Abstract: An electronic component assembly having thermal pads with thermal vias coupling an image sensor and a camera board fab is provided for heat dissipation. The electronic component assembly can include: a circuit board having at least one thermal pad disposed on a top surface of the circuit board; and an image sensor disposed on the top surface of the circuit board, having at least one conductive pad disposed at at least one corner of the image sensor. The at least one thermal pad is coupled to the at least one conductive pad of the image sensor and the at least one thermal pad is formed with a plurality of first thermal vias penetrating the thermal pad and the circuit board for transfer of heat of the image sensor.

Abstract: An electronic component assembly having thermal pads with thermal vias coupling an image sensor and a camera board fab is provided for heat dissipation. The electronic component assembly can include: a circuit board having at least one thermal pad disposed on a top surface of the circuit board; and an image sensor disposed on the top surface of the circuit board, having at least one conductive pad disposed at at least one corner of the image sensor. The at least one thermal pad is coupled to the at least one conductive pad of the image sensor and the at least one thermal pad is formed with a plurality of first thermal vias penetrating the thermal pad and the circuit board for transfer of heat of the image sensor.

Abstract: An electronic component assembly having thermal pads with thermal vias coupling an image sensor and a camera board fab is provided for heat dissipation. The electronic component assembly can include: a circuit board having at least one thermal pad disposed on a top surface of the circuit board; and an image sensor disposed on the top surface of the circuit board, having at least one conductive pad disposed at at least one corner of the image sensor. The at least one thermal pad is coupled to the at least one conductive pad of the image sensor and the at least one thermal pad is formed with a plurality of first thermal vias penetrating the thermal pad and the circuit board for transfer of heat of the image sensor.

Abstract: An electronic component assembly having thermal pads with thermal vias coupling an image sensor and a camera board fab is provided for heat dissipation. The electronic component assembly can include: a circuit board having at least one thermal pad disposed on a top surface of the circuit board; and an image sensor disposed on the top surface of the circuit board, having at least one conductive pad disposed at at least one corner of the image sensor. The at least one thermal pad is coupled to the at least one conductive pad of the image sensor and the at least one thermal pad is formed with a plurality of first thermal vias penetrating the thermal pad and the circuit board for transfer of heat of the image sensor.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for implementing fast, fixed-focal-length lens imaging systems for molecular biology or genetics applications are provided. In particular, techniques and structures are provided for allowing for precise alignment of the optical and imaging components of such imaging systems during assembly with a minimal amount of adjustment.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for implementing fast, fixed-focal-length lens imaging systems for molecular biology or genetics applications are provided. In particular, techniques and structures are provided for allowing for precise alignment of the optical and imaging components of such imaging systems during assembly with a minimal amount of adjustment.

Abstract: An imaging assembly for the viewing, imaging, and analysis of chemiluminescent or bioluminescent samples in gels or other substrates, in which an adjustable camera and lens module having a prime or fixed lens or a focusing lens is moved to change the field of view by shifting the focal plane of the camera and lens module. The imaging assembly can also include a mirror to bend or fold the optical path between the camera and lens module and the target area having a sample, in which the mirror can move in the same vertical direction as the camera and lens module. Further, the camera and lens module can be configured to more move in a diagonal direction relative to the location of the imaging target area. The imaging assembly can further have a duct system adaptable to adjust with the movement of the camera and lens module.

Abstract: An imaging assembly for the viewing, imaging, and analysis of biological, chemical, and/or biochemical samples in gels or other substrates, in which an adjustable camera and lens module, a reflex mirror, and a focal plane mirror, are configured to bend or fold an optical path in order to image a target region, and where the optical path can be reflected along non-orthogonal angles. The imaging assembly is configured to reduce the overall size of the imaging apparatus due to the angles at which the mirrors and camera and lens assembly are positioned relative to each other, which allows for the imaging of relatively larger samples in the target region.

Abstract: A planar sample, particularly of the type used in biological laboratories for detection and sometimes analysis of two-dimensional arrays of proteins, nucleic acids, or other biological species, is illuminated by epi-illumination using optically filtered line lights that are arranged along opposing parallel sides of a rectangle in which the sample array resides, with two coaxial line lights on each side of the rectangle, and the two on any given side being separated by a gap whose optimal width depends on the wavelength band transmitted by the optical filter. Surprisingly, the gap eliminates the peak in intensity at the center of the sample area and the decrease that occurs from the center outward that would otherwise occur with a single continuous filtered line light, producing instead a substantially uniform intensity along the direction parallel to the line lights.

Abstract: An imaging assembly for the viewing, imaging, and analysis of biological, chemical, and/or biochemical samples in gels or other substrates, in which an adjustable camera and lens module, a reflex mirror, and a focal plane mirror, are configured to bend or fold an optical path in order to image a target region, and where the optical path can be reflected along non-orthogonal angles. The imaging assembly is configured to reduce the overall size of the imaging apparatus due to the angles at which the mirrors and camera and lens assembly are positioned relative to each other, which allows for the imaging of relatively larger samples in the target region.

