The present invention relates to digital pathology. In order provide enhanced use of available imaging radiation, a digital pathology scanner (10) is provided that comprises a radiation arrangement (12), a sample receiving device (14), an optics arrangement (16), and a sensor unit (18). The radiation arrangement comprises a source (20) that provides electromagnetic radiation (22) for radiating a sample received by the sample receiving device. Further, the optics arrangement comprises at least one of the group of a lens (24) and a filter (26) that are arranged between the sample receiving device and the sensor unit. The sensor unit is configured to provide image data of the radiated sample. Still further, a lens array arrangement (28) is provided that comprises at least one lens array (30) arranged between the source and the sample receiving device. The at least one lens array comprises a plurality of linear cylindrical lenses (32) that modulate the electromagnetic radiation from the source such that, in an object plane, a radiation distribution pattern (34) is generated with a plurality of first parts of intensified radiation and a plurality of second parts of weak radiation.

The invention relates to an optical coherence microscopy system for fast, phase resolved imaging by means of optical coherence microscopy with decoupled illumination and detection apertures, producing a dark-field effect with an enhanced optical contrast. The setup uses a light source with an appropriate temporal coherence, an interferometer and an array detector combined with a spectrometer. The dark-field effect is produced by optical filter means in the illumination and detection paths, positioned in conjugated planes of the sample microscope objective. These optical means comprise for example refractive or diffractive elements, amplitude or phase masks, or programmable spatial light modulators. The object is scanned via a scanning unit allowing a point scan of the object.

An apparatus for baseline estimation in input signal data is configured to retrieve input signal data (I(x.sub.i)) and to subtract baseline estimation data (ƒ(x.sub.i)) from the input signal data (I(x.sub.i)) to compute output signal data. The apparatus is further configured to compute the baseline estimation data (ƒ(x.sub.i)) from a convolution using a discrete Green's function (G(x.sub.i)).

An apparatus for baseline estimation in input signal data is configured to retrieve input signal data (I(x.sub.i)) and to subtract baseline estimation data (ƒ(x.sub.i)) from the input signal data (I(x.sub.i)) to compute output signal data. The apparatus is further configured to compute the baseline estimation data (ƒ(x.sub.i)) from a convolution using a discrete Green's function (G(x.sub.i)).

Test kits for assessing male fertility include a sample holder defining an object plane, a lens, and a two dimensional light sensor defining an image plane arranged along a common linear axis. The distance between the object plane and the image plane may be no more than 50 mm, and may be no more than 30 mm. A lens aperture may have an area of 1-10 mm.sup.2. The test kit may have a housing with a maximum linear dimension of no more than 100 mm. Processing circuitry may be provided that is configured to produce a sperm count and/or sperm motility measurements by processing image data from the two-dimensional light sensor.

Test kits for assessing male fertility include a sample holder defining an object plane, a lens, and a two dimensional light sensor defining an image plane arranged along a common linear axis. The distance between the object plane and the image plane may be no more than 50 mm, and may be no more than 30 mm. A lens aperture may have an area of 1-10 mm.sup.2. The test kit may have a housing with a maximum linear dimension of no more than 100 mm. Processing circuitry may be provided that is configured to produce a sperm count and/or sperm motility measurements by processing image data from the two-dimensional light sensor.

A multiple target optical imaging apparatus performs optical imaging of a plurality of physically-separated imaging sites using a light source, a two-dimensional detector and a plurality of fiber bundles. Each fiber bundle has a distal end positioned adjacent to a different one of the imaging sites, and conveys source light from its proximal end to its distal end, while conveying an optical signal from its respective imaging site from its distal end to its proximal end. The optical signals may be simultaneously detected on different regions of the detector. The system is small, and may be used to image sites on an ambulatory animal, with the light source and detector located in a portable housing attached to the animal. Different types of imaging may be used, including fluorescence imaging, hyperspectral imaging, or polarization imaging.

A multiple target optical imaging apparatus performs optical imaging of a plurality of physically-separated imaging sites using a light source, a two-dimensional detector and a plurality of fiber bundles. Each fiber bundle has a distal end positioned adjacent to a different one of the imaging sites, and conveys source light from its proximal end to its distal end, while conveying an optical signal from its respective imaging site from its distal end to its proximal end. The optical signals may be simultaneously detected on different regions of the detector. The system is small, and may be used to image sites on an ambulatory animal, with the light source and detector located in a portable housing attached to the animal. Different types of imaging may be used, including fluorescence imaging, hyperspectral imaging, or polarization imaging.

A system for characterizing at least one particle from a fluid sample is disclosed. The system includes a filter disposed upstream of an outlet, and a luminaire configured to illuminate the at least one particle at an oblique angle. An imaging device is configured to capture and process images of the illuminated at least one particle as it rests on the filter for characterizing the at least one particle. A system for characterizing at least one particle using bright field illumination is also disclosed. A method for characterizing particulates in a fluid sample using at least one of oblique angle and bright field illumination is also disclosed.

A system for characterizing at least one particle from a fluid sample is disclosed. The system includes a filter disposed upstream of an outlet, and a luminaire configured to illuminate the at least one particle at an oblique angle. An imaging device is configured to capture and process images of the illuminated at least one particle as it rests on the filter for characterizing the at least one particle. A system for characterizing at least one particle using bright field illumination is also disclosed. A method for characterizing particulates in a fluid sample using at least one of oblique angle and bright field illumination is also disclosed.