A sample holder system for holding a microscopic sample in a microscope system comprises a first and a second rotation element, which are rotatably connected to one another. The side surfaces of the two rotation elements in each case enclose an angle α, with the result that the rotation elements have a wedge-shaped cross section. The second rotation element is configured to receive a sample, while the first rotation element can be rotatably connected to a holder receiving surface. The rotation elements are each rotatable by an angle β about a rotation axis. The inclination of the third side surface on which the sample can be received is settable by combining all of the involved angles α and β.

A sample holder system for holding a microscopic sample in a microscope system comprises a first and a second rotation element, which are rotatably connected to one another. The side surfaces of the two rotation elements in each case enclose an angle α, with the result that the rotation elements have a wedge-shaped cross section. The second rotation element is configured to receive a sample, while the first rotation element can be rotatably connected to a holder receiving surface. The rotation elements are each rotatable by an angle β about a rotation axis. The inclination of the third side surface on which the sample can be received is settable by combining all of the involved angles α and β.

A mobile phone-based dark field microscope (MDFM) apparatus suitable for quantifying nanoparticle signals is provided. The MDFM apparatus includes an electrically operated light source, a dark-field condenser, a slide housing configured to receive an analytical slide, and an adapter housing configured to receive an objective lens and receive a portable electronic communication device. The slide housing positions the analytical slide between the objective lens and the dark-field condenser. The adapter housing registers the objective lens with a camera lens of the portable electronic communication device. A method for performing a biological quantitative study using the dark-field microscope apparatus is further provided.

A mobile phone-based dark field microscope (MDFM) apparatus suitable for quantifying nanoparticle signals is provided. The MDFM apparatus includes an electrically operated light source, a dark-field condenser, a slide housing configured to receive an analytical slide, and an adapter housing configured to receive an objective lens and receive a portable electronic communication device. The slide housing positions the analytical slide between the objective lens and the dark-field condenser. The adapter housing registers the objective lens with a camera lens of the portable electronic communication device. A method for performing a biological quantitative study using the dark-field microscope apparatus is further provided.

An example fluidic device includes an elastic tube, a first actuator coupled to an outer surface of the elastic tube between a first end and a second end of the elastic tube, and a second actuator coupled to the outer surface of the elastic tube between the first actuator and the second end of the elastic tube. The first actuator and the second actuator are configured to move apart from one another to transition a portion of the elastic tube positioned between the first actuator and the second actuator from a first condition to a second condition. A diameter of the elastic tube is greater in the first condition than in the second condition. The fluidic device also includes one or more rotatable components coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator which are configured to rotate the portion of the elastic tube positioned between the first actuator and the second actuator.

An example fluidic device includes an elastic tube, a first actuator coupled to an outer surface of the elastic tube between a first end and a second end of the elastic tube, and a second actuator coupled to the outer surface of the elastic tube between the first actuator and the second end of the elastic tube. The first actuator and the second actuator are configured to move apart from one another to transition a portion of the elastic tube positioned between the first actuator and the second actuator from a first condition to a second condition. A diameter of the elastic tube is greater in the first condition than in the second condition. The fluidic device also includes one or more rotatable components coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator which are configured to rotate the portion of the elastic tube positioned between the first actuator and the second actuator.

The present invention describes a blotting material comprising a profiled region that has a portion configured to protrude at least partially into a space created within a boundary formed by the rim of a holder for a sample grid. Also described are methods for making such profiles and components used to make said profiles. There are also provided methods for removing excess liquid from a sample grid by bringing the profiled blotting material into association with the sample grid past the sample grid holder. Systems comprises means to hold a sample grid holder, means to hold the blotting paper, and means to bring the two together are also described.

The present invention describes a blotting material comprising a profiled region that has a portion configured to protrude at least partially into a space created within a boundary formed by the rim of a holder for a sample grid. Also described are methods for making such profiles and components used to make said profiles. There are also provided methods for removing excess liquid from a sample grid by bringing the profiled blotting material into association with the sample grid past the sample grid holder. Systems comprises means to hold a sample grid holder, means to hold the blotting paper, and means to bring the two together are also described.

A microscope scanner is provided comprising a detector array for obtaining an image from a sample and a sample holder configured to move relative to the detector array. The sample holder can be configured to move to a plurality of target positions relative to the detector array in accordance with position control signals issued by a controller and the detector array is configured to capture images during an imaging scan based on the position control signals.

A microscope scanner is provided comprising a detector array for obtaining an image from a sample and a sample holder configured to move relative to the detector array. The sample holder can be configured to move to a plurality of target positions relative to the detector array in accordance with position control signals issued by a controller and the detector array is configured to capture images during an imaging scan based on the position control signals.