Abstract: A line confocal microscope system, comprising an illumination system with a source of collimated light and a line forming optics arranged to provide a line shaped illumination area to be scanned over a sample, an image receiving system, and two or more objective lenses that are interchangeable in the optical path to provide different magnification, wherein the objective lenses have different aperture diameters, and the illumination system comprises a beam shape transformer arranged in between the source of collimated light and the line forming optics to selectively transform the cross-sectional shape of the collimated beam of light transmitted to the line forming optics to a predetermined shape in response to the back aperture diameter of the objective lens that is arranged in the optical path.

Abstract: The approach of one embodiment of the present invention is to mechanically vibrate a length of fiber optic cable transmitting coherent laser light, so that a mechanical resonance in the optical fiber is excited. This is achieved by suspending the fiber optic cable between two points and controlling both the axial tension on the suspended fiber optic cable as well as the mechanical forcing frequency. The cyclic, high-frequency mechanical perturbations of the fiber rapidly vary the path length and internal reflection angles of one or more respective modes of the transmitted laser light. In certain embodiments, the system may be tuned to induce a standing mechanical wave in the fiber. Higher-harmonic waveforms and higher amplitudes in the resonant fiber produce excellent speckle reduction and uniform intensity distributions.

Abstract: This invention provides an automated installation procedure for assembling a disposable flow path: providing a disposable flow path comprising tubing and a plurality of sensors onto a re-usable instrument; qualifying said tubing and said plurality of sensors to be on the flow path based on a standard; and determining if the tubing and the plurality of sensors comply with characteristics and performance according to limits for specifications or acceptance criteria.

Abstract: This invention provides for the fully automated, hands free, packing of chromatography columns by means of delivering a pre-calculated volume of slurry and using two different packing modalities to stop the packing when either 1) this volume has been delivered in the column, or 2) when the adapter is moved to reach a bed height corresponding to the pre-calculated volume. Thus, a chromatography column can be packed in a fully automated fashion and such a column is 1) stable and 2) has the desired performance characteristic.

Abstract: This invention, which provides a method for detecting a corruption in an image acquired from a biological sample, includes: providing at least one image of at least one cell; generating the image of the at least one cell over a period of time; determining if the at least one image of the at least one cell is corrupted; applying a wavelet transform, Fourier transform, or other frequency decomposing transform to the at least one image to decompose the at least one image into a plurality of sub-images, wherein the plurality of sub-images have a plurality of low frequency channels, a plurality of middle frequency channels and a plurality of high frequency channels; calculating a ratio based on an energy level of the plurality of low frequency channels and the plurality of middle frequency channels; and removing the at least one image of at least one cell if the at least one image is corrupted.

Abstract: This invention provides a system for operating RFID tags on a single-use connector. The system includes: a first single-use connector configured to receive a first RFID tag and a second single-use connector configured to receive a second RFID tag. The invention also includes a reader placed close to the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag. The reader is configured to: determine if the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag are gamma sterilized; determine if the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag were previously used; determine if the first RFID tag and the second RFID tag are authentic; and determine if the first RFID tag matches with the second RFID tag.

Abstract: We disclose quality controls methods that allow quick and accurate verification of a test oligonucleotide deposited on a solid support. It is especially useful for the verification of oligonucleotides representing alleles of a multi-allelic locus. It employs single base extension, with labeled dideoxynucleotides, to locate and verify the identity of test oligonucleotides. This approach involves synthesizing a complement probe oligonucleotide for each oligonucleotide being tested. Probe oligonucleotides are optionally grouped. They are then hybridized to test oligonucleotides, and the hybridized pair is subject to single base extension and detection. It requires the presence of one unique base, either in the last two bases at the free hanging end of the test oligonucleotide—as opposed to the end anchored to the solid support surface, or in the last two bases at one end of the probe oligonucleotide.

Abstract: An automatic pipette assembly for an isothermal titration micro calorimetry system, comprising a pipette housing, a syringe with a titration needle arranged to be inserted into a sample cell for supplying titrant, and a linear activator for driving a plunger in the syringe, the titration needle is rotatable with respect to the housing and is provided with a stirring paddle arranged to stir fluid in the sample cell, wherein the automatic pipette assembly comprises a stirring motor for driving the rotation of the titration needle. There is also provided an isothermal titration micro calorimetry system.

Abstract: The field of the present invention pertains to a controlled transfer biological collection device using a dry solid storage and transfer medium and a method for the collection of biological material of interest (genetic or proteinaceous material) in a form suitable for storage and/or subsequent analysis. Specifically, the present invention provides for a sampling device that controls the transfer of the biological sample to the storage medium by holding the storage medium and a moveable sample collection cmember having an analyte collection surface. The invention further provides for a method not only for storing a biological analyte on this collection device but also for analyzing the stored biological analyte using methods that are suited for automated analyzing systems.

