A light irradiation angle is set with respect to a first surface so as to detect only either first reflected light or second reflected light. Then, light is emitted from a light irradiation part at the set irradiation angle while a detection chip is kept in motion, either the first reflected light or the second reflected light is detected by a reflected light detection part, and positional information of the detection chip is acquired on the basis of the result of the detection of the first or second reflected light. The detection chip is moved, on the basis of the acquired positional information, to a detection position where detection of a substance to be detected is performed. While the detection chip is kept at the detection position, detection of the substance to be detected is performed through detection of sample light.

A plasmon resonance (PR) system, instrument, and/or device and configurations thereof for measuring molecular interactions is disclosed. In some embodiments, the PR system, instrument, and/or device is a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) system, instrument, and/or device. In other embodiments, the PR system, instrument, and/or device is a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) system, instrument. The PR system, instrument, and/or device may include, for example, force feedback for reliable flow cell sealing, optical feedback for reliable flow cell sealing, local thermal control of an LSPR chip (e.g., a ring Peltier, a continuous Peltier), dual displacement pumps for constant flow delivery to a microfluidic device, a dual channel LSPR sensor, and any combinations thereof.

A method for aligning a reaction ring in an analyzer system using a gauge vertical reaction ring comprising at least one end slot includes inserting a light beam gauge into an aperture operable to hold the light beam gauge at a height corresponding to a photometer included in the analyzer system. The gauge vertical reaction ring is rotated on the reaction ring until the light beam gauge engages the end slot to confirm alignment of the reaction ring with the photometer.

Analyte collection and testing systems and methods, and more particularly to disposable oral fluid collection and testing systems and methods. Described herein are methods and apparatuses to achieve significant improvements in the detection of fluorescence signals in the reader.

A single-wavelength light source is configured to generate an excitation light source. A sample holder that defines an inner cavity is capable of holding a sample and includes a surface transparent to the excitation light source. One or more mounts are attached to at least one of the light source or the sample holder. The mounts are configured to change an incident angle of the excitation light source on the surface. One or more optical components are positioned in a path of a fluorescence emission emitted from the surface and guide the fluorescence emission to a detector. A detector detects an intensity of the fluorescence emission.

A single-wavelength light source is configured to generate an excitation light source. A sample holder that defines an inner cavity is capable of holding a sample and includes a surface transparent to the excitation light source. One or more mounts are attached to at least one of the light source or the sample holder. The mounts are configured to change an incident angle of the excitation light source on the surface. One or more optical components are positioned in a path of a fluorescence emission emitted from the surface and guide the fluorescence emission to a detector. A detector detects an intensity of the fluorescence emission.

A luminometer (400) includes a light detector (630) configured to sense photons (135). The luminometer (400) includes an analog circuit (915a) configured to provide an analog signal (965) based on the photons (135) emitted from assay reactions over a time period and a counter circuit (915b) configured to provide a photon count (970) based on the photons (135) emitted from the assay reactions over the time period. The luminometer (400) includes a luminometer controller (905) configured to, in response to an analog signal value of the analog signal (965) being greater than a predetermined value, determine and report a measurement value of the photons (135) emitted from the assay reactions over the time period based on the analog signal value of the analog signal (965) and a linear function (1010). Optionally, the linear function (1010) is derived from a relationship between the analog signal (965) and the photon count (970).

A screening apparatus includes a light permeable measurement chip having a well retaining a liquid including microparticles, a measuring section acquiring optical information of the microparticles obtained by illuminating the microparticles, an analyzing section that extracts optical information of the microparticles, a receiving plate receiving a microparticle selectively picked up from the measurement chip, a moving section moving the measurement chip and the receiving plate against the measuring section, and a collecting section for collecting a microparticle by sucking with the suction-ejection capillary and ejecting on the receiving plate. A distal-end outer dimension of the capillary is greater than a width of the well. The capillary sucks the target microparticle at a position where the distal end of the capillary and the measurement chip are spaced by a predetermined distance and a central axis of the distal end of the capillary and a central axis of the well are mutually displaced.

Devices and methods are disclosed that allow for analysis with simplified sample preparation. Of particular relevance is the analysis of wire samples (e.g., weld wires) using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) or optical emission spectrometry (OES). Representative devices can isolate a sample, such as in a sealed, inert environment in an analytical instrument. These devices may include first and second sample end attachments connected to a body, which has a connecting portion that may be configured for alignment with the face of the instrument. The body may also include a rotatable cap, and the sample end attachments may be joined to this cap (e.g., at opposite ends thereof) to allow adjustment of the angular position of the sample, relative to the connecting portion, which in use may be affixed to the instrument.

An improved disc feeder/conveyor (2) with optical sensor (200) and return chute (10) for multiple industrial, commercial or agricultural applications. The conveyor (2) comprises a pair of co-rotating (or counter-rotating) roller shafts (11A, 11B) driven by a belt (104) drive. The rollers (11A, 11B) are non-parallel, slightly angled, and the rotation of the shafts frictionally engages, the sample caps or other elements being advanced away from the production line causing the items seated thereon advance. Sensors (200, 202) detect the presence/absence of items on the rollers for gating. Another pair of co- or counter-rotating roller shafts (15A, 15B) may act as a return chute (10).