A cultivation container includes a waveguide substrate that totally reflects and guides measurement light incident from a side end surface of the waveguide substrate, and a surrounding wall that stands upright on a top surface of the waveguide substrate and forms a cell cultivation space. The surrounding wall includes a shielding part that shields the measurement light.

A microsection sample stabilizer for aligning and stabilizing a microsection sample for microscopic inspection includes a frame including a base and at least one leveling portion supported by the base. The at least one leveling portion can define a viewing window for a microscope. The microsection sample stabilizer includes an interior region within the frame, and at least one compliant device operable within the interior region of the frame and operable to be supported by the base. The compliant device receives and supports the microsection sample, and biases the microsection sample against the at least one leveling portion of the frame to stabilize the microsection sample, such that an examination plane surface of the microsection sample is aligned and viewable through the viewing window by the microscope.

Embodiments provide slide navigation technology that addresses challenges in digital pathology of navigating and viewing high resolution slide images. Example systems comprise a virtual slide stage (VSS) having at least one sensor that detects user movement of a target placed on the VSS, and an input component, coupled to the VSS, which provides quick function movement control of the target via quick functions. The systems also comprise a connector component that connects the VSS to a user device and transmits output from the at least one sensor and input component to the user device. The systems further comprise a computer processor, in communication with the VSS, which processes the output using a computational model to generate data representing movement profiles of the target. The computer processor executes a software component, causing the output, translated based on the movement profiles, to be relayed via a viewing application on the user device.

Embodiments provide slide navigation technology that addresses challenges in digital pathology of navigating and viewing high resolution slide images. Example systems comprise a virtual slide stage (VSS) having at least one sensor that detects user movement of a target placed on the VSS, and an input component, coupled to the VSS, which provides quick function movement control of the target via quick functions. The systems also comprise a connector component that connects the VSS to a user device and transmits output from the at least one sensor and input component to the user device. The systems further comprise a computer processor, in communication with the VSS, which processes the output using a computational model to generate data representing movement profiles of the target. The computer processor executes a software component, causing the output, translated based on the movement profiles, to be relayed via a viewing application on the user device.

A wafer for carrying a biological sample includes a pair of circular discs, at least one of the discs being transparent. The wafer also includes a gap between the discs adapted to receive a biological sample. The compact circular shape of the wafer makes it particularly suited for use in a portable device in which the wafer is rotated to enable a camera to image different areas of the sample between the discs. The gap may be sized to pull a biological sample into the gap by capillary action.

A vacuum manifold for filtration microscopy includes a manifold top having multiple openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top, where the capture membrane is configured to deflect into contact with a surface of the manifold top when a negative pressure is applied to the multiple openings. A method for filtration microscopy includes the steps of providing a vacuum manifold including a manifold top having a plurality of openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top; applying sample drops to sample spots on the membrane, the sample spots positioned above the plurality of openings; applying a negative pressure to the openings such that the capture membrane contacts a surface of the manifold top; and optically imaging particulates on the capture membrane.

A method for scanning microscope slides using a device with at least one feed unit for microscope slide holders, at least two microscope slide scanners, at least one depositing device, and at least one industrial robot, includes: a) loading the feed unit with at least one microscope slide holder, which holds at least one microscope slide, b) removing the microscope slide from the at least one microscope slide holder, c) inserting the removed microscope slide into one of the microscope slide scanners, d) removing the microscope slide from one of the microscope slide scanners, and e) depositing the microscope slide in the depositing device, wherein steps b) to e) are carried out by at least one industrial robot.

A method for scanning microscope slides using a device with at least one feed unit for microscope slide holders, at least two microscope slide scanners, at least one depositing device, and at least one industrial robot, includes: a) loading the feed unit with at least one microscope slide holder, which holds at least one microscope slide, b) removing the microscope slide from the at least one microscope slide holder, c) inserting the removed microscope slide into one of the microscope slide scanners, d) removing the microscope slide from one of the microscope slide scanners, and e) depositing the microscope slide in the depositing device, wherein steps b) to e) are carried out by at least one industrial robot.

In order to remove the need for manual re-positioning of a sample (e.g., a tissue sample) on a microscope stage, systems and methods for sample positioning are described. A sample can be attached to a tissue positioning device. Then a microscope can be used to take a plurality of microscopy images (e.g., 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional, etc.) of a surface of the sample in a rotational geometry using the tissue positioning device to facilitate the microscopy.

The present disclosure provides automated robotic microscopy systems that facilitate high throughput and high content analysis of biological samples, such as living cells and/or tissues. In certain aspects, the systems are configured to reduce user intervention relative to existing technologies, and allow for precise return to and re-imaging of the same field (e.g., the same cell) that has been previously imaged. This capability enables experiments and testing of hypotheses that deal with causality over time with greater precision and throughput than conventional microscopy methods.