Abstract: A method is provided for transporting a plurality of cells through a flow chamber, wherein the cells are initially immobilized on an internal surface of the flow chamber. The method comprises: selectively releasing the cells from the internal surface of the flow chamber; and flowing liquid through the flow chamber such that the released cells travel with the liquid, thereby transporting the cells through the flow chamber. Cells can be immobilized on or selectively released from the internal surface by applying or removing a trapping potential. The trapping potential can arise from an electric field gradient or an optical field gradient. Alternatively, cells can be selectively released from the surface using photocatalysis. Selective release allows cells to be individually observed or analyzed downstream, and can be based on a signal detected from one or more cells immobilized on the surface.

Abstract: Systems, including apparatus and methods, for the microfluidic manipulation, dispensing, and/or sorting of particles, such as cells and/or beads.

Abstract: A method is provided for transporting a plurality of cells through a flow chamber, wherein the cells are initially immobilized on an internal surface of the flow chamber. The method comprises: selectively releasing the cells from the internal surface of the flow chamber; and flowing liquid through the flow chamber such that the released cells travel with the liquid, thereby transporting the cells through the flow chamber. Cells can be immobilized on or selectively released from the internal surface by applying or removing a trapping potential. The trapping potential can arise from an electric field gradient or an optical field gradient. Alternatively, cells can be selectively released from the surface using photocatalysis. Selective release allows cells to be individually observed or analyzed downstream, and can be based on a signal detected from one or more cells immobilized on the surface.

Abstract: Particles are dispensed under controlled conditions to achieve an accurate number of particles by passing a suspension of the particles through a particle detecting device, obtaining a cumulative particle count, comparing the cumulative particle count with a target value, and shutting off the suspension flow once the particle count reaches the target value, all performed by automated means.

Abstract: Systems, including apparatus and methods, for the microfluidic manipulation, dispensing, and/or sorting of particles, such as cells and/or beads.

Abstract: Systems, including apparatus and methods, for the microfluidic manipulation, dispensing, and/or sorting of particles, such as cells and/or beads.

Abstract: Systems, including apparatus and methods, for the microfluidic manipulation, dispensing, and/or sorting of particles, such as cells and/or beads.

Abstract: A thermal cycling instrument for PCR and other reactions performed on multiple samples with temperature changes between sequential stages in the reaction procedure is supplied with a thermal block to provide rapid changes and close control over the temperature in each sample vessel and a pressure plate incorporated into a motorized lid that detects anomalies in the reaction vessels or in their positioning over the thermal block, and automatically adjusts the plate position to achieve an even force distribution over the sample vessels.

Abstract: Particles are dispensed under controlled conditions to achieve an accurate number of particles by passing a suspension of the particles through a particle detecting device, obtaining a cumulative particle count, comparing the cumulative particle count with a target value, and shutting off the suspension flow once the particle count reaches the target value, all performed by automated means.

Abstract: A thermal cycling instrument for PCR and other reactions performed on multiple samples with temperature changes between sequential stages in the reaction procedure is supplied with a thermal block to provide rapid changes and close control over the temperature in each sample vessel and a pressure plate incorporated into a motorized lid that detects anomalies in the reaction vessels or in their positioning over the thermal block, and automatically adjusts the plate position to achieve an even force distribution over the sample vessels.

Abstract: A thermal cycling instrument for PCR and other reactions performed on multiple samples with temperature changes between sequential stages in the reaction procedure is supplied with a thermal block to provide rapid changes and close control over the temperature in each sample vessel and a pressure plate incorporated into a motorized lid that detects anomalies in the reaction vessels or in their positioning over the thermal block, and automatically adjusts the plate position to achieve an even force distribution over the sample vessels.

Abstract: A thermal cycling instrument for PCR and other reactions performed on multiple samples with temperature changes between sequential stages in the reaction procedure is supplied with a thermal block to provide rapid changes and close control over the temperature in each sample vessel and a pressure plate incorporated into a motorized lid that detects anomalies in the reaction vessels or in their positioning over the thermal block, and automatically adjusts the plate position to achieve an even force distribution over the sample vessels.

Abstract: A fluorescence detection apparatus includes a support structure attachable to the thermal cycler and a detection module movably mountable on the support structure. The detection module includes one or more channels, each having an excitation light generator and an emission light detector both disposed within the detection module. The excitation light generator includes a diffuser to provide a more uniform light distribution. When the support structure is attached to the thermal cycler and the detection module is mounted on the support structure, the detection module is movable so as to be positioned in optical communication with different ones of the plurality of wells. The detection module can interrogate different wells while in motion over the wells.

Abstract: A platform that supports a sample plate such as a microtiter plate, a multi-well plate of any size, or a glass slide with sample spots distributed over its surface, and presents the plate for assay detection by a movable scanning head that has a field depth on the millimeter scale is leveled or otherwise adjusted in a planar orientation by an apparatus that includes a rocker plate, position sensors, and motorized risers arranged on the apparatus to provide the rocker plate with tilting capability along either or both or two orthogonal axes.

Abstract: Translational motion of a scanning head relative to a planar target, or vice versa, is achieved by a belt and pulley system with a counterweight that is also driven by a belt and pulley system at the same speed but in the opposite direction as the scanning head. The components and belt and pulley system are oriented such that all moving components remain on one side of the target and remain so during their entire range of movement.

Abstract: Nonuniformities in the efficiency of detection of individual fluorescing reaction mixtures in a well plate with a two-dimensional array well array are corrected. The nonuniformities arise both from the stimulation pattern and the detection pattern, and are corrected by adding additional segments to a pair of segmented mirrors. The additional segments are oriented to direct light to the outermost reaches (i.e., the four corners) of the array and thereby produce a stimulation pattern that has a greater intensity in the outermost regions. This compensates for a radial decline in the efficiency of the detector in detecting the emissions from the well plate, the radial decline being an artifact of systems that utilize CCDs or similar components as detectors.

Abstract: A moving coil actuator that moves in a rapid back-and-forth motion is constructed with a magnet assembly that concentrates the magnetic flux in a region of limited length and with a coiled electric conductor that includes two separated regions of densely wound coil, the assembly and conductor arranged such that only one of the coil regions resides in a concentrated flux region at either end of the actuator stroke. This is achieved with either a single region of concentrated flux or two spatially separated regions of concentrated flux. In either case, the force constant, i.e., the motor force generated in each coil per unit of current through the coil, is non-linear, with a maximal force at each end of the stroke and a minimal force at the stroke mid-point. The result is an efficient use of the electric current and relatively small amounts of materials of construction, and accordingly less weight for the actuator to carry during its travel and its changes of direction.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system utilizing a pixelated X-ray source and a X-ray imaging detector operated synchronously. The imaging system may be used in industrial and medical applications. The X-ray source and X-ray detector are synchronized such that a corresponding area of the X-ray detector is activated when the corresponding area of the X-ray source is emitting X-rays. Synchronized and adaptive emission and detection of the X-rays results in scatter rejection, improved image quality, and optimum exposure and dose reduction.

Abstract: A materials testing device including a frictionless suspension that operates without sliding contact between an armature assembly and the suspension. The disclosure describes materials testing device that includes a moving magnet linear motor and a flexural suspension which is mounted using a thin layer of acrylic adhesive.

Abstract: A hybrid metal webbed composite beam includes a metal I or T web section and a composite cap formed over and adhered to the I or T web. The beam incorporates the advantages of metals and composites in modern aerospace construction allowing thermoplastic welding of the beam to skins while having the strength of metal.