Abstract: A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and a plurality of laser interrogation regions. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the particle manipulation stage. In one exemplary embodiment, the particle manipulation stage is a microfabricated, flap-type fluid valve, which sorts a target particle from non-target particles in a fluid stream. The laser interrogation stages are disposed in the microfabricated fluid channels at the input and output of the flap-type sorting valve. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the sorting, and to control or adjust sort parameters during the sorting process. One or more feedback loops may be used to improve the particle manipulation process, based on data acquired during the first interrogation and/or during a downstream confirmation. Artificial intelligence techniques may be used to good effect.

Abstract: The invention is based on an autofocus method in which light from a light source is focused at a measurement light focus in a sample and is reflected from there and the reflected light is guided through an optical system in two light paths onto at least two detector elements. In order to achieve fast and accurate automatic focusing on the sample, it is proposed that the measurement light focus is moved in layers of the sample which reflect light to different extents, and the detector elements are arranged in such a way that, in this case, profiles of a radiation property registered by the detector elements are different and a focus position is set in a manner dependent on the profiles.

Abstract: A method including sensing an image without magnification of a portion of a tissue sample; displaying the sensed image on a display; and performing at least one of the following: refreshing a sensed image at a predetermined rate, storing the sensed image, modifying the sensor to display pixel ratio, and sensing a magnified view of an area of the portion of the tissue sample. A digital microscope comprising: at least one image sensor; a first optic configured to project an image with a magnification of one or less; a second optic disposed between the at least one sensor and the stage, the second optic configured to project an image with a magnification greater than one; and a computer operable to direct an image capture by the at least one image sensor of a portion of a microslide on the stage projected through the first optic or the second optic.

Abstract: The invention is based on an autofocus method in which light from a light source is focused at a measurement light focus in a sample and is reflected from there and the reflected light is guided through an optical system in two light paths onto at least two detector elements. In order to achieve fast and accurate automatic focusing on the sample, it is proposed that the measurement light focus is moved in layers of the sample which reflect light to different extents, and the detector elements are arranged in such a way that, in this case, profiles of a radiation property registered by the detector elements are different and a focus position is set in a manner dependent on the profiles.

Abstract: The invention is based on an autofocus method in which light from a light source (12) is focused at a measurement light focus (52) in a sample (6) and is reflected from there and the reflected light is guided through an optical system (22) in two light paths (48, 50) onto at least two detector elements (72, 74). In order to achieve fast and accurate automatic focusing on the sample, it is proposed that the measurement light focus (52) is moved in layers of the sample (6) which reflect light to different extents, and the detector elements (72, 74) are arranged in such a way that, in this case, profiles of a radiation property registered by the detector elements (72, 74) are different and a focus position is set in a manner dependent on the profiles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microscopy method for identifying target objects (32) having a predetermined optical property in material (6) to be analyzed.

Abstract: An autofocus apparatus and a method achieve a higher level of speed and robustness, and are particularly suited for fluorescence microscopy of biological samples, automated microscopy and scanning microscopy. A high speed is achieved via a light pattern in the sample, detected spatially resolved by a detector generating at least two signals corresponding to a reflex pattern of the light pattern. The two signals are subtracted generating a positioning signal and the focus of the objective in the sample is adjusted depending on the positioning signal.

Abstract: A method including sensing an image without magnification of a portion of a tissue sample on a substrate with a sensor; displaying the sensed image on a display at a sensor to display pixel ratio greater than one to one; and performing at least one of the following: refreshing the sensed image at a predetermined rate, storing the sensed image, modifying the sensor to display pixel ratio, and sensing a magnified view of an area of the portion of the tissue sample.

Abstract: The invention is based on an autofocus method in which light from a light source (12) is focused at a measurement light focus (52) in a sample (6) and is reflected from there and the reflected light is guided through an optical system (22) in two light paths (48, 50) onto at least two detector elements (72, 74). In order to achieve fast and accurate automatic focusing on the sample, it is proposed that the measurement light focus (52) is moved in layers of the sample (6) which reflect light to different extents, and the detector elements (72, 74) are arranged in such a way that, in this case, profiles of a radiation property registered by the detector elements (72, 74) are different and a focus position is set in a manner dependent on the profiles.

Abstract: An autofocus apparatus and a method achieve a higher level of speed and robustness, and are particularly suited for fluorescence microscopy of biological samples, automated microscopy and scanning microscopy. A high speed is achieved via a light pattern in the sample, detected spatially resolved by a detector generating at least two signals corresponding to a reflex pattern of the light pattern. The two signals are subtracted generating a positioning signal and the focus of the objective in the sample is adjusted depending on the positioning signal.

Abstract: The invention is based on a microscope, in particular a fluorescence analysis microscope, comprising an illumination carrier and illumination units arranged thereon for a reflected-light illumination of a sample region. In order to be able to illuminate a sample region uniformly in a simple manner by means of a compact device, it is proposed that at least three illumination units for the simultaneous reflected-light illumination of the sample region from different directions are arranged on the illumination carrier.

Abstract: The invention is based on a microscope (2), in particular a fluorescence analysis microscope, comprising an illumination carrier (20) and illumination units (22a, 22b) arranged thereon for a reflected-light illumination of a sample region (10). In order to be able to illuminate a sample region (10) uniformly in a simple manner by means of a compact device, it is proposed that at least three illumination units (22a, 22b) for the simultaneous reflected-light illumination of the sample region (10) from different directions are arranged on the illumination carrier (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for photo-electric measurement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recording a characteristic of at least one object (28, 56, 68). According to the invention, a) a luminous radiation that is influenced by the object (28, 56, 68) is fed to an image sensor (6), b) at least two different partial images (32, 34, 36, 48, 78, 90, 94, T1, T2) consisting of pixels (26) are read out in succession from the image sensor (A11, A12, A13, A21) and values assigned to the pixels (26) are fed to an evaluation unit (10), c) the respective characteristic (B11, B12, B13, B21) of the object is determined from the values that are assigned to a partial image (32, 34, 36, 48, 78, 90, 94, T1, T2), d) the partial images (32, 34, 36, 48, 78, 90, 94, T1, T2) are combined to form a total image (38), which is output for further processing.

Abstract: A communication system using infrared energy to communicate control and data signals from a portable medical device to a remotely located display console. The portable medical device contains a battery for powering the infrared transmission and processing devices and also includes a battery parameter sensor to determine battery status, a temperature sensor, and manufacturing data concerning the portable medical device. Signals from the battery sensor and the temperature sensor are multiplexed with the control and data signals from the portable medical device for IR transmission. The control signals sent from the portable medical device may be used to program various functions of the remote console such as display parameters, console configuration and threshold levels. The display of the remote console presents information through a graphic display.