Abstract: A method of obtaining information about a heterogeneous pharmaceutical mixture is disclosed. This method involves applying an image enhancement agent, such as a stain, to the mixture. An image of the mixture can then be obtained, and information about a distribution of components of the mixture in the image can also be obtained based on spatial information derived from the application of the image enhancement agent.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a particle characterization method is disclosed that includes suspending particles in a fluid, causing them to flow past a two-dimensional array detector, and illuminating them as they do so. The method also includes acquiring images of the particles as they flow past the two-dimensional array detector in the fluid, and applying a particle characterization function to the images for at least some of the suspended particles.

Abstract: Spectrometric apparatus that include an array of detector elements and exhibits a number of capabilities is disclosed. The elements can be responsive to incident radiation to produce an output signal that includes information from the incident radiation. A spectrally selective element can be located in an optical path between the radiation source and the array, with an analysis module responsive to the output signal operative to analyze spatial distribution of spectral information received by the array. The apparatus can also correct for differences in intensity and spectral variability for spectral image signals and/or compare the spectral image signals with a pattern in spatial-spectral coordinate space. Detector elements can be responsive to scattering, and spatial information in their output can be analyzed.

Abstract: A method of obtaining information about a heterogeneous pharmaceutical mixture is disclosed. This method involves applying an image enhancement agent, such as a stain, to the mixture. An image of the mixture can then be obtained, and information about a distribution of components of the mixture in the image can also be obtained based on spatial information derived from the application of the image enhancement agent.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a spectroscopic method is disclosed. This method includes acquiring a plurality of separate spectral measurements at different locations on a sample and evaluating results of the measurements based on one or more predetermined test criteria. Information from measurements made at the different locations is categorized based on results of the step of evaluating, and results are reported that include information from both the step of acquiring and the step of categorizing.

Abstract: A method of obtaining information about a heterogeneous pharmaceutical mixture is disclosed. This method involves applying an image enhancement agent, such as a stain, to the mixture. An image of the mixture can then be obtained, and information about a distribution of components of the mixture in the image can also be obtained based on spatial information derived from the application of the image enhancement agent.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a spectroscopic method for monitoring heterogeneity of a sample is disclosed. In this method, sampled spectroscopic measurements are acquired over a range of different micro locations in a macro-sample of the sample. This step is repeated for micro-locations in further macro-samples of the sample, and a statistical measure of chemical heterogeneity is derived from the acquisitions. In another general aspect, differently sized samples are acquired, and a statistical measure of chemical heterogeneity is derived from these acquisitions.

Abstract: Spectrometric apparatus that include an array of detector elements and exhibits a number of capabilities is disclosed. The elements can be responsive to incident radiation to produce an output signal that includes information from the incident radiation. A spectrally selective element can be located in an optical path between the radiation source and the array, with an analysis module responsive to the output signal operative to analyze spatial distribution of spectral information received by the array. The apparatus can also correct for differences in intensity and spectral variability for spectral image signals and/or compare the spectral image signals with a pattern in spatial-spectral coordinate space. Detector elements can be responsive to scattering, and spatial information in their output can be analyzed.

Abstract: Spectrometers and spectrometric measurement methods are disclosed. These employ narrow-band sources positioned in a circular array to perform spectrometric measurements that can employ Hadamard sequences.

Abstract: Spectrometric apparatus that include an array of detector elements and exhibits a number of capabilities is disclosed. The elements can be responsive to incident radiation to produce an output signal that includes information from the incident radiation. A spectrally selective element can be located in an optical path between the radiation source and the array, with an analysis module responsive to the output signal operative to analyze spatial distribution of spectral information received by the array. The apparatus can also correct for differences in intensity and spectral variability for spectral image signals and/or compare the spectral image signals with a pattern in spatial-spectral coordinate space. Detector elements can be responsive to scattering, and spatial information in their output can be analyzed.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a spectroscopic method for monitoring heterogeneity of a sample is disclosed. In this method, sampled spectroscopic measurements are acquired over a range of different micro locations in a macro-sample of the sample. This step is repeated for micro-locations in further macro-samples of the sample, and a statistical measure of chemical heterogeneity is derived from the acquisitions. In another general aspect, differently sized samples are acquired, and a statistical measure of chemical heterogeneity is derived from these acquisitions.

Abstract: An imaging optical instrument for acquiring images of a sample area is disclosed. The instrument includes a spatial detector with aligned detector elements and a variable filter having filter characteristics that vary in at least one direction and are located in an optical path between the sample area and the spatial detector. An actuator is operatively connected between the variable filter and the spatial detector and is operative to move the variable filter along the direction in which the filter characteristics vary.

Abstract: A method for obtaining information about a heterogeneous pharmaceutical mixture is disclosed. The method includes beginning to apply an image enhancement agent to the mixture. A plurality of images of the mixture can then be obtained over time, with at least one image being obtained after the step of beginning to apply an image enhancement agent. This allows information to be derived about a distribution of components of the mixture, based on differences between spatial information in different images.

Abstract: Spectrometric apparatus that include an array of detector elements and exhibits a number of capabilities is disclosed. The elements can be responsive to incident radiation to produce an output signal that includes information from the incident radiation. A spectrally selective element can be located in an optical path between the radiation source and the array, with an analysis module responsive to the output signal operative to analyze spatial distribution of spectral information received by the array. The apparatus can also correct for differences in intensity and spectral variability for spectral image signals and/or compare the spectral image signals with a pattern in spatial-spectral coordinate space. Detector elements can be responsive to scattering, and spatial information in their output can be analyzed.

Abstract: An imaging optical instrument for acquiring images of a sample area is disclosed. The instrument includes a spatial detector with aligned detector elements and a variable filter having filter characteristics that vary in at least one direction and are located in an optical path between the sample area and the spatial detector. An actuator is operatively connected between the variable filter and the spatial detector and is operative to move the variable filter along the direction in which the filter characteristics vary.

Abstract: An imaging optical instrument for acquiring images of a sample area is disclosed. The instrument includes a spatial detector with aligned detector elements and a variable filter having filter characteristics that vary in at least one direction and are located in an optical path between the sample area and the spatial detector. An actuator is operatively connected between the variable filter and the spatial detector and is operative to move the variable filter along the direction in which the filter characteristics vary.

Abstract: A spectrometer that includes an array of illumination sources positioned to illuminate a detection area with a plurality of beams of light. A detector is responsive to the detection area, and a spectroscopic signal output is responsive to relative amounts of light from the beams in different spectral regions received by the detector after interaction with the sample in the detection area.