Abstract: This invention relates to an optical disc assembly capable of receiving an insert upon which an analyte of interest may be disposed. The optical disc assembly can be read by an optical disc reader, such as by a standard CD or DVD reader, and the analyte disposed on the insert can be detected by the optical disc reader. The optical disc assembly may have one or more data layer in which operational information ox assay information is encoded. Hologram may be used to encode operational information or assay information.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical disc assembly capable of receiving an insert upon which an analyte of interest may be disposed. The optical disc assembly can be read by an optical disc reader, such as by a standard CD or DVD reader, and the analyte disposed on the insert can be detected by the optical disc reader. The optical disc assembly may have one or more data layer in which operational information or assay information is encoded. Hologram may be used to encode operational information or assay information.

Abstract: An optical analysis disc includes grooves defining corresponding laser-readable tracks and trigger marks that identify respective target regions on the disc. The trigger marks are implemented as a radial interruption of the grooves to thereby produce an increased reflection of a laser beam. There is also provided an optical analysis disc system including a trigger mechanism having a trigger detector adapted to detect interruptions in grooves of an optical analysis disc. A related method for triggering through interrupted grooves of an optical analysis disc includes detecting interruption in the grooves, generating an electrical reflection signal corresponding to the interruptions detected, and elaborating said reflection signal, so that to generate a trigger signal.

Abstract: An optical analysis disc includes grooves defining corresponding laser-readable tracks and trigger marks that identify respective target regions on the disc. The trigger marks are implemented as a radial interruption of the grooves to thereby produce an increased reflection of a laser beam. There is also provided an optical analysis disc system including a trigger mechanism having a trigger detector adapted to detect interruptions in grooves of an optical analysis disc. A related method for triggering through interrupted grooves of an optical analysis disc includes detecting interruption in the grooves, generating an electrical reflection signal corresponding to the interruptions detected, and elaborating said reflection signal, so that to generate a trigger signal.

Abstract: An optical disc system includes a photo detector circuit of an optical disc drive and a signal processing system. The photo detector circuit is configured to generate at least one information-carrying signal from an optical disc assembly. The signal processing system is coupled to the photo detector circuit to obtain from the at least one information-carrying signal both operational information used to operate the optical disc system and data indicative of presence and/or characteristics of an investigational feature associated with the optical disc assembly. Methods and discs for imaging a biological or medical investigational feature are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical disc assembly capable of receiving an insert upon which an analyte of interest may be disposed. The optical disc assembly can be read by an optical disc reader, such as by a standard CD or DVD reader, and the analyte disposed on the insert can be detected by the optical disc reader. The optical disc assembly may have one or more data layer in which operational information or assay information is encoded. Hologram may be used to encode operational information or assay information.

Abstract: An optical disc system includes a photo detector circuit of an optical disc drive and a signal processing system. The photo detector circuit is configured to generate at least one information-carrying signal from an optical disc assembly. The signal processing system is coupled to the photo detector circuit to obtain from the at least one information-carrying signal both operational information used to operate the optical disc system and data indicative of presence and/or characteristics of an investigational feature associated with the optical disc assembly. Methods and discs for imaging a biological or medical investigational feature are also provided.

Abstract: An optical disc drive for reading encoded information, such as on a CD, CD-R, or DVD, is modified to read biological or chemical investigational features from a disc. The modifications can include software changes or the addition of hardware desirably without the need to modify the disc drive electronics.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical disc assembly capable of receiving an insert upon which an analyte of interest may be disposed. The optical disc assembly can be read by an optical disc reader, such as by a standard CD or DVD reader, and the analyte disposed on the insert can be detected by the optical disc reader. The optical disc assembly may have one or more data layer in which operational information or assay information is encoded. Hologram may be used to encode operational information or assay information.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of using an optical disc reader to detect an analyte of interest that is associated with an optical disc assembly. The method includes the steps of: (1) providing the optical disc to the optical disc reader; (2) directing at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation to the optical disc and scanning the beam over the optical disc; (3) acquiring radiation returned from or transmitted through the optical disc using a detector of the optical disc reader; (4) generating from the acquired radiation at least a signal which is indicative of the presence of the analyte; and (5) generating from the acquired radiation signals which enable the optical disc reader to track operational structures impressed or encoded in the optical disc.

Abstract: A manufacturing process for optical analysis discs including successive patterning operations and a related optical analysis discs thereby manufactured. The process includes providing a planar substrate layer, patterning on the planar substrate layer a spacing material forming a fluidic cavity configuration, and providing a cover layer bonded onto the planar substrate layer containing the fluidic cavity configuration. The optical analysis disc includes a planar substrate layer, a fluidic cavity configuration formed on the planar substrate layer by patterning a spacing adhesive material, and a cover layer bonded onto the planar substrate layer containing the fluidic cavity configuration.

