Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices and system that can be used to fill a sample cell. In some examples, the system can be configured with a pressure device configured to provide a negative pressure to accelerate filling of the cell with the sample. In some embodiments, the negative pressure can be used to fill a flow cell at a selected fill rate.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices and system that can be used to fill a sample cell. In some examples, the system can be configured with a pressure device configured to provide a negative pressure to accelerate filling of the cell with the sample. In some embodiments, the negative pressure can be used to fill a flow cell at a selected fill rate.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices and system that can be used to fill a sample cell. In some examples, the system can be configured with a pressure device configured to provide a negative pressure to accelerate filling of the cell with the sample. In some embodiments, the negative pressure can be used to fill a flow cell at a selected fill rate.

Abstract: This invention relates to enrichment of a biological sample comprising a plurality of cells to assist further analysis thereof. It provides a technique comprising the steps of: (a) providing a sample comprising a plurality of cells which include a photosensitive compound that can be induced by light irradiation to inactivate or kill at least part of the respective cell; (b) acquiring an image of at least a portion of the sample; (c) identifying cells of interest in the sample image; (d) selecting cells other than the cells identified in step (c); and (e) irradiating only those cells selected in step (d) with a light beam so as induce the photosensitive compound therein to inactivate or kill at least part of those cells, and thereby enrich the sample with respect to the cells of interest for further analysis.

Abstract: A method of using a spectrometer to produce corrected diamond Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) spectral data includes acquiring, using the spectrometer, an initial set of ATR spectral data for a sample pressed into contact with a diamond ATR crystals; numerically matching, using the spectrometer, a pressure dependent diamond artifact reference spectrum to a corresponding pressure dependent diamond artifact in the initial set of ATR spectral data; and numerically subtracting out the numerically matched pressure dependent diamond artifact reference spectrum from the initial set of ATR spectral data to yield a corrected set of ATR spectral data for the sample for output by the spectrometer.

Abstract: A spectroscopic instrument comprising a compartment (2) for housing instrument components (3) and desiccant (4) to protect the instrument components, and a deformable container (5) having at least one wall portion which is movable within the compartment (2) so as to vary the volume of the compartment (2) that is occupied by the deformable container as the container is deformed. The interior of the deformable container (5) is in fluid communication with the surroundings of the instrument, such that a difference in pressure between the compartment and the surroundings tends to cause the deformable container to deform, moving the wall portion.

Abstract: A spectroscopic instrument (1) comprising at least one load bearing anti-vibration foot portion (3) for supporting the instrument on a surface. Each foot portion (3) comprises a load bearing elastomeric portion (5) and an internal stub portion (4) which is provided within the elastomeric portion and which is rigid compared to the elastomeric portion. An internal wall of the elastomeric portion (5) is spaced from an external wall of the stub portion (4) such that the elastomeric portion (5) is moveable relative to the stub portion (4) to absorb vibration. Liquid is provided in the spacing between the internal wall of the elastomeric portion (5) and the external wall of the stub portion (4) to damp such movement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided concerning the control of photobleaching of fluorescent labels during the study of samples by fluorescence microscopy. A method is described for operating fluorescence microscopy apparatus to analyse a sample (114), the apparatus including input, processing, sample irradiating and detection arrangements (110, 112; 104; 100; 122), and the method including the steps of: receiving parameters in the processing arrangement via the input arrangement, wherein the parameters relate to an experiment to be conducted using the apparatus and include at least one parameter relating to a fluorescent label present in the sample; and determining with the processing arrangement an excitation procedure to be carried out during the experiment having regard to the inputted parameters and the rate of photobleaching of the fluorescent label desired during the experiment.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for optically analyzing samples contained in sample sites of a sample holder by means of fluorescence. The apparatus comprises a first light source comprising a plurality of individual light sources having narrow wavelength bands, means for further limiting wavelength bands of the light emitted by the individual light sources, means for guiding the reduced-wavelength light to the sample sites of the sample holder, and a detector for detecting light from the sample sites. According to the invention said means for further reducing the wavelength bands emitted by the individual light sources comprise a wavelength-tunable single monochromator. The invention allows manufacturing of a microplate reader having the capability for fluorescence measurements at a continuous wavelength range, while maintaining the cost of the device at a reasonable level.

Abstract: Systems and methods for attenuated total reflectance (ATR) spectroscopy. The systems and methods may generally involve differentiating an acquired image in a spectral domain, restricting a spectral range of the acquired image, subtracting an average absorbance from the restricted image data, and applying a principal component analysis to extract significant spectral features from the restricted image data.

Abstract: A spectroscopic instrument (1) comprising at least one load bearing anti-vibration foot portion (3) for supporting the instrument on a surface. Each foot portion (3) comprises a load bearing elastomeric portion (5) and an internal stub portion (4) which is provided within the elastomeric portion and which is rigid compared to the elastomeric portion. An internal wall of the elastomeric portion (5) is spaced from an external wall of the stub portion (4) such that the elastomeric portion (5) is moveable relative to the stub portion (4) to absorb vibration. Liquid is provided in the spacing between the internal wall of the elastomeric portion (5) and the external wall of the stub portion (4) to damp such movement.

