Abstract: The present invention relates to calibration apparatuses, methods or tools used in microscopy. A calibration tool for fluorescent microscopy includes a support, a solid surface layer including a fluorescent material, and a thin opaque mask of non-fluorescent material defining reference feature openings having selected dimensions exposing portions of the surface layer. A first type of the calibration tool may include an adhesion promoter facilitating contact between the surface of the support and the solid surface layer including the fluorescent material, which is in contact with the opaque mask. A second type of the calibration tool may include the thin opaque mask fabricated (with or without an adhesion promoter) onto the support, and the solid surface layer including the fluorescent material located on the thin opaque mask.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to calibrate fluorescence detection of a fluorescence microscope by using a near-perfectly uniform reflector as a target in combination with temporary removal of the microscope's emission filter. Excitation light is reflected from the near-perfectly uniform reflector back into the microscope's objective optical system and transmitted to a dichroic. A small fraction of the excitation light passes though the dichroic and is measured by a CCD camera or other appropriate measurement device. By measuring the intensity of the residual excitation light at a plurality of points in the field of view, variations in illumination intensity may be determined. Using this, fluorescence detection at different points in the field of view may be readily calibrated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to calibration apparatuses, methods or tools used in microscopy A calibration tool for fluorescent microscopy includes a support, a solid surface layer including a fluorescent material, and a thin opaque mask of non-fluorescent material defining reference feature openings having selected dimensions exposing portions of the surface layer A first type of the calibration tool may include an adhesion promoter facilitating contact between the surface of the support and the solid surface layer including the fluorescent material, which is in contact with the thin opaque mask A second type of the calibration tool may include the thin opaque mask fabricated (with or without an adhesion promoter) onto the support, and the solid surface layer including the fluorescent material located on the thin opaque mask

Abstract: An immobilizing device for biological material comprises a rigid support (12) carrying a substrate layer (20, 20?) of polymer having biological immobilizing properties, e.g. for amino and nucleic acids. Substantially solid ultra-thin substrate layers (20?) having a thickness less than about 5 micron, preferably between about 0.1 and 0.5 micron, and micro-porous, ultra-thin substrate layers (20?) having a thickness less than about 5 micron, preferably less than 3 micron, 2 or 1 micron are shown, which may be segmented by isolating moats M. The substrate layer is on a microscope slide (302), round disc (122), bio-cassette, at the bottom of a well of a multiwell plate, and as a coating inside a tube. Fluorescence or luminescence intensity and geometric calibration spots (420) are shown. Reading is enhanced by the intensity calibration spots. (420) to enable normalization of readings under uneven illumination conditions, as when reading by dark field, side illumination mode.

Abstract: Cassette (50) performs assays, e.g. multiplexed protein biomarker assays. Wide, bubble-free, slow flows are produced from liquids stored on cassette (50), flowing over wide array (20) of ligand receptors on a capture surface. Flows of Reynolds Number less than about 1, preferably 1×10?1 to 5×10?3, are heated in region (34) preceding and including bubble removal system (128). Analyte is introduced through compressed septum (32). External actuations of displacement pumps (30, 37) and valves (137 A, B, and C) produce flows in response to flow-front optical sensors (150, 152). Elastic sheet provides pump and valve diaphragms and resilient expansion of mixing volume (131). Break-away cover portions are pistons. Heating is by conduction through cassette from external contact heater. Planar cassette body, when tilted from horizontal, enables upward flow from pumped storage (134, 135) to reaction (133) to waste (139), with buoyancy bubble removal before reaction.

Abstract: An immobilizing device for biological material comprises a rigid support (12) carrying a substrate layer (20, 20?) of polymer having biological immobilizing properties, e.g. for amino and nucleic acids. Substantially solid ultra-thin substrate layers (20?) having a thickness less than about 5 micron, preferably between about 0.1 and 0.5 micron, and micro-porous, ultra-thin substrate layers (20?) having a thickness less than about 5 micron, preferably less than 3 micron, 2 or 1 micron are shown, which may be segmented by isolating moats M. The substrate layer is on a microscope slide (302), round disc (122), bio-cassette, at the bottom of a well of a multiwell plate, and as a coating inside a tube. Fluorescence or luminescence intensity and geometric calibration spots (420) are shown. Reading is enhanced by the intensity calibration spots (420) to enable normalization of readings under uneven illumination conditions, as when reading by dark field, side illumination mode.

Abstract: Reading of fluorescent arrays (103) in clinical settings is made possible by a reader (110) constructed to employ dark field illumination of the array, and mapping an image of the array onto a solid state sensor array (146) with image dimensions (D;) of the same order magnitude as the dimensions (D( ) of the fluorescent array, preferably with reduction of image. High intensity illumination is employed, non uniformities of which being compensated by normalization employing intensity calibration features (164) in the array itself, that are sensed during imaging of the array. Preferably high intensity light emitting diodes (122, 132, 402, 404), such as used in traffic lights, are employed for excitation of the array, preferably the excitation being introduced to the array via a solid internally reflecting homogenizer (130). Intermediate depth of field collection and imaging optics enable substantial collection of light, with NA in the range of 0.30 to 0.60, preferably in the range of 0.4 to 0.55.

