Abstract: Compact optical sources and methods for producing short and ultrashort optical pulses are described. A semiconductor laser or LED may be driven with a bipolar waveform to generate optical pulses with FWHM durations as short as approximately 85 ps having suppressed tail emission. The pulsed optical sources may be used for fluorescent lifetime analysis of biological samples and time-of-flight imaging, among other applications.

Abstract: A mobile communication device-based corneal topography system includes an illumination system, an imaging system, a topography processor, an image sensor, and a mobile communication device. The illumination system is configured to generate an illumination pattern reflected off a cornea of a subject. The imaging system is coupled to an image sensor to capture an image of the reflected illumination pattern. A topography processor is coupled to the image sensor to process the image of the reflected illumination pattern. The mobile communications device includes a display, the mobile communications device is operatively coupled to the image sensor. The mobile communications device includes a mobile communications device (MCD) processor. A housing at least partially encloses one or more of the illumination system, the imaging system, or the topography processor.

Abstract: Compact optical sources and methods for producing short and ultrashort optical pulses are described. A semiconductor laser or LED may be driven with a bipolar waveform to generate optical pulses with FWHM durations as short as approximately 85 ps having suppressed tail emission. The pulsed optical sources may be used for fluorescent lifetime analysis of biological samples and time-of-flight imaging, among other applications.

Abstract: A mobile communication device-based corneal topography system includes an illumination system, a mobile communication device and a corneal topography optical housing. The illumination system is configured to generate an illumination pattern and to generate reflections of the illumination pattern off a cornea of a subject, wherein the illumination system is aligned along an axis of centers of the illumination pattern. The mobile communication device includes an image sensor to capture an image of the reflected illumination pattern. The corneal topography optical housing is coupled to the illumination system and the mobile communication device, wherein the corneal topography optical housing supports and aligns the illumination system with the image sensor of the mobile communication device. The corneal topography optical housing includes an imaging system coupled to the image sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for analyzing single molecule and performing nucleic acid sequencing. An integrated device includes multiple pixels with sample wells configured to receive a sample, which, when excited, emits radiation; at least one element for directing the emission radiation in a particular direction; and a light path along which the emission radiation travels from the sample well toward a sensor. The apparatus also includes an instrument that interfaces with the integrated device. Each sensor may detect emission radiation from a sample in a respective sample well. The instrument includes an excitation light source for exciting the sample in each sample well.

Abstract: System and methods for analyzing single molecules and performing nucleic acid sequencing. An integrated device may include multiple pixels with sample wells configured to receive a sample, which when excited, emits radiation. The integrated device includes a surface having a trench region recessed from a portion of the surface and an array of sample wells, disposed in the trench region. The integrated device also includes a waveguide configured to couple excitation energy to at least one sample well in the array and positioned at a first distance from a surface of the trench region and at a second distance from the surface in a region separate from the trench region. The first distance is smaller than the second distance. The system also includes an instrument that interfaces with the integrated device. The instrument may include an excitation energy source for providing excitation energy to the integrated device by coupling to an excitation energy coupling region of the integrated device.

Abstract: A mobile communication device-based corneal topography system includes an illumination system, an imaging system, a topography processor, an image sensor, and a mobile communication device. The illumination system is configured to generate an illumination pattern reflected off a cornea of a subject. The imaging system is coupled to an image sensor to capture an image of the reflected illumination pattern. A topography processor is coupled to the image sensor to process the image of the reflected illumination pattern. The mobile communications device includes a display, the mobile communications device is operatively coupled to the image sensor. The mobile communications device includes a mobile communications device (MCD) processor. A housing at least partially encloses one or more of the illumination system, the imaging system, or the topography processor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing ultrashort optical pulses are described. A high-power, solid-state, passively mode-locked laser can be manufactured in a compact module that can be incorporated into a portable instrument for biological or chemical analyses. The pulsed laser may produce sub-100-ps optical pulses at a repetition rate commensurate with electronic data-acquisition rates. The optical pulses may excite samples in reaction chambers of the instrument, and be used to generate a reference clock for operating signal-acquisition and signal-processing electronics of the instrument.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide improved techniques for imaging a subject's retina fundus. Some aspects relate to an imaging apparatus that may be substantially binocular shaped and/or may house multiple imaging devices configured to provide multiple corresponding modes of imaging the subject's retina fundus. Some aspects relate to techniques for imaging a subject's eye using white light, fluorescence, infrared (IR), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and/or other imaging modalities that may be employed by a single imaging apparatus. Some aspects relate to improvements in white light, fluorescence, IR, OCT, and/or other imaging technologies that may be employed alone or in combination with other techniques. Some aspects relate to multi-modal imaging techniques that enable determination of a subject's health status.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for analyzing single molecule and performing nucleic acid sequencing. An integrated device includes multiple pixels with sample wells configured to receive a sample, which, when excited, emits radiation; at least one element for directing the emission radiation in a particular direction; and a light path along which the emission radiation travels from the sample well toward a sensor. The apparatus also includes an instrument that interfaces with the integrated device. Each sensor may detect emission radiation from a sample in a respective sample well. The instrument includes an excitation light source for exciting the sample in each sample well.

