Abstract: A shock freezer for rapidly freezing a sample preparatory to analysis, comprises an insulated closed container containing cryogenic fluid; a tubing disposed through the container having one end in contact with the cryogenic fluid and another end communicating outside the container, the another end for receiving a needle containing a sample to be shock frozen. The tubing has an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of a capillary to be inserted therein to provide a space between an inside surface of the tubing and an outside surface of a capillary to be inserted therein to provide passageway for the cryogenic fluid to flow to the outside. An outlet communicates with an interior of the container.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for viewing a pattern of biological material stained with dyes capable of absorbing, scattering or fluorescing light when illuminated by light emitting diodes (LEDs). The system includes a light source containing multiple light source arrays of different LED types emitting light at different wavelengths optimized for detecting specific dyes, a diffuser, a detector or viewer, and optional optical filters to ensure that the only light reaching the detector or viewer is light produced by fluorescence of the various dyes within a specific wavelength band. The optical filters are optional for detecting or viewing absorbance and light scatter. The different arrays of LED types can be selected in any combination during illumination and their intensity is adjustable over a range from 0-100%. A system and method is also provided for comparing patterns for two or more dyes contained in a single material.