Abstract: In an apparatus and system for focusing optics an objective lens is configured to collect light from a region of an object to be imaged, said region having a feature with a known geometric characteristic, wherein the geometric characteristic is known before the feature is imaged by the optical device. A focusing sensor is configured to observe a shape of the feature and a splitter is configured to split the collected light into a first portion and a second portion, and directing said first portion through a weak cylindrical lens to the focusing sensor. A processor is configured to analyze the observed shape and determine whether the observed shape of the feature has a predetermined relationship to the known geometric characteristic and a mechanism is configured to autofocus the optical device by moving at least one of the objective lens and the object to be imaged in response to the analysis and determination of the processor. In some embodiments, the feature can be a fluorescent bead.

Abstract: In an apparatus and system for focusing optics an objective lens is configured to collect light from a region of an object to be imaged, said region having a feature with a known geometric characteristic, wherein the geometric characteristic is known before the feature is imaged by the optical device. A focusing sensor is configured to observe a shape of the feature and a splitter is configured to split the collected light into a first portion and a second portion, and directing said first portion through a weak cylindrical lens to the focusing sensor. A processor is configured to analyze the observed shape and determine whether the observed shape of the feature has a predetermined relationship to the known geometric characteristic and a mechanism is configured to autofocus the optical device by moving at least one of the objective lens and the object to be imaged in response to the analysis and determination of the processor. In some embodiments, the feature can be a fluorescent bead.

Abstract: Systems and methods for focusing optics are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, methods are disclosed for focusing an optical device, wherein the methods can include: collecting light from a region of an object to be imaged with an objective lens, said region having a feature with a known geometric characteristic; splitting the collected light into a first portion and a second portion, and directing said first portion through a weak cylindrical lens to a focusing sensor, and directing said second portion to an imager; observing, with said focusing sensor, a shape of the feature; focusing the optical device by moving at least one of the objective lens and the object to be imaged until the observed shape of the feature has a predetermined relationship to the known geometric characteristic. In some embodiments, the feature can be a fluorescent bead. In some embodiments, the splitting step can be accomplished with a dichroic mirror.

Abstract: Systems and methods for high-speed image scanning are disclosed herein One aspect of the invention is directed to a method for high speed image scanning. The method for high speed image scanning includes adjusting an object using a positioning element; directing a portion of an image of the object toward a sensor by positioning a first mirror relative to the object, and by positioning a second mirror relative to the object and the first mirror; controlling the positioning element, the position of the first mirror and the position of the second mirror using a processor; and detecting the portion of the image of the object using the sensor positioned relative to the first mirror and the second mirror. In accord with this method, the first mirror directs the portion of the image of the object in a first direction and the second mirror directs the portion of the image of the object in a second direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for high-throughput radiation biodosimetry are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for robotic transport are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, robotic systems for transporting biological samples include: a plurality of capillary vessels, in which each capillary vessel can contain a biological sample from a population; a receptacle that can contain the plurality of capillary vessels; a centrifuge; a first robotic device that can transport the receptacle between an input module and the centrifuge; a second robotic device that can transport the receptacle between the centrifuge and a sample harvest location; a cutting device that can cut each of the plurality of capillary vessels; a multi-well plate having a plurality of wells arranged in an array; and a third robotic device that can transfer at least one portion of each of the plurality of biological samples from each of the plurality of capillary vessels to a corresponding well in the array.

Abstract: Systems and methods for robotic transport are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, robotic systems for transporting biological samples include: a plurality of capillary vessels, in which each capillary vessel can contain a biological sample from a population; a receptacle that can contain the plurality of capillary vessels; a centrifuge; a first robotic device that can transport the receptacle between an input module and the centrifuge; a second robotic device that can transport the receptacle between the centrifuge and a sample harvest location; a cutting device that can cut each of the plurality of capillary vessels; a multi-well plate having a plurality of wells arranged in an array; and a third robotic device that can transfer at least one portion of each of the plurality of biological samples from each of the plurality of capillary vessels to a corresponding well in the array.

