Abstract: Universal electronic exchange system, especially for coupling to telescopes or similar, which includes an automated rotary device provided with a revolver-type rotary plate provided with a plurality of tubular members with holders for respective optical devices, an electric motor connected to the revolver-type rotary plate for transmission of a rotary movement thereto, an electronic unit for tubular-member selection, wherein the electronic unit is made and arranged to receive a selection signal indicative of a tubular member to be used, wherein the selection signal is used for controlling rotation and stopping of the revolver-type rotary plate, process a speed, angular path of rotation and stopping position of the tubular member to be used, and send a command signal to the electric motor of the revolver-type rotary plate for positioning and aligning the tubular member to be used with the optical axis.

Abstract: Provided are: an image processing device; a fine particle sorting device; and an image processing method, in which electric charge can be easily and accurately applied to a droplet. An image processing device including: a control unit adapted to set a light source lighting delay time to control a light source, the light source lighting delay time indicating a time from a time point when a fine particle in fluid is detected by a detection unit until a time point when the light source is turned on for the fine particle included in a droplet formed from the fluid; a processing unit adapted to identify positional information of the fine particle on the basis of an image of the fine particle acquired in accordance with lighting of the light source during the set light source lighting delay time; and a recording unit adapted to record, in a correlated manner, the positional information identified in the processing unit and the light source lighting delay time.

Abstract: A liquid electrode tip has a housing with a top, a bottom and at least one peripheral side wall. The housing has a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet. The liquid outlet is located at the top of the housing. A solution reservoir is positioned within the housing. The solution reservoir has a solution inlet in fluid communication with the liquid inlet and a solution outlet in fluid communication with the liquid outlet. A conductor is positioned within the housing with at least a portion of the conductor being submerged by a liquid in the solution reservoir. A staging area at the top of the housing is provided into which the liquid from the solution reservoir flows from the liquid outlet.

Abstract: When measuring electrophoretic mobility it is customary to apply an electric field and determine the electrophoretic velocity while minimizing all other contributions to the particle movement. A method and apparatus for the measurement of mobility while the sample is flowing is disclosed. Combined with a fractionation system, this approach further enables the direct measurement of individual species' mobility within a multi-modal sample. Other advantages of this new mobility measurement approach include the ability to easily pressurize the sample to suppress electrolysis, mitigation of oxidation-reduction effects and efficient heat dissipation.

Abstract: A solution-cathode glow discharge (SCGD) spectrometry apparatus may comprise an SCGD source and a mass or ion mobility spectrometer. A method for ionizing a molecular analyte may comprise contacting the molecular analyte with a plasma discharge to form ions and separating the ions in a mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer. The contacting step may occur under atmospheric pressure and/or ambient conditions. The molecular analyte may be fragmented by the plasma discharge.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a thickness of a material or an article of manufacture thereof such as a wall thickness of a plastic container or plastic bottle during manufacturing. In some embodiments, for example, a measurement system can include a light source disposed adjacent to a production line for plastic bottles. The light source can be configured to transmit light of a known frequency through the plastic bottles. A camera can be disposed opposite the light source. The camera can be configured to receive the light transmitted through the plastic bottles. An optional trigger, when present, can be configured to coordinate timing of the camera and the light source. A computer can be configured to determine wall thicknesses for the plastic bottles by an experimentally determined correlation between the light received by the camera and a known absorbance spectrum of the material forming the plastic bottles.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling contaminants in biopharmaceutical purification processes by using light scattering and UV absorbance to establish a determinant. The invention makes use of multi-angle light scattering (MALS) and UV as a continuous monitoring system to provide information about the elution peak fractions in real-time instead of conventional pooling methods that rely on a predetermined percent UV peak max value to initiate the pooling process; regardless of product quality.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the effect of distortions on the baseline signal in an absorption spectroscopy system used for the detection or measurement of chemical species in a medium, whereby one or more correlations or convolutions are performed on the signal using a kernel function. The shape of the kernel function is chosen to reduce the influence of the baseline distortions on the processed measurand determination. The kernel function may also be chosen to enhance the absorption signal.

