Abstract: A microscopy assembly includes: a stage for receiving an optical cartridge, the stage comprising: a platform defining a planar surface and a window extending through the platform, and a retention arm defining a retention face and a rounded release face opposite the retention face, wherein the retention face at least partially faces the planar surface of the platform and is configured to engage a complementary cartridge engagement surface of the optical cartridge inserted into the microscope assembly.

Abstract: A microscopy assembly may comprise an objective lens defining an imaging path axis, one or more light sources, and a microscopy body, wherein the microscopy body defines an objective optical pathway having an objective optical axis, the monolithic microscopy body defines a light source optical pathway having a light source optical axis, the light source optical axis is transverse to the objective optical axis, the objective lens is optically coupled to the objective optical pathway, and each light source of the one or more light sources is optically coupled to the light source pathway.

Abstract: A method for withdrawing a solution comprising a plurality of particles from a vial is disclosed. The method includes agitating the vial at a first predetermined mixing speed to suspend the plurality of particles in the solution. The method also includes withdrawing, during the agitating, a first volume of the solution from the vial with a pipette, such that an end of a pipette tip is positioned at a first predetermined depth within the vial.

Abstract: A chemical analyzer includes a slide transport mechanism having a slide track adapted to hold a plurality of reagent test slides, a sample metering device, an incubator formed as a part of the slide transport mechanism to precisely maintain the temperature of the reagent test slides, a slide ejector mechanism to remove the slides from the slide transport mechanism, a sample preparation station, which includes a centrifuge, and associated electronics and software. The slide transport mechanism holds a plurality of trapezoidally-shaped reagent test slides about its circumference, which slides are loaded onto the transport mechanism by the slide inserter mechanism. The slide transport mechanism positions the reagent test slides under the sample metering device, which device deposits a predetermined volume of sample onto each slide. The slide transport mechanism also carries the slides above a reflectometer.

Abstract: A chemical analyzer includes a slide transport mechanism having a slide track adapted to hold a plurality of reagent test slides, a sample metering device, an incubator formed as a part of the slide transport mechanism to precisely maintain the temperature of the reagent test slides, a slide ejector mechanism to remove the slides from the slide transport mechanism, a sample preparation station, which includes a centrifuge, and associated electronics and software. The slide transport mechanism holds a plurality of trapezoidally-shaped reagent test slides about its circumference, which slides are loaded onto the transport mechanism by the slide inserter mechanism. The slide transport mechanism positions the reagent test slides under the sample metering device, which device deposits a predetermined volume of sample onto each slide. The slide transport mechanism also carries the slides above a reflectometer.

Abstract: A chemical analyzer includes a slide transport mechanism having a slide track adapted to hold a plurality of reagent test slides, a sample metering device, an incubator formed as a part of the slide transport mechanism to precisely maintain the temperature of the reagent test slides, a slide ejector mechanism to remove the slides from the slide transport mechanism, a sample preparation station, which includes a centrifuge, and associated electronics and software. The slide transport mechanism holds a plurality of trapezoidally-shaped reagent test slides about its circumference, which slides are loaded onto the transport mechanism by the slide inserter mechanism. The slide transport mechanism positions the reagent test slides under the sample metering device, which device deposits a predetermined volume of sample onto each slide. The slide transport mechanism also carries the slides above a reflectometer.

Abstract: A chemical analyzer includes a slide transport mechanism having a slide track adapted to hold a plurality of reagent test slides, a sample metering device, an incubator formed as a part of the slide transport mechanism to precisely maintain the temperature of the reagent test slides, a slide ejector mechanism to remove the slides from the slide transport mechanism, a sample preparation station, which includes a centrifuge, and associated electronics and software. The slide transport mechanism holds a plurality of trapezoidally-shaped reagent test slides about its circumference, which slides are loaded onto the transport mechanism by the slide inserter mechanism. The slide transport mechanism positions the reagent test slides under the sample metering device, which device deposits a predetermined volume of sample onto each slide. The slide transport mechanism also carries the slides above a reflectometer.