Abstract: A modified principal component analysis technique is described herein for analysis of relatively small data sets for the detection of chromosomal aneuploidies and/or microdeletions. Unlike analysis techniques for microarray studies, the present technique uses a modified principal component analysis that does not involve performing a covariance analysis. The methods, systems, and apparatus described herein allow for significant reduction of data noise in tests for the detection of chromosomal aneuploidies and/or microdeletions, leading to fewer inconclusive results.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods and apparatus are provided for automated selection of features of cells useful for classifying cell phenotype. The methods include determining a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) for each of a plurality of pairs of features, rather than S/N for individual features. The approach is capable of quickly identifying a small set of features of imaged cells that are most relevant for classification of a desired cell phenotype from among a very large number of features. The small group of relevant features can then be used to more efficiently and more accurately classify phenotype of unidentified cells.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for image analysis and modification using a fast sliding parabola erosion. The methods include selecting a scan line in an image and performing a unidirectional left-hand pass followed by a unidirectional right-hand pass. The unidirectional passes are performed as loops with increasing distance. By utilizing simple unidirectional left-hand and right-hand passes along a scan line in an image, the erosion procedure is greatly simplified and computation times are significantly reduced.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the separation of particles (20, 21, 22) in a compartment (30) of a fluidic microsystem (100) are described, in which the movement of a liquid (10) in which particles (20, 21, 22) are suspended with a predetermined direction of flow through the compartment (30), and the generation of a deflecting potential in which at least a part of the particles (20, 21, 22) is moved relative to the liquid in a direction of deflection are envisaged, whereby further at least one focusing potential is generated, so that at least a part of the particles is moved opposite to the direction of deflection relative to the liquid by dielectrophoresis under the effect of high-frequency electrical fields, and guiding of particles with different electrical, magnetic or geometric properties into different flow areas (11, 12) in the liquid takes place.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the separation of particles (20, 21, 22) in a compartment (30) of a fluidic microsystem (100) are described, in which the movement of a liquid (10) in which particles (20, 21, 22) are suspended with a predetermined direction of flow through the compartment (30), and the generation of a deflecting potential in which at least a part of the particles (20, 21, 22) is moved relative to the liquid in a direction of deflection are envisaged, whereby further at least one focusing potential is generated, so that at least a part of the particles is moved opposite to the direction of deflection relative to the liquid by dielectrophoresis under the effect of high-frequency electrical fields, and guiding of particles with different electrical, magnetic or geometric properties into different flow areas (11, 12) in the liquid takes place.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operating method for a microfluidic system, including the following steps: feeding of a carrier flow with particles (5) of a first particle type suspended therein into the microfluidic system; charging of a plurality of electrical field cages (1?, 1?) in the microfluidic system with the supplied particles (5) of the first particle type; the supplying of a carrier flow with particles (6) of a second particle type suspended therein into the microfluidic system; and charging the field cages (1?, 1?) in the microfluidic system with the supplied particles (6) of the second particle type in such a manner that a particle (5) of the first particle type and a particle (6) of the second particle type is present in at least one of the field cages (1?, 1?). The invention also relates to a corresponding microfluidic system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operating method for a microfluidic system, including the following steps: feeding of a carrier flow with particles (5) of a first particle type suspended therein into the microfluidic system; charging of a plurality of electrical field cages (1?, 1?) in the microfluidic system with the supplied particles (5) of the first particle type; the supplying of a carrier flow with particles (6) of a second particle type suspended therein into the microfluidic system; and charging the field cages (1?, 1?) in the microfluidic system with the supplied particles (6) of the second particle type in such a manner that a particle (5) of the first particle type and a particle (6) of the second particle type is present in at least one of the field cages (1?, 1?). The invention also relates to a corresponding microfluidic system.