Abstract: The present invention includes: an excitation light source; a probe light source; a filter that mutually multiplexes a probe light emitted from the probe light source and an excitation light emitted from the excitation light source to a same optical axis; a condenser lens that focuses the excitation light and the probe light; a sample cell that stores a sample; a reflection member that is disposed on an inner wall of the sample cell and reflects the probe light; and a detector that detects the probe light reflected at the reflection member.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a microfluidic chip. The microfluidic chip includes a first domain configured for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA fragments, and a second domain for electrophoretic separation. The first domain includes at least a first reaction reservoir designated for PCR amplification based on a first sample, and a second reaction reservoir designated for PCR amplification based on a second sample. The second domain includes at least a first separation unit coupled to the first reaction reservoir to received first amplified DNA fragments based on the first sample, and a second separation unit coupled to the second reaction reservoir to received second amplified DNA fragments based on the second sample. The first separation unit is configured to perform electrophoretic separation for the first amplified DNA fragments, and the second separation unit is configured to perform electrophoretic separation for the second amplified DNA fragments.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for detecting particles moving through a detection region or regions for facilitating or processing a sample having one or more particles flowing through the detection region. The particle detection system may include an optically detectable pattern associated with a detection region. The optically detectable pattern may be configured to receive a particle optical signal and produce a patterned optical signal. The detection system may further include a detector configured to analyze the patterned optical signal to determine both a particle characteristic based on a property of the particle optical signal and a particle parameter based on a property of the optically detectable pattern.

Abstract: A method for wavelength-resolving and high spatial resolution fluorescence microscopy in which fluorescence labels in a sample are repeatedly excited to emit fluorescence radiation and frames including images of isolated labels are produced with a microscope. The positions of the images of the isolated fluorescing labels are localized with a localization precision exceeding the optical resolution of the imaging beam path of the microscope. The imaging beam path of the microscope has a diffractive element which, during the imaging, diffracts the image of the sample comprising the isolated fluorescing labels into a first diffraction order so that each frame contains the first diffraction order images of the isolated fluorescing labels. A parameter of the first diffraction order images of the isolated fluorescing labels is evaluated and an indication of the wavelength of the isolated fluorescing labels is derived from this evaluated parameter.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for delivering to a flow-cell of a flow-cytometer a plurality of beams of laser radiation each thereof having a different wavelength. The apparatus includes a dispersion compensation-prism and a plurality of directing-prisms equal in number to the number of laser-beam. The directing-prisms are arranged to direct the laser radiation beams directly therethrough into the dispersion compensation-prism as converging fan of beams in a first plane. The beams are transmitted by the compensation-prism as a converging fan of beams intersecting then proceeding as a diverging fan of beams in the first plane. A spherical focusing lens is arranged cooperative with a cylindrical lens for focusing the plurality of laser-beams as a plurality of spaced apart elongated focal spots in a plane in which the cytometer flow-cell is located.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an electrophoretic measurement method is disclosed that includes providing a vessel that holds a dispersant, providing a first electrode immersed in the dispersant, and providing a second electrode immersed in the dispersant. A sample is placed at a location within the dispersant between the first and second electrodes with the sample being separated from the electrodes, an alternating electric field is applied across the electrodes, and the sample is illuminated with temporally coherent light. A frequency shift is detected in light from the step of illuminating that has interacted with the sample during the step of applying an alternating electric field, and a property of the sample is derived based on results of the step of detecting.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a device including a memory. According to various embodiments, the memory is readable, writable, and rewritable. The present teachings further provide processing stations, e.g., for carrying out electrophoresis, per, genetic analysis, sample preparation, and/or sample cleanup, etc., that are capable of reading from and/or writing/rewriting to such memory.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting labeled beads is provided. The apparatus can include: one or more irradiation sources disposed for irradiating the one or more detection zones with radiation; at least one detector disposed for collecting charges corresponding to light signals emitted from labeled beads in the one or more detection zones, which have been excited by the radiation; and a system coupled to the at least one detector for effecting time delay integration of the charges by accumulating the charges before reading the charges at the output of the at least one detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a capillary column with one or more excitation fibers and with one or more optical lens elements for Capillary Electrophoresis. The apparatus includes two identical blocks having a plurality of grooves for positioning and aligning the capillary column with the one or more excitation fibers, and a plurality of lens seats for optically coupling the lens element with the capillary column. Each block includes a male and female part for mating the two identical blocks together.

