The method is for quantitative measurement of particle content using hydrated state imaging such as CryoTEM. A sample of virus-like particles (VLPs) or virus particles is provided. Preferably, the sample is rapidly frozen into a cryogenic liquid at a cryogenic temperature. While at the cryogenic temperature, the particle content of each VLP in the frozen sample is observed in the CryoTEM. An amount of the particle content of the VLPs is determined to assess whether the VLPs are empty or not.

A cryopreservation system for biological samples is provided. Tire cryopreservation system includes a cooling platform 100 with a 3D printing device that enables a “pick and print” method for processing biological samples 140 for cryopreservation. A syringe or syringes 110 in the 3D printing device picks up biological samples and prints them into a cryogenic environment. A sorting station 200 sorts vitrified samples from unvitrified samples. A warming platform 300 warms the samples using a laser warming system. The cryopreservation system with the sorting station and warming platform are configured for high throughput. Methods for cooling, sorting and warming the biological samples in a high throughput manner are also provided.

Technologies are described for methods and systems effective for flex plates. The flex plates may comprise a base plate. The base plate may include walls that define an insert location opening in the base plate. The insert location opening in the base plate may be in communication with a securement area. The flex plates may comprise an insert. The insert may include a reservoir region and a crystallization region separated by a wall including channels. The reservoir region and the crystallization region may include a backing. The insert may further include securement tabs. The securement tabs may be configured to secure the insert to the base plate at the securement area.

A method and device for preparing karst caves based on 3D printing technology. The method includes the following steps: determining size of a sample according to test requirements, constructing a 3D karst cave digital model based on three-dimensional karst cave scanning result, and carrying out 3D printing by using alloy to form primary karst cave sample; preparing rock similar material mixture according to proportioning scheme; pouring mixture into sample mold while burying karst cave model into mixture according to position of a karst cave; curing sample together with mold at room temperature until rock similar materials get hardened, removing mold, curing formed karst cave rock sample at constant temperature and constant humidity and then baking or heating same by electrifying heating wire in alloy to form rock sample with hollow karst cave; and filling hollow karst cave with different fillings to form different type of karst cave sample.

An apparatus for observing image of living tissue having a first cover slip and a second cover slip; and one or more chambers interposed between the first cover slip and the second cover slip and having a cavity therein; in order to observe a living tissue loaded in the cavity of the chamber above is provided. The apparatus for observing image of living tissue of the present invention can be easily prepared with a simple process and a low cost, and facilitates the observation of images of living tissues on both sides, so that an entire image of a huge living tissue at the level of several hundred micrometers can be obtained by using a tissue transparency technique, which is a distinguished advantage of the apparatus of the invention. In the apparatus of the invention, the outer wall part forming the chamber is strongly bound so that the leakage of the mounting solution and the bubble generation can be prevented, indicating the damage of the living tissue can also be prevented.

A method for depth controlled ion milling, the method may include (a) ion milling a calibrated area and a target area; wherein the ion milling comprises exposing an interior of the calibrated area to provide an exposed interior of the calibrated area; wherein the target area comprises a buried region of interest that is positioned at a certain depth; wherein the calibrated area comprises a certain layer that is positioned at the certain depth; wherein the certain layer is visually distinguishable from another layer of the calibrated area that is precedes the certain layer; (ii) monitoring a progress of the milling by viewing the exposed interior of the calibrated area; and (iii) controlling of the ion milling based on an outcome of the monitoring.

The invention relates to a cassette (5) for inserting a tissue sample (1), comprising an upper part (17) with a first chamber (15) and a lower part (2) with a second chamber (16) into which the tissue sample (1) is inserted. The cassette (5) is characterised in that the first chamber (15) and the second chamber (16) are spatially separated by an intermediate base (3), wherein the intermediate base (3) has at least one opening (18) via which a fluid exchange can be carried out between the two chambers (15, 16), and the cassette (5) is designed as a tightly sealed container and has a lid (4), by means of which the cassette can be sealingly closed.

An antigen protection method for enabling delayed sample processing may include: fixing a sample; embedding the sample; sectioning the sample and placing a section of the sample in contact with a microscope slide to produce a sectioned sample; de-embedding the sectioned sample; optionally rehydrating the sectioned sample; performing target retrieval on the sectioned sample; and optionally performing target visualization on the sectioned sample. The method may further include the steps of: applying a protecting reagent onto the sectioned sample; drying the protecting reagent; and waiting a period of time, such as greater than six hours, and these steps may be performed after the de-embedding step, rehydrating step, and/or target retrieval step.

Embodiments include a device for testing biological specimen. The device can include a receiving mechanism to receive a carrier. The carrier may include a holding area. The device may include a camera arranged to capture a plurality of images, including a first image and a second image, of the holding area. The device may include a positioning mechanism operable to adjust a relative location of the carrier to the camera. A processor in the device may utilize the camera module to: identify an edge of the first image; cause the positioning mechanism to adjust the relative location of the carrier to the camera in a manner such that, when the camera takes the second image, an edge of the second image aligns with the identified edge of the first image; and perform a set of analytic processes on a combined image from the first and second images.

The present invention relates to a sample processing system and method for automatically processing at least one of a histological, a pathological, a medical, a biological, a veterinary and an agricultural sample. The sample can be positioned in a container assembly that can be closed after depositing the sample therein and can be opened, particularly upon arrival to a laboratory equipped with a system according to the present invention. The system can comprise an imaging section that is configured to capture images of the container assembly and/or the sample; an opening section configured to automatically open the container assembly and to remove at least the sample or a plurality of samples from the container assembly or of different compartments in the container; a cassette-handling section configured to support the sample for further handling; and an output section configured to provide the sample for further examination. All steps can be automated, and a handover can be controlled centrally and/or locally. The sample processing system according to the preceding embodiment can further comprise the container assembly with a preserving, conserving, fixating and/or nurturing fluid. The fluid can be a liquid and/or gas and/or ambient air, depending on the needs. The system can further comprise a fluid-handling section that is configured to automatically remove the fluid from the container assembly and can be further configured to perform at least one of handling and disposing of the fluid.