Cell counters and methods of their use are disclosed herein. The cell counters comprise a sample mounting system that includes a base comprising a mounted lower sample surface and a cover comprising a mounted upper sample surface; a bright-field light source incorporated in the cover; an objective lens mounted below the sample mounting system; optionally, a fluorescence excitation source in optical communication with the sample mounting system; and an imaging system in optical communication with the bright-field light source and the objective lens. The mounted sample surfaces are configured for repeated use, such that disposable sample cartridges are not needed.

Provided is a spectrophotometric device including a base plate including a first surface to accommodate a sample thereon, a rotatable plate including a second surface corresponding to and spaced a certain distance apart from the first surface, a test beam radiator connected to the first surface through a first beam guide to radiate a test beam to the sample accommodated on a beam path between the first and second surfaces, a spectrophotometer connected to the second surface through a second beam guide to analyze spectroscopic properties of the sample by analyzing a characteristic beam having passed through the sample accommodated on the beam path, and a state determiner provided near the beam path to determine whether the sample accommodated between the first and second surfaces is in a state in which analysis of optical properties is enabled.

A method of analyzing a sample located on a hydrophilic portion of a surface is disclosed. The method includes directing a first incident non-destructive electromagnetic beam through the sample at a non-zero incidence angle relative to the surface. The method also includes analyzing a first reflected non-destructive electromagnetic beam reflected from the hydrophilic portion to obtain a first measurement associated with at least one property of the sample.

Described herein are methods and apparatus for spectroscopic analysis of samples. In many embodiments, an apparatus for providing spectroscopic analysis of a sample comprises a sample holder. For example, the sample holder may comprise a consumable single use sample holder that can be readily coupled to and removed from a measurement apparatus such as a spectrometer. The sample holder may comprise a measurement surface configured to receive the sample during measurement, wherein the measurement surface may comprise a porous mesh. The porous mesh can receive the sample to optimally configure the sample for spectroscopic measurement, as described in further detail herein.

Among other things, the present invention is related to devices and methods for improving optical analysis of a thin layer of a sample sandwiched between containing between two plates.

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for amplifying and analyzing nucleic acid samples.

System and methods for spectrophotometers are described that can utilize ferrules configured to hold a sample test droplet therebetween via surface tension. Light sources in the systems can shine a light on the test droplet and an output of reflected or refracted light can be measured, which can assist in various testing and analysis procedures. Nanoscale or microscale structures can be incorporated on the ferrules to create hydrophobic or superhydrophobic surfaces. This helps prevent test droplets from wetting the ferrules surfaces and helps prevent polluting or mixing of test materials. The ferrules can therefore achieve certain self-cleaning capabilities and test results are more accurate.

One example of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for spectroscopic analysis of residue. The apparatus includes a surface including a hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic portion. The hydrophobic portion surrounds the hydrophilic portion. The hydrophilic portion includes a dimension equal to or larger than a width of a first incident non-destructive electromagnetic beam.

Cell counters and methods of their use are disclosed herein. The cell counters comprise a sample mounting system that includes a base comprising a mounted lower sample surface and a cover comprising a mounted upper sample surface; a bright-field light source incorporated in the cover; an objective lens mounted below the sample mounting system; optionally, a fluorescence excitation source in optical communication with the sample mounting system; and an imaging system in optical communication with the bright-field light source and the objective lens. The mounted sample surfaces are configured for repeated use, such that disposable sample cartridges are not needed.

Cuvette, comprising at least one measuring area on each one of two arms that are pivotally connected to each other such that from a swung-apart condition, they can be swung together into a measuring position in which the two measuring areas have a distance for positioning a sample between the measuring areas, and means for positioning the two arms in a measuring position in a cuvette shaft of an optical measuring device with a sample between the two measuring areas in a beam path of the optical measuring device that crosses the cuvette shaft.