Abstract: A method for removing excess unbound ferrofluid and imaging immunomagnetically enriched circulating tumor cells is provided. A vessels having a preformed grooves in the viewing surface is optimally designed for cell alignment and imaging. After separating the unbound particles by centrifugation, an externally-applied force is applied to transport magnetically responsive particle-CTC complex toward the transparent collection wall. The grooved inner surface of the viewing face of the chamber provide uniform distribution of the particles for easy imaging. The invention is also useful in conducting quantitative analysis and sample preparation in conjunction with automated cell enumeration techniques as in quantitative analysis of CTC in disease.

Abstract: The enumeration of cells in fluids by flow cytometry is widely used across many disciplines such as assessment of leukocyte subsets in different bodily fluids or of bacterial contamination in environmental samples, food products and bodily fluids. For many applications the cost, size and complexity of the instruments prevents wider use, for example, CD4 analysis in HIV monitoring in resource-poor countries. The novel device, methods and algorithms disclosed herein largely overcome these limitations. Briefly, all cells in a biological sample are fluorescently labeled, but only the target cells are also magnetically labeled. In addition, non-magnetically labeled cells are imaged for viability in a modified slide configuration. The labeled sample, in a chamber or cuvet, is placed between two wedge-shaped magnets to selectively move the magnetically labeled cells to the observation surface of the cuvet.

Abstract: The enumeration of cells in fluids by flow cytometry is widely used across many disciplines such as assessment of leukocyte subsets in different bodily fluids or of bacterial contamination in environmental samples, food products and bodily fluids. For many applications the cost, size and complexity of the instruments prevents wider use, for example, CD4 analysis in HIV monitoring in resource-poor countries. The novel device, methods and algorithms disclosed herein largely overcome these limitations. Briefly, all cells in a biological sample are fluorescently labeled, but only the target cells are also magnetically labeled. The labeled sample, in a chamber or cuvet, is placed between two wedge-shaped magnets to selectively move the magnetically labeled cells to the observation surface of the cuvet. An LED illuminates the cells and a CCD camera captures the images of the fluorescent light emitted by the target cells.

Abstract: The enumeration of cells in fluids by flow cytometry is widely used across many disciplines such as assessment of leukocyte subsets in different bodily fluids or of bacterial contamination in environmental samples, food products and bodily fluids. For many applications the cost, size and complexity of the instruments prevents wider use, for example, CD4 analysis in HIV monitoring in resource-poor countries. The novel device, methods and algorithms disclosed herein largely overcome these limitations. Briefly, all cells in a biological sample are fluorescently labeled, but only the target cells are also magnetically labeled. The labeled sample, in a chamber or cuvet, is placed between two wedge-shaped magnets to selectively move the magnetically labeled cells to the observation surface of the cuvet. An LED illuminates the cells and a CCD camera captures the images of the fluorescent light emitted by the target cells.

Abstract: The enumeration of cells in fluids by flow cytometry is widely used across many disciplines such as assessment of leukocyte subsets in different bodily fluids or of bacterial contamination in environmental samples, food products and bodily fluids. For many applications the cost, size and complexity of the instruments prevents wider use, for example, CD4 analysis in HIV monitoring in resource-poor countries. The novel device, methods and algorithms disclosed herein largely overcome these limitations. Briefly, all cells in a biological sample are fluorescently labeled, but only the target cells are also magnetically labeled. In addition, non-magnetically labeled cells are imaged for viability in a modified slide configuration. The labeled sample, in a chamber or cuvet, is placed between two wedge-shaped magnets to selectively move the magnetically labeled cells to the observation surface of the cuvet.

Abstract: The enumeration of cells in fluids by flow cytometry is widely used across many disciplines such as assessment of leukocyte subsets in different bodily fluids or of bacterial contamination in environmental samples, food products and bodily fluids. For many applications the cost, size and complexity of the instruments prevents wider use, for example, CD4 analysis in HIV monitoring in resource-poor countries. The novel device, methods and algorithms disclosed herein largely overcome these limitations. Briefly, all cells in a biological sample are fluorescently labeled, but only the target cells are also magnetically labeled. The labeled sample, in a chamber or cuvet, is placed between two wedge-shaped magnets to selectively move the magnetically labeled cells to the observation surface of the cuvet. An LED illuminates the cells and a CCD camera captures the images of the fluorescent light emitted by the target cells.

Abstract: The enumeration of cells in fluids by flow cytometry is widely used across many disciplines such as assessment of leukocyte subsets in different bodily fluids or of bacterial contamination in environmental samples, food products and bodily fluids. For many applications the cost, size and complexity of the instruments prevents wider use, for example, CD4 analysis in HIV monitoring in resource-poor countries. The novel device, methods and algorithms disclosed herein largely overcome these limitations. Briefly, all cells in a biological sample are fluorescently labeled, but only the target cells are also magnetically labeled. In addition, non-magnetically labeled cells are imaged for viability in a modified slide configuration. The labeled sample, in a chamber or cuvet, is placed between two wedge-shaped magnets to selectively move the magnetically labeled cells to the observation surface of the cuvet.

