Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for automatically creating crosstalk-corrected data of a microarray utilizing calibration dye spots each of which comprises a single pure dye. A microarray scanner, such as a confocal laser microarray scanner, generates dye images, each of which contains at least one of the calibration dye spots for each of the output channels of the scanner. For each of the calibration dye spots, an output of each of the output channels is measured to obtain output measurements. A set of correction factors is computed from the output measurements to correct the data subsequently gathered from the microarray scanner. In other words, the correction factors are applied to quantitation or measurement data obtained from microarray images which contain spots having dyes of known or unknown excitation or emission spectra to obtain crosstalk-corrected data.

Abstract: A method and system for locally processing a predetermined microstructure formed on a substrate without causing undesirable changes in electrical or physical characteristics of the substrate or other structures formed on the substrate are provided. The method includes providing information based on a model of laser pulse interactions with the predetermined microstructure, the substrate and the other structures. At least one characteristic of at least one pulse is determined based on the information. A pulsed laser beam is generated including the at least one pulse. The method further includes irradiating the at least one pulse having the at least one determined characteristic into a spot on the predetermined microstructure. The at least one determined characteristic and other characteristics of the at least one pulse are sufficient to locally process the predetermined microstructure without causing the undesirable changes.

Abstract: A method and system for locally processing a predetermined microstructure formed on a substrate without causing undesirable changes in electrical or physical characteristics of the substrate or other structures formed on the substrate are provided. The method includes providing information based on a model of laser pulse interactions with the predetermined microstructure, the substrate and the other structures. At least one characteristic of at least one pulse is determined based on the information. A pulsed laser beam is generated including the at least one pulse. The method further includes irradiating the at least one pulse having the at least one determined characteristic into a spot on the predetermined microstructure. The at least one determined characteristic and other characteristics of the at least one pulse are sufficient to locally process the predetermined microstructure without causing the undesirable changes.

Abstract: Cardiac laser surgery apparatus including a CO2 slab laser, and a laser delivery system for delivering laser pulses from the laser to a patient's heart.

Abstract: A variable capacitance high precision, stable transducer for detecting position of a moving member including a first stationary conducting surface connected to a source, a second surface with at least two conducting, sensing regions and a third movable conductive surface located between the first surface and the second surface and connected to the moving member. The third surface is adapted to modulate charge transfered from the source surface before reaching the sensing regions. The difference of signals detected at the individual sensing regions is utilized to determine the position of the moving member and the sum of the signals is utilized to achieve appropriate correction in a feedback loop connected to the source.

Abstract: A closed loop circuit for controlling the intensity of light emitted by a laser diode. A portion of the light emitted by the laser diode is used as an optical feedback signal and applied to a photodetector. The difference between a current produced by the photodetector and a reference current is an error current which is passed via a low impedance path to an integrating amplifier. The integrated error current is used to control the current flowing through the laser diode, thereby controlling the intensity of light emitted.

Abstract: A resonant scanner control system controls a laser source using a pixel clock which uses a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and a phase detector to track continuously throughout the entire scan cycle the pixel-to-pixel and cycle-to-cycle operations of the scanner. The clock includes a VCO which changes frequency in a linear manner in response to changes in a frequency-control voltage applied to it. The VCO includes a negative feedback loop which consists of a frequency-to-voltage converter, which converts the VCO output to a related voltage, and a summing/integrating circuit, which compares this voltage with the frequency-control voltage which is produced in response to pixel related control signals and then integrates the difference. The integrated signal drives the VCO, which produces in response an output signal whose frequency varies linearly with variations in the pixel-related frequency-control signal.