Abstract: An optical system is provided for clinical diagnostics that include methods and apparatus for rapidly detecting and characterizing rare circulating cells such as, but not limited to, circulating tumor cells/circulating stems cells (CTC/CSCs) in a biological sample. The sample is processed for analyses, loaded onto a “capture zone” in the optical system where, and subjected to a two stage optical process for very rapid detection and detailed characterization of detected cells. The detected rare cells are characterized with regards to biomarker profiles using fluorescent tags or chromophores for detection and optical imaging. Isolation of the captured rare cells is anticipated for down-stream assessments including, but not limited to, DNA, RNA, proteomic analyses and culture.

Abstract: An optical system is provided for clinical diagnostics that include methods and apparatus for rapidly detecting and characterizing rare circulating cells such as, but not limited to, circulating tumor cells/circulating stems cells (CTC/CSCs) in a biological sample. The sample is processed for analyses, loaded onto a “capture zone” in the optical system where, and subjected to a two stage optical process for very rapid detection and detailed characterization of detected cells. The detected rare cells are characterized with regards to biomarker profiles using fluorescent tags or chromophores for detection and optical imaging. Isolation of the captured rare cells is anticipated for down-stream assessments including, but not limited to, DNA, RNA, proteomic analyses and culture.