Abstract: A variable condenser for delivery of illumination, including a recursively nested circle-to-line fiber optic shape-converting cable and a focusable input lens system. At the input of the fiber optic cable, sets of individual optical fibers comprise successively smaller annuli recursively nested about a common center. At the output of the fiber optic cable, the sets of individual optical fibers comprise pairs of line segments recursively nested about the line midpoint, whereby the nesting level of the pairs of line segments has an exact or an approximate correspondence to the nesting level of the annuli. The output may be split into a plurality of lines, whereby the sets of individual optical fibers are distributed among the plurality of lines. The input lens system has a single adjustable focus means to vary the radius of an illumination spot incident upon the input of the fiber optic cable circle input.

Abstract: A tunable spectral filtration device is disclosed that includes one or more pairs of interference filters in series, wherein each element of each pair is independently selected from one or more options, independently positioned to intersect a path of converging or diverging light, and independently tilted with respect to the light path. Each filter may be either of a bandpass type, a shortpass type, a longpass type, a notch type, or multiple combinations thereof. Each filter in the series may be independently selected and tilted to tune the net spectral output of the series. The elements in a pair of filters may be tilted in opposite directions so as to cancel angle-of incidence dependent broadening of the spectral output of the individual filters for noncollimated light, as well as cancel translational shift of the transmitted light rays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging a subject animal. The method comprises the steps of treating the animal with an x-ray contrast agent and an imaging agent; supporting the animal in an immobilized state on a support member; acquiring an x-ray anatomical image of the animal; acquiring an optical, dark-field image of the animal; and registering the x-ray anatomical image and the optical image, whereby features of the optical image can be observed in relation to features of the anatomical image.

Abstract: An imaging system for imaging an object, including: a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state; a removable phosphor plate assembly adapted to respond to ionizing radiation by emitting visible light; first imaging means for imaging the immobilized object in a first imaging mode to capture a first image; second imaging means for imaging the immobilized object in a second imaging mode, different from the first imaging mode, to capture a second image; and third imaging means for imaging the immobilized object in a third imaging mode, different from the first and second imaging modes, to capture a third image, wherein the first imaging mode uses the phosphor plate assembly and is selected from the group: x-ray mode and low energy radio isotope mode; the second imaging mode uses the phosphor plate assembly and a high energy radio isotope mode, and the third imaging mode is selected from the group: bright-field mode, fluorescence mode and luminescence mode.

Abstract: An imaging target, suited for use in multi-modal imaging systems, includes test patterns for testing quality of both focus and co-registration for multiple magnifications and multiple modalities of operation of a multimodal imaging system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging a subject animal. The method comprises the steps of treating the animal with an x-ray contrast agent and an imaging agent; supporting the animal in an immobilized state on a support member; acquiring an x-ray anatomical image of the animal; acquiring an optical, dark-field image of the animal; and registering the x-ray anatomical image and the optical image, whereby features of the optical image can be observed in relation to features of the anatomical image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for depth selected fluorescence measurements is provided. The apparatus may include a carrier for at least one sample substance; projection optics; an image capture module; a signal processor to transform the data image to provide depth selected fluorescence measurement for the at least one sample substance. The apparatus is arranged such that a first optical axis is inclined relative to a second optical axis so that the projection optics have an angle of inclination relative to the image plane. The angle of inclination is selected so that a component of excitation radiation incident upon, but not absorbed by, the at least one sample substance is scattered or reflected to reduce excitation radiation from reaching the detection beam path.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods that are useful for performing high-throughput screening assays and combinatorial chemistry. Such methods can include labeling a library of compounds by emulsifying aqueous solutions of the compounds and aqueous solutions of unique liquid labels on a microfluidic device, which includes a plurality of electrically addressable, channel bearing fluidic modules integrally arranged on a microfabricated substrate such that a continuous channel is provided for flow of immiscible fluids, whereby each compound is labeled with a unique liquid label, pooling the labeled emulsions, coalescing the labeled emulsions with emulsions containing a specific cell or enzyme, thereby forming a nanoreactor, screening the nanoreactors for a desirable reaction between the contents of the nanoreactor, and decoding the liquid label, thereby identifying a single compound from a library of compounds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring long bone density of small animals. A phosphor screen or plate is provided of a type that transduces incident ionizing radiation to emitted light. A small animal is positioned before the phosphor screen or plate and exposed to soft X-radiation having an energy level in the range of 11 to 16 Kev. Light emitted by the phosphor screen or plate is captured using a digital camera and a digital X-ray image is prepared of a long bone of the animal. The X-ray image is transformed into an X-ray density image and a region of interest is defined on the long bone in the X-ray density image. At least one row of pixels is scanned within the region of interest of the X-ray density image. A nonlinear least squares analysis of data obtained from the scanning step is conducted using a cylindrical model for the long bone within the region of interest.

