Abstract: An automatic cover-opening device has a body, at least one cover panel and a recoil mechanism. The body has an insertion hole defined in the body. The at least one cover panel is mounted on the body and moveably closes the insertion hole. Each one of the at least one cover panel has a guiding segment having at least one guiding edge inclined relative to an axis of the insertion hole to guide an axial force along the axis of the insertion hole to a lateral direction non-parallel with the axis, so as to generate a lateral component force for opening the at least one cover panel. The recoil mechanism is disposed on the body to push the at least one cover panel to a closed position for closing the insertion hole. With such an arrangement, an automatic cover-opening device that can be applied for insertion of a rod-like object is provided.

Abstract: An image processing method of two-photon structured illumination point scanning microscopy is disclosed. The image processing method includes the following steps: providing a laser light source; performing scanning and recording; and performing image reconstruction. The laser light source, which has photon energy that is half of the energy needed to let a molecule of a sample make a transition from ground state to a first excited state, is focused onto a focal plane of the sample. Then, the laser light source is accompanied with an image recording system to perform a plurality of segmented scanning and image recordings on the sample to generate a plurality of structured illumination images. Those structured illumination images are reconstructed to generate microscopic image of the sample. With the implementation of the present invention, the interference from image signal on the non-focal plane can be effectively reduced, thereby enhancing the resolution of microscopic image.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a microscopy imaging structure with phase conjugated mirror and the method thereof. The afore-mentioned imaging structure produces a reverse focusing conjugated probe beam together with an original probe beam. These two probe beams meet at the focal point in the object body to be probed, and an interference pattern is produced. The interval between any two consecutive wave fronts in the interference pattern is then half of the wavelength of the original probe beam, and hence the vertical resolution of the image is improved. The present invention also applies a light modulator module on the probe beam to easily adjust the depth of the focal point of the probe beam and the phase conjugated reverse focusing probe beam in the object body. With the adoption of this invention, the size or position limitation of the target object is eliminated and the imaging resolution is also improved.

Abstract: An image processing method of two-photon structured illumination point scanning microscopy is disclosed. The image processing method includes the following steps: providing a laser light source; performing scanning and recording; and performing image reconstruction. The laser light source, which has photon energy that is half of the energy needed to let a molecule of a sample make a transition from ground state to a first excited state, is focused onto a focal plane of the sample. Then, the laser light source is accompanied with an image recording system to perform a plurality of segmented scanning and image recordings on the sample to generate a plurality of structured illumination images. Those structured illumination images are reconstructed to generate microscopic image of the sample. With the implementation of the present invention, the interference from image signal on the non-focal plane can be effectively reduced, thereby enhancing the resolution of microscopic image.

Abstract: A fluorescence hyperspectral microscopy system featuring structured illumination and parallel recording includes a light projection sub-system, a detection sub-system, and an electrical controller. The light projection sub-system includes a digital light processing (DLP) module for generating linear excitation light, a first lens set, an optical path allocation element, and an objective lens. The detection sub-system includes a second lens set, a frequency-dividing reflection element, a two-dimensional light detector, and a light collection element. With the detection sub-system performing detection in conjunction with the light projection sub-system, and the electrical controller controlling the DLP module, a two-dimensional moving platform, and the two-dimensional light detector, the fluorescence hyperspectral microscopy system provides increased resolution and can obtain accurate information in spatial and spectral dimensions and hence a four-dimensional hyperspectral image of the object under detection.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for non-fluorescence higher harmonic generation ground state depletion super-resolution microscopy, it includes the following steps: providing an organic material unit, focusing excitation light and ground state depletion light, generating a higher harmonic signal, performing ground state depletion and performing microscopic imaging. With the implementation of the present invention, the stimulated electrons of the organic material remains majorly on the singlet (S1) state or the triplet (T1) state, instead of the ground (S0) state, to provide modulation of the spatial distribution of the non-fluorescence signal, and make STED microscopy applicable to non-fluorescence signals to promote the resolution of the images.

Abstract: A fluorescence hyperspectral microscopy system featuring structured illumination and parallel recording includes a light projection sub-system, a detection sub-system, and an electrical controller. The light projection sub-system includes a digital light processing (DLP) module for generating linear excitation light, a first lens set, an optical path allocation element, and an objective lens. The detection sub-system includes a second lens set, a frequency-dividing reflection element, a two-dimensional light detector, and a light collection element. With the detection sub-system performing detection in conjunction with the light projection sub-system, and the electrical controller controlling the DLP module, a two-dimensional moving platform, and the two-dimensional light detector, the fluorescence hyperspectral microscopy system provides increased resolution and can obtain accurate information in spatial and spectral dimensions and hence a four-dimensional hyperspectral image of the object under detection.

Abstract: A portable phototherapy apparatus for treating a skin disorder in a patient. The apparatus includes an illumination source, an image capture device, a projecting system and a controller. The illumination source is configured to irradiate the patient's skin. The image capture device for capturing an image of lesion areas of the patient's skin needing treatment. The projecting system includes a therapeutic light source for generating UV radiation. The controller configured to cause the projecting system to form a shaped treatment image comprising the UV radiation on the patient's skin based on the image of the lesion areas captured by the image capture device such that the therapeutic light source delivers a dose of the UV radiation only to the lesion areas of the skin.

