Abstract: A non-invasive method for determining the developmental age of a fetus or detecting cancer cells in a sample is provided. The method utilizes, for example, a sample of blood from a pregnant female and telomeric nucleic acid probes.

Abstract: A system for automatically locating positions on an object and uniquely identifying the object employing an electronic tag positioned in or on the object. The system utilizes a plurality of sensors to locate the electronic tag and identify the object, and triangulation techniques to locate positions on the object where the object may be manipulated according to instructions coded with respect to the positions. Advantageously, the present invention may be used for automatically locating specimens on a microscope slide without regards to their positions on the slide, and for uniquely labeling a microscope slide.

Abstract: Energy recovery system and method of using the same. The system is configured to capture the dissipated waste heat by an internal combustion engine and convert the same into electrical energy.

Abstract: A cell deposition chamber and a method for depositing a biological sample on a microscope slide using the chamber. The chamber is removably sealed onto a sample receiving area on the slide and has a sealable opening to allow aspiration of the sample from the slide surface. The chamber is configured to allow the aspiration of all areas of the slide surface by a pipette and the chamber drains fully when inverted. The chamber can be fitted with a disposable liner to make the chamber reusable.

Abstract: Computer controlled methods, systems and apparatus for detecting an infectious agent in a host cell, an animal cell, or plant cell, a body fluid or tissue sample to provide information useful to diagnose a disease or prognosticate disease susceptibility, extent or outcome are provided. In one illustrative embodiment, the infected animal cell is a Chlamydia infected mononuclear phagocyte in a blood sample. In another illustrative embodiment, the infected body fluid is a blood sample infected with “fee floating” Chlamydia. Detection and preferably, quantification of such an infected mononuclear phagocyte(s) or blood sample provides information useful in diagnosing or prognosticating susceptibility, extent or outcome of patients suspected of suffering from vascular, coronary or central nervous disease(s) or disorder(s).

Abstract: A computer controlled method for detecting and diagnosing a rare cell type in a tissue sample is provided, said method comprising treating the tissue sample such that it generates a first signal indicative of the presence at a location of a rare cell, detecting the first signal, treating the location at which the first signal is detected to generate a second signal indicative of a diagnostically useful cellular characteristic and detecting the second signal. The first signal can be morphological or a color present in a sought cell either before or after staining. The second signal can be generated by in situ PCR or PCR in situ hybridization. In one preferred embodiment, the rare cell type is a fetal cell in a maternal blood tissue sample, said sample consisting of a smear of unenriched maternal blood. In another embodiment, the method is used to diagnose or genotype cancer cells in a blood or tissue biopsy sample.

Abstract: A computer controlled method for detecting and diagnosing a rare cell type in a tissue sample is provided, said method comprising treating the tissue sample such that it generates a first signal indicative of the presence at a location of a rare cell, detecting the first signal, treating the location at which the first signal is detected to generate a second signal indicative of a diagnostically useful cellular characteristic and detecting the second signal. The first signal can be morphological or a color present in a sought cell either before or after staining. The second signal can be generated by in situ PCR or PCR in situ hybridization. In one preferred embodiment, the rare cell type is a fetal cell in a maternal blood tissue sample, said sample consisting of a smear of unenriched maternal blood. In another embodiment, the method is used to diagnose or genotype cancer cells in a blood or tissue biopsy sample.

Abstract: A method for detecting and quantitating multiple and unique fluorescent signals from a cell sample is provided. The method combines immunohistochemistry and a fluorescent-labeled in situ hybridization techniques. The method is useful for identifying specific subcellular components of cells such as chromosomes and proteins.

Abstract: A computer controlled method for detecting and diagnosing a rare cell type in a tissue sample is provided, said method comprising treating the tissue sample such that it generates a first signal indicative of the presence at a location of a rare cell, detecting the first signal, treating the location at which the first signal is detected to generate a second signal indicative of a diagnostically useful cellular characteristic and detecting the second signal. The first signal can be morphological or a color present in a sought cell either before or after staining. The second signal can be generated by in situ PCR or PCR in situ hybridization. In one preferred embodiment, the rare cell type is a fetal cell in a maternal blood tissue sample, said sample consisting of a smear of unenriched maternal blood. In another embodiment, the method is used to diagnose or genotype cancer cells in a blood or tissue biopsy sample.

Abstract: A computer controlled method for detecting and diagnosing a rare cell type in a tissue sample is provided, said method comprising treating the tissue sample such that it generates a first signal indicative of the presence at a location of a rare cell, detecting the first signal, treating the location at which the first signal is detected to generate a second signal indicative of a diagnostically useful cellular characteristic and detecting the second signal. The first signal can be morphological or a color present in a sought cell either before or after staining. The second signal can be generated by in situ PCR or PCR in situ hybridization. In one preferred embodiment, the rare cell type is a fetal cell in a maternal blood tissue sample, said sample consisting of a smear of unenriched maternal blood. In another embodiment, the method is used to diagnose or genotype cancer cells in a blood or tissue biopsy sample.

