Object interference in biological samples generated by lateral shearing interference microscopes is addressed by a shearing microscope slide comprising a periodic structure having alternating reference and sample regions. In some embodiments, the reference regions are configured to provide references that remove sample overlap in a sheared microscopic measurement. A system for generating sheared microscopic measurements is also provided that comprises an inlet configured to receive a sample material, an outlet configured to release a portion of the sample material, and a periodic structure having a plurality of interleaved reference and sample channels. In some cases, the sample channels are configured to accommodate a flow of sample material from the inlet to the outlet and the reference channels are configured to provide references that remove sample overlap in a sheared microscopic measurement.

Object interference in biological samples generated by lateral shearing interference microscopes is addressed by a shearing microscope slide comprising a periodic structure having alternating reference and sample regions. In some embodiments, the reference regions are configured to provide references that remove sample overlap in a sheared microscopic measurement. A system for generating sheared microscopic measurements is also provided that comprises an inlet configured to receive a sample material, an outlet configured to release a portion of the sample material, and a periodic structure having a plurality of interleaved reference and sample channels. In some cases, the sample channels are configured to accommodate a flow of sample material from the inlet to the outlet and the reference channels are configured to provide references that remove sample overlap in a sheared microscopic measurement.

A slide on which an observation object by a microscope is placed, is provided. A first mark indicating a reference line along a first direction and a second mark indicating a specific position on an extension of the reference line along the first direction are separately arranged in a vacant area between a label area used to arrange a label and a cover glass area used to arrange the observation object and a cover glass. A position reference is provided by the specific position on the extension of the reference line along the first direction.

A slide on which an observation object by a microscope is placed, is provided. A first mark indicating a reference line along a first direction and a second mark indicating a specific position on an extension of the reference line along the first direction are separately arranged in a vacant area between a label area used to arrange a label and a cover glass area used to arrange the observation object and a cover glass. A position reference is provided by the specific position on the extension of the reference line along the first direction.

Sample handling, processing and analysis methods and apparatus are described. According to one aspect, a sample processing method includes providing a sample, providing a reference frame which comprises a plurality of markers arranged in a predefined pattern, wherein individual ones of the markers are uniquely identifiable from others of the markers, and associating the reference frame comprising the markers with the sample. The markers are amenable to human or machine reading and for computational manipulation in some examples.

Sample handling, processing and analysis methods and apparatus are described. According to one aspect, a sample processing method includes providing a sample, providing a reference frame which comprises a plurality of markers arranged in a predefined pattern, wherein individual ones of the markers are uniquely identifiable from others of the markers, and associating the reference frame comprising the markers with the sample. The markers are amenable to human or machine reading and for computational manipulation in some examples.

Improved colorimetric analysis of liquid samples is provided. A sample holder is used that delivers predetermined volumes of sample individually to each of several colorimetric test patches at the same time with a sliding action. An opaque housing is employed to prevent ambient light from reaching the test patches when color images of the test patches are acquired. Preferably, a mobile electronic device including a camera is attached to the opaque housing to acquire the images. Optical microscopy can be performed in addition to the colorimetric analysis.

This disclosure is directed to system for transferring a substrate, such as a microscope slide, and holding the substrate within at least one device. The system includes a holder for holding the substrate and a gripper for transferring the substrate, such as between a cassette or stack and the holder. A method is also discussed herein.

This disclosure is directed to system for transferring a substrate, such as a microscope slide, and holding the substrate within at least one device. The system includes a holder for holding the substrate and a gripper for transferring the substrate, such as between a cassette or stack and the holder. A method is also discussed herein.

A sample chamber encloses a sample space for positioning a sample and includes a wall that delimits the sample space and has an outer side facing away from the sample space. An illumination beam path is directed through the outer side into the sample space. Detection radiation is detected along a detection axis extending from the sample chamber through the wall of the sample chamber. The sample chamber has an outer surface with a shape of a spherical section with a circular disc as the base surface. The sample chamber and the detection axis are rotated and/or pivoted relative to one another about the center point of the circular disc so that different angular positions of the sample chamber relative to the detection axis are adjusted and image data is recorded at different angular positions of the sample chamber relative to the detection axis.