Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extracting data from an optical analysis disc such as a bio-disc are disclosed. The process of capturing the data is controlled by a single computer. In one embodiment, a template is provided in determining the location of desired sample regions. In another embodiment, one or more ditches are obliterated on the disc in determining the location of the desired samples. In one embodiment, a user enters measured distances to a control program to indicate the sample region location. The user may specify the sample rate. The user may also specify the number of capture regions. In one embodiment, capture regions are separated by radial lines. The head of a disc drive may be maintained at a constant radial distance. This distance is maintained to cause the disc to act as a centrifuge at a desired speed.

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 provides an optical method, system and software for imaging cells, in particular blood cells. In one embodiment, laboratory samples containing blood cells are deposited onto bio-discs, which are specially manufactured discs with mixing chambers that contain specific antigens to lock down various components of the blood cells. Once in the optical drive, the disc is spun and the samples and antigens are mixed with other solutions. Electromagnetic beams are then directed at the bio-disc to interact with the samples at specific capture zones and the resulting beams are collected by a detector. The information contained in the beams is then sent to a processor that produces a digital image. Various image processing methods such as binarization, background uniformization, normalization and filtering are performed to enhance cells in the investigational data for accurate counting. Other techniques are designed to correct for irregularities such as bubbles and dim cells.