Abstract: Provided herein are new methods and apparatus for quantitative measurement and analysis of particles, including new apparatus systems to process and detect nanoparticles in suspension. By focusing a laser beam at the center of a reservoir, nanoparticles are concentrated by optical energy, and fluorescent intensity at the focal point of the laser is measured to quantify particle concentration in the reservoir. The techniques may be applied to the analysis of suspensions of nanoparticles, including natural particles (e.g., microorganisms including whole viruses, bacteria, animal cells, and proteins) and synthetic particles (e.g., colloidal latexes, paints, pigments, and metallic or semiconductor nanoparticles) for medical and industrial applications, among others.

Abstract: This invention provides a body fluid detection method by using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. In this method, some biological macromolecules in body fluid samples could be separated with membrane electrophoresis technique firstly. Next, samples are cut off along with the substrates and touched with glacial acetic acid. Transparent colloid formed while incubating. Then add enhancing substrates and continue to incubate and stir. When solid impurities precipitated, stop incubating and stand for layering. In the end, take upper layer resulted to be tested using SERS detection method and build SERS database. This invention successfully eliminated disturbance of other complex components on the SERS detection of protein, DNA and RNA. High quality SERS spectrum obtained is beneficial to the analysis and process of SERS spectrum. Thus body fluid can be differentiated by comparing body fluid SERS spectrum belonging to the healthy people and patients.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for measurement of the electrophoretic mobility of particles in solution. A sample is placed in a cell containing two electrodes that apply an alternating electric field. A monochromatic light beam passes through the sample. Light scattered by the particles, along with the unscattered beam, is collected and collimated as it exits the cell. This beam is combined in free space with a phase modulated reference beam. The interference forms a frequency modulated speckle pattern, which is detected by a photodetector array. Each array element collects a narrow range of well-defined scattering angles. The signal from each is demodulated to provide a first-principle measurement of the electrophoretic mobility of the scattering particles.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are presented that facilitate electronic manipulation and detection of submicron particles. A particle manipulation device contains a plurality of electrodes formed on an active semiconductor layer of an integrated circuit chip, where the electrodes and gap spacing between adjacent electrodes is submicron in size. The chip is oriented with its substrate face up, and at least a portion of the substrate is removed from the chip so the electrodes are in close proximity to a fluid chamber(s) placed over the chip, to facilitate manipulation of particles, contained in a buffer solution in the fluid chamber(s), to form a defined pattern. Innovative macro-scale optical detection is employed to detect the submicron particles, where a light beam is applied to the defined pattern, and interaction of the defined pattern with the light beam is detected and evaluated to facilitate detecting the particles.

Abstract: An optical measuring device includes: a light applying section configured to apply laser light to a sample flowing in a channel; and a fluorescence detecting section configured to detect fluorescence generated from the sample irradiated with the laser light; the fluorescence detecting section including a multichannel photomultiplier tube having a plurality of detection channels capable of simultaneously detecting a plurality of light beams, a light separator configured to separate the fluorescence according to wavelengths to provide the plurality of light beams, the light separator being provided by a transmission grating or a prism, and a telecentric condenser lens configured to receive the plurality of light beams from the light separator and direct the plurality of light beams toward the plurality of detection channels of the multichannel photomultiplier tube so that the optical axes of the plurality of light beams are parallel to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for measurement of the electrophoretic mobility of particles in solution. A sample is placed in a cell containing two electrodes that apply an alternating electric field. A monochromatic light beam passes through the sample. Light scattered by the particles, along with the unscattered beam, is collected and collimated as it exits the cell. This beam is combined in free space with a phase modulated reference beam. The interference forms a frequency modulated speckle pattern, which is detected by a photodetector array. Each array element collects a narrow range of well-defined scattering angles. The signal from each is demodulated to provide a measurement of the electrophoretic mobility of the scattering particles.