Abstract: A description is given of methods for collecting particles (1, 2) which are suspended in a liquid, including the following steps: providing the liquid containing the suspended particles (1, 2) in a compartment (10) having lateral surfaces (11), wherein at least one electrode (21) is arranged on at least one of the lateral surfaces (11), and generating high-frequency electric fields by means of the at least one electrode (21) so as to form at least one circulating flow (30), by means of which the particles (1, 2) are guided to at least one predetermined collecting area (40) in the compartment (10), wherein the flow (30) is formed in such a way that at least one branch of the flow runs along a longitudinal extent of the at least one electrode (21), and the flow (30) circulates about an axis (31) which is oriented perpendicular to the respectively adjacent lateral surface (11) with the electrode (21). Corresponding devices for collecting particles are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric field cage (6) for spatially fixing particles (2, 3) which are suspended in a carrier liquid, in particular in a microfluidic system, including a plurality of cage electrodes (7, 8), which can be electrically driven, for generating a capture field. It is proposed that at least one of the cage electrodes (8) is annular and surrounds the other cage electrode (7). The invention also covers an associated operating method.

Abstract: A method for high-resolution image recording of at least one object with a microscope, includes the steps of: (a) positioning the object in a receptacle being arranged in the optical axis of the microscope, (b) generating at least two first data sets per object which represent intermediate images of the object with at least two different orientations relative to the optical axis of the microscope, wherein the different orientations of the object are provided by moving the object relative to the receptacle, and (c) evaluating the data sets for obtaining quantitative three dimensional information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a micro-fluidic system including a fluid medium channel that holds a fluid medium containing particles in suspension. According to the invention, the fluid medium channel has an expanded section with an enlarged cross-section along part of its length, in order to reduce the flow speed to allow the analysis of the particles.

Abstract: A method is described for non-destructive measurement of vitality of biological cells, especially for determination of apoptosis, in which the at least one cell is exposed to high-frequency alternating, especially rotating, electric fields and/or impedance test fields, and at least one rotation measurement, one dielectrophoresis measurement and/or one impedance measurement is performed with the cell for at least one frequency range or individual frequencies, from which at least one measurement parameter is determined that is characteristic of the vitality state of the cell.

Abstract: A coupling device (100), particularly for liquid-tight coupling of at least one liquid line (10) to a fluidic system (20), is described, which comprises: at least one sealing device (30), which is implemented to receive an end region (11) of the liquid line (10) and has a first sealing surface (31) for placement on an external surface (22) of the fluidic system in such a way that the end of the liquid line (10) is laterally enclosed by the first sealing surface (31) and points toward an opening (23) in the external surface (22), and a clamping device (40), using which the sealing device (30) may be pressed against the fluidic system (20), so that the first sealing surface (31) produces a liquid-tight connection with the external surface (22).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for handling particles (1, 2) that are suspended in a carrier liquid (3). The method includes the following steps: the carrier liquid (3) is received with the particles (1, 2) in a liquid siphoning device (10) including at least one siphoning opening (11), electrical and/or magnetic separating fields are generated in the liquid siphoning device (10), a sedimentation movement of the particles (1, 2) is created in the liquid, each particle having a sedimentation speed that depends on the action of the separating fields on the particle (1, 2) and the particles (1, 2) forming a plurality of particle fractions (5, 6) according to the sedimentation speeds thereof, and the particle fractions (5, 6) are separately extracted from the liquid siphoning device (10). The invention also relates to a handling device (100) for handling suspended particles (1, 2).

Abstract: Described is a fluidic microsystem (100) including at least one channel (10) through which a particle suspension can flow; and first and second electrode devices (40, 60) which are arranged on first and second channel walls (21, 31) for generating electrical alternating-voltage fields in the channel (10); wherein the first electrode device (40) for field shaping in the channel includes at least one first structure element (41, 51); and the second electrode device (60) includes an area-like electrode layer (61) with a closed second electrode surface which includes a second passivation layer (70); wherein the effective electrode surface of the first structure element (41, 51), of which element (41, 51) there is at least one, is smaller than the second electrode surface; and the second passivation layer (70) is a closed layer which completely covers the second electrode layer (61).

Abstract: A method of discharging a fluid flow with suspended microparticles from a fluidic microsystem (10) is described, whereby the fluid flow converges with at least one output flow to form a discharge flow at the end of a discharge channel (14) of the microsystem, and the discharge flow is delivered through a conduction element (19). A microsystem with a flow output device for implementation of this method is also described.