Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for determining from a sample carrier containing an impregnated biological sample a sample region to be removed. The method comprises optically imaging the sample carrier into a digital matrix form, where the optical brightness of each physical location of the sample is represented by elements of the matrix; determining a first threshold value at least partly on the basis of the elements of the matrix; and calculating coordinates corresponding to the sample region to be removed from the sample carrier, the coordinates being such that the sample region contains only areas of the sample carrier having an optical brightness lower than or equal to said first threshold value. The invention allows for more efficient use of samples in sample cards.

Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for determining from a sample carrier containing an impregnated biological sample a sample region to be removed. The method comprises optically imaging the sample carrier into a digital matrix form, where the optical brightness of each physical location of the sample is represented by elements of the matrix; determining a first threshold value at least partly on the basis of the elements of the matrix; and calculating coordinates corresponding to the sample region to be removed from the sample carrier, the coordinates being such that the sample region contains only areas of the sample carrier having an optical brightness lower than or equal to said first threshold value. The invention allows for more efficient use of samples in sample cards.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an arrangement in an imaging system for microtitre wells, the arrangement comprising a sample plate having a plurality of wells for samples, and a lens system arranged in connection with the sample plate and comprising an objective and at least one lens group for imaging the rays representing the structure of the samples and passing through the objective to an image detector. In order for the arrangement to enable a rapid imaging of the samples in the wells with a high resolving power, the lens system comprises a plurality of objectives focused to infinity for collecting rays representing the samples, the objectives being at least partly arranged detachably inside wells in the sample plate. The disclosure also relates to a method of imaging samples in microtitre wells.