Abstract: A system for measuring parameters in a container is disclosed. A system for measuring multiple parameters includes a container having a solution, at least one sensor in conjunction with a tag is in proximity to an impedance analyzer and a reader that constitute a measurement device. The at least one sensor is configured to determine at least one parameter of the solution. The tag is configured to provide a digital ID associated with the sensor, where the container is in proximity to the reader and an impedance analyzer. The impedance analyzer is configured to send and receive a given range of frequencies from the sensor, based on the parameter and calculate parameter changes based on the response.

Abstract: An automatic pipette assembly for an isothermal titration micro calorimetry system, comprising a pipette housing, a syringe with a titration needle arranged to be inserted into a sample cell for supplying titrant, and a linear activator for driving a plunger in the syringe, the titration needle is rotatable with respect to the housing and is provided with a stirring paddle arranged to stir fluid in the sample cell, wherein the automatic pipette assembly comprises a stirring motor for driving the rotation of the titration needle. There is also provided an isothermal titration micro calorimetry system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for reducing image artifacts for a CMOS camera used as an optical detector for a line confocal fluorescent imager. The method for reducing image artifacts in a monochromatic image comprises subtracting RGB channel offset mismatch; and correcting random row offset for each row. Preferably, the method also comprises correcting random column offset and gain. Optionally, the method also comprises clipping of defective pixels, and/or subtracting dark current. When the monochromatic image is a fluorescence image, the method also comprises a step of compressing CMOS camera noise. Also provided are a system for reducing image artifacts in a monochromatic image from a CMOS camera, as well as an image artifact reduction system for a CMOS camera-based line confocal fluorescent microscope.

Abstract: A motorized apparatus to simultaneously excise, retrieve, temporarily store and transport a sample of material has a hollow clamshell casing with a blended contoured grip for the fingers, a horizontal extension to eliminate slippage when held in a user's hand, and a flange bottom portion from which a removable cutting tool threaded to a drive shaft extends downwards. Within the clamshell casing an electric motor is mounted which drives, via gears, a drive shaft which rotates a cutting tool threaded to the distal end of the drive shaft. The end of the cutting tool, distal from the clamshell casing, forms a cutting edge circumscribing a circular region. An ejection rod slides reciprocally within the cutting tool between a stowed position and an expulsion position.

Abstract: A line confocal microscope system, comprising a scanning unit in the form of a mechanically driven scanning unit with a controllable a scanning trajectory and a two dimensional sensor unit operated in a rolling line shutter mode in synchronization with the scanning unit, wherein the scanning trajectory is set to have an acceleration part outside the field of view of the sensor unit.

Abstract: A confocal fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) system comprising a pulsed tuneable excitation light source arranged to provide excitation radiation to an illumination area on a target, scanning means for scanning the illumination area across the target, and at least one detector for detecting fluorescent emission from the target, wherein the pulsed light source comprises a line forming unit arranged to form a line shaped illumination area of pulsed excitation light on the target, and wherein the detector comprises shutter means arranged to operate in synchronization with the pulsed light source enabling detection of time-resolved fluorescent emission intensity from the target.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for distinguishing biological materials. The method provides: providing at least one segmented image of at least two cells; applying a distance transform to the at least one segmented image of the confluent cells; applying a region growing technique to the distance transform of the at least one segmented image to form a region grown image, wherein a plurality of regions are formed in the at least one segmented image; assigning at least one label to at least one of the plurality of regions of the at least one segmented image of the confluent cells; applying a merging technique to at least two of the plurality of regions if it is determined that at least two of the plurality of regions are neighboring regions; determining whether to assign a same label to the neighboring regions or retain existing labels; and merging the neighboring regions of the region grown image if labels are changed to form at least one image of at least one cell.

Abstract: A method of forming plastic containers is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing a sterile connected device, especially of sensitive material, such as material not compatible with sterilization by gamma irradiation. The method comprises providing connectors and a tubing in an autoclave bag, and autoclaving the sealed autoclave bag containing the connectors and tubing for sterilization. Optionally, the connectors and tubing are assembled prior to autoclave. Also provided are sterile, connected devices sterilized according to the present method.

Abstract: This invention relates to the storage on a solid matrix of genetic material, in particular DNA that has been purified prior to the application to the solid matrix. More specifically, the invention relates to a solid matrix for the storage of purified DNA, which matrix has been treated with a solution comprising plant polysaccharide inulin. One advantage of the invention is that an increased amount of DNA can be stored in the solid matrix of the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing materials is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support. A mixing container is disposed in the support, where the mixing container is configured to retain materials. A driver assembly is configured to protrude through the support and into the mixing container. The mixing container includes a paddle, the driver assembly is configured to be attached to the paddle, where the driver assembly is configured to oscillate the paddle in a back and forth direction at a set angle in order to mix the materials in the mixing container.