Abstract: A hollow cathode lamp is described with an end cap, an anode, and a cathode. A data storage device is part of the end cap and communicates data to and from a computing device. The data communicated with the computing device may include identification information and usage information corresponding to the hollow cathode lamp. Additionally, a method is described that includes activating a power supply to a hollow cathode lamp and communicating data with a memory device located in the hollow cathode lamp. The data communicated with the memory device includes usage information about an amount of time the hollow cathode lamp has been in use.

Abstract: An optical measurement instrument includes a measurement head and mechanical support elements arranged to support a sample well plate. The measurement head is moved towards the sample well plate and, after the measurement head has touched the sample well plate, the measurement head is moved backwards away from the sample well plate so as to provide a desired distance between the measurement head and the sample well plate. A sensor device is attached to the mechanical support elements and arranged detect a mechanical effect occurring in the mechanical support elements due to force directed by the measurement head to the sample well plate. Hence, the situation in which the measurement head touches the sample well plate can be detected without a need to provide the measurement head with a force sensor. This is advantageous because the measurement head can be a changeable module of the optical measurement instrument.

Abstract: A spectroscopic instrument comprising a compartment (2) for housing instrument components (3) and desiccant (4) to protect the instrument components, and a deformable container (5) having at least one wall portion which is movable within the compartment (2) so as to vary the volume of the compartment (2) that is occupied by the deformable container as the container is deformed. The interior of the deformable container (5) is in fluid communication with the surroundings of the instrument, such that a difference in pressure between the compartment and the surroundings tends to cause the deformable container to deform, moving the wall portion.

Abstract: An accessory for use with a microscope arranged to carry out ATR measurements has a support (40) which can be mounted on the moveable stage (20) of the microscope. A mounting (100) for an ATR crystal is carried on the support. The mounting (100) is preferably pivotally mounted on the support (40) so that it can be pivoted from a position in which the crystal lines on the axis of the microscope to a position in which a sample carried on the support can be observed visually. The mounting is arranged such that it can be returned reliably and reproducibly to its original position with the crystal on the axis.

Abstract: An accessory for use with a microscope arranged to carry out ATR measurements has a support (40) which can be mounted on the moveable stage (20) of the microscope. A mounting (100) for an ATR crystal is carried on the support. The mounting (100) is preferably pivotally mounted on the support (40) so that it can be pivoted from a position in which the crystal lines on the axis of the microscope to a position in which a sample carried on the support can be observed visually. The mounting is arranged such that it can be returned reliably and reproducibly to its original position with the crystal on the axis.

Abstract: An bidirectional optical component position adjustment device includes a first member having a flat sliding surface, and a second member movable relative to the first member contacting the sliding surface. The optical component attaches to the second member. An elongated third member connects with the first and second members so the second member is movable relative to the first in a direction of a rotation axis of the third member when the third member is moved in the direction of its rotation axis. The rotation axis is substantially parallel to the sliding surface. The third member includes an eccentric part which is eccentric in relation to the rotation axis. The eccentric part is operationally connected with the second member so the second member moves relative to the first perpendicular to the rotation axis when the third member is rotated around its rotation axis. An optical adjustment method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of imaging light from a specimen in which excitation light passes to the specimen via a scanning system and light emitted by luminescence of the specimen passes in another direction via the scanning system to an image capture device having a sensor having discrete spatially distinct light sensitive regions. The scanning system is operated to scan the whole of an area of interest of the specimen, and the excitation light and/or the image capture device are controlled so that light emitted from the specimen in only incident on the image capture device sensor for a specific time period equal to that required for scanning the whole of the area of interest n time. The scanning system is a confocal system. Apparatus is provided for performing the method to produce a video signal for creating an image in a display device or for processing and analysis by a computer.

Abstract: An assembly (100) and a method are provided for inputting a light beam into a light path extending from the confocal scanning head (102) to the microscope (104) of a scanning confocal microscope system to illuminate a selected region of a sample mounted in the microscope. The assembly comprises a light input for receiving a light beam from a light source; beam directing means (8, 12) for controlling the path of the light beam with reference to the shape of the selected region of the sample; and a beam coupler (16) for selective coupling the light beam into the light path from the confocal scanning head (102) to the microscope (104), with the beam direction being controlled by the beam directing means so as to illuminate the selected region. A scanning confocal microscope system including such an assembly is also described, together with a method of calibrating the system. In addition, an optical switch for selectively switching a light beam between two paths is disclosed.

Abstract: An accessory for use with a microscope arranged to carry out ATR measurements has a support (40) which can be fixed to the moveable stage (20) of the microscope. A mounting member (100) is carried by the support (40). A sample supporting member (60) is disposed below the location of the ATR crystal (106). The sample supporting member (60) is carried on the support (40) such that it can be moved to restricted extent relative to the support and defines a sub-stage which can be moved relative to the main stage (20) of the microscope.