Abstract: Microscopes, including viewing and other microscopic systems, employ a hinged, tiltable plate to adjust focus on a flat object such as a microscope slide or biochip by motion, achieved by tilting, which is substantially normal to the focus point on the plane of the object. By employing two such tiltable arrangements, relatively long scan lines of e.g., flying objective, single pixel on-axis scanning can be accommodated. The tilting support plate is specifically constructed to provide tailored locations for different objects in series along the Y axis of the plate. The plate can accommodate heaters and cooled plates and/or the flat object being examined. In a fluorescence scanning microscope, locations are specifically adapted to receive microscope slides and biochip cartridges such as Affymetrix's “Gene Chip®”. A scanning microscope under computer control, employing such a focusing action, enables unattended scanning of biochips with a simple and economical instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method is described for depositing fluid dots on a receiving surface to form an array. The apparatus includes a deposit device cooperatively related with a fluid source, a drop-carrying element coupled to the deposit device, a transport mechanism for positioning the device at a precisely referenced position over the receiving surface, and a drive mechanism for moving the element, relatively, in deposition motion toward and away from the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to calibration apparatuses, methods or tools used in microscopy A calibration tool for fluorescent microscopy includes a support, a solid surface layer including a fluorescent material, and a thin opaque mask of non-fluorescent material defining reference feature openings having selected dimensions exposing portions of the surface layer A first type of the calibration tool may include an adhesion promoter facilitating contact between the surface of the support and the solid surface layer including the fluorescent material, which is in contact with the thin opaque mask A second type of the calibration tool may include the thin opaque mask fabricated (with or without an adhesion promoter) onto the support, and the solid surface layer including the fluorescent material located on the thin opaque mask

Abstract: The invention features a single tool for collecting a known volume of a fluid biological sample from an animal, such as a human or small mammal, for mixing the sample with a predetermined amount of a reagent or a diluent, physically separate components of the sample, for storing the sample in a secure and stable fashion, and for then recovering some or all of the sample in a condition suitable for performing a diagnostic assay. The tool can be equipped with an optional means of recording or displaying information about the sample, such as a tag, a bar code, or a surface indicator that identifies, e.g., the date, animal number, and any additional information necessary. A second bar coded label to remove and attaché to the cage shall be provided. The cage/blood-sample can be correlated if needed at a later date.

Abstract: A support for an array of fluorescently labeled samples comprises a transparent body defining: (a) an array-support surface and (b) under the support surface, in spaced apart relationship thereto, a field of embedded optical features exposed to be illuminated by a broad light beam of excitation radiation addressed to the support from a predetermined general direction selected to produce a surface wave effect at the support surface, the field of embedded optical features and the support being so constructed that light of the beam incident on the features is launched through the support at an angle to the support surface that produces the surface wave effect of radiation in the manner that it can produce fluorescence from the labeled samples to be imaged beyond the support from a direction different from the direction of the illumination.

Abstract: A galvanometer is shown, which includes a cylindrical magnetic rotor polarized into two essentially semi-cylindrical poles on opposite sides of its axis. Two coil portions are disposed on opposite sides of the rotor, separated by a plane of symmetry that is in essential alignment with the poles of the rotor at the center of its range of motion. The legs of each grouping of turns of each coil portion are disposed in a distribution beginning at a point corresponding to the radial surface of the bobbin on which the coil portion is wound, and extending continuously substantially to the plane of symmetry. The distribution may be lower in density at the plane of symmetry than spaced therefrom and may approximate an inverse cosine distribution. A rotor is shown that includes a thin-walled torque-bearing sleeve encircling at least a portion of the magnet and is joined to the output shaft and the magnet. A fastener anchors the bobbin to the shell to prevent relative rotation therebetween.

Abstract: A galvanometer is shown, which includes a cylindrical magnetic rotor polarized into two essentially semi-cylindrical poles on opposite sides of its axis. Two coil portions are disposed on opposite sides of the rotor, separated by a plane of symmetry that is in essential alignment with the poles of the rotor at the center of its range of motion. The legs of each grouping of turns of each coil portion are disposed in a distribution beginning at a point corresponding to the radial surface of the bobbin on which the coil portion is wound, and extending continuously substantially to the plane of symmetry. The distribution may be lower in density at the plane of symmetry than spaced therefrom and may approximate an inverse cosine distribution. A rotor is shown that includes a thin-walled torque-bearing sleeve encircling at least a portion of the magnet and is joined to the output shaft and the magnet. A fastener anchors the bobbin to the shell to prevent relative rotation therebetween.