Abstract: Mechanical apparatus includes a rotational assembly, including a frame and a gimbal, which is attached to the frame by first hinges disposed along a first axis and is configured to rotate on the first hinges about the first axis relative to the frame. A rotating element is attached to the gimbal by second hinges disposed along a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis, and is configured to rotate on the second hinges about the second axis relative to the gimbal. One or more strain sensors are disposed on at least one of the first hinges and configured to provide a signal indicative of a rotation of the rotating element about the second axis relative to the gimbal. Control circuitry is configured to monitor the rotation of the rotating element about the second axis responsively to the signal.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a planar scanning mirror disposed within a frame and having a reflective upper surface. A pair of flexures have respective first ends connected to the frame and respective second ends connected to the mirror at opposing ends of a rotational axis of the mirror. A rotor including a permanent magnet is disposed on the lower surface of the mirror. A stator includes first and second cores disposed in proximity to the rotor on opposing first and second sides of the rotational axis and first and second coils of wire wound respectively on the cores. A drive circuit drives the first and second coils with respective electrical currents including a first component selected so as to control a transverse displacement of the mirror and a second component selected so as to control a rotation of the mirror about the rotational axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cell extraction device comprising: a plurality of cell extraction modules arranged in a single layer array, the single layer array having a cell-receiving side wherein an opening of at least one of the plurality of cell extraction modules on the cell-receiving surface is configured to receive and retain a single target cell from a fluid sample, and a fluid-evacuating side wherein an opening of the or each of the plurality of cell extraction modules on the fluid-evacuating side is configured to allow fluid from the fluid sample to be evacuated from the cell extraction device, wherein at least one of the plurality of cell extraction modules comprises a micropore capillary configured at a first end that is open on the cell-receiving side to receive a target cell, and configured at a second end that is open on the fluid-evacuating side to allow fluid to pass through.

Abstract: An optical device includes a light source, which is configured to emit a beam of light, and a sensor having a detection area. At least one scanning mirror is configured to scan the beam across a target scene. Light collection optics include a collection lens positioned to receive the light from the scene that is reflected from the at least one scanning mirror and to focus the collected light onto a focal plane, and a non-imaging optical element having a front surface positioned at the focal plane of the collection lens and a rear surface in proximity to the sensor and configured to spread the light focused by the collection lens over the detection area of the sensor.

Abstract: Presented herein is a method for in-situ real-time non-invasive estimation of the level of living cells proliferation and/or growth in a biological material present in a container sealed to prevent biological contamination. The method comprises measuring the concentration of at least one metabolic gas that is emitted by the living cells. The method can be adapted inter alia to detect a microorganism contamination in a storage container for platelets sealed to biological contamination, to monitor a fermentation process in a fermenter enclosing microorganisms and sealed to biological contamination, and to monitor the concentration of living cells in a bioreactor sealed to biological contamination.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring metabolic gas concentration. The method includes: applying, via a tunable coherent infrared light source, an infrared light beam to a region of interest, wherein the region of interest is positioned between the tunable coherent infrared light source and a detection module, wherein the region of interest is in fluid communication with a biological material including living cells emitting a metabolic gas; measuring, via the detection module, a plurality of signals based on the application of the infrared light beam to the region of interest, wherein measuring each of the plurality of signals further comprises tuning the tunable coherent infrared light source; and determining the concentration of the metabolic gas based on the plurality of signals.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a planar scanning mirror disposed within a frame and having a reflective upper surface. A pair of flexures have respective first ends connected to the frame and respective second ends connected to the mirror at opposing ends of a rotational axis of the mirror. A rotor including a permanent magnet is disposed on the lower surface of the mirror. A stator includes first and second cores disposed in proximity to the rotor on opposing first and second sides of the rotational axis and first and second coils of wire wound respectively on the cores. A drive circuit drives the first and second coils with respective electrical currents including a first component selected so as to control a transverse displacement of the mirror and a second component selected so as to control a rotation of the mirror about the rotational axis.

Abstract: Scanning apparatus includes a rotor, including a permanent magnet, which is configured to rotate about an axis. A stator includes a magnetic core, which is configured to generate a static magnetic field in a vicinity of the rotor and defines an equilibrium angle of rotation of the rotor, at which the permanent magnet is aligned with the static component of the magnetic field. At least one coil is wound on the magnetic core so that when the coil driven with an AC electrical current at a selected frequency, the stator generate a time-alternating magnetic field, which causes the rotor to oscillate on the axis at the selected frequency about the equilibrium angle.