Abstract: A computer controlled method for detecting and diagnosing a rare cell type in a tissue sample is provided, said method comprising treating the tissue sample such that it generates a first signal indicative of the presence at a location of a rare cell, detecting the first signal, treating the location at which the first signal is detected to generate a second signal indicative of a diagnostically useful cellular characteristic and detecting the second signal. The first signal can be morphological or a color present in a sought cell either before or after staining. The second signal can be generated by in situ PCR or PCR in situ hybridization. In one preferred embodiment, the rare cell type is a fetal cell in a maternal blood tissue sample, said sample consisting of a smear of unenriched maternal blood. In another embodiment, the method is used to diagnose or genotype cancer cells in a blood or tissue biopsy sample.

Abstract: The contrast of an image produced by epifluorescence microscopy may be increased by placing a high-pass dichroic reflecting film behind the sample. The reflecting film reflects the emission light emitted by the fluorescent tags in the sample back through the objective lens while allowing the shorter wavelength excitation light to pass through the sample holder.

Abstract: A system for automatically locating positions on an object and uniquely identifying the object employing an electronic tag positioned in or on the object. The system utilizes a plurality of sensors to locate the electronic tag and identify the object, and triangulation techniques to locate positions on the object where the object may be manipulated according to instructions coded with respect to the positions. Advantageously, the present invention may be used for automatically locating specimens on a microscope slide without regards to their positions on the slide, and for uniquely labeling a microscope slide.

Abstract: The contrast of an image produced by epifluorescence microscopy may be increased by placing a high-pass dichroic reflecting film behind the sample. The reflecting film reflects the emission light emitted by the fluorescent tags in the sample back through the objective lens while allowing the shorter wavelength excitation light to pass through the sample holder.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a fractionator for collecting at least one of a plurality of segregated components from a segregated sample disposed in a sample tube. The fractionator has a head with a head surface at its forward end. The head may be configured to form a slideable seal with the inside surface of a sample tube. A collection port is disposed forward of the head surface, and a fluid passageway is in fluid communication with the collection port and is configured and arranged to allow fluid transport from the sample tube to a sample receptacle. The fractionator may have a valve in fluid communication with the collection port and may have a valve controller configured and arranged to operate the valve based, at least in part, on the location of the collection port with respect to a sample disposed in the sample tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for detection of particles, such as biological cells, in samples using a photosensitive waveguide. The photosensitive waveguide changes its transmissivity in a detectable manner in response to controlling radiation emitted from the particles. In preferred embodiments, the waveguide is two-dimensional and the position of the particles as well as their presence is obtained by scanning the waveguide in two non-parallel directions. The provided devices are preferably used to locate labeled cells. The present invention also includes control systems and methods for detecting and locating cells using the devices provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for detection of particles, such as biological cells, in samples using a photosensitive waveguide. The photosensitive waveguide changes its transmissivity in a detectable manner in response to controlling radiation emitted from the particles. In preferred embodiments, the waveguide is two-dimensional and the position of the particles as well as their presence is obtained by scanning the waveguide in two non-parallel directions. The provided devices are preferably used to locate labeled cells. The present invention also includes control systems and methods for detecting and locating cells using the devices provided.

Abstract: A computer controlled method for detecting and diagnosing a rare cell type in a tissue sample is provided, said method comprising treating the tissue sample such that it generates a first signal indicative of the presence at a location of a rare cell, detecting the first signal, treating the location at which the first signal is detected to generate a second signal indicative of a diagnostically useful cellular characteristic and detecting the second signal. The first signal can be morphological or a color present in a sought cell either before or after staining. The second signal can be generated by in situ PCR or PCR in situ hybridization. In one preferred embodiment, the rare cell type is a fetal cell in a maternal blood tissue sample, said sample consisting of a smear of unenriched maternal blood. In another embodiment, the method is used to diagnose or genotype cancer cells in a blood or tissue biopsy sample.

Abstract: The contrast of an image produced by epifluorescence microscopy may be increased by placing a high-pass dichroic reflecting film behind the sample. The reflecting film reflects the emission light emitted by the fluorescent tags in the sample back through the objective lens while allowing the shorter wavelength excitation light to pass through the sample holder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composing microscope for scanning a large area of a specimen in a minimal amount of time. In a first embodiment, the composing microscope has a plurality of optical sensors and a plurality of optical projecting systems arranged adjacent to each other. Each of the projecting systems acquires an image from one location of a specimen and projects the image on one of the optical sensors for digitalizing the image. An image acquisition device is connected to the optical sensors for simultaneously storing the digitalized images with information of their locations on the specimen. In a second embodiment, a composing microscope has an optical sensor and a plurality of optical projecting systems arranged adjacent to each other in rows. Each of the optical projecting systems has a first end for acquiring an image at one location of a specimen and a second end.