Abstract: A photon-accounting system for use with a flow cytometry system is disclosed which includes a signal shaping sub-system, including a differentiator configured to generate a differentiated output of photodiode signals into corresponding zero-crossings each associated with one of the received photons, a comparator configured to receive the differentiated signal and compare to a threshold to thereby generate a comparator output digital signal associated with the crossing of the differentiated signal about the threshold, a front-end synchronization system adapted to receive and synchronize the comparator generated digital signal to a clock, thereby generate synchronized photon data with the clock and associated with the asynchronized photodiode signal, and a timestamping system adapted to receive the synchronized data as a bit stream and generate a timestamp associated with each photon data.

Abstract: A measurement system includes a system for causing relative motion between a sample and an irradiation spot. The sample includes fluorescent markers having respective wavelengths. A gating system provides a gating signal based at least in part on resultant light substantially at an irradiation wavelength. A detection system detects fluorescent light from the irradiated markers and provides detection signals representing the fluorescent light detected concurrently with a gate-open signal. In some examples, the detection system detects fluorescent light at multiple wavelengths and provides respective detection signals. A spectral discriminator arranged optically between the sample and the detection system receives the fluorescent light from the sample and provides respective fluorescent light at the wavelengths to the detection system. A flow cytometer can spectrally disperse resultant fluorescent light and measure the wavelengths separately.

Abstract: An image flow cytometer for observing a microparticulate sample includes a flow chamber having a flow channel that permits the microparticulate sample to travel in a flow direction. An irradiation system scans an irradiation spot across a sensing area of the flow channel in a scan direction different from the flow direction. A detection system detects resultant light from the sensing area and provides a detection signal. An alignment system alters a location of the sensing area with respect to the flow chamber. A control unit causes the irradiation system to scan the irradiation spot during a first measurement interval and operates the alignment system to translate the location of the sensing area along the flow direction. The flow chamber can be mounted to a movable stage in some examples, and the alignment system can move the flow chamber substantially opposite the flow direction using the stage.

Abstract: A measurement system includes a system for causing relative motion between a sample and an irradiation spot. The sample includes fluorescent markers having respective wavelengths. A gating system provides a gating signal based at least in part on resultant light substantially at an irradiation wavelength. A detection system detects fluorescent light from the irradiated markers and provides detection signals representing the fluorescent light detected concurrently with a gate-open signal. In some examples, the detection system detects fluorescent light at multiple wavelengths and provides respective detection signals. A spectral discriminator arranged optically between the sample and the detection system receives the fluorescent light from the sample and provides respective fluorescent light at the wavelengths to the detection system. A flow cytometer can spectrally disperse resultant fluorescent light and measure the wavelengths separately.

Abstract: An image flow cytometer for observing a microparticulate sample includes a flow chamber having a flow channel that permits the microparticulate sample to travel in a flow direction. An irradiation system scans an irradiation spot across a sensing area of the flow channel in a scan direction different from the flow direction. A detection system detects resultant light from the sensing area and provides a detection signal. An alignment system alters a location of the sensing area with respect to the flow chamber. A control unit causes the irradiation system to scan the irradiation spot during a first measurement interval and operates the alignment system to translate the location of the sensing area along the flow direction. The flow chamber can be mounted to a movable stage in some examples, and the alignment system can move the flow chamber substantially opposite the flow direction using the stage.

Abstract: An example assembly includes a target holder that retains a target in a detection region. Areflective surface reflects at least part of a focused spot of light to provide resultant light. An irradiation system irradiates at least part of the detection region with the focused spot of light. A motion system causes motion of the focused spot of light relative to the reflective surface. A detection system detects the resultant light. An example device, e.g., a lab-on-chip, includes a substrate, a sample inlet, and a reflective grating. The grating is retains a fluidic sample in a detection region fluidically connected to the sample inlet. The detection region is operatively arranged with respect to the reflective grating so that at least a portion of light passing through the detection region towards the reflective grating also passes through the detection region after reflecting off the reflective grating.

Abstract: An example assembly includes a target holder that retains a target in a detection region. A reflective surface reflects at least part of a focused spot of light to provide resultant light. An irradiation system irradiates at least part of the detection region with the focused spot of light. A motion system causes motion of the focused spot of light relative to the reflective surface. A detection system detects the resultant light. An example device, e.g., a lab-on-chip, includes a substrate, a sample inlet, and a reflective grating. The grating is retains a fluidic sample in a detection region fluidically connected to the sample inlet. The detection region is operatively arranged with respect to the reflective grating so that at least a portion of light passing through the detection region towards the reflective grating also passes through the detection region after reflecting off the reflective grating.

Abstract: An image flow cytometer for observing a microparticulate sample includes a flow chamber having a flow channel that permits the microparticulate sample to travel in a flow direction. An irradiation system scans an irradiation spot across a sensing area of the flow channel in a scan direction different from the flow direction. A detection system detects resultant light from the sensing area and provides a detection signal. An alignment system alters a location of the sensing area with respect to the flow chamber. A control unit causes the irradiation system to scan the irradiation spot during a first measurement interval and operates the alignment system to translate the location of the sensing area along the flow direction. The flow chamber can be mounted to a movable stage in some examples, and the alignment system can move the flow chamber substantially opposite the flow direction using the stage.

Abstract: An example assembly includes a target holder that retains a target in a detection region. A reflective surface reflects at least part of a focused spot of light to provide resultant light. An irradiation system irradiates at least part of the detection region with the focused spot of light. A motion system causes motion of the focused spot of light relative to the reflective surface. A detection system detects the resultant light. An example device, e.g., a lab-on-chip, includes a substrate, a sample inlet, and a reflective grating. The grating is retains a fluidic sample in a detection region fluidically connected to the sample inlet. The detection region is operatively arranged with respect to the reflective grating so that at least a portion of light passing through the detection region towards the reflective grating also passes through the detection region after reflecting off the reflective grating.