Abstract: An imaging assembly for the viewing, imaging, and analysis of chemiluminescent or bioluminescent samples in gels or other substrates, in which an adjustable camera and lens module having a prime or fixed lens or a focusing lens is moved to change the field of view by shifting the focal plane of the camera and lens module. The imaging assembly can also include a mirror to bend or fold the optical path between the camera and lens module and the target area having a sample, in which the mirror can move in the same vertical direction as the camera and lens module. Further, the camera and lens module can be configured to more move in a diagonal direction relative to the location of the imaging target area. The imaging assembly can further have a duct system adaptable to adjust with the movement of the camera and lens module.

Abstract: The procedures involved in isoelectric focusing that entail the use of an electric current can be performed with the gel side of the IPG strip facing either up or down in a tray and electrode assembly in which the electrodes are mounted on an insert from which the inner ends of the electrodes extend into the troughs to reside either below the IPG strips or above them. Slots in one part (either the insert or the tray) mate with walls or partitions in the other part to secure the two parts together, and the heights of the electrodes within the troughs of the tray can be adjusted by the height of the insert in the tray or by a resilient mounting of the electrode to the insert.

Abstract: A slab gel cassette is formed from generally flat plates welded together along their borders with a gel space between the plates that is open at the top and bottom edges of the plates to expose the opposing ends of a gel in the gel space to buffer solutions in which electrodes are immersed. The plates are shaped such that the weld line does not intersect with the bottom opening of the gel space. Sealing of the bottom of the gel space, which is necessary for gel casting, is achieved by placing a sealing strip over the bottom opening with no danger of leakage of the gel solution along a weld line.

Abstract: The procedures involved in isoelectric focusing that entail the use of an electric current can be performed with the gel side of the IPG strip facing either up or down in a tray and electrode assembly in which the electrodes are mounted on an insert from which the inner ends of the electrodes extend into the troughs to reside either below the IPG strips or above them. Slots in one part (either the insert or the tray) mate with walls or partitions in the other part to secure the two parts together, and the heights of the electrodes within the troughs of the tray can be adjusted by the height of the insert in the tray or by a resilient mounting of the electrode to the insert.

Abstract: An electrode alignment apparatus may be used with a microfluidic device for accurate and repeatable alignment of electrode pins with reservoirs on the microfluidic device. The apparatus includes a base unit and an electrode block assembly that are moveable with respect to each other from an open position to a closed position. The electrode block assembly includes an interface array that is coupled to an interface array platform such that the interface array is moveable with respect to the interface array platform in three dimensions.

Abstract: Flat plates serving as molds and enclosures for slab gels are held together by a clamping frame in which the side edges of the plates slide into facing channels and are clamped by lever-operated cams that compress the channel walls against the plate surfaces. The joined plates are held on a vertical support rack containing a finger-operated spring-loaded notched clamp that presses down on the plates to seal the opening at the bottom edges of the plates against a gasket. A well-forming comb for insertion between the plates contains flexible outwardly angled fingers to seal against the spacers between the plates.

Abstract: A slab gel cassette is formed from generally flat plates welded together along their borders with a gel space between the plates that is open at the top and bottom edges of the plates to expose the opposing ends of a gel in the gel space to buffer solutions in which electrodes are immersed. The plates are shaped such that the weld line does not intersect with the bottom opening of the gel space. Sealing of the bottom of the gel space, which is necessary for gel casting, is achieved by placing a sealing strip over the bottom opening with no danger of leakage of the gel solution along a weld line.

Abstract: An electrode alignment apparatus may be used with a microfluidic device for accurate and repeatable alignment of electrode pins with reservoirs on the microfluidic device. The apparatus includes a base unit and an electrode block assembly that are moveable with respect to each other from an open position to a closed position. The electrode block assembly includes an interface array that is coupled to an interface array platform such that the interface array is moveable with respect to the interface array platform in three dimensions.

Abstract: Flat plates serving as molds and enclosures for slab gels are held together by a clamping frame in which the side edges of the plates slide into facing channels and are clamped by lever-operated cams that compress the channel walls against the plate surfaces. The joined plates are held on a vertical support rack containing a finger-operated spring-loaded notched clamp that presses down on the plates to seal the opening at the bottom edges of the plates against a gasket. A well-forming comb for insertion between the plates contains flexible outwardly angled fingers to seal against the spacers between the plates.

Abstract: Flat plates serving as molds and enclosures for slab gels are held together by a clamping frame in which the side edges of the plates slide into facing channels and are clamped by lever-operated cams that compress the channel walls against the plate surfaces. The joined plates are held on a vertical support rack containing a finger-operated spring-loaded notched clamp that presses down on the plates to seal the opening at the bottom edges of the plates against a gasket. A well-forming comb for insertion between the plates contains flexible outwardly angled fingers to seal against the spacers between the plates.