Abstract: Devices and methods for automated collection and image analysis are disclosed that enable identification or classification of microscopic objects aligned or deposited on surfaces. Such objects, e.g. detectably labeled rare target cells, are magnetically or non-magnetically immobilized and subjected to Time Delay Integration imaging (TDI). Incorporation of TDI technology into image cytometry analysis, like CellTracks®, makes it possible to image moving objects with very high sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratios. Implementation of TDI camera technology with dual excitation and multispectral imaging of enriched rare cells provides a rapid system for detection, enumeration, differentiation and characterization of imaged rare cells on the basis of size, morphology and immunophenotype.

Abstract: A method for removing excess unbound ferrofluid and imaging immunomagnetically enriched circulating tumor cells is provided. A vessels having a preformed grooves in the viewing surface is optimally designed for cell alignment and imaging. After separating the unbound particles by centrifugation, an externally-applied force is applied to transport magnetically responsive particle-CTC complex toward the transparent collection wall. The grooved inner surface of the viewing face of the chamber provide uniform distribution of the particles for easy imaging. The invention is also useful in conducting quantitative analysis and sample preparation in conjunction with automated cell enumeration techniques as in quantitative analysis of CTC in disease.

Abstract: Devices and methods for automated collection and image analysis are disclosed that enable identification or classification of microscopic objects aligned or deposited on surfaces. Such objects, e.g. detectably labeled rare target cells, are magnetically or non-magnetically immobilized and subjected to automated laser scanning to generate sequential digitized x-y sub-images or partial images of target and non-target objects that are combined to form reconstructed full images, thereby allowing detection, enumeration, differentiation and characterization of imaged objects on the basis of size, morphology and immunophenotype.

Abstract: The enumeration of cells in fluids by flow cytometry is widely used across many disciplines such as assessment of leukocyte subsets in different bodily fluids or of bacterial contamination in environmental samples, food products and bodily fluids. For many applications the cost, size and complexity of the instruments prevents wider use, for example, CD4 analysis in HIV monitoring in resource-poor countries. The novel device, methods and algorithms disclosed herein largely overcome these limitations. Briefly, all cells in a biological sample are fluorescently labeled, but only the target cells are also magnetically labeled. In addition, non-magnetically labeled cells are imaged for viability in a modified slide configuration. The labeled sample, in a chamber or cuvet, is placed between two wedge-shaped magnets to selectively move the magnetically labeled cells to the observation surface of the cuvet.

Abstract: The enumeration of cells in fluids by flow cytometry is widely used across many disciplines such as assessment of leukocyte subsets in different bodily fluids or of bacterial contamination in environmental samples, food products and bodily fluids. For many applications the cost, size and complexity of the instruments prevents wider use, for example, CD4 analysis in HIV monitoring in resource-poor countries. The novel device, methods and algorithms disclosed herein largely overcome these limitations. Briefly, all cells in a biological sample are fluorescently labeled, but only the target cells are also magnetically labeled. The labeled sample, in a chamber or cuvet, is placed between two wedge-shaped magnets to selectively move the magnetically labeled cells to the observation surface of the cuvet. An LED illuminates the cells and a CCD camera captures the images of the fluorescent light emitted by the target cells.

Abstract: Devices and methods for automated collection and image analysis are disclosed that enable identification or classification of microscopic objects aligned or deposited on surfaces. Such objects, e.g. detectably labeled rare target cells, are magnetically or non-magnetically immobilized and subjected to automated laser scanning to generate sequential digitized x-y sub-images or partial images of target and non-target objects that are combined to form reconstructed full images, thereby allowing detection, enumeration, differentiation and characterization of imaged objects on the basis of size, morphology and immunophenotype.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical phantom that is suitable for simulating the optical properties of biological material and to a method of producing said phantom. The phantom is comprised of a matrix of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and spherical particles whose refractive index differs from that of the PVA. Preferably the PVA has a level of hydrolysis of >98%. Preferably the spherical particles are hollow polystyrene particles. In addition, light-absorbing and light-scattering substances may be added to the matrix.

Abstract: Electron microscope provided, in the direction of the longitudinal axis, with at least one electron beam generation system, a condenser and objective lens system, a specimen chamber with a specimen mount, a projection lens system with imaging screen for the purpose of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and/or an electron detector for the purpose of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) . The microscope is used in combination with an externally positioned Raman spectrometer and an associated light source for injecting and extracting, via a window in the microscope wall, a light beam to be directed at the specimen, and specimen-related Raman radiation, respectively. In the specimen chamber, a light beam and Raman radiation guide system is provided with an optical guide to guide the light beam to--and the Raman radiation from--the specimen. The guide system and the specimen mount are displaceable with respect to one another for mutual alignment of the specimen and the optical axis of the Raman spectrometer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for analyzing particles based on different depolarizing structure associated with the different particle types. Cells in a flow cytometer are illuminated with a linearly polarized light, producing scattered depolarized light whose intensity range, at a selected measuring angle, and in a suitable discriminating space, is used to analyze different particle types.