Abstract: An optical device includes a light source, which is configured to emit a beam of light at a given wavelength, and at least one scanning mirror configured to scan the beam across a target scene. Light collection optics include a collection optic positioned to receive the light from the scene that is reflected from the at least one scanning mirror and to focus the collected light onto a focal plane, and a non-imaging optical element including a solid piece of a material that is transparent at the given wavelength, having a front surface positioned at the focal plane of the collection lens and a rear surface through which the guided light is emitted from the material in proximity to a sensor, so that the collected light is guided through the material and spread over the detection area of the sensor.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a scanner, which includes a base and a gimbal, mounted within the base so as to rotate relative to the base about a first axis of rotation. A transmit mirror and at least one receive mirror are mounted within the gimbal so as to rotate in mutual synchronization about respective second axes, which are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the first axis. A transmitter emits a beam including pulses of light toward the transmit mirror, which reflects the beam so that the scanner scans the beam over a scene. A receiver receives, by reflection from the at least one receive mirror, the light reflected from the scene and generates an output indicative of the time of flight of the pulses to and from points in the scene.

Abstract: An optical device includes a light source, which is configured to emit a beam of light at a given wavelength, and at least one scanning mirror configured to scan the beam across a target scene. Light collection optics include a collection optic positioned to receive the light from the scene that is reflected from the at least one scanning mirror and to focus the collected light onto a focal plane, and a non-imaging optical element including a solid piece of a material that is transparent at the given wavelength, having a front surface positioned at the focal plane of the collection lens and a rear surface through which the guided light is emitted from the material in proximity to a sensor, so that the collected light is guided through the material and spread over the detection area of the sensor.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a substrate, which is etched to define an array of two or more parallel rotating members and a gimbal surrounding the rotating members. First hinges connect the gimbal to the substrate and defining a first axis of rotation, about which the gimbal rotates relative to the substrate. Second hinges connect the rotating members to the support and defining respective second, mutually-parallel axes of rotation of the rotating members relative to the support, which are not parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: An optical device includes a light source, which is configured to emit a beam of light, and a sensor having a detection area. At least one scanning mirror is configured to scan the beam across a target scene. Light collection optics include a collection lens positioned to receive the light from the scene that is reflected from the at least one scanning mirror and to focus the collected light onto a focal plane, and a non-imaging optical element having a front surface positioned at the focal plane of the collection lens and a rear surface in proximity to the sensor and configured to spread the light focused by the collection lens over the detection area of the sensor.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a base and a gimbal, mounted within the base so as to rotate relative to the base about a first axis. A first mirror, which has a first area, is mounted within the gimbal so as to rotate about a second axis, which is perpendicular to the first axis. A second mirror, which has a second area that is at least twice the first area, is also mounted within the gimbal so as to rotate about a third axis, which is parallel to the second axis, in synchronization with the first mirror.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a scanner, which includes a base and a gimbal, mounted within the base so as to rotate relative to the base about a first axis. A receive mirror is mounted within the gimbal so as to rotate about a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis. A detector is mounted on the gimbal so as to rotate with the gimbal about the first axis and receive light reflected from the receive mirror while the receive mirror rotates about the second axis. A collection lens is mounted on the gimbal so as to rotate with the gimbal about the first axis while collecting the light so as to focus the light onto the detector by reflection from the receive mirror while the receive mirror rotates about the second axis.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a substrate, which is etched to define an array of two or more parallel rotating members and a gimbal surrounding the rotating members. First hinges connect the gimbal to the substrate and defining a first axis of rotation, about which the gimbal rotates relative to the substrate. Second hinges connect the rotating members to the support and defining respective second, mutually-parallel axes of rotation of the rotating members relative to the support, which are not parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: An optical system for determining the concentration of a metabolic gas in a container sealed to biological contamination and enclosing a biological material. The optical system has a broadly tunable coherent infrared light source, a detection module, and a control system connected to the light source and detection module and operates the light source, to receive and analyze the data provided by said detection module, and to process the data indicative of the concentration of said metabolic gas in said sealed container.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a substrate, which is etched to define an array of two or more parallel rotating members and a gimbal surrounding the rotating members. First hinges connect the gimbal to the substrate and defining a first axis of rotation, about which the gimbal rotates relative to the substrate. Second hinges connect the rotating members to the support and defining respective second, mutually-parallel axes of rotation of the rotating members relative to the support, which are not parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a scanner, which includes a base and a gimbal, mounted within the base so as to rotate relative to the base about a first axis of rotation. A transmit mirror and at least one receive mirror are mounted within the gimbal so as to rotate in mutual synchronization about respective second axes, which are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the first axis. A transmitter emits a beam including pulses of light toward the transmit mirror, which reflects the beam so that the scanner scans the beam over a scene. A receiver receives, by reflection from the at least one receive mirror, the light reflected from the scene and generates an output indicative of the time of flight of the pulses to and from points in the scene.

Abstract: A biological material such as platelets is sealed inside a container with a dead space to accommodate a metabolic gas. The concentration of the gas in the dead space is monitored while the container remains sealed. In some embodiments, the container is permeable to the gas. In other embodiments, the biological material is the only growth medium in the container. The disposal of the biological material is in accordance with the monitored gas concentration. Preferably, the gas concentration is measured spectroscopically. A container for a biological material includes a main body that retains the biological material but that is permeable to a gas and a reservoir in fluid communication with the main body that is transparent to an optical wavelength that is absorbed by the gas.