Abstract: System and methods for analyzing single molecules and performing nucleic acid sequencing. An integrated device may include multiple pixels with sample wells configured to receive a sample, which when excited, emits radiation. The integrated device includes a surface having a trench region recessed from a portion of the surface and an array of sample wells, disposed in the trench region. The integrated device also includes a waveguide configured to couple excitation energy to at least one sample well in the array and positioned at a first distance from a surface of the trench region and at a second distance from the surface in a region separate from the trench region. The first distance is smaller than the second distance. The system also includes an instrument that interfaces with the integrated device. The instrument may include an excitation energy source for providing excitation energy to the integrated device by coupling to an excitation energy coupling region of the integrated device.

Abstract: A mobile communication device-based corneal topography system includes an illumination system, a mobile communication device and a corneal topography optical housing. The illumination system is configured to generate an illumination pattern and to generate reflections of the illumination pattern off a cornea of a subject, wherein the illumination system is aligned along an axis of centers of the illumination pattern. The mobile communication device includes an image sensor to capture an image of the reflected illumination pattern. The corneal topography optical housing is coupled to the illumination system and the mobile communication device, wherein the corneal topography optical housing supports and aligns the illumination system with the image sensor of the mobile communication device. The corneal topography optical housing includes an imaging system coupled to the image sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing ultrashort optical pulses are described. A high-power, solid-state, passively mode-locked laser can be manufactured in a compact module that can be incorporated into a portable instrument for biological or chemical analyses. The pulsed laser may produce sub-100-ps optical pulses at a repetition rate commensurate with electronic data-acquisition rates. The optical pulses may excite samples in reaction chambers of the instrument, and be used to generate a reference clock for operating signal-acquisition and signal-processing electronics of the instrument.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for analyzing single molecule and performing nucleic acid sequencing. An apparatus can include an assay chip that includes multiple pixels with sample wells configured to receive a sample, which, when excited, emits emission energy; at least one element for directing the emission energy in a particular direction; and a light path along which the emission energy travels from the sample well toward a sensor. The apparatus also includes an instrument that interfaces with the assay chip. The instrument includes an excitation light source for exciting the sample in each sample well; a plurality of sensors corresponding the sample wells. Each sensor may detect emission energy from a sample in a respective sample well. The instrument includes at least one optical element that directs the emission energy from each sample well towards a respective sensor of the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing ultrashort optical pulses are described. A high-power, solid-state, passively mode-locked laser can be manufactured in a compact module that can be incorporated into a portable instrument. The mode-locked laser can produce sub-50-ps optical pulses at a repetition rates between 200 MHz and 50 MHz, rates suitable for massively parallel data-acquisition. The optical pulses can be used to generate a reference clock signal for synchronizing data-acquisition and signal-processing electronics of the portable instrument.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide improved techniques to assist imaging and/or measuring a subject's eye that are suitable for use in an imaging and/or measuring apparatus operated by the subject, even in the absence of a clinician or technician, thereby improving access to medical grade imaging and/or measurement. Some aspects relate to techniques for receiving user input and capturing a medical grade image and/or measurement of a subject's eye responsive to receiving the user input. Some aspects relate to techniques for providing visual feedback to a user of an imaging and/or measuring apparatus indicating a location of a subject's eye in a field of view of the imaging and/or measuring apparatus. Some aspects relate to techniques for selectively illuminating a first portion of a subject's eye with illumination light and capturing an image of the first portion of the subject's eye.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for analyzing single molecule and performing nucleic acid sequencing. An apparatus can include an assay chip that includes multiple pixels with sample wells configured to receive a sample, which, when excited, emits emission energy; at least one element for directing the emission energy in a particular direction; and a light path along which the emission energy travels from the sample well toward a sensor. The apparatus also includes an instrument that interfaces with the assay chip. The instrument includes an excitation light source for exciting the sample in each sample well; a plurality of sensors corresponding the sample wells. Each sensor may detect emission energy from a sample in a respective sample well. The instrument includes at least one optical element that directs the emission energy from each sample well towards a respective sensor of the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing ultrashort optical pulses are described. A high-power, solid-state, passively mode-locked laser can be manufactured in a compact module that can be incorporated into a portable instrument. The mode-locked laser can produce sub-50-ps optical pulses at a repetition rates between 200 MHz and 50 MHz, rates suitable for massively parallel data-acquisition. The optical pulses can be used to generate a reference clock signal for synchronizing data-acquisition and signal-processing electronics of the portable instrument.

Abstract: A mobile communication device-based corneal topography system includes an illumination system, an imaging system, a topography processor, an image sensor, and a mobile communication device. The illumination system is configured to generate an illumination pattern reflected off a cornea of a subject. The imaging system is coupled to an image sensor to capture an image of the reflected illumination pattern. A topography processor is coupled to the image sensor to process the image of the reflected illumination pattern. The mobile communications device includes a display, the mobile communications device is operatively coupled to the image sensor. The mobile communications device includes a mobile communications device (MCD) processor. A housing at least partially encloses one or more of the illumination system, the imaging system, or the topography processor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for coupling an optical beam from an optical source to a hi-tech system are described. A compact, low-cost beam-shaping and steering assembly may be located between the optical source and hi-tech system and provide automated adjustments to beam parameters such as beam position, beam rotation, and beam incident angles. The beam-shaping and steering assembly may be used to couple an elongated beam to a plurality of optical waveguides.