Abstract: An exemplary illumination source is provided. The illumination source includes a light integrating device for coupling to at least one optical structure at an output port. The light integrating device includes at least one input port. At least one light source produces at least one optical illumination coupled to the at least one input port. A light adjusting tool controls the optical illumination emitted by the light integrating device. The light adjusting tool controls uniformity of light emitted by the light integrating device by modifying at least one internal surface of the light integrating device.

Abstract: Microscopic analysis of a sample includes a system using dark-field illumination. A mid-IR optical source generates a mid-infrared beam, which is directed onto the sample to induce a temperature change by absorption of the mid-infrared beam. A visible light source generates a light illuminating the sample on a substrate and creating a scattered field and a reflected field along a collection path of the system. A pupil mask is positioned along the collection path to block the reflected field while allowing the scattered field to pass therethrough. A camera is positioned at an end of the collection path to collect the scattered field and generate a dark-field image of the sample.

Abstract: A method and device for visualizing a sample having a tissue section embedded in a solid material are provided. The method and device include applying an incident light to the tissue section embedded in the solid material. The tissue section embedded in the solid material is disposed on a layered structure configured to reduce optical back reflection at an interface between the tissue section embedded in the solid material and the layered structure. The incident light passes through the tissue section embedded in the solid material and the layered structure with reduced reflection at each of the interfaces such that visualizing one or more artifacts from reflecting the incident light from surfaces of the tissue section embedded in the solid material is reduced.

Abstract: Microscopic analysis of a sample includes a system using dark-field illumination. A mid-IR optical source generates a mid-infrared beam, which is directed onto the sample to induce a temperature change by absorption of the mid-infrared beam. A visible light source generates a light illuminating the sample on a substrate and creating a scattered field and a reflected field along a collection path of the system. A pupil mask is positioned along the collection path to block the reflected field while allowing the scattered field to pass therethrough. A camera is positioned at an end of the collection path to collect the scattered field and generate a dark-field image of the sample.

Abstract: Herein is described kinetic assay, in which individual binding events are detected and monitored during sample incubation. This method uses interferometric reflectance imaging to detect thousands of individual binding events across a multiplex solid phase sensor with a large area. A dynamic tracking procedure is used to measure the duration of each event. From this, the total rates of binding and de-binding as well as the distribution of binding event durations are determined. Systems and components for performing the kinetic assay are also described.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for capturing extracellular vesicles from a biological sample for quantification and/or characterization (e.g., size and/or shape discrimination) using an SP-IRIS system. Also provided herein are methods of detecting a biomarker on captured extracellular vesicles or inside the captured vesicles (e.g., intra-vesicular or intra-exosomal biomarkers).

Abstract: Herein is described kinetic assay, in which individual binding events are detected and monitored during sample incubation. This method uses interferometric reflectance imaging to detect thousands of individual binding events across a multiplex solid phase sensor with a large area. A dynamic tracking procedure is used to measure the duration of each event. From this, the total rates of binding and de-binding as well as the distribution of binding event durations are determined. Systems and components for performing the kinetic assay are also described.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and devices for the label-free detection of target molecules of interest. The principles of the disclosure are particularly applicable to the detection of biological molecules (e.g., DNA, RNA, and protein) using standard SiO2-based microarray technology.

Abstract: An imaging system uses polarized light to illuminate the target and then uses a polarization filter to remove the light that is reflected from the target without modification. The target can include one or more anisotropic objects that scatter the light and alter the polarization state of the reflected light and causing it to be selectively transmitted to the imaging device which can record the transmitted light through the filter. The illuminating light can be circularly polarized and the filter can remove the circularly polarized light. The target can include asymmetric nanoparticles, such as nanorods that alter the amplitude or phase of the scattered light enabling pass through the filter to be detected by the imaging device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and devices for the label-free detection of target molecules of interest. The principles of the disclosure are particularly applicable to the detection of biological molecules (e.g., DNA, RNA, and protein) using standard SiO2-based microarray technology.