Abstract: A tunable spectral filtration device is disclosed that includes one or more pairs of interference filters in series, wherein each element of each pair is independently selected from one or more options, independently positioned to intersect a path of converging or diverging light, and independently tilted with respect to the light path. Each filter may be either of a bandpass type, a shortpass type, a longpass type, a notch type, or multiple combinations thereof. Each filter in the series may be independently selected and tilted to tune the net spectral output of the series. The elements in a pair of filters may be tilted in opposite directions so as to cancel angle-of incidence dependent broadening of the spectral output of the individual filters for noncollimated light, as well as cancel translational shift of the transmitted light rays.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for depth selected fluorescence measurements of a sample.

Abstract: A torsional support apparatus is disclosed for craniocaudal rotation of test animals to enable multiple-view imaging. The animal is supported in a U-shaped loop of optically transparent material and the loop is moved to apply torsion to the animal to rotate it about its craniocaudal axis. Methods of imaging also are disclosed that use the torsional support technique.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging a subject animal. The method comprises the steps of treating the animal with an x-ray contrast agent and an imaging agent; supporting the animal in an immobilized state on a support member; acquiring an x-ray anatomical image of the animal; acquiring an optical, dark-field image of the animal; and registering the x-ray anatomical image and the optical image, whereby features of the optical image can be observed in relation to features of the anatomical image.

Abstract: A fluorescence reference plate for a fluorescence spectroscopic instrument is arranged with fluorescent layers having different excitation and emission characteristics. The fluorescent layers are ordered in the form of a stack for providing a flat-field calibration standard over multiple bands of wavelengths.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing an optical molecular image of one or more internal regions of interest of a small animal having a cranio-caudal axis. The apparatus may include a support member for the animal in an immobilized state; an endoscope for insertion into and withdrawal from the body of the animal to allow the endoscope to be positioned selectively proximate the internal regions of interest within the body; a light source connected to the endoscope to provide illumination within the body at the regions of interest; a mechanism for rotating the animal about its cranio-caudal axis to enable image capture from different angles; and a device for capturing images of the one or more internal regions of interest from the different angles, due to light emitted from the one or more internal regions of interest through an external surface of the body in response to illumination from the light source. A corresponding method is disclosed.

Abstract: A variable condenser for delivery of illumination, including a recursively nested circle-to-line fiber optic shape-converting cable and a focusable input lens system. At the input of the fiber optic cable, sets of individual optical fibers comprise successively smaller annuli recursively nested about a common center. At the output of the fiber optic cable, the sets of individual optical fibers comprise pairs of line segments recursively nested about the line midpoint, whereby the nesting level of the pairs of line segments has an exact or an approximate correspondence to the nesting level of the annuli. The output may be split into a plurality of lines, whereby the sets of individual optical fibers are distributed among the plurality of lines. The input lens system has a single adjustable focus means to vary the radius of an illumination spot incident upon the input of the fiber optic cable circle input.

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed for imaging an object. More specifically, an improvement is disclosed in an imaging system enabling depth sectioned fluorescence imaging in a turbid medium, such as human or animal tissue, in such a manner as to substantially minimize the excitation radiation from reaching the detection beam path. The imaging system includes an arrangement of the excitation radiation source such that the optical axis of the source is inclined relative to the optical axis of the camera, the optical plane of the source and the optical plane of the object are subject to a Scheimpflug condition provided by projection optics, and the angle of inclination of the source is selected such that the excitation radiation incident upon the object is reflected in such a way that substantially minimizes excitation radiation from reaching the detection beam path.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for (A) adjusting the physical, spatial orientation of an immobilized subject in a multi-modal imaging system so as substantially to reproduce or match the physical, spatial orientation of a reference subject, wherein the reference subject is either (a) the same or (b) a different subject, either (1) during a prior imaging session for a later imaging session, or, in the case where a plurality of subjects is imaged in one imaging session, (2) during a contemporaneous imaging session; and (B) adjusting the virtual, spatial orientation of an immobilized subject in a set of multi-modal images.

Abstract: An imaging system for imaging an object, including: a support member adapted to receive the object in an immobilized state; a removable phosphor plate assembly adapted to respond to ionizing radiation by emitting visible light; first imaging means for imaging the immobilized object in a first imaging mode to capture a first image; second imaging means for imaging the immobilized object in a second imaging mode, different from the first imaging mode, to capture a second image; and third imaging means for imaging the immobilized object in a third imaging mode, different from the first and second imaging modes, to capture a third image, wherein the first imaging mode uses the phosphor plate assembly and is selected from the group: x-ray mode and low energy radio isotope mode; the second imaging mode uses the phosphor plate assembly and a high energy radio isotope mode, and the third imaging mode is selected from the group: bright-field mode, fluorescence mode and luminescence mode.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for capturing a radiographic or autoradiographic image of an object, in which a support member is provided to receive the object in an immobilized state; a phosphor screen is provided to transduce ionizing radiation from the source to visible light; film or a digital capture device is provided for capturing an image using the visible light; and the phosphor screen is moved incrementally to facilitate reduction of phosphor screen mottle.