Abstract: A laser assembly is provided which includes an objective assembly having an objective and a dichroic mirror, a collimating assembly having a collimating lens and a selectively displaceable mount, and a laser supply assembly having a laser source. The laser assembly can provide laser light through the collimating lens, which collimates the laser light into a collimated beam. The laser beam is preferably transmitted onto the dichroic mirror, which reflects the laser light through the objective along the optical path of the objective which converges into a focal point. Such a laser assembly preferably provides substantial control of the laser beam, for example, for micromanipulation of a sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for using eye-safe infrared energy from a Class I laser to manipulate cells in culture. The laser energy produces one or more phase boundary propulsion events, which generate hydrodynamic forces sufficient to manipulate cells at the focal point.

Abstract: A modular laser objective for use with a microscope is provided. A mounting modular body permits the modular objective to be releasably mounted to the turret of a microscope. The objective has an optical axis that permits an image beam to be emitted through the objective toward the eyepiece of a microscope. The modular body supports a mirror positioned at an angle to the optical axis of the objective. A modular laser assembly is mounted on the modular body on a first side of the mirror for directing a laser beam toward the mirror so that the energy is reflected off the mirror and through the objective in a direction that is substantially aligned with the optical axis of the objective.

Abstract: An objective assembly for use with a microscope is provided. The objective has an optical axis that permits an image beam to be emitted through the objective toward the eyepiece of a microscope. A mirror is positioned at an angle to the optical axis of the objective. A laser assembly is positioned on a first side of the mirror for directing a laser beam toward said mirror so that the energy is reflected off the mirror and through the objective in a direction that is substantially aligned with the optical axis of the objective. An indicator assembly including a source of light is positioned with the light incident on the other side of the mirror to reflect a beam of light in a direction opposite to the direction of the laser beam to provide an optical representation at the eyepiece of a microscope of the position of the laser beam being emitted by the objective.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for using eye-safe infrared energy from a Class I laser to manipulate cells in culture. The laser energy produces one or more phase boundary propulsion events, which generate hydrodynamic forces sufficient to manipulate cells at the focal point.

Abstract: The invention relates, generally, to a method of removing sharp edges from a microscope coverslip comprising grinding down the edges and polishing the edges The invention also relates to a device for determining cell motility comprising a slide, a coverslip, comprising at least one edge that has been smoothed and a chamber, created by the slide and the coverslip and which is tangential to the coverslip, such that motile cells entering the chamber are substantially undamaged. The invention also relates to a method for using the device to determine cell motility.

Abstract: A modular laser objective for use with a microscope is provided. A mounting modular body permits the modular objective to be releasably mounted to the turret of a microscope. The objective has an optical axis that penults an image beam to be emitted through the objective toward the eyepiece of a microscope. The modular body supports a mirror positioned at an angle to the optical axis of the objective. A modular laser assembly is mounted on the modular body on a first side of the mirror for directing a laser beam toward the mirror so that the energy is reflected off the mirror and through the objective in a direction that is substantially aligned with the optical axis of the objective.

Abstract: An objective assembly for use with a microscope is provided. The objective has an optical axis that permits an image beam to be emitted through the objective toward the eyepiece of a microscope. A mirror is positioned at an angle to the optical axis of the objective. A laser assembly is positioned on a first side of the mirror for directing a laser beam toward said mirror so that the energy is reflected off the mirror and through the objective in a direction that is substantially aligned with the optical axis of the objective. An indicator assembly including a source of light is positioned with the light incident on the other side of the mirror to reflect a beam of light in a direction opposite to the direction of the laser beam to provide an optical representation at the eyepiece of a microscope of the position of the laser beam being emitted by the objective.

Abstract: The invention relates, generally, to a method of removing sharp edges from a microscope coverslip comprising grinding down the edges and polishing the edges The invention also relates to a device for determining cell motility comprising a slide, a coverslip, comprising at least one edge that has been smoothed and a chamber, created by the slide and the coverslip and which is tangential to the coverslip, such that motile cells entering the chamber are substantially undamaged. The invention also relates to a method for using the device to determine cell motility.

Abstract: A method for calculating and displaying the isothermal contours of the energy produced by a laser in a sample includes applying a laser beam to the focal point of a sample. The region near the focal point is divided into cylinders coaxial with the beam. The maximum temperature reached during the laser pulse of at least three points at arbitrary distances from the focal point is derived. The temperatures calculated are plotted as a function of distance from the focal point sufficient to generate isothermal contours. A computer display is then generated of the isothermal contours corresponding to the temperature calculations.

Abstract: A method for calculating and displaying the isothermal contours of the energy produced by a laser in a sample includes applying a laser beam to the focal point of a sample. The region near the focal point is divided into cylinders coaxial with the beam. The maximum temperature reached during the laser pulse of at least three points at arbitrary distances from the focal point is derived. The temperatures calculated are plotted as a function of distance from the focal point sufficient to generate isothermal contours. A computer display is then generated of the isothermal contours corresponding to the temperature calculations.

