Abstract: A vehicle testing lamp system comprising an onboard controller unit, an off-board controller unit, and a lamp fixture. The onboard controller unit comprises a solid state relay, the solid state relay being switchable between an idle output power setting and a high output power setting; a timing circuit,; a transfer circuit; a current sensor; a current regulator; and batteries or other auxiliary power supply. The off-board controller unit comprises a power supply electrically connected to a voltage booster circuit. The lamp fixture comprises an ignitor; a shock mount; and a lamp that is electrically connected to the igniter. The off-board controller supplies power to the lamp at its idle level. The onboard transfer circuit permits the off-board power supply to be disconnected while the onboard controller unit maintains the lamp at idle, and the onboard timing circuit limits the time that the lamp remains at high output. Also disclosed is a method for using a vehicle testing lamp system.

Abstract: A vehicle testing lamp system comprising an onboard controller unit, an off-board controller unit, and a lamp fixture. The onboard controller unit comprises a solid state relay, the solid state relay being switchable between an idle output power setting and a high output power setting; a timing circuit; a transfer circuit; a current sensor; a current regulator; and batteries or other auxiliary power supply. The off-board controller unit comprises a power supply electrically connected to a voltage booster circuit. The lamp fixture comprises an ignitor; a shock mount; and a lamp that is electrically connected to the igniter. The off-board controller supplies power to the lamp at its idle level. The onboard transfer circuit permits the off-board power supply to be disconnected while the onboard controller unit maintains the lamp at idle, and the onboard timing circuit limits the time that the lamp remains at high output. Also disclosed is a method for using a vehicle testing lamp system.

Abstract: A system for optical interrogation of a sample adaptable for multiple wavelength illumination and multiple wavelength fluorescent or luminescent light collection, wherein the illumination wavelength profile and the light collection profile may overlap. In the system, coherent light from one or more lasers is focused onto a target layer on a sample to excite fluorescent or luminescent light from the target layer. Emitted light is collected from a selected depth by a reflective light collector that transmits the collected light to detection optics. The reflective light collector directs collected light at an angle to the optical axis of the illumination light, thereby separating collected emitted light from illumination light. The light collector may collect light from a focus, whereby the focused illumination light combined with the focused light collection aid in limitation of the depth of field to a selected depth.

Abstract: A system for the optical analysis of a sample. An illumination source illuminates the sample, exciting fluorescence. The fluorescence is collected by an objective lens, which transmits the collected illumination light onto an imaging lens, which focuses the collected light onto an area array detector. Collected light rays between the objective lens and the imaging lens are parallel and pass through an emission filter. Both the objective lens and the imaging lens are positioned on a mount that allows an alternative objective or imaging lens to be positioned to collect or image the emitted light. Any objective lens/imaging lens pair is optically symmetrical, greatly reducing the optically degrading effects.

Abstract: A system for optical detection of kinetic samples. The system includes a dual set of detectors linked to a single processor. The time of signal integration is different for each detector, allowing one detector to have a higher sensitivity by integrating over a longer time period while the second detector using shorter integration periods is able to measure kinetic events.

Abstract: A fluorescent identification and focusing target indicia and associated methods for use. The indicia is used to label a substrate, and may subsequently be used first as a target to focus the optical analysis and next as a specific identifier of the substrate and/or of reagents used with the substrate. The label may be a separate layer joined to the substrate by an adhesive. The indicia may include multiple dyes, a dye that produces fluorescence in a plurality of channels, a reflective component, a human interpretable component, a quantification means, a sizing standard, or other components.

Abstract: An apparatus and method in which illumination light and collected emitted light share a pathway and subsequently are physically separated. The optical configuration is designed such that at the point of separation, the illumination light is at has a smaller cross sectional area than the collected light. Collected light is directed away from the pathway of the illumination light and to detection optics. This configuration is adaptable to illumination and light collection across a broad wavelength spectrum. This configuration is adaptable to scanning in a limited depth of field to allow high throughput optical analysis of samples.

Abstract: An apparatus and method in which illumination light and collected emitted light share a pathway and subsequently are physically separated. The optical configuration is designed such that at the point of separation, the illumination light is at has a smaller cross sectional area than the collected light. Collected light is directed away from the pathway of the illumination light and to detection optics. This configuration is adaptable to illumination and light collection across a broad wavelength spectrum. This configuration is adaptable to scanning in a limited depth of field to allow high throughput optical analysis of samples.

