The present invention relates to methods and systems for image cytometry analysis, in particular using light sources to be cooled. Thereby is provided optimal light conditions for image cytometry.

Systems for performing cellular analysis and related devices for conditioning environments adjacent chips in such systems. A device for conditioning an environment adjacent a chip in a system for performing cellular analysis, the device includes a cover for being disposed adjacent the chip and comprising a planar body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer edge surface. The cover includes a central opening extending between the top surface and the bottom surface and bounded by an inner edge surface of the cover. The cover also includes a fluid inlet extending into the body from the outer edge surface between the top surface and the bottom surface the fluid inlet arranged to accept a gas to be delivered to the central opening. The cover also includes a plurality of fluid outlets defined in the inner edge surface and in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. The plurality of fluid outlets are arranged to receive the gas from the fluid inlet and exhaust the gas into the central opening.

A particle beam apparatus and/or a light microscope is operated. A first temperature of an object may be changed, where the object may be arranged on an object receiving device rendered movable by a motor operated by a supply current. Changing the first temperature of the object may alter a second temperature of the object-receiving device from a first temperature value to a second temperature value. The supply current of the motor may be changed from a first current value to a second current value, where the supply current is designed to hold the object-receiving device in position, and a temperature of the object-receiving device may be changed from the second temperature value to a third temperature value on account of heat generated by the motor, which may be obtained by the second current value of the supply current and fed to the object receiving device.

A particle beam apparatus and/or a light microscope is operated. A first temperature of an object may be changed, where the object may be arranged on an object receiving device rendered movable by a motor operated by a supply current. Changing the first temperature of the object may alter a second temperature of the object-receiving device from a first temperature value to a second temperature value. The supply current of the motor may be changed from a first current value to a second current value, where the supply current is designed to hold the object-receiving device in position, and a temperature of the object-receiving device may be changed from the second temperature value to a third temperature value on account of heat generated by the motor, which may be obtained by the second current value of the supply current and fed to the object receiving device.

An optical path folding element includes an incident surface, a path folding surface and an exiting surface. The incident surface allows a light ray to pass into the optical path folding element. The path folding surface folds the light ray from the incident surface. The exiting surface allows the light ray to pass through and depart from the optical path folding element. At least one of the incident surface and the exiting surface includes an optical effective portion and at least one engaging structure symmetrically disposed around the optical effective portion. The engaging structure includes an annular surface portion and an inclined surface portion. The annular surface portion surrounds the optical effective portion, and the inclined surface portion is located between the annular surface portion and the optical effective portion. An angle between the annular surface portion and the inclined surface portion satisfies a specific condition.

Methods and systems of performing an assay. A system for performing an assay includes an enclosure defining a temperature-controlled space. An imaging system, an actuator and a dispenser are disposed within the space. The actuator receives a well plate having wells. The actuator is to move the well plate relative to the imaging system to enable the imaging system to obtain image data of one of the wells. The dispenser includes a pump, an outlet and a reservoir holder to receive a reservoir containing a compound. The pump is to be fluidly coupled to the reservoir and an outlet. The pump is to pump the compound from the reservoir through the outlet into one of the wells. The system also includes a controller. The controller is to cause the dispenser to dispense the compound into the first one of the wells while the imaging system obtains the image data.

An inverted microscope is provided, the inverted microscope including a microscope stage which includes an opening prepared for transmitted light illumination and which is designed to receive a sample holder and an imaging optical unit arranged below the microscope stage. A closed lower incubation space which surrounds at least the imaging optical unit is arranged adjacent to a lower side of the microscope stage. The inverted microscope is configured such that a temperature in the lower incubation space is adjustable to a specifiable target temperature, for the purposes of which at least one temperature sensor is arranged in the lower incubation space, the measurement signal of the at least one temperature sensor serving to set the specifiable target temperature.

An inverted microscope is provided, the inverted microscope including a microscope stage which includes an opening prepared for transmitted light illumination and which is designed to receive a sample holder and an imaging optical unit arranged below the microscope stage. A closed lower incubation space which surrounds at least the imaging optical unit is arranged adjacent to a lower side of the microscope stage. The inverted microscope is configured such that a temperature in the lower incubation space is adjustable to a specifiable target temperature, for the purposes of which at least one temperature sensor is arranged in the lower incubation space, the measurement signal of the at least one temperature sensor serving to set the specifiable target temperature.

A system for microscopic examination of a sample has a microscope and an incubation environment conditioning unit connected to the microscope. The microscope has a microscope housing enclosing an illumination optics, a microscope stage and an imaging optics, an integrated sample chamber located within the microscope housing and formed by a separated housing section within the microscope housing. The housing section has a microscope interface for connecting the incubation environment conditioning unit to the sample chamber and/or to a stage top chamber for placing within the sample chamber and for receiving the sample. The system provides a first and a second incubation modes. In the first incubation mode the sample chamber is incubated by supply of a first incubation atmosphere by the incubation environment conditioning unit. In the second incubation mode the stage top chamber is incubated by supply of a second incubation atmosphere by the incubation environment conditioning unit.

The portable device (1) for quality control of semen comprises a housing (10) and within an inner space (11) of the housing, an accumulator (20), a processor unit (30) and a sample storing unit (40) for fixing a sample transporting cell (90), wherein the device (1) is further provided with a microscope unit (50) comprising a camera unit (51) secured to the housing (10), an optical unit (52) connected to the camera unit (51) and a light source (53) illuminating the sample transporting cell (90) during use, and wherein the sample storing unit (40) is arranged inside the housing (10) at the upper side of the housing (10) or adjacent thereto, wherein the light source (53) is arranged on the outer side of the sample storing unit (40) and connected to the housing (10), wherein the camera unit (51) is arranged in the inner space (11) of the housing, on the inner side of the sample storing unit (40) in such a configuration that the distance between the supporting plane (41) of the sample storing unit (40) and the light sensor of the camera unit (51) is at most 35 mm, and wherein the optical unit (52) is arranged between the camera unit (51) and the sample storing unit (40).