to print and partially cure one or more further layers of flexographic material in the predetermined pattern on the previous layer(s), characterized by additionally curing one or more lower printed layers before or while printing one or more upper layers so as to reduce spreading of the lower printed layer(s).

Abstract: A method of producing a printed output on a substrate is provided using a drop emitting device which is adapted to emit a plurality of ink quantities in response to a control signal.

Abstract: A method is provided of estimating an in-focus position of a target in an image scanning apparatus. A first part of the target is scanned at a nominal focus level so as to obtain corresponding image information. One or more further parts of the target are scanned at one or more respective further focus levels so as to obtain corresponding image information. A focus parameter is then calculated for each of the nominal and the one or more further focus levels using the respective image information. An in-focus position common to each of the first and further parts of the target is then estimated using the calculated focus parameters. Corresponding apparatus for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided of determining a device spectral response for an image recording device. The method comprises obtaining a filtered light response from a number of filters of a filter set, wherein each filter has a pass band with at least one boundary defined by a transition region. In the wavelength region of interest adjacent transition regions of the same sense are substantially non-overlapping. The obtained filtered light response for each filter is stored as response data. The device spectral response is determined using the stored response data and separately determined data describing the spectral response of the number of filters.

Abstract: A method of forming a conductive pattern on a substrate. The method comprising providing a substrate carrying a conductive layer; forming a first portion of the conductive pattern by exposing the conductive layer to a laser and controlling the laser to remove conductive material around the edge(s) of desired conductive region(s) of the first portion; and laying down an etch resistant material on the conductive layer, the etch resistant material defining a second portion of the conductive pattern, removing conductive material from those areas of the second portion not covered by the etch resistant material, and then removing the etch resistant material.

Abstract: A light filtering apparatus includes a first dispersion device, a spatial filter and a second dispersion device. The first dispersion device is arranged to cause spatial dispersion of an incident light beam as a function of its frequency. The spatial filter is arranged to filter the dispersed light beam so as to produce a spatially filtered resultant beam. The second dispersion device is arranged to recombine the dispersed and filtered light beam so as to produce an output light beam having a substantially similar spectrum at any position within the output beam cross-section.