Abstract: Pathology specimen slides are positively located on trays, and picked and placed by an auto-loader. The trays are received in a rack in tiers accessed by an auto-loader that moves the slides between the trays and a digital imaging microscope. The trays can have rows of receptacles for slides with standoff structures spacing the slides above a tray bottom. Lateral and endwise partitions defining the receptacles are inclined oppositely inwardly for guiding a slide into the predetermined position on the tray. The autoloader has a manipulator that grasps the ends of slides presented in a front row, and can reach over the front row to grasp slides in one or more rows beyond the front. The manipulator lifts the slide between the inclined surfaces of the partitions, loads and later retrieves the slide from the microscope and replaces the slide in the holder.

Abstract: A system and method that allows for time-resolved fluorescent imaging of fluorescent samples. The user is able to receive temporally filtered pictures of the sample with a reduced amount of the scattered excitation light and the short lived background fluorescence. The system allows for adjustment of fluorescent gating time and delay time.

Abstract: A spherical aberration adjustment system is disclosed, which includes a plurality of objective lenses, where at least one of the plurality of objective lenses has a spherical aberration collar. The plurality of objective lenses are mounted onto an objective holder, where the objective holder is configured to place the at least one of the plurality of objective lenses in an imaging position. A driving mechanism is coupled by a mechanical link to the at least one of the plurality of objective lenses, where the mechanical link is configured to transmit motion from the driving mechanism to the spherical aberration collar. A control system is configured to manipulate the driving mechanism to move the spherical aberration collar of the at least one of the plurality of objective lenses in the imaging position to a specific spherical aberration adjustment setting.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method that allows for time-resolved fluorescent imaging of fluorescent samples. The user is able to receive temporally filtered pictures of the sample with a reduced amount of the scattered excitation light and the short lived background fluorescence. The system allows for adjustment of fluorescent gating time and delay time.

Abstract: A spherical aberration adjustment system is disclosed, which includes a plurality of objective lenses, where at least one of the plurality of objective lenses has a spherical aberration collar. The plurality of objective lenses are mounted onto an objective holder, where the objective holder is configured to place the at least one of the plurality of objective lenses in an imaging position. A driving mechanism is coupled by a mechanical link to the at least one of the plurality of objective lenses, where the mechanical link is configured to transmit motion from the driving mechanism to the spherical aberration collar. A control system is configured to manipulate the driving mechanism to move the spherical aberration collar of the at least one of the plurality of objective lenses in the imaging position to a specific spherical aberration adjustment setting.

Abstract: A system and method for multimode imaging of at least one sample is disclosed. The system includes at least one light source; an optical system selected responsive to a mode of operation of the imaging system; and a detector capable of selective reading of pixels. The at least one sample is moved elative to the optical system using a sample movement technique selected from the group consisting of step sample moving and continuous sample moving. The method includes the steps of (1) selecting a mode of operation for the imaging system; (2) transmitting light from at least one light source through an optical system selected in response to the mode of operation for the imaging system; (3) moving the at least one sample relative to the optical system using a sample movement technique selected from the group consisting of step sample moving and continuous sample moving; and (4) selectively reading pixels with a detector.

Abstract: A system and method for multimode imaging of at least one sample is disclosed. The system includes at least one light source; an optical system selected responsive to a mode of operation of the imaging system; and a detector capable of selective reading of pixels. The at least one sample is moved elative to the optical system using a sample movement technique selected from the group consisting of step sample moving and continuous sample moving. The method includes the steps of (1) selecting a mode of operation for the imaging system; (2) transmitting light from at least one light source through an optical system selected in response to the mode of operation for the imaging system; (3) moving the at least one sample relative to the optical system using a sample movement technique selected from the group consisting of step sample moving and continuous sample moving; and (4) selectively reading pixels with a detector.