Abstract: A container for storing and transporting semen, e.g., equine semen, along with a corresponding method of packing the container, is provided. The container is formed of an insulated box and an insulated cover. The insulated box and insulated cover each includes a collection of ridges and recesses to create a friction fit between the two that will only work with the insulated cover being placed on the insulated box in a predetermined orientation. A cooling pack is disposed on a floor of the insulated box. An insert is disposed to rest on the cooling pack inside the insulated box, such that the cooling pack is beneath the insert when the insulated box is in an upright position. The insert has at least one chamber for receiving a storage capsule holding the semen sample. The insulated cover frictionally fits on the insulated box and makes contact with the insert to hold the insert in place.

Abstract: An optical injection system for use in conjunction with a microscope having a turret supporting an objective having an optical path is provided. The optical injection system includes a dichroic mirror disposed between the turret and the objective, along the optical path. A collimating lens is further provided having an optical path directed to intersect the dichroic mirror. A laser source is positioned to project a laser beam through the collimating lens and along the collimating lens optical path. The laser can be used in conjunction with the microscope for a number of microsurgery applications. A method for calculating and displaying the isothermal contours of the energy produced by a laser in a sample is also provided.

Abstract: A container for storing and transporting semen, e.g., equine semen, along with a corresponding method of packing the container, is provided. The container is formed of an insulated box and an insulated cover. The insulated box and insulated cover each includes a collection of ridges and recesses to create a friction fit between the two that will only work with the insulated cover being placed on the insulated box in a predetermined orientation. A cooling pack is disposed on a floor of the insulated box. An insert is disposed to rest on the cooling pack inside the insulated box, such that the cooling pack is beneath the insert when the insulated box is in an upright position. The insert has at least one chamber for receiving a storage capsule holding the semen sample. The insulated cover frictionally fits on the insulated box and makes contact with the insert to hold the insert in place.

Abstract: A cassette reader for detecting the status of stained samples is provided. The colorimeter includes one or more high power emitting diodes as the source of illuminating the sample. An elliptical mirror, with a central aperture to permit the light to penetrate on to the sample, directs the scattered light on to its focal point at a detector. The colorimeter includes a microprocessor which compares an output signal for the percent ratio value of the detected values of a sample and a standard sample. The colorimeter housing provides position sensors which allow the identification of the well being examined. Finally, the system is modified to measure cell motility by determining the ratio of motile sperms to total cell concentration.

Abstract: A magnetic slide loading is used with automated cell counting equipment or manual optical microscopes to measure the number of cells in a fluid biological sample. A slide having a defined volume region holds the sample for measurement. A cover slip is placed over the defined volume region creating an enclosed volume. An actuable holder clamp is placed over the slide securing it as well as the cover slip in position by virtue of magnets secured to the bottom of the device exerting a magnetic force upon the holder clamp such that it is attracted toward the slide forcing the cover slip to flatten, thereby removing any defects or distortions from the volume. This action ensures that the volume has a uniform depth allowing accurate measurement of cell concentration within the biological sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining motility and other characteristics of cells in a fluid medium employing both the scattering and transmission of light through that medium and the absorption of shorter wavelength light by the cell with subsequent emission of fluorescent light. Both forms of light are imaged on an image detection apparatus, the output of which is analyzed as a function of time to produce the information concerning the characteristics of the cell.

Abstract: An improved motility scanner is disclosed for characterizing the motion of sperm, bacteria, particles suspended in flowing fluids and the like. The motility scanner includes an improved optical system, a source of illumination for the system and radiation sensing means including electronic image reversal means coupled to the system. A disposable specimen holder allows external loading thereof and its positioning on a heated specimen support. The illumination source functions as a collimator in directing all of the emanating illumination onto the specimen. Both directly transmitted light and light scattered by the specimen are received by an imaging lens and are both focussed thereby onto pixels of a light sensitive device. A movable plate provided with a retarding member is designed to be located at the plane conjugate to the plane of the small source aperature. The directly transmitted light is transmitted through the retarding member and/or the attenuating member.

Abstract: A motility scanner and method are disclosed for characterizing the motion of sperm, bacteria, particles suspended in flowing fluids and the like. The motility scanner preferably is mounted as a portable unit in a container and includes an optical system, a source of illumination for the system, a heated specimen support disposed in the system, ratiation sensing means coupled to the system, signal processing means for analyzing signals generated by the radiation sensing means, and a front panel disposed on the container and featuring an output screen, a printer and controls required for operating the motility detector, including a power switch. A disposable specimen holder of unique design allows external loading thereof and its positioning on the heated specimen support. The source of illumination can be a conventional filament lamp or one or more LED's. Power for the motility scanner can be self contained by incorporating a battery pack within the container or it can be derived from a conventional 110 V.A.C.

Abstract: A container for cooling, preserving and safely transporting a biological specimen includes a thermally insulating over-all container having as contents a container for ice, a container for the specimen including an isothermal metal cup, and a thermally insulating sheet interposed between the specimen container and the ice, the over-all container and the insulating sheet having thermal constants chosen to control the cooling rate, preferably to approximately one to three minutes per degree Centigrade, and to achieve a steady state temperature of the specimen near, but above freezing, preferably in the range of 4.degree. C. to 10.degree. C.