A method for analysing a sample uses a resonant support. The sample extends on the support having a surface on which a plurality of separated photonic crystals extend. The sample extends between a light source and the crystals, wherein a resonance wavelength is associated with each crystal addressing the analyte and the wavelengths of the crystals define a resonance spectral band extending between 2 μm and 20 μm. The transmission or reflection of light by each crystal addressing the analyte is maximum at the associated resonance wavelength. The method includes illuminating the support by the light source, the light source emitting an illumination lightwave defining an illumination spectral band which at least partially covers the resonance spectral band, such that a plurality of crystals are simultaneously illuminated; acquiring an image of the support, and then determining the presence of the analyte in the sample from the image.

A fully automated microfluidic system (100) for detecting multiple different analytes in a single run comprises: a remote computer system (102), a microfluidic analyzer (300) having an illumination source and a detection module; and a cartridge (200) having a plurality of lightbulbs (224), a sample tank (204) and at least one reagent tank (210), wherein each lightbulb (224) is sealable by the microfluidic analyzer (300).

A culturing device includes a microplate including a plurality of vessels, each of the vessels having a bottom surface having light transmittance and an opening at an upper portion, a lid having light transmittance, and an intermediate plate having light transmittance sandwiched between the lid and the microplate. The intermediate plate has a plurality of convex portions on a surface thereof facing the microplate and provided with a plurality of through holes corresponding to the convex portions that are disposed so that when the intermediate plate and the microplate are overlapped, each of the plurality of convex portions is inserted into each of the plurality of vessels and each of the plurality of through holes coincides with the opening of each of the plurality of vessels. The lid comes into contact with the intermediate plate so as to close the plurality of through holes provided in the intermediate plate.

An optical measurement unit for a scanning device, a scanning device, and a method for operating a scanning device, for high throughput sample analysis of biological samples are disclosed. An illumination system is used to emit light of at least two different illumination wavelength ranges, and an imaging system is used to detect light of at least two different detection wavelength ranges, in order to detect electromagnetic radiation within a field of view for determining the positioning of a sample within the field of view.

Reusable network of spatially-multiplexed microfliuidic channels each including an inlet, an outlet, and a cuvette in-between. Individual channels may operationally share a main or common output channel defining the network output and optionally leading to a disposable storage volume. Alternatively, multiple channels are structured to individually lead to the storage volume. An individual cuvette is dimensioned to substantially prevent the formation of air-bubbles during the fluid sample flow through the cuvette and, therefore, to be fully filled and fully emptied. The overall channel network is configured to spatially lock the fluidic sample by pressing such sample with a second fluid against a closed to substantially immobilize it to prevent drifting due to the change in ambient conditions during the measurement. Thereafter, the fluidic sample is flushed through the now-opened valve with continually-applied pressure of the second fluid. System and method for photometric measurements of multiple fluid samples employing such network of channels.

A specimen inspection machine includes a case, a carrying device, an inspection device, a sensing device and a control device. The carrying device is disposed in the case. The inspection device is disposed on the carrying device. The inspection device has accommodating grooves. Each accommodating groove is used for accommodating an inspection sample. The inspection sample at least includes a specimen. The sensing device is disposed in the case on a side of the case opposite the carrying device. The sensing device senses the inspection device to generate first and second sensing signals. The control device is disposed in the case. The control device determines whether the inspection device is disposed in the correct position according to the first sensing signals, and determines whether inspection samples are placed in the accommodating grooves according to the second sensing signals to inspect the accommodating grooves placed with the inspection samples.

There are provided systems and methods for characterization of an assay from a plurality of regions of interest (ROI). The method including: receiving image data of the assay from the plurality of ROI, the image data including at least two color channels for each ROI; determining a ratio of signal change across the color channels for each ROI; converting the ratio of signal change for each well to a concentration measurement of the assay using a calibration curve, the calibration curve determined from image data of a calibration assay with known concentrations; and outputting the concentration measurement for each ROI.

Sensor chips and devices that incorporate localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensors are described which are suitable for use in near-patient and point-of-care diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, LSPR sensors are integrated with microfabricated fluidics and other system components to create compact, portable bench-top or hand-held diagnostic testing systems. In some embodiments, all components are packaged in compact, portable wearable devices.

A measurement device includes mechanical support elements (101-104) for supporting a sample well, other mechanical support elements (105-109) for supporting a measurement head (112) suitable for optical measurements, and a control system (111) configured to control the measurement head to carry out at least two optical measurements from at least two different measurement locations inside the sample well, where each measurement location is a center point of a capture range from which radiation is captured in the respective optical measurement. The final measurement result is formed from the results of the at least two optical measurements in accordance with a pre-determined rule. The use of the at least two optical measurements from different measurement locations reduces measurement variation in situations where the sample well (153) contains a piece (158) of sample carrier.

An evaluation method of a spheroid comprises specifying a spheroid region taken up by the spheroid out of the image including the spheroid and a surrounding region thereof, obtaining an average value of an optical density of the spheroid and a magnitude of a variation of the optical density in the spheroid from an image density of the spheroid region, obtaining a circularity of the spheroid from a contour of the spheroid region, obtaining a sharpness of the spheroid from the image densities of the spheroid and the surrounding region thereof, and obtaining the collapse degree of the spheroid by substituting the average value of the optical density, the magnitude of the variation of the optical density, the circularity and the sharpness into a predetermined operational expression.