Abstract: A method for characterizing object(s) in a sample includes collecting transmitted, refracted, scattered, diffracted, and/or emitted light from the sample. The collected light formed on a sensor surface includes at least a first and second image of the object(s). For at least the first and second image, the collected light is modulated asymmetrically differently, or for at least a third and fourth image focal plane positions are different, or for at least a fifth image the collected light is modulated in at least two places differently compared to the surroundings, or for at least a sixth and seventh image of the object(s), the collected light is modulated asymmetrically differently and focal planes of the sixth and seventh image have different positions. The images are processed to characterize the objects(s).

Abstract: The current invention relates to the task of masking, i.e. determination of boundaries in an image of biological particles and/or elements or parts of biological particles in image cytometry. Methods for masking of a biological particle or element or region of a biological particle in a sample are provided which include staining a first element or region of the biological particle with a first fluorescent dye, staining a second element or region of the biological particle with a second fluorescent dye, recording an image of the fluorescent light signal emitted from the sample, and determining boundaries of the biological particle or element or region of the biological particle based on the fluorescent light signal in the image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for image cytometry analysis, typically at low optical magnification, where analysis is based on detection of biological particles using UV bright field and optionally one or more sources of excitation light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for image cytometry analysis, in particular using light sources to be cooled. Thereby is provided optimal light conditions for image cytometry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for image cytometry analysis, typically at low optical magnification, where analysis is based on detection of biological particles using UV bright field, dark field or one or more sources of excitation light. The system comprises illumination means (11, 112), a sample holder (100), a sample compartment (101), imaging means (120), collection means (121), light modulation means (122, 123), and detection means (130) with active detection elements (131).

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus to detect fluorescence from a sample is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sample plane onto which the sample is arranged, an excitation light unit including at least a light source to illuminate the sample, and a detection unit comprising at least a detector having at least 100,000 active detection elements to detect a fluorescence signal from the sample.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus to detect fluorescence from a sample is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sample plane onto which the sample is arranged, an excitation light unit including at least a light source to illuminate the sample, and a detection unit comprising at least a detector having at least 100,000 active detection elements to detect a fluorescence signal from the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to image analysis of dark field images obtained at low magnification below 10:1. Image analysis of dark field images obtained at low magnification can be combined with analyzes of images obtained in respect of the same section of a sample and same magnification but with other techniques such as fluorescent microscopy. The system and method can be used e.g. for particle counting, particle size measurement, particle size distribution, morphology measurement, where the particles can be cells and/or cell parts. The invention also relates to a compact dark field light source unit, a system or apparatus including a microscope which by itself is compact and comprises the mentioned dark field light source unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides simple, rapid methods and procedures for analyzing cells, hereunder quantitative and qualitative assessment of cells, such as viability. The present invention relates to the use of various optionally substituted reporter compounds particularly detectable upon their reaction with thiol-containing species present in higher concentrations in intact (e.g., living) cells than in non-intact (e.g., dead, stressed and apoptotic) cells. The present invention also relates to the use of various optionally substituted reporter compounds particularly detectable upon their reaction with species present in intact and/or non-intact cells. Moreover, the present invention relates to the use of measuring techniques and/or instruments coupled with the use of various optionally substituted reporter compounds. The invention further relates to compositions used in methods for analyzing cells, such as a composition comprising N-(7-dimethylamino-4-methyl-3-coumarinyl)-maleimide (DACM).

Abstract: Disclosed is a fast and simple method for quantification of nucleic acid of biological cells as 2-step protocol. In the first step cells are treated with an acidic solution containing a non-ionic detergent and a fluorescent DNA specific label. In the second step the sample may be neutralized. Determining of the content of nucleic can be performed by fluorescence microscopy. The method may also be used for obtaining information of cell cycle analysis, ploidy determination, measurements of nucleotide incorporation and assays for proliferation, health, stress level, apoptosis, necrosis, or other state of conditions of cells. The invention also relates to a kit of parts comprising an acidic agent, a detergent, a labelling agent and optionally a neutralization agent.

