Abstract: There is provided a microscopy device capable of (i) moving a liquid immersion objective lens to a location where liquid, such as an oil or water, can be applied to the liquid immersion objective lens, and (ii) moving the liquid immersion objective lens having liquid applied thereto to a sample holder, to be used to acquire images of a sample. The liquid application process can be automated so that the liquid on the objective lens is replenished as necessary. The device can automatically focus the lens to facilitate scanning, and can be configured to change objective lenses. Other embodiments, including using such a device in high content/high throughput scanning, are also described.

Abstract: There is provided a method for detecting the presence of cells infected with a coronavirus. A sample obtained from a patient is transferred to a sample vessel and labeled molecules that binding different viral structural proteins are incubated with the sample. An apparatus useful for practicing the method is also discussed. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A compact laser system with a folded annular resonator cavity defined by spherical mirrors (17, 18), enabling the generation of a multipass beam path between the mirrors, each beam pass inclined at a small angle to the axis between the mirrors to form a zig-zag path (28, 29) therebetween. A long optical path is achieved within a short physical structure. The optical resonator cavity is confined in the gap between two cylindrical coaxial electrodes (13, 14) receiving RF power to excite the lasing gas. Apertures (23) are provided in the main cavity mirrors (17, 18), with a high reflectivity end mirror (24) behind one aperture at one end and a partially reflective output coupler (25) at the other end. A channeled ceramic cylindrical element (15, 20) within the annular shaped gap between the two cylindrical electrodes confines the lasing gas to the channels (16).

Abstract: There is provided a laser system having a cylindrically-shaped annular minor with at least one opening in its surface; a pair of planar metallic electrodes disposed proximate opposite edges of the annular mirror, normal to the axis of the annular minor, the electrodes configured to have an RF field applied between them; a pair of end minors disposed at said at least one opening; and a ceramic material in the form of a disc, disposed in the internal volume of the annular minor, the ceramic material having a series of channels formed therein such that they generate a zig-zag pathway in the ceramic material, wherein (i) the zig-zag path, when filled with a gain medium, (ii) the annular minor and (iii) the pair of end minors, together constitute a laser cavity.

Abstract: An auto-focusing method for determining an in-focus position of a plurality of wells in at least a portion of a multi-well plate, the method including using a first objective lens having a first magnification to identify, in each of at least three wells of a selected subset of the plurality of wells, an in-focus position of each well with respect to the first objective lens, on the basis of at least three the in-focus positions, computing a plane along which the at least three wells will be in focus with respect to at least one objective lens having a second magnification that is not greater than the first magnification, and using the at least one objective lens to scan, along the plane, at least some of the plurality of wells in the portion of the plate.

Abstract: A compact laser system with a folded annular resonator cavity defined by spherical mirrors (17, 18), enabling the generation of a multipass beam path between the mirrors, each beam pass inclined at a small angle to the axis between the mirrors to form a zig-zag path (28, 29) therebetween. A long optical path is achieved within a short physical structure. The optical resonator cavity is confined in the gap between two cylindrical coaxial electrodes (13, 14) receiving RF power to excite the lasing gas. Apertures (23) are provided in the main cavity mirrors (17, 18), with a high reflectivity end mirror (24) behind one aperture at one end and a partially reflective output coupler (25) at the other end. A channeled ceramic cylindrical element (15, 20) within the annular shaped gap between the two cylindrical electrodes confines the lasing gas to the channels (16).

Abstract: A heat sink for cooling an element mounted thereon, the heat sink kit including a first plate, a second plate, and an intermediate plate disposed between the first and second plates. The first, second, and intermediate plates are configured such that the relative location of the first and second plates can be adjusted in three dimensions.

Abstract: A gripping system including a pneumatic arm assembly, which includes an anchoring bracket, first and second pairs of arms pivotably attached to opposing sides of the anchoring bracket, and a connector bracket, pivotably attached to the first and second pairs of arms. Motion of the connector bracket results from motion of the first and second pairs of arms. A gripping assembly is mounted onto the connector bracket, and includes a pair of gripping arms adapted to grip an object. A pneumatic control assembly includes a pneumatic piston which drives motion of the first and second pairs of arms, the connector bracket, and the gripping arms. During the motion of the connector bracket and the gripping arms, an angle of the connector bracket and of the gripping arms relative to the x-y plane remains relatively constant.

Abstract: There is provided plate equipped with a mechanism to facilitate determination of the amount of a fluid added to or removed from a well in the plate. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An auto-focusing method for determining an in-focus position of a plurality of wells in at least a portion of a multi-well plate, the method including using a first objective lens having a first magnification to identify, in each of at least three wells of a selected subset of the plurality of wells, an in-focus position of each well with respect to the first objective lens, on the basis of at least three the in-focus positions, computing a plane along which the at least three wells will be in focus with respect to at least one objective lens having a second magnification that is not greater than the first magnification, and using the at least one objective lens to scan, along the plane, at least some of the plurality of wells in the portion of the plate.

Abstract: An auto-focusing method for determining an in-focus position of a plurality of wells in at least a portion of a multi-well plate, the method including using a first objective lens having a first magnification to identify, in each of at least three wells of a selected subset of the plurality of wells, an in-focus position of each well with respect to the first objective lens, on the basis of at least three the in-focus positions, computing a plane along which the at least three wells will be in focus with respect to at least one objective lens having a second magnification that is not greater than the first magnification, and using the at least one objective lens to scan, along the plane, at least some of the plurality of wells in the portion of the plate.

Abstract: There is provided plate equipped with a mechanism to facilitate determination of the amount of a fluid added to or removed from a well in the plate. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: There is provided plate equipped with a mechanism to facilitate determination of the amount of a fluid added to or removed from a well in the plate. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An auto-focusing method for determining an in-focus position of a plurality of wells in at least a portion of a multi-well plate, the method including using a first objective lens having a first magnification to identify, in each of at least three wells of a selected subset of the plurality of wells, an in-focus position of each well with respect to the first objective lens, on the basis of at least three the in-focus positions, computing a plane along which the at least three wells will be in focus with respect to at least one objective lens having a second magnification that is not greater than the first magnification, and using the at least one objective lens to scan, along the plane, at least some of the plurality of wells in the portion of the plate.

Abstract: There is provided plate equipped with a mechanism to facilitate determination of the amount of a fluid added to or removed from a well in the plate. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for magnifying and capturing images of one or more samples, as well as an apparatus for changing objective lenses. Methods of using the apparatuses, and other embodiments, are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for magnifying and capturing images of one or more samples, as well as an apparatus for changing objective lenses. Methods of using the apparatuses, and other embodiments, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for routing TV content including using a personal TV gateway STB/router to route a first TV content to a first TV receiver located in a first location in a home, while simultaneously routing a second TV content to a second TV receiver located in a second location in the home, and commanding the personal TV gateway STB/router to transfer the first TV content from the first TV receiver in the first location to a mobile personal communication device, while still controlling routing the second TV content to the second TV receiver located in the second location.

Abstract: A system for aggregating TV content, with text or web feed content and advertisements, including processors that receive EPG (electronic program guide) information from an EPG server, a DGM (digital rights management) server in communication with the processors for communicating encryption keys and entitlement information, and a video server that provides VOD or NVOD (video on demand or near video on demand) information to the processors, the processors, the EPG server, the DGM server and the video server together forming a media aggregation server and playout schedule engine, which outputs an aggregated format for viewing on a screen.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for utilizing service information (SI) in digital video broadcasting (DVB), such as for Internet related actions.