Abstract: An apparatus, and method of operating the same, detects changes in biomass accumulating on a surface of a substrate while minimizing bulk effect. The apparatus includes a sensor substrate and two illumination sources. A first illumination source generates a first light having a first central wavelength. A second illumination source generates a second light having a second central wavelength different than the first wavelength. The first and second light are mixed to produce a combined light. An analyte solution is introduced to the sensor substrate. Incident light of the combined light is reflected from the sensor substrate to produce a signal. The signal is imaged with a camera to obtain a reflectance. Reflectance produced by the combined light is not affected by variations in the dielectric properties of the analyte solution. A biomass accumulated on the substrate is computed based on the reflectance.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for capturing extracellular vesicles from a biological sample for quantification and/or characterization (e.g., size and/or shape discrimination) using an SP-IRIS system. Also provided herein are methods of detecting a biomarker on captured extracellular vesicles or inside the captured vesicles (e.g., intra-vesicular or intra-exosomal biomarkers).

Abstract: An apparatus, and method of operating the same, detects changes in biomass accumulating on a surface of a substrate while minimizing bulk effect. The apparatus includes a sensor substrate and two illumination sources. A first illumination source generates a first light having a first central wavelength. A second illumination source generates a second light having a second central wavelength different than the first wavelength. The first and second light are mixed to produce a combined light. An analyte solution is introduced to the sensor substrate. Incident light of the combined light is reflected from the sensor substrate to produce a signal. The signal is imaged with a camera to obtain a reflectance. Reflectance produced by the combined light is not affected by variations in the dielectric properties of the analyte solution. A biomass accumulated on the substrate is computed based on the reflectance.

Abstract: A low cost/disposable fluidic cartridge for interferometric reflectance imaging sensor is described. Systems and methods using this cartridge are also disclosed. The cartridges and systems simplify the protocols and minimizes potential user error, for example, in biosensing experiments and assays.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for capturing extracellular vesicles from a biological sample for quantification and/or characterization (e.g., size and/or shape discrimination) using an SP-IRIS system. Also provided herein are methods of detecting a biomarker on captured extracellular vesicles or inside the captured vesicles (e.g., intra-vesicular or intra-exosomal biomarkers).

Abstract: A device testing approach employs optical antennas at test locations of a semiconductor device, usable as either/both radiators or receivers. As a radiator, an antenna responds to localized optical energy at a test location of the device to generate corresponding radiated optical energy that can be sensed and processed by a test system. As a receiver, an antenna receives radiated optical energy as generated by a test system and converts the energy into corresponding localized optical energy for affecting operation of the device. The optical antennas may be formed from metal segments on the same metal layers used for signal interconnections in the device, and thus the disclosed approach can provide enhanced test functionality without burdening the device manufacturing process with additional complexity solely to support testing. The testing approach may be used in different modalities in which the antennas variably act as transmitters, receivers, and reflectors/refractors.

Abstract: An imaging system uses polarized light to illuminate the target and then uses a polarization filter to remove the light that is reflected from the target without modification. The target can include one or more anisotropic objects that scatter the light and alter the polarization state of the reflected light and causing it to be selectively transmitted to the imaging device which can record the transmitted light through the filter. The illuminating light can be circularly polarized and the filter can remove the circularly polarized light. The target can include asymmetric nanoparticles, such as nanorods that alter the amplitude or phase of the scattered light enabling pass through the filter to be detected by the imaging device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and devices for the label-free detection of target molecules of interest. The principles of the disclosure are particularly applicable to the detection of biological molecules (e.g., DNA, RNA, and protein) using standard SiO2-based microarray technology.

Abstract: A system for analyzing one or more liquid samples includes a microwell plate including a plurality of rows of wells configured to store liquid samples, a sensor array that is moveable relative to the microwell plate along a first axis between a first position and a second position to allow a portion of the sensor array to be disposed within a first one of the plurality of rows of wells when the sensor array is in the second position, an objective, and one or more linear translation stages configured to move the microwell plate relative to the objective (i) along a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis, (ii) along a third axis that is orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and devices for the label-free detection of target molecules of interest. The principles of the disclosure are particularly applicable to the detection of biological molecules (e.g., DNA, RNA, and protein) using standard SiO2-based microarray technology.