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.

Provided are a cell imaging device and a cell imaging method that can shorten the time period of taking images of cells in a liquid sample, compared with conventional techniques. This cell imaging device introduces a urine sample containing cells into an internal space of a sample cell, moves at least one of the sample cell and an objective lens in a second direction while at least one of the sample cell and the objective lens is moved in a first direction, the second direction being different from the first direction, and takes, at a plurality of imaging positions, images of cells contained in the urine sample by means of an imaging unit.

Provided are a cell imaging device and a cell imaging method that can shorten the time period of taking images of cells in a liquid sample, compared with conventional techniques. This cell imaging device introduces a urine sample containing cells into an internal space of a sample cell, moves at least one of the sample cell and an objective lens in a second direction while at least one of the sample cell and the objective lens is moved in a first direction, the second direction being different from the first direction, and takes, at a plurality of imaging positions, images of cells contained in the urine sample by means of an imaging unit.

In an imaging device, and an operation method and an imaging control program of the imaging device, it is possible to acquire a captured image by suppressing a decrease in image quality caused by droplets attached to a container. Before a heating unit heats a container in which an observation target is housed, and an imaging unit performs main imaging for the observation target housed in the container, a pre-measurement unit measures brightness of light transmitting through or reflected by the container. In a case where a value of the brightness measured by a pre-measurement unit is smaller than a standard value set in advance, the control unit causes the imaging unit to perform the main imaging after droplets attached to the container are removed by increasing a temperature of the container by the heating unit or by keeping the temperature of the container constant by the heating unit.

A collecting apparatus for bacteria includes: a laser beam source configured to emit a laser beam; and a container configured to hold a dispersion liquid in which a plurality of bacteria are dispersed. The container has a bottom surface and an inner side surface. A thin film for converting the laser beam from the laser beam source into heat is formed on the bottom surface. At the inner side surface, immersion wetting occurs by the dispersion liquid when the inner side surface comes into contact with the dispersion liquid. The thin film is configured to produce a thermal convection in the dispersion liquid by heating the dispersion liquid. The inner side surface is configured to produce a Marangoni convection at a gas-liquid interface as an interface between the dispersion liquid and gas around the dispersion liquid.

A collecting apparatus for bacteria includes: a laser beam source configured to emit a laser beam; and a container configured to hold a dispersion liquid in which a plurality of bacteria are dispersed. The container has a bottom surface and an inner side surface. A thin film for converting the laser beam from the laser beam source into heat is formed on the bottom surface. At the inner side surface, immersion wetting occurs by the dispersion liquid when the inner side surface comes into contact with the dispersion liquid. The thin film is configured to produce a thermal convection in the dispersion liquid by heating the dispersion liquid. The inner side surface is configured to produce a Marangoni convection at a gas-liquid interface as an interface between the dispersion liquid and gas around the dispersion liquid.

A specimen processing system is capable of processing specimens carried on slides. The specimen processing system can sequentially deliver slides and opposables to specimen processing stations. The specimen processing stations can use the opposables to apply a series of liquids to the specimens. The applied liquid can be moved along the slide using capillary action while the specimen processing stations control the processing temperatures.

A specimen processing system is capable of processing specimens carried on slides. The specimen processing system can sequentially deliver slides and opposables to specimen processing stations. The specimen processing stations can use the opposables to apply a series of liquids to the specimens. The applied liquid can be moved along the slide using capillary action while the specimen processing stations control the processing temperatures.

The invention relates to a microscope for microscopic examination of a sample comprising 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 lid which provides direct access to the microscope stage for placing the sample in the sample chamber. The housing section has an interface for connection of an external incubation environment conditioning unit to the sample chamber. The interface is configured to provide a connection between the external incubation environment conditioning unit and the sample chamber, such that the environmental conditions in the sample chamber can be controlled when the external incubation environment conditioning unit is connected to the interface.

The invention relates to a microscope for microscopic examination of a sample comprising 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 lid which provides direct access to the microscope stage for placing the sample in the sample chamber. The housing section has an interface for connection of an external incubation environment conditioning unit to the sample chamber. The interface is configured to provide a connection between the external incubation environment conditioning unit and the sample chamber, such that the environmental conditions in the sample chamber can be controlled when the external incubation environment conditioning unit is connected to the interface.