Abstract: A interactive system for chemical and biological testing with the instant data processing and information analysis capability. The system utilizes a specially designed bio-disc and an optical reader attached to a computer to deliver a wide range of tests, such as clinical laboratory diagnostic tests, biological warfare agent detection, forensic DNA tests, and food and water contamination tests, to a remote location. The test data are analyzed by a central data processing unit connected to the computer through a network, and the result is distributed to authorized users through the network. The interactive system also offer users enhanced information and additional relevant products at the point of need.

Abstract: Logical triggering methods and apparatus for use with optical bio-discs. Some embodiments place physical triggers on the surface of the disc. Other embodiments logically encode triggers in user data area of optical bio discs. Still other embodiments take advantage of common optical disc operational components such as pits, lands, and other information encoding indicia for the purpose of encoding triggers. Primary decoding components are used to decode logical triggers. Alternatively, an added secondary decoding component or a data processor may also be used for the purpose of processing triggers. Logical triggers may be encoded in a pit/land pattern, encoded in the time code control information of wobble signal of a CD-R/RW disc, encoded in the header address information of a DVD-RAM based disc, or may be superimposed on the operational logic of the drive. Other triggering patterns are invoked by chemical reaction caused by chemistry placed on the discs.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for displaying data captured via analog hardware means. Embodiments of the present invention are directed at visualizing data for the purpose of hardware development, hardware testing, and data analysis. In one embodiment, data analysis is directed at analyzing data received from bio-discs containing biological samples. Another embodiment is a development kit suitable for analyzing the responses received from an A/D card or equivalent hardware. The present invention offers a user interface for interacting with data displayed in linear, two-dimensional, three-dimensional and animated fashions. User can select data range, change display options, save the data, and view data with the help of various levels of zooming and scrolling. Various interpolation techniques are used to generate visually appealing data display when over zooming occurs.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for precise control of magnetic beads in an optical bio-disc. Embodiments of the present invention use electromagnets for precise control of the forces experienced by the magnetic beads. The use of electromagnets eliminates the need to design precise flow control mechanisms to keep beads in place. This is critical in the stage of washing in an assay, where beads attached to a bottom testing surface are separated from beads that are unattached. One embodiment contains a top electromagnet in a top layer of a bio-disc and a bottom electromagnet in a bottom layer of the bio-disc. Another embodiment is an apparatus of electromagnets that can be used to control the magnetic beads within the optical bio-disc. By adjusting the current flow to the electromagnets, precise control of beads can be accomplished.

Abstract: Analysis of samples is done using an optical bio-disc that has a transmissive layer on its operational features. The layer is semi-reflective, allowing a laser to go through operational features to provide better characterization of samples as more refracted and scattered light is detected by a detector on the disc drive. Optically, the transmitted beam can be detected without taking into account the effect of polarization. Also the transmissive property allows a disc drive to have a larger detector to better detect light scattered by investigation features on the disc. When the topmost layer of the disc is refractive, the disc drive has a detector above the disc to capture images or signals from target zones on the disc, and a detector below to capture the reflected laser for operational functions. When the topmost layer of the disc is reflective, the disc drive has both detectors mentioned supra below the disc.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and software for interactively centrifuging biological samples on bio-discs in computer disc drives. A bio-disc is a modified disc that can store laboratory samples. The software initializes the disc drive rotational speed and then monitors the response from the disc. The disc drive directs the laser at the disc and detects light that has interacted with laboratory samples on disc. This detection is used for recognition of the current state of the biological samples. One embodiment detects responses from the interrogation to adjust the rotational speed of the disc during the centrifugation process. The present invention takes advantage of existing speed control commands in constant linear velocity (CLV) and constant angular velocity (CAV) drives to achieve a wide range of rotational speeds. Another embodiment of the invention includes agitation of the disc which facilitates the separation of the biological samples.

Abstract: An optical disc system includes a photo detector circuit of an optical disc drive and a signal processing system. The photo detector circuit is configured to generate at least one information-carrying signal from an optical disc assembly. The signal processing system is coupled to the photo detector circuit to obtain from the at least one information-carrying signal both operational information used to operate the optical disc system and data indicative of presence and/or characteristics of an investigational feature associated with the optical disc assembly. Methods and discs for imaging a biological or medical investigational feature are also provided.

Abstract: An optical disc system includes a photo detector circuit of an optical disc drive and a signal processing system. The photo detector circuit is configured to generate at least one information-carrying signal from an optical disc assembly. The signal processing system is coupled to the photo detector circuit to obtain from the at least one information-carrying signal both operational information used to operate the optical disc system and data indicative of presence and/or characteristics of an investigational feature associated with the optical disc assembly. Methods and discs for imaging a biological or medical investigational feature are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for effective investigational feature recognition in laboratory samples in optical equipment. Pixelization permits investigational feature recognition at the digitized waveform level instead of at the image level. Pixelization can be used with a bio-disc and its related disc drive assembles. The analog signal from the drive's detector is sampled into a digital waveform. Patterns in the waveform that match the features in the laboratory samples are counted. Synchronizing the sampling rate with the bio-disc drive clock cycle is provided. Other embodiments include calibrating the sampling rate using wobble grooves, pit fields, and an external sampling card with its associated counting software.