Abstract: A system for optical interrogation of a sample adaptable for multiple wavelength illumination and multiple wavelength fluorescent or luminescent light collection, wherein the illumination wavelength profile and the light collection profile may overlap. In the system, coherent light from one or more lasers is focused onto a target layer on a sample to excite fluorescent or luminescent light from the target layer. Emitted light is collected from a selected depth by a reflective light collector that transmits the collected light to detection optics. The reflective light collector directs collected light at an angle to the optical axis of the illumination light, thereby separating collected emitted light from illumination light. The light collector may collect light from a focus, whereby the focused illumination light combined with the focused light collection aid in limitation of the depth of field to a selected depth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for autofocus on a target layer contained within a microplate well is provided. The instrument is capable of optically sensing a reference point on the underside of a microplate. This reference point is then used to focus light onto a target layer within the microplate well, the target layer having a location that is in defined relation to the reference point. The reference point is either a surface of the bottom of the microplate well or is an optically detectable mark on the underside of the microplate. In an alternate embodiment, a light position sensitive detector is used to enable deterministic autofocus for a plurality of wells on a microplate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for autofocus on a target layer contained within a microplate well is provided. The instrument is capable of optically sensing a reference point on the underside of a microplate. This reference point is then used to focus light onto a target layer within the microplate well, the target layer having a location that is in defined relation to the reference point. The reference point is either a surface of the bottom of the microplate well or is an optically detectable mark on the underside of the microplate. In an alternate embodiment, a light position sensitive detector is used to enable deterministic autofocus for a plurality of wells on a microplate.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of measuring quantities of biological or other types of samples that have been labeled using any of a variety of techniques including fluorescence, radioisotopes, enzyme activated light emitting chemicals, and enzyme activated fluorescent materials is provided. The apparatus allows for either simultaneous or sequential acquisition of signals from multiple sample types. The apparatus is not restricted to a particular source or wavelength of excitation or readout light, nor is the apparatus restricted to a particular emission wavelength. The provided scanner includes a source module that preferably contains an internal laser emitting two different wavelengths of approximately the same intensity. An optional external light source may be coupled to the source module, thus adding further flexibility through the addition of other wavelengths (e.g., V, visible, mid-IR, and IR). The scanner also includes a detection module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving uniform illumination in an electrophoresis apparatus is provided. Uniform illumination allows quantitative measurements of an electrophoresis gel to be made, thus increasing the information which can be obtained from an electrophoretic analysis. Uniform illumination is achieved by scanning the light source, preferably in a trans-illumination mode, across the sample gel in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the source. The light source is comprised of one or more light bulbs placed in a light tray. Variations in light intensity near the source end portions may be minimized using a variety of techniques including extended light bulbs, filters, reflectors, diffusers, or supplemental sources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting non-uniformities in the source and the lens assembly of an electrophoresis apparatus is provided. Assuming a detector with a uniform responsivity, correcting for source and lens non-uniformities allows quantitative measurements of an electrophoresis gel to be made, thus increasing the information which can be obtained from an electrophoretic analysis. The non-uniformities due to the illumination source are characterized by sampling a portion of the source with a linear detector array and creating a correction data file. In order to sample the source, a mirror or beamsplitter is appropriately positioned, for example along the central optical axis of the electrophoresis apparatus. Similarly, a correction data file representing the non-uniformities due to the lens assembly is created using a secondary linear source of known uniformity. After the correction data files are stored, an image of the sample is taken and a sample data file is created.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting non-uniformities in the lens assembly of an electrophoresis apparatus is provided. Assuming a detector with a uniform responsivity as well as a uniform illumination source, correcting for lens non-uniformities allows accurate quantitative measurements of an electrophoresis gel to be made, thus increasing the information which can be obtained from an electrophoretic analysis. Applying the system, the non-uniformities due to the lens assembly are first characterized for a range of aperture and magnification settings. A look-up table is then created which contains the non-uniformities and/or correction data files for the lens assembly according to the aperture and magnification settings. In order to correct a sample image, the aperture and magnification settings used to obtain the sample image are provided to the system processor. These settings may be automatically obtained by the processor or manually input by the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of imaging fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is provided. The instrument allows the user to simultaneously acquire images from several different colors. This system, used in conjunction with a combinatorial fluorescence approach, is able to create a FISH karyotype with each chromosome being painted with a different color. The optical system is continuously tunable over the detection wavelengths. In one embodiment of the system the sample is simultaneously irradiated in more than one wavelength band and the detection system uses a common path interferometer to scan through the detection wavelengths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of imaging fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is provided. The instrument allows the user to simultaneously acquire images from several different colors. This system, used in conjunction with a combinatorial fluorescence approach, is able to create a FISH karyotype with each chromosome being painted with a different color. The optical system is continuously tunable over the detection wavelengths. In one embodiment of the system the sample is simultaneously irradiated in more than one wavelength band and the detection system uses a common path interferometer to scan through the detection wavelengths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting an image of an electrophoresis gel for lens and detector non-uniformities is provided. The removal of such non-uniformities, in conjunction with a uniform illumination source, allows quantitative measurements of an electrophoresis gel to be made, thus increasing the information which can be obtained from an electrophoretic analysis. Lens and detector non-uniformities are removed by first determining the magnitude of the non-uniformities using a calibration standard. The calibration standard has a uniform emittance, preferably in the same wavelength band as the labeled regions of the electrophoresis gel. By placing the calibration standard in close proximity to the entrance aperture of the lens, the calibration process is relatively insensitive to illumination source non-uniformities. Thus an image of the calibration standard taken with the same lens settings as the unknown provides detailed information on the lens and detector non-uniformities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of identifying the individual autosomal and sex chromosomes of a human karyotype through the use of a set of combinatorially labeled oligonucleotide probes each member thereof: (i) having a predetermined label distinguishable from the label of any other member of said set, and (ii) being capable of specifically hybridizing with one predetermined autosomal or sex chromosome of a human karyotype.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of analyzing samples contained in a microplate is provided. The instrument is capable of measuring fluorescence, luminescence, and/or absorption within multiple locations within a sample well. The instrument is tunable over the excitation and/or detection wavelengths. Neutral density filters are used to extend the sensitivity range of the absorption measuring aspect of the instrument. Due to the wavelength tuning capabilities of the instrument, the spectral dependence of the measured fluorescence, luminescence, and absorption of the materials in question can be analyzed. The combination of a data processor and a look-up table improve the ease of operation of the instrument. Several different formats are available for the output data including creation of a bit map of the sample.