The present approach relates generally to image-based approaches for detecting deviations from a linear movement when scanning a surface. More particularly, the approach relates to the use of linear fiducials to detect, in real-time, deviations from a linear scan path during operation of a scanning imaging system. Such linear fiducials may include both sample sites and blank regions or sites or, in certain embodiments, may utilize elongated sample sites (e.g., linear features) within the linear fiducial.

A molecular nanotag is disclosed that includes a core nanoparticle with a diameter of less than about 100 nm, with an optional shell surrounding the core, and an armor bound to the surface of the core nanoparticle, or if present, to the surface of the shell. The molecular nanotag also includes a functionalized end with a fixed number of binding sites that can selectively bind to a molecular targeting ligand. Any one of, or any combination of, the core, the shell and the armor contribute to fluorescence, light scattering and/or ligand binding properties of the molecular tag that are detectable by microscopy or in a devices that measures intensity or power of fluorescence and light scattering. The light scattering intensity or power of the assembled structure is detectable above the specific level of the reference noise of a device detecting the light scattering intensity or power, its fluorescence intensity or power has sufficient brightness for detection above the limit of detection for the instrument, and ligand specificity is conferred by the ligand binding component. Methods of biomarker and biosignature detection using the molecular tags are also disclosed.

A detection optical system includes an objective lens, a first relay lens, a second relay lens, and an imaging lens, which are arranged in order from a side of a specimen along an optical path of light from the specimen illuminated by a light source. A primary imaging plane is provided on the optical path between the first relay lens and the second relay lens. An aspherical correction plate that corrects spherical aberration is arranged at a position located between the second relay lens and the imaging lens and substantially conjugate with a pupil position of the objective lens.

Photodetector clamps are provided. Clamps of interest include one or more flexure arms for applying an immobilizing force to one or more photodetectors positioned within a light detection module, and are configured to be positioned on top of a detector block. In embodiments, the bottom of the one or more flexure arms include an opening for contacting the photodetector(s). Light detection modules, systems and methods employing the subject clamps are also provided.

For analyzing a sample containing particles of at least two categories, such as a sample containing blood cells, a particle counter subject to a detection limit is coupled with an analyzer capable of discerning particle number ratios, such as a visual analyzer, and a processor. A first category of particles can be present beyond detection range limits while a second category of particles is present within respective detection range limits. The concentration of the second category of particles is determined by the particle counter. A ratio of counts of the first category to the second category is determined on the analyzer. The concentration of particles in the first category is calculated on the processor based on the ratio and the count or concentration of particles in the second category.

To provide a technology of optimizing a suction condition of a microparticle. The present technology provides an optimizing method of a suction condition of a microparticle including: a particle number counting step of detecting a time point when a microparticle passes through a predetermined position on a main flow path through which liquid containing the microparticle flows, sucking the microparticle from the main flow path to a microparticle suction flow path by the microparticle suction flow path with a predetermined suction force, and counting the number of microparticles sucked into the microparticle suction flow path; and a step of determining an elapsed time from passage through the predetermined position with which the suction by the microparticle suction flow path should be performed on the basis of a time from the time point when the microparticle passes through the predetermined position on the main flow path until the suction is performed and the number of counted microparticles.

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 particle detector including at least one channel intended to receive at least one fluid comprising particles and configured to receive at least one light beam emitted by a light source. The particle detector further including at least one photodetector network configured such that at least some photodetectors receive light beams emitted by the source and scattered by the particles present in the channel. The detector further comprises at least one optical system, each optical system s associated with a photodetector network and has at least one image focal plane and an optical axis. The detector is configured such that the image focal plane of the optical system is optically coupled to the photodetector network.

A dual light source lens-free dielectrophoresis (DEP) flow cytometer for massively parallel single cell analysis. Each cells dielectric is inferred from measuring their altitude and subsequently velocity change due to DEP actuation in a microfluidic channel. Dual LED sources facilitate velocity measurement by producing two shadows for each cell passing through the channel. These shadows are detected using a linear optical array detector. Massively parallel analysis is possible as each pixel of the detector can independently analyze the passing cells. The DEP cytometer is composed of simple modular components and has the potential to be scaled to achieve a significantly high throughput label-free single-cell analyzer.

A urine analysis system according to an embodiment includes: a testing apparatus that measures particles included in a urine sample according to a flow cytometry method; an image capturing apparatus that captures images of particles in the urine sample to acquire particle images; and a management apparatus that receives a measurement result obtained by the testing apparatus and the particle images acquired by the image capturing apparatus. The management apparatus generates an order to capture an image of the urine sample based on the measurement result obtained by the testing apparatus. The image capturing apparatus executes the image capturing processing of the particles in the urine sample for which the image capturing order has been generated by the management apparatus, and transmits the acquired particle images to the management apparatus.