Abstract: Systems and methods for high-speed image scanning are disclosed herein One aspect of the invention is directed to a method for high speed image scanning. The method for high speed image scanning includes adjusting an object using a positioning element; directing a portion of an image of the object toward a sensor by positioning a first mirror relative to the object, and by positioning a second mirror relative to the object and the first mirror; controlling the positioning element, the position of the first mirror and the position of the second mirror using a processor; and detecting the portion of the image of the object using the sensor positioned relative to the first mirror and the second mirror. In accord with this method, the first mirror directs the portion of the image of the object in a first direction and the second mirror directs the portion of the image of the object in a second direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for high-throughput radiation biodosimetry are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for etching materials are disclosed herein. Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include methods for marking at least one capillary, including etching the at least one capillary with a laser, as well as methods for reading the resulting markings using a second laser. Further embodiments incorporate the second laser within a barcode reader. Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include capillaries having outer diameters of about 2 mm. In some embodiments, the capillary is moved while the first laser marks the capillary.

Abstract: Systems and methods for focusing optics are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, methods are disclosed for focusing an optical device, wherein the methods can include: collecting light from a region of an object to be imaged with an objective lens, said region having a feature with a known geometric characteristic; splitting the collected light into a first portion and a second portion, and directing said first portion through a weak cylindrical lens to a focusing sensor, and directing said second portion to an imager; observing, with said focusing sensor, a shape of the feature; focusing the optical device by moving at least one of the objective lens and the object to be imaged until the observed shape of the feature has a predetermined relationship to the known geometric characteristic. In some embodiments, the feature can be a fluorescent bead. In some embodiments, the splitting step can be accomplished with a dichroic mirror.

Abstract: A nanodosimeter device (15) for detecting positive ions induced in a sensitive gas volume by a radiation field of primary particle, comprising an ionization chamber (10) for holding the sensitive gas volume to be irradiated by the radiation field of primary particles; an ion counter system connected to the ionization chamber (10) for detecting the positive ions which pass through the aperture opening and arrive at the ion counter (12) at an arrival time; a particle tracking system for position-sensitive detection of the primary particles passing through the sensitive gas volume; and a data acquisition system capable of coordinating the readout of all data signals and of performing data analysis correlating the arrival time of the positive ions detected by the ion counter system relative to the position sensitive data of primary particles detected by the particle tracking system.

Abstract: A nanodosimeter device (15) for detecting positive ions induced in a sensitive gas volume by a radiation field of primary particle, comprising an ionization chamber (10) for holding the sensitive gas volume to be irradiated by the radiation field of primary particles; an ion counter system connected to the ionization chamber (10) for detecting the positive ions which pass through the aperture opening and arrive at the ion counter (12) at an arrival time; a particle tracking system for position-sensitive detection of the primary particles passing through the sensitive gas volume; and a data acquisition system capable of coordinating the readout of all data signals and of performing data analysis correlating the arrival time of the positive ions detected by the ion counter system relative to the position sensitive data of primary particles detected by the particle tracking system.

Abstract: A nanodosimeter device (15) for detecting positive ions induced in a sensitive gas volume by a radiation field of primary particle, comprising an ionization chamber (10) for holding the sensitive gas volume to be irradiated by the radiation field of primary particles; an ion counter system connected to the ionization chamber (10) for detecting the positive ions which pass through the aperture opening and arrive at the ion counter (12) at an arrival time; a particle tracking system for position-sensitive detection of the primary particles passing through the sensitive gas volume; and a data acquisition system capable of coordinating the readout of all data signals and of performing data analysis correlating the arrival time of the positive ions detected by the ion counter system relative to the position sensitive data of primary particles detected by the particle tracking system.

Abstract: A nanodosimeter device (15) for detecting positive ions induced in a sensitive gas volume by a radiation field of primary particle, comprising an ionization chamber (10) for holding the sensitive gas volume to be irradiated by the radiation field of primary particles; an ion counter system connected to the ionization chamber (10) for detecting the positive ions which pass through the aperture opening and arrive at the ion counter (12) at an arrival time; a particle tracking system for position-sensitive detection of the primary particles passing through the sensitive gas volume; and a data acquisition system capable of coordinating the readout of all data signals and of performing data analysis correlating the arrival time of the positive ions detected by the ion counter system relative to the position sensitive data of primary particles detected by the particle tracking system.