Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for viewing low-birefringence structures within samples directly, with the eye, in real-time. The sample is placed between an entrance polarizer and analyzer polarizer, the transmission state of one of which is changed dynamically to create a modulated view of the scene; against this background, birefringent structures are visible because of their different appearance when modulated. Modulation rates of 4 or more states per second; use of 4 or more states, or even a continuum of states, which lie substantially on a latitude line on the Poincare sphere; and orientation of the polarization components to produce a uniform background; produce a clear view that does not produce operator fatigue. Broad-band wavelength operation spanning 50 nm or more, or the whole visible range, is achieved, and it is compatible with integration into other microscopy modes such as Hoffman relief contrast.

Abstract: The invention provides for surface mapping of in-vivo imaging subjects using a single camera and an illuminator that projects a plurality of targets such as spots on the subject. By limiting the depth-of-field of the camera lens, or of the illuminator optics, or both, a spatial plane is defined in which the spots are most sharply in focus. Controlled displacement of this plane relative to the subject is achieved through movement of the mechanical stage on which a subject is placed; or through movement of the best-focus plane by adjustment of the camera, lens, or illuminator optics. Images are taken at several relative positions of the best-focus plane and the subject, and the height of individual points on the subject is determined through analysis of focus, given the known displacements. A mesh or other surface can be constructed from individual point locations, to provide a surface map of the subject. Accuracy of 0.5 mm can be readily attained for mice and similarly sized subjects.

Abstract: The invention provides for surface mapping of in-vivo imaging subjects using a single camera and a moveable stage on which a subject animal for in-vivo imaging is placed. Images are taken and the stage is moved by known amounts along the optical axis, and the heights of individual features on the subject are determined through analysis of focus, given the known stage displacement. Alternatively, height of sub-regions of the subject are determined through analysis of focus. A mesh or other surface can be constructed from individual features, to provide a surface map of the subject. Accuracy of 0.5 mm or better can be attained for mice and similarly sized subjects.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for viewing low-birefringence structures within samples directly, with the eye, in real-time. The sample is placed between an entrance polarizer and analyzer polarizer, the transmission state of one of which is changed dynamically to create a modulated view of the scene; against this background, birefringent structures are visible because of their different appearance when modulated. Modulation rates of 4 or more states per second; use of 4 or more states, or even a continuum of states, which lie substantially on a latitude line on the Poincare sphere; and orientation of the polarization components to produce a uniform background; produce a clear view that does not produce operator fatigue. Broad-band wavelength operation spanning 50 nm or more, or the whole visible range, is achieved, and it is compatible with integration into other microscopy modes such as Hoffman relief contrast.

Abstract: The invention provides for surface mapping of in-vivo imaging subjects using a single camera and a moveable stage on which a subject animal for in-vivo imaging is placed. Images are taken and the stage is moved by known amounts along the optical axis, and the heights of individual features on the subject are determined through analysis of focus, given the known stage displacement. Alternatively, height of sub-regions of the subject are determined through analysis of focus. A mesh or other surface can be constructed from individual features, to provide a surface map of the subject. Accuracy of 0.5 mm or better can be attained for mice and similarly sized subjects.

Abstract: The invention provides for surface mapping of in-vivo imaging subjects using a single camera and an illuminator that projects a plurality of targets such as spots on the subject. By limiting the depth-of-field of the camera lens, or of the illuminator optics, or both, a spatial plane is defined in which the spots are most sharply in focus. Controlled displacement of this plane relative to the subject is achieved through movement of the mechanical stage on which a subject is placed; or through movement of the best-focus plane by adjustment of the camera, lens, or illuminator optics. Images are taken at several relative positions of the best-focus plane and the subject, and the height of individual points on the subject is determined through analysis of focus, given the known displacements. A mesh or other surface can be constructed from individual point locations, to provide a surface map of the subject. Accuracy of 0.5 mm can be readily attained for mice and similarly sized subjects.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for obtaining at least one absorption image and at least one birefringence image of a stained sample.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for obtaining at least one non-birefringence image and at least one birefringence image of a stained sample, and classifying regions of the stained sample into a plurality of classes based on the at least one non-birefringence image and the at least one birefringence image.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for assessing the developmental potential of an oocyte based on one or more quantitative metrics derived from one or more birefringence images of a sample comprising the oocyte, wherein the assessing comprises comparing the one or more quantitative metrics to reference information.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for microscope imaging that involve positioning a biological sample within a field of view of a microscope having an optical axis, and rotating the biological sample about a rotation axis different from the optical axis to improve an image of the sample produced by the microscope. The methods and systems are especially useful in assisted reproductive technologies, for example, to assess the developmental potential of oocytes.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for determining information about a position of the entity within the sample using spectral techniques. For example, the sample may be a living animal, such as a mouse, and the embedded object may be a tumor.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for classifying different parts of a sample into respective classes based on an image stack that includes one or more images.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for: collecting radiation emitted from an object embedded in a biological sample from multiple sides of the sample; and estimating the size of the object based on the collected radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for: (i) positioning a specimen inside an optical measurement system according to a reference image of the specimen indicative of its position and orientation during an earlier measurement using the optical measurement system; and (ii) measuring radiation emitted from the positioned specimen to provide information about an object embedded in the specimen.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for: (i) sequentially illuminating a specimen with different spatial distributions of light, wherein each illumination causes an object embedded in the specimen to emit radiation in response to the light; (ii) for each different spatial distribution of illumination light, imaging the radiation emitted from the specimen from each of multiple sides of the specimen; and (iii) determining information about the object in the specimen based on the imaged radiation from each of the multiple sides for each of the different spatial distributions of illumination light.

Abstract: The invention provides a highly sensitive measurement of retardance and slow axis orientation, accurately and instantaneously, across a full two-dimensional image. There are no moving parts and there need not be any electro-optic tuning as part of the measurement. It is ideally adapted to real-time imaging and is well-suited to use with biological and medical samples, including visualizing structures in oocytes. The invention splits a light beam into several beams, which are analyzed using elliptical polarizers and the resultant intensity is measured. It can be constructed using a single pixilated detector, or several detectors, to achieve high spatial resolution when this is desired.