Abstract: A method and a device for the assessment of at least one parameter of particles in a liquid analyte material are disclosed. The method comprises providing a device having a sample compartment with an exposing domain, an inlet through which a volume of a liquid sample representing the analyte material can been introduced, and a flow system comprising at least a channel allowing at least a portion of the volume of the liquid sample to flow within the device. The volume of the liquid sample passes into the exposing domain of the sample compartment, which can quantitatively detect spatial image data and process the detected image electromagnetic signals from the sample in the exposing domain of the device. A spatial image representation of the exposing domain, and processing the detected image presentation obtaining the assessment of the at least one parameter is generated in the device.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus to detect fluorescence from a sample is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sample plane onto which the sample is arranged, an excitation light unit including at least a light source to illuminate the sample, and a detection unit comprising at least a detector having at least 100,000 active detection elements to detect a fluorescence signal from the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides simple, rapid methods and procedures for analyzing cells, hereunder quantitative and qualitative assessment of cells. The present invention relates to the use of N-(9-acridinyl)maleimide (NAM) or to the use of 7-diethylamino-3-((4?-(iodoacetyl)amino)phenyl)-4-methylcoumarin (CPI), particularly detectable upon its reaction with species (e.g., sulphur-containing species) present in higher concentrations in intact (e.g., living) cells than in non-intact (e.g., dead) cells. The present invention also relates to the use of NAM or to the use of 7-diethylamino-3-((4?-(iodoacetyl)amino)phenyl)-4-methylcoumarin (CPI), particularly detectable upon its reaction with species present in intact and/or non-intact cells. Moreover, the present invention relates to the use of measuring techniques and/or instruments coupled with the use of NAM or with the use of 7-diethylamino-3-((4?-(iodoacetyl)amino)phenyl)-4-methylcoumarin (CPI).

Abstract: The invention relates to image analysis of dark field images obtained at low magnification below 10:1. Image analysis of dark field images obtained at low magnification can be combined with analyses of images obtained in respect of the same section of a sample and same magnification but with other techniques such as fluorescent microscopy. The system and method can be used e.g. for particle counting, particle size measurement, particle size distribution, morphology measurement, where the particles can be cells and/or cell parts. The invention also relates to a compact dark field light source unit, a system or apparatus including a microscope which by itself is compact and comprises the mentioned dark field light source unit.

Abstract: A method for the assessment of quantity and quality parameters of biological particles in a liquid analyte material. The method comprises applying a volume of a liquid sample to an exposing domain from which exposing domain electromagnetic signals from the sample in the domain can pass to the exterior, and exposing, onto an array of active detection elements such as CCD-elements, a spatial representation of electromagnetic signals having passed from the domain, the representation being detectable as an intensity by individual active detection elements, under conditions permitting processing of the intensities detected by the array of detection elements during the exposure in such a manner that representations of electromagnetic signals from the biological particles are identified as distinct from representations of electromagnetic signals from background signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fast and simple method for quantification of nucleic acid of biological cells as 2-step protocol. In the first step cells are treated with an acidic solution containing a non-ionic detergent and a fluorescent DNA specific label. In the second step the sample may be neutralised. Determining of the content of nucleic can be performed by fluorescence microscopy. The method may also be used for obtaining information of cell cycle analysis, ploidy determination, measurements of nucleotide incorporation and assays for proliferation, health, stress level, apoptosis, necrosis, or other state of conditions of cells. The invention also relates to a kit of parts comprising an acidic agent, a detergent, a labelling agent and optionally a neutralization agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the assessment of quantity and quality parameters of biological particles in a liquid analyte material. The method comprises applying a volume of a liquid sample to an exposing domain from which exposing domain electromagnetic signals from the sample in the domain can pass to the exterior, and exposing, onto an array of active detection elements such as CCD-elements, a spatial representation of electromagnetic signals having passed from the domain, the representation being detectable as an intensity by individual active detection elements, under conditions permitting processing of the intensities detected by the array of detection elements during the exposure in such a manner that representations of electromagnetic signals from the biological particles are identified as distinct from representations of electromagnetic signals from background signals.

Abstract: A method for the assessment of quantity and quality parameters of biological particles in a liquid analyte material. The method comprises applying a volume of a liquid sample to an exposing domain from which exposing domain electromagnetic signals from the sample in the domain can pass to the exterior, and exposing, onto an array of active detection elements such as CCD-elements, a spatial representation of electromagnetic signals having passed from the domain, the representation being detectable as an intensity by individual active detection elements, under conditions permitting processing of the intensities detected by the array of detection elements during the exposure in such a manner that representations of electromagnetic signals from the biological particles are identified as distinct from representations of electromagnetic signals from background signals.

Abstract: The invention relates the movement of at least one movable means of an interferometer relative to the body of the interferometer. The system according to the invention, comprises at least two interferometer actuators, that can be operated individually, so that the at least two actuators are capable of moving the at least one movable means of the interferometer. When activating at least one of the at least two interferometer actuators the at least one movable means of the interferometer is moved with a minimum need for correcting for e.g. tilt. In a preferred configuration the system and the method according to the invention comprises three interferometer actuators that can be operated individually.

Abstract: The present invention offers an alternative strategy for the correlation of interference information to chemical and/or physical properties of a sample. This strategy can be implemented in a method and a system, which offer substantial technical and commercial advantages over state of the art techniques based on interference spectroscopy. The invention further provides a method for standardizing an interferometer, as well as a method and a system using the standardized interferometer.