Abstract: A reciprocating pencil sharpener has a shavings receptacle, a stationary member, a cutter and a ratchet mechanism. The cutter includes a blade secured to a blade holder. The ratchet mechanism is mounted between the stationary member and the cutter and allows the cutter to rotate relative to the stationary member in one direction only. When a user desires to sharpen a pencil, the user can keep the pencil in the hand and rotate the pencil in reciprocating rotation, thus obtaining the sharpened point of the pencil. Consequently, it is convenient for the user to apply a rotational force and a high efficiency of sharpening operation is achieved.

Abstract: A pencil sharpener has a waste case, a blade base, a blocking chunk, a blade, a rotating knob and an adjusting shaft. The waste case has a mounting hole and multiple positioning segments formed on the inner wall of the mounting hole. The blocking chunk is moveably mounted on the bottom of the blade base along an axial direction of the blade base. The blade is mounted securely on the blade base. The rotating knob is mounted rotatably in the mounting hole in the waste case and has at least one engaging segment selectively engaging the positioning segments of the waste case. The adjusting shaft is connected securely with the rotating knob and is disposed on the blocking chunk. When the rotating knob is rotated, the adjusting shaft is rotated to push the blocking chunk to move along the axial direction of the blade base.

Abstract: A reciprocating pencil sharpener has a stationary member, a cutter and a ratchet mechanism. The cutter includes a blade secured to a blade holder. The ratchet mechanism is mounted between the stationary member and the cutter and allows the cutter to rotate relative to the stationary member in one direction only. When a user desires to sharpen a pencil, the user can keep the pencil in the hand and rotate the pencil in reciprocating rotation, thus obtaining the sharpened point of the pencil. Consequently, it is convenient for the user to apply a rotational force and a high efficiency of sharpening operation is achieved.

Abstract: An automatic cover-opening device has a body, at least one cover panel and a recoil mechanism. The body has an insertion hole defined in the body. The at least one cover panel is mounted on the body and moveably closes the insertion hole. Each one of the at least one cover panel has a guiding segment having at least one guiding edge inclined relative to an axis of the insertion hole to guide an axial force along the axis of the insertion hole to a lateral direction non-parallel with the axis, so as to generate a lateral component force for opening the at least one cover panel. The recoil mechanism is disposed on the body to push the at least one cover panel to a closed position for closing the insertion hole. With such an arrangement, an automatic cover-opening device that can be applied for insertion of a rod-like object is provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of isolating and expanding a plurality of multipotent stem cells. Also described are methods of expanding stem cells on a substrate comprising an HC-HA complex. Also described are isolated and expanded stem cells produced by the methods and uses thereof, including stem cell therapy, as niche cells for supporting other types of stem cells, or as bioreactors for the production of HC-HA complexes. Also described are uses of HC-HA complexes as a carrier for stem cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of isolating and expanding a plurality of multipotent stem cells. Also described are methods of expanding stem cells on a substrate comprising an HC-HA complex. Also described are isolated and expanded stem cells produced by the methods and uses thereof, including stem cell therapy, as niche cells for supporting other types of stem cells, or as bioreactors for the production of HC-HA complexes. Also described are uses of HC-HA complexes as a carrier for stem cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of isolating and expanding a plurality of multipotent cells (e.g., MSCs and ASCs) using a first culture in a suitable 2-dimensional substrate and a second culture in a suitable 3-dimensional substrate containing the basement membrane component and ROCK inhibitors. Also described are multipotent cell cultures made by the methods. Multipotent cell cultures as described may be used for transplantation or as niche cells for supporting other types of stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a microscopy imaging structure with phase conjugated mirror and the method thereof. The afore-mentioned imaging structure produces a reverse focusing conjugated probe beam together with an original probe beam. These two probe beams meet at the focal point in the object body to be probed, and an interference pattern is produced. The interval between any two consecutive wave fronts in the interference pattern is then half of the wavelength of the original probe beam, and hence the vertical resolution of the image is improved. The present invention also applies a light modulator module on the probe beam to easily adjust the depth of the focal point of the probe beam and the phase conjugated reverse focusing probe beam in the object body. With the adoption of this invention, the size or position limitation of the target object is eliminated and the imaging resolution is also improved.

Abstract: A pencil sharpener has a waste case, a blade base, a blocking chunk, a blade, a rotating knob and an adjusting shaft. The waste case has a mounting hole and multiple positioning segments formed on the inner wall of the mounting hole. The blocking chunk is moveably mounted on the bottom of the blade base along an axial direction of the blade base. The blade is mounted securely on the blade base. The rotating knob is mounted rotatably in the mounting hole in the waste case and has at least one engaging segment selectively engaging the positioning segments of the waste case. The adjusting shaft is connected securely with the rotating knob and is disposed on the blocking chunk. When the rotating knob is rotated, the adjusting shaft is rotated to push the blocking chunk to move along the axial direction of the blade base.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of isolating and expanding a plurality of multipotent stem cells. Also described are methods of expanding stem cells on a substrate comprising an HC-HA complex. Also described are isolated and expanded stem cells produced by the methods and uses thereof, including stem cell therapy, as niche cells for supporting other types of stem cells, or as bioreactors for the production of HC-HA complexes. Also described are uses of HC-HA complexes as a carrier for stem cells.