Abstract: The invention is a high-throughput multi-capillary system utilizing a 2-dimensional mask onto which the detection windows of the capillaries are lined up in alternating columns and rows. The image of the capillaries is projected onto a 2-dimensional detection system, such as a charge-coupled-detector (CCD) array. Each row and column of the capillary detection windows is imaged in a separate area of the CCD array, which results in reduced cross-talk between capillaries.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to a sampling device, and more particularly, a sampling device that facilitates spectroscopic measurements with a variable path length and the necessary software controlled algorithms and methods for such a device.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting labeled beads is provided. The apparatus can include: one or more irradiation sources disposed for irradiating the one or more detection zones with radiation; at least one detector disposed for collecting charges corresponding to light signals emitted from labeled beads in the one or more detection zones, which have been excited by the radiation; and a system coupled to the at least one detector for effecting time delay integration of the charges by accumulating the charges before reading the charges at the output of the at least one detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting labeled beads is provided. The apparatus can include: one or more irradiation sources disposed for irradiating the one or more detection zones with radiation; at least one detector disposed for collecting charges corresponding to light signals emitted from labeled beads in the one or more detection zones, which have been excited by the radiation; and a system coupled to the at least one detector for effecting time delay integration of the charges by accumulating the charges before reading the charges at the output of the at least one detector.

Abstract: An optical apparatus and method comprising a light source, an array detector for area imaging and an optical cell assembly. The optical cell assembly comprises a chamber which is arranged to receive a sample of a material including an analyte, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet coupled to the chamber. A fluid dissolution medium stream passes through the chamber such that the sample can dissolve into the dissolution medium. The chamber is in at least one light path created between the light source and the array detector. The array detector comprises a two dimensional array of detector locations arranged to provide an output signal indicative of the light absorbance of the analyte within the chamber such that the output of the array detector is indicative of the concentration profile of the analyte near the surface of the sample.

Abstract: An analytical cell including a lightguide with a plurality of conduits filled with a migration medium. The medium, the lightguide and a surrounding medium have refractive indices selected such that light entering the lightguide is internally reflected within the lightguide to provide substantially uniform illumination of the conduits.

Abstract: There is provided a capillary electrophoresis apparatus wherein coupling efficiency of exciting irradiation light to a capillary array does not decline even if any one capillary array of two capillary arrays is removed. Light emission generated by capillaries of each capillary array of 2n (n is a positive integer) capillary arrays radiating exciting light from one side is detected by one optical detection system.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting labeled beads is provided. The apparatus can include: one or more irradiation sources disposed for irradiating the one or more detection zones with radiation; at least one detector disposed for collecting charges corresponding to light signals emitted from labeled beads in the one or more detection zones, which have been excited by the radiation; and a system coupled to the at least one detector for effecting time delay integration of the charges by accumulating the charges before reading the charges at the output of the at least one detector.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus includes a multi-capillary array having a liquid or solid disposed between the capillaries of the array. The liquid or solid exhibits a refractive index higher than that of air and less than that of water and reduces the amount of laser beams scattered by the capillaries. Also provided are methods of adjusting refracted and reflected excitation light beams passing through capillaries of a multi-capillary array, to reduce loss of intensity of the laser beams and increase irradiation of respective samples disposed in the capillaries.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a capillary electrophoresis apparatus in which simultaneity can be ensured between sensitivity and data acquisition to decrease a pull-up signal while spectral data acquisition is eliminated in each capillary exchange. The invention relates to a capillary electrophoresis apparatus characterized in that a multi-bandpass filter is provided in an optical detection system. In one aspect of the invention, a signal detection area of a two-dimensional detector is divided into plural regions corresponding to wavelength transmission regions of the multi-bandpass filter. An integrated value of the fluorescence spectrum signal is determined in the region including a fluorescence spectrum peak of an analysis sample in the plural regions. The analysis is performed with the integrated value.

