Abstract: Microscopes, including viewing and other microscopic systems, employ a hinged, tiltable plate to adjust focus on a flat object such as a microscope slide or biochip by motion, achieved by tilting, which is substantially normal to the focus point on the plane of the object. By employing two such tiltable arrangements, relatively long scan lines of e.g., flying objective, single pixel on-axis scanning can be accommodated. The tilting support plate is specifically constructed to provide tailored locations for different objects in series along the Y axis of the plate. The plate can accommodate heaters and cooled plates and/or the flat object being examined. In a fluorescence scanning microscope, locations are specifically adapted to receive microscope slides and biochip cartridges such as Affymetrix's “Gene Chip®”. A scanning microscope under computer control, employing such a focusing action, enables unattended scanning of biochips with a simple and economical instrument.

Abstract: Limited rotation, micro-lens scanning of DNA arrays, microscope slides, biological materials, etc., is performed by arcuate and translational motion. A scanning system includes an objective lens located on a low moment of inertia oscillating arm, which provides optical coupling to a light source or a light detector arranged for transmission, reflection, or fluorescence microscopy.

Abstract: A fluid deposit assembly mounted on a carrier for depositing minute drops of fluid at selected locations upon a substrate, comprising a deposit element having an exposed tip of diameter of 0.3 mm or less constructed and arranged to carry and deposit drops of fluid upon the substrate, stable lateral reference surfaces or surface portions exposed for engagement by the deposit element, the surfaces or surface portions being constructed and arranged to prevent X, Y displacement of the deposit element relative to the carrier when the deposit element is urged thereagainst and design for urging the deposit element against the reference surfaces or surface portions at least at the time that the deposit element approaches a substrate to deposit a fluid drop. The reference surfaces or surface portions and the design for urging are cooperating to precisely position the deposit tip in a precisely desired position as it contacts the substrate. The deposit element is shown as the tip of an axially moveable pin.

Abstract: Microscopes, including viewing and other microscopic systems, employ a hinged, tiltable plane to adjust focus on an object such as a microscope slide. A scanning microscope under computer control, employing such a focusing action, enables unattended scanning of biochips with a simple and economical instrument. Also shown are flexure-mounting of a support plate to define the hinge axis, techniques for automatically determining position and focus, and a rotatably oscillating flying micro-objective scanner combined with the tilting plane focus system. Construction and control techniques are shown that realize simple and accurate focusing. Methods of examination of biological materials are disclosed. Simple and efficient focused scanning with a flying micro-objective of ordered arrays of nucleotides and nucleic acid fragments carried upon a microscope slide or other substrate is discovered.

Abstract: For enabling precise operation of an oscillating device, such as a galvanometric optical scanner, a capacitive position transducer is provided with strategically located internal capacitive fiducial features that interact with the armature of the transducer beyond the central range of excursion of the transducer, typically beyond the normal operating range of the device. Electric pulses obtained at instants of interaction with the fiducials enable determination of position drift caused e.g. by change in environmental conditions. The pulses can be detected by simple circuits to produce recalibration of the amplitude and null position of the instrument on an automatic or elective basis.

Abstract: A limited excursion permanent magnet motor in which the permanent magnet, captured between axially loaded bearings, is connected in a space-economizing construction to the output shaft of the motor by a torque-transmitting keyed construction.