A calibrated aerosol source (“CAS”) and related methods for parameterizing, testing, troubleshooting and/or calibrating an instrument (e.g., photometers) or a system. Preferably, the CAS allows for generation of multiple concentrations while maintaining constant particle size distribution (PSD) for all aerosol concentrations, so that the aerosol response at other points in a particular range can be verified and linearity that was previously assumed can be proved.

Hydrogel particles and their use in cytometric applications are described. The hydrogel particles described herein are selectively tunable to have at least one optical property substantially similar to at least one optical property of a target cell. In this regard, the hydrogel particles provided herein, in one aspect, are used as a calibration reagent for the detection of a target cell in a sample.

For an easy calibration using calibration particles, provided is a measuring device to capture images of target objects. An image analyzer acquires multiple images obtained at a predetermined time interval, (a) specifies the mean-square displacement of a bright point of a calibration particle based on the displacement of the bright point of the calibration particle in the multiple images in a calibration mode, and (b) specifies the mean-square displacement of a bright point of the target particle based on the displacement of the bright point of the target particle in the multiple images in a measurement mode. A particle size analyzer (c) derives the particle size of the target particle from the mean-square displacement of the bright point of the target particle based on the mean-square displacement of the bright point of the calibration particle and the particle size of the calibration particle in an analysis mode.

A method of generating smear quality control information according to an embodiment may include: obtaining a plurality of image data from a plurality of smears, respectively; obtaining, from the plurality of image data, feature values each of which reflects a staining state of each smear; and generating quality control information based on the feature values.

Hydrogel particles and their use in cytometric applications are described. The hydrogel particles described herein are selectively tunable to have at least one optical property substantially similar to at least one optical property of a target cell. In this regard, the hydrogel particles provided herein, in one aspect, are used as a calibration reagent for the detection of a target cell in a sample.

Hydrogel particles and their use in cytometric applications are described. The hydrogel particles described herein are selectively tunable to have at least one optical property substantially similar to at least one optical property of a target cell. In this regard, the hydrogel particles provided herein, in one aspect, are used as a calibration reagent for the detection of a target cell in a sample.

Various embodiments include an exemplary apparatus and method for insitu calibration of multiple flow-sensing devices within a dilution system. In one example, a calibration and dilution system includes a first mass-flow device to serve as a global reference, a second mass-flow device configured to be coupled to and provide a supply of clean gas to a primary diluter, and a third mass-flow device configured to be coupled to and provide a supply of clean gas to a secondary diluter, where the diluters are pneumatically coupled to one another through a gas-supply line. Multiple valves are coupled to at least the mass-flow devices and the diluters. The calibration and dilution system is arranged so that the mass-flow controllers can be calibrated in-situ without having to remove any of the mass-flow controllers from the calibration and dilution system. Other apparatuses, designs, and methods are disclosed.

The present invention relates to a test sample receiving block and a microbial detection apparatus using the same. The test sample receiving block may include a sample receiving block having a sample groove portion formed therein, the sample groove portion containing the sample so that a light emission module emits light to the sample and a sensor module can detect a speckle generated when the emitted light is scattered by motion of bacteria or microbes contained in the sample, wherein the sample receiving block is surface-treated to increase an optical path of light reaching the sensor module when the emitted light is reflected or scattered by the sample accommodated in the sample groove portion, so that a pattern is formed on a surface of the sample groove portion.

A device for generating light pulses for characterization, standardization and/or calibration of photodetectors, preferably within a flow cytometer or microscope is disclosed. The device includes emission light sources which are driven with predetermined waveform to emit light pulses. A feedback mechanism based on the provision of separate, series-connected control light sources whose emission is detected by a feedback detector is included. The device may include one or more emission groups of circularly arranged, multi-color emission light sources. To provide different intensity levels, the emission light sources or emission groups can be coupled into a light guide with different efficiencies. Uses of the device and systems or kits including the device is also provided.

A method of quality control of a specimen prepared from a sample according to an embodiment may include: setting, from a control index information (MII) in which a plurality of indexes for the specimen are respectively associated with control values corresponding to the plurality of indexes, at least one index to be used for quality control of the specimen; obtaining a feature value relating to the at least one index from image data of the specimen; and outputting quality control information of the specimen based on the feature value and a control value associated with the at least one index.