Abstract: Fluorescently marked targets bind to a substrate 230 synthesized with polymer sequences at known locations. The targets are detected by exposing selected regions of the substrate 230 to light from a light source 100 and detecting the photons from the light fluoresced therefrom, and repeating the steps of exposure and detection until the substrate 230 is completely examined. The resulting data can be used to determine binding affinity of the targets to specific polymer sequences.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting labeled beads is provided. The apparatus can include: one or more irradiation sources disposed for irradiating the one or more detection zones with radiation; at least one detector disposed for collecting charges corresponding to light signals emitted from labeled beads in the one or more detection zones, which have been excited by the radiation; and a system coupled to the at least one detector for effecting time delay integration of the charges by accumulating the charges before reading the charges at the output of the at least one detector.

Abstract: Methods of analyzing the electrophoretic mobility distribution of von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers include providing a sample medium comprising a plurality vWF multimers. The vWF multimers are electrophoretically separated by electrohoretic mobility in the sample medium by subjecting said sample medium to an electric field to provide separated vWF multimers. The separated vWF multimers in the sample medium are exposed to a light source to produce scattered light. The scattered light is detected, and the electrophoretic mobility distribution of the separated vWF multimers is determined from the detected scattered light.

Abstract: A method for altering fluorescent emissions of particles includes setting the particles in motion and exposing the moving particles to light such that fluorescent intensities of the particles are lessened isotropically and substantially simultaneously. Another method includes measuring fluorescent emissions of particles, determining the measured fluorescent emissions do not collectively fit within a first predetermined range of fluorescent values, and exposing the particles to one or more incidents of light that are configured to cooperatively alter the fluorescent emissions of the particles to be within a second predetermined range of fluorescent values. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a vessel configured to contain a plurality of particles and a means for setting the particles in motion. The apparatus further includes an illumination subsystem configured to direct light toward the vessel and at a spectral window (i.e.

Abstract: A reusable bio-analysis cartridge that includes a built-in mechanism to track various parameters and usage data. The tracking mechanism includes a non-volatile rewritable memory “smart-key” that is associated with the cartridge to provide automatic tracking dedicated to the cartridge. The key may be physically coupled to the cartridge with good high voltage insulating properties. When the cartridge is used in an instrument, the associated key is inserted into an I/O interface to communicate with the instrument. The instrument may be configured to “authenticate” the cartridge and conduct an integrity check to determine if the particular cartridge has the correct properties (e.g., gel-chemistry, serial no., Patient I.D.) for the particular sample analysis to be conducted. Further, the instrument may communicate/record information concerning usage of the cartridge (e.g., usage history, test parameters, and perhaps test results).

Abstract: To measure a characteristic of a multimode optical fiber, a light pulse source produces a light pulse for transmission into the multimode optical fiber. A spatial filter passes a portion of Brillouin backscattered light from the multimode optical fiber that is responsive to the light pulse. Optical detection equipment detects the portion of the Brillouin backscattered light passed by the spatial filter.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus includes a multi-capillary array having a liquid or solid disposed between the capillaries of the array. The liquid or solid exhibits a refractive index higher than that of air and less than that of water and reduces the amount of laser beams scattered by the capillaries. Also provided are methods of adjusting refracted and reflected excitation light beams passing through capillaries of a multi-capillary array, to reduce loss of intensity of the laser beams and increase irradiation of respective samples disposed in the capillaries.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides fully integrated microfluidic systems to perform nucleic acid analysis. These processes include sample collection, nucleic acid extraction and purification, amplification, sequencing, and separation and detection. The present disclosure also provides optical detection systems and methods for separation and detection of biological molecules. In particular, the various aspects of the invention enable the simultaneous separation and detection of a plurality of biological molecules, typically fluorescent dye-labeled nucleic acids, within one or a plurality of microfluidic chambers or channels. The nucleic acids can be labeled with at least 6 dyes, each having a unique peak emission wavelength. The present systems and methods are particularly useful for DNA fragment sizing applications such as human identification by genetic fingerprinting and DNA sequencing applications such as clinical diagnostics.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a capillary electrophoresis apparatus in which simultaneity can be ensured between sensitivity and data acquisition to decrease a pull-up signal while spectral data acquisition is eliminated in each capillary exchange. The invention relates to a capillary electrophoresis apparatus in which capillary position shift is detected in each capillary exchange by detecting a capillary position. A capillary position measuring light source is provided in the capillary electrophoresis apparatus of the invention. The capillary is irradiated with light emitted from the capillary position measuring light source, a capillary image is detected with a two-dimensional detector, and thereby a position deviation of the capillary is determined. On the basis of the position deviation of the capillary, a data acquisition area is set in the two-dimensional detector, or a reference fluorescent light spectrum determined from the capillary at the standard position is corrected.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting labeled beads is provided. The apparatus can include: one or more irradiation sources disposed for irradiating the one or more detection zones with radiation; at least one detector disposed for collecting charges corresponding to light signals emitted from labeled beads in the one or more detection zones, which have been excited by the radiation; and a system coupled to the at least one detector for effecting time delay integration of the charges by accumulating the charges before reading the charges at the output of the at least one detector.

