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 of the microscope. A mounting (100) for an ATR crystal (106) is carried on the support. A sample supporting member (60) is disposed below the location of the ATR crystal. The sample supporting member (60) has a relatively thin upper wall (64). A pressure applying mechanism (80) is located below the wall (64) and is operable to apply pressure to a sample through the wall (64) to ensure good contact between a sample and the sample contacting surface of the crystal.

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: A method of processing data from a CCD 1 having a line of light sensitive CCD elements is provided. The method comprises the steps of receiving measured illumination data readout from the CCD corresponding to measurements of charge associated with each element of the line of light sensitive CCD elements and removing from the measured illumination data in respect of each CCD element a component dependent upon illumination recorded by each of the other CCD elements through which the charge from the CCD element passed during the readout process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided which allow the rapid collection of image data in situations where ancillary equipment must be controlled and co-ordinated as part of an image formation process, such as confocal microscopy for example. The apparatus includes control means (20?) for co-ordinating the operation of the apparatus, and operable to receive a first trigger signal (33, 33?, 37) indicating the completion of an operation from one component and transmit a second trigger signal (27, 27?) to start an operation by another component in response to the first trigger signal. Such a configuration is operate to reduce delays encountered in operation of the apparatus.

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: 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 of the microscope. A mounting (100) for an ATR crystal (106) is carried on the support. The accessory includes a registration indicium which is located at a fixed position relative to the sample contacting area of the crystal. The registration indicium is preferably provided at the apex region of the crystal. The registration indicium can be used to ensure correct focussing of a sample when obtaining an image of the sample.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to the imaging of biological samples are provided. More particularly, they relate to the detection of light emanating from fluorescent species present in a sample in order to study the structure and dynamics of such a sample. Such a method of analysis comprises irradiating the sample with a pulse of excitation energy causing fluorescent species in the sample to fluoresce; detecting light emanating from the sample during a predetermined period of time after the pulse; generating and storing data recording at least the wavelength of the detected light against time; and analysing the data with reference to the respective lifetimes of the fluorescent species to detect the presence of the respective emissions from three or more different fluorescent species which emit light simultaneously during at least part of said predetermined period, which are indistinguishable from each other on the basis of their wavelength or lifetime alone.

Abstract: A light source for an atomizing device, specifically an atom absorption spectrometer comprising one, two, or more lamps, whose ray can be selected by means of at least one two-dimensionally moveable optical selection element, and which can be directed in the direction of atomizing device. Fine-tuning is thereby achieved quickly with little constructive expenditure and with low costs. A very high degree of accuracy is possible from the selector through a rotational and highly adjustable rotation spindle.

Abstract: A short arc lamp comprises front and back subassemblies including mating weld rings, whereby the lamp can be assembled and sealed through welding of the weld rings. Each subassembly includes a number of self-aligning components to facilitate assembly and improve alignment accuracy. The metal body of the lamp can have a cooling projection portion, which can be received by a heat sink to remove heat from near the anode. A heat sink also can be formed as part of the metal body. The lamp reflector can be a drop-in reflector, or can be formed as part of the metal body through a process such as metal injection molding. A single strut can be used to position the cathode, which can be part of the sleeve or received by a portion of the sleeve. A trigger electrode can be used to simplify the power supply for the lamp.

Abstract: A method of providing sample containers with an automatically readable identification for an analysis device, in which the sample container may be heated to an operating temperature for analysis. It is the object of the invention to improve the identification of sample containers in a manner that the sample contained in the sample container is not contaminated by the constituents of the identification agent during analysis. The object of the invention is solved in that the identification is applied at an elevated temperature above the operating temperature. By the method according to the invention, volatile constituents of the identification agent are advantageous evaporated so that when using the sample container during operating temperature of the analysis device, the sample to be analyzed is no longer contaminated by the exhaling constituents of the identification agent.

Abstract: A short arc lamp comprises front and back subassemblies including mating weld rings, whereby the lamp can be assembled and sealed through welding of the weld rings. Each subassembly includes a number of self-aligning components to facilitate assembly and improve alignment accuracy. The metal body of the lamp can have a cooling projection portion, which can be received by a heat sink to remove heat from near the anode. A heat sink also can be formed as part of the metal body. The lamp reflector can be a drop-in reflector, or can be formed as part of the metal body through a process such as metal injection molding. A single strut can be used to position the cathode, which can be part of the sleeve or received by a portion of the sleeve. A trigger electrode can be used to simplify the power supply for the lamp.

Abstract: A method for performing photo-modification of a biological sample, the method comprising: (a) irradiating the sample; (b) detecting one or more signals based on the irradiated sample; (c) using one or more processor means to analyze the detected signals and determine one or more irradiation parameters, and, (d) returning to (a) conditioned on the irradiation parameters. Thus modifications may be determined and executed interactively as an experiment progresses, and therefore directed towards specific structures and/or events identified as of particular interest in the course of the experiment.

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: 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 infrared imaging microscope, particularly of the type used to carry out FT-IR measurement, including a detector in the form of a relatively small detector array of individual detector elements. The outputs of the detector elements are fed in parallel to an electronic circuit for processing. The relatively small array allows the outputs to be processed without need for multiplexing thereby avoiding reduction in signal-to-noise. The detector array may substantially range from about 3 to about 100 detector elements, and is preferably in a range from about 16 to about 64 detector elements.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to the imaging of biological samples are provided. More particularly, they relate to the detection of light emanating from fluorescent species present in a sample in order to study the structure and dynamics of such a sample. Such a method of analysis comprises irradiating the sample with a pulse of excitation energy causing fluorescent species in the sample to fluoresce; detecting light emanating from the sample during a predetermined period of time after the pulse; generating and storing data recording at least the wavelength of the detected light against time; and analysing the data with reference to the respective lifetimes of the fluorescent species to detect the presence of the respective emissions from three or more different fluorescent species which emit light simultaneously during at least part of said predetermined period, which are indistinguishable from each other on the basis of their wavelength or lifetime alone.

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 of the microscope. A mounting (100) for an ATR crystal (106) is carried on the support. The accessory includes a registration indicium which is located at a fixed position relative to the sample contacting area of the crystal. The registration indicium is preferably provided at the apex region of the crystal. The registration indicium can be used to ensure correct focussing of a sample when obtaining an image of the sample.

Abstract: A method of analysing a sample of biological material including components (2a to 2d) tagged with respective fluorescent labels (4a to 4d), comprises the steps of identifying a specific labeled component (2d) to be monitored, and irradiating with an energy beam at least one region (8) of the sample which substantially surrounds said specific component. The energy beam modifies the optical properties of labels in the region (8) such that they are distinguishable from the label (4d) associated with said specific component (2d). This assists the tracking of a specific component of interest as it moves through a sample. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

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: A light source for an atomizing device, specifically an atom absorption spectrometer comprising one, two, or more lamps, whose ray can be selected by means of at least one two-dimensionally moveable optical selection element, and which can be directed in the direction of atomizing device. Fine-tuning is thereby achieved quickly with little constructive expenditure and with low costs. A very high degree of accuracy is possible from the selector through a rotational and highly adjustable rotation spindle.