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.

In an optical-based sample analysis, for example fluorescence-based or absorbance-based measurement, a selection is made between a first excitation light path and a second excitation light path. The first excitation light path directs excitation light from a light source, through an excitation monochromator, through an excitation filter, and to a sample. The second excitation light path directs excitation light from the light source, through the excitation filter, and to the sample while bypassing the excitation monochromator. Excitation light generated by the light source is transmitted along either the first excitation light path or the second excitation light path in accordance with the selection made, thereby irradiating the sample. In response the sample produces emission light (transmitted light in the case of absorbance measurements), which is transmitted to and measured by a light detector.

A microplate reader includes a plurality of sets of: a light emitting portion disposed on one side of a microplate and corresponding to one well of the microplate; a light receiving portion disposed on an opposite side to the light emitting portion across the microplate and corresponding to one well of the microplate; and a light receiving light guide path disposed between the light receiving portion and the microplate and guiding light emitted from the light emitting portion and passing through a sample contained in the well to the light receiving portion. The microplate reader further includes a light guiding section configured to enclose a plurality of the light receiving light guide paths by an enclosure member made of a pigment-containing resin containing a pigment having a light-absorbing property. Light emitted from one light emitting portion passing through one light receiving light guide path and reaching one light receiving portion.

The invention generally relates to methods for quantifying an amount of enzyme molecules. Systems and methods of the invention are provided for measuring an amount of target by forming a plurality of fluid partitions, a subset of which include the target, performing an enzyme-catalyzed reaction in the subset, and detecting the number of partitions in the subset. The amount of target can be determined based on the detected number.

A super resolution microscope system is disclosed and described. The system can include a sample stage (180) adapted to receive a sample (185) including probe molecules. At least one light source (105) is provided to produce a coherent excitation light to excite the probe molecules and cause luminescence of the probe molecules. An image detector (100) can detect the luminescence from the probe molecules. A microlens array (125) can be positioned in a beam path (110) of the coherent light from the at least one light source (105). The beam path (110) of the coherent light extends between the light source (105) and the sample stage (180). The microlens array (125) can also be positioned in a beam path (112) of the luminescence from the probe molecules. The beam path (112) of the luminescence extends between the sample stage (180) and the image detector (100).

The invention generally relates to methods for quantifying an amount of enzyme molecules. Systems and methods of the invention are provided for measuring an amount of target by forming a plurality of fluid partitions, a subset of which include the target, performing an enzyme-catalyzed reaction in the subset, and detecting the number of partitions in the subset. The amount of target can be determined based on the detected number.

An orientation characteristic measurement system includes an irradiation optical system, a detection optical system, a light detector, a rotation mechanism changing an angle (ϕ) between a surface of the sample and an optical axis (L2) of the detection optical system, and a computer, and the computer includes a rotation mechanism control unit controlling the rotation mechanism, a distribution acquisition unit normalizing an angle-dependent distribution of light intensity to acquire an angle-dependent distribution of light intensity, an area specifying unit specifying light intensity in a maximum area on the basis of the angle-dependent distribution of the light intensity, and a parameter calculation unit calculating the orientation parameter (S) on the basis of a linear relationship determined using the film thickness and refractive index of the sample and the light intensity in the maximum area.

Systems and methods for three-dimensional fluorescence polarization excitation that generates maps of positions and orientation of fluorescent molecules in three or more dimensions are disclosed.

A microdevice includes: a microchannel to which a measurement target solution containing a measurement target substance is introduced; an antibody being fixed to at least one sidewall surface of the microchannel and specifically binding to the measurement target substance; a fluorescence-labeled derivative being specifically bound to the antibody and being acquired by fluorescence-labeling the measurement target substance; and a light blocker blocking excitation light exciting fluorescent light radiated by the fluorescence-labeled derivative. The measurement target substance and the fluorescence-labeled derivative specifically bind to the antibody in a competitive manner, and the antibody is fixed to the sidewall surface of the microchannel in a state of specifically binding to the fluorescence-labeled derivative. The light blocker blocks the excitation light entering the fluorescence-labeled derivative specifically binding to the antibody.

A method for detecting damage to a converter device of a lighting apparatus is provided. The method may include irradiating the converter device with input light, detecting a useful light portion emitted principally by a first section of the converter device by means of a first sensor element. A first detection signal is obtained, detecting a useful light portion emitted principally by a second section of the converter device, said second section being different than the first section, by means of a second sensor element. A second detection signal is obtained. The method further may include automatically obtaining damage information about the converter device from a ratio or a difference of the first detection signal with respect to either the second detection signal or a comparison signal formed therefrom.