Abstract: According to various aspects, a flow system for transporting microparticulate samples in a hydrodynamically planar flow in a selected flow direction includes a flow chamber extending in the flow direction, having first and second apertures on opposed surfaces of the flow chamber. A sheath-fluid channel has first and second branches to carry the sheath fluid into the flow chamber through the first aperture and having orientations separated by less than about 15° at the first aperture; and third and fourth branches to carry the sheath fluid through the second aperture and having orientations separated by less than about 15° at the second aperture. In some examples, guide channels extend from the apertures substantially perpendicular to the flow chamber at the apertures, and sheath-fluid channel supply sheath fluid to the guide channels. Flow systems can be used in image flow cytometers for observing microparticulate samples, e.g., using scanning irradiation.

Abstract: A measurement system includes a system for causing relative motion between a sample and an irradiation spot. The sample includes fluorescent markers having respective wavelengths. A gating system provides a gating signal based at least in part on resultant light substantially at an irradiation wavelength. A detection system detects fluorescent light from the irradiated markers and provides detection signals representing the fluorescent light detected concurrently with a gate-open signal. In some examples, the detection system detects fluorescent light at multiple wavelengths and provides respective detection signals. A spectral discriminator arranged optically between the sample and the detection system receives the fluorescent light from the sample and provides respective fluorescent light at the wavelengths to the detection system. A flow cytometer can spectrally disperse resultant fluorescent light and measure the wavelengths separately.

Abstract: An image flow cytometer for observing a microparticulate sample includes a flow chamber having a flow channel that permits the microparticulate sample to travel in a flow direction. An irradiation system scans an irradiation spot across a sensing area of the flow channel in a scan direction different from the flow direction. A detection system detects resultant light from the sensing area and provides a detection signal. An alignment system alters a location of the sensing area with respect to the flow chamber. A control unit causes the irradiation system to scan the irradiation spot during a first measurement interval and operates the alignment system to translate the location of the sensing area along the flow direction. The flow chamber can be mounted to a movable stage in some examples, and the alignment system can move the flow chamber substantially opposite the flow direction using the stage.

Abstract: An image flow cytometer has a flow chamber with a flow channel formed therein to permit a microparticulate sample to flow through the flow channel. An irradiation optical system irradiates the sample in the channel with incident light in an irradiation spot smaller than a selected representative size, e.g., smaller than the sample. The system scans an irradiation position perpendicular to the flow direction of the sample. A detection optical system is opposed to the irradiation optical system through the flow chamber, or is off the optical axis of the incident light. The detection system detects a light intensity of resultant light from the flow chamber. A control unit detects the microparticulate sample according to a change of the light intensity of the resultant light detected by the detection optical system.

Abstract: An image flow cytometer has a flow chamber with a flow channel formed therein to permit a microparticulate sample to flow through the flow channel. An irradiation optical system irradiates the sample in the channel with incident light in an irradiation spot smaller than a selected representative size, e.g., smaller than the sample. The system scans an irradiation position perpendicular to the flow direction of the sample. A detection optical system is opposed to the irradiation optical system through the flow chamber, or is off the optical axis of the incident light. The detection system detects a light intensity of resultant light from the flow chamber. A control unit detects the microparticulate sample according to a change of the light intensity of the resultant light detected by the detection optical system.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying organisms by analysis of scattergrams of colonies is disclosed. cattergrams are obtained by culturing samples and illuminating the resultant colonies by a laser. The forward scattered light is imaged and subject to a feature extraction process. The feature vector may include Zernike or Chebyshev moments and may also include Harelick texture features. Feature vectors may be used to train a classification process using either supervised or unsupervised machine learning techniques. The classification process may be used to associate a colony phenotype with the genotype of the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for multimodal imaging of an object includes a support stage for receiving an object to be imaged; an object supported on the stage, a light source for producing a beam to illuminate the object; a filter positioned to receive and pass the beam toward the object; and a lens and camera system for capturing an image of the object. The apparatus may include a tiltable filter for filtering light from the source.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying organisms by analysis of scattergrams of colonies is disclosed. cattergrams are obtained by culturing samples and illuminating the resultant colonies by a laser. The forward scattered light is imaged and subject to a feature extraction process. The feature vector may include Zernike or Chebyshev moments and may also include Harelick texture features. Feature vectors may be used to train a classification process using either supervised or unsupervised machine learning techniques. The classification process may be used to associate a colony phenotype with the genotype of the sample.

Abstract: A method for collecting a microbiological substance utilizes a micro fabricated biochip having a collection chamber. A fluid sample containing a microbiological entity of interest is delivered to the collection chamber in the biochip. Then a non-uniform electric field is generated in the collection chamber, to retain the microbiological entity of interest in the collection chamber. The microbiological entity is retained through dielectrophoresis induced by the energization of the electrodes by a periodically applied, alternating current.

Abstract: A method for collecting a microbiological substance utilizes a microfabricated biochip having a collection chamber. A fluid sample containing a microbiological entity of interest is delivered to the collection chamber in the biochip. Then a non-uniform electric field is generated in the collection chamber, to retain the microbiological entity of interest in the collection chamber. The microbiological entity is retained through dielectrophoresis induced by the energization of the electrodes by a periodically applied, alternating current.

Abstract: A composition comprising follicle basement membrane is described. The composition can be utilized as a cell culture substrate for proliferating cells in vitro.