Abstract: An ambient atmosphere glow discharge spectrometer is disclosed having a capillary, two electrodes and a means for recording the atomic emissions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining characteristics of particles, by measuring characteristics which are related to the velocity of the particles. Particle size distribution is determined from motion of the particles in an acceleration field, or from Brownian motion of the particles. Zeta potential and particle mobility are determined by measuring velocity related characteristics of charged particles in an electric field. Particle velocity characteristics are determined by measuring dynamic properties of light, which is scattered by the particles. A light source illuminates the particles. Scattered light, from the particles, is mixed with light, from the light source, onto at least one light detector. The detector produces a signal, which is indicative of velocity related characteristics of the particles. The velocity characteristics are also determined by measuring light scattered from particles moving through an illumination pattern, with a periodic intensity structure.

Abstract: Methods of analyzing the electrophoretic mobility distribution of von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers include providing a sample medium comprising a plurality vWF multimers. The vWF multimers are electrophoretically separated by electrohoretic mobility in the sample medium by subjecting said sample medium to an electric field to provide separated vWF multimers. The separated vWF multimers in the sample medium are exposed to a light source to produce scattered light. The scattered light is detected, and the electrophoretic mobility distribution of the separated vWF multimers is determined from the detected scattered light.

Abstract: Improved methods for the separation, isolation, enrichment, or detection of target molecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins, within dilute or heterogeneous samples, such as bodily fluids, excreta or tissue samples, are disclosed. The methods include repetitively and rapidly passing a sample across at least one region of a conduit in which at least one region includes a binding partner specific for the target molecule. In certain methods, at least one other region includes binding partners specific for non-target molecules. The sample may be passed over the binding partner in the same direction if the conduit is a loop or in an antiparallel direction (i.e., back and forth over the binding partner). In an embodiment, the sample is electrophoresed through or over an electrophoretic medium, in which at least one region includes a binding partner for the target molecule. The invention also provides apparatus and sample preparation systems adapted for use in the methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting labeled beads is provided. The apparatus can include: one or more irradiation sources disposed for irradiating the one or more detection zones with radiation; at least one detector disposed for collecting charges corresponding to light signals emitted from labeled beads in the one or more detection zones, which have been excited by the radiation; and a system coupled to the at least one detector for effecting time delay integration of the charges by accumulating the charges before reading the charges at the output of the at least one detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a capillary column with one or more excitation fibers and with one or more optical lens elements for Capillary Electrophoresis. The apparatus includes two identical blocks having a plurality of grooves for positioning and aligning the capillary column with the one or more excitation fibers, and a plurality of lens seats for optically coupling the lens element with the capillary column. Each block includes a male and female part for mating the two identical blocks together.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting labeled beads is provided. The apparatus can include: one or more irradiation sources disposed for irradiating the one or more detection zones with radiation; at least one detector disposed for collecting charges corresponding to light signals emitted from labeled beads in the one or more detection zones, which have been excited by the radiation; and a system coupled to the at least one detector for effecting time delay integration of the charges by accumulating the charges before reading the charges at the output of the at least one detector.