The present disclosure provides apparatuses, systems, and methods for performing particle analysis through flow cytometry at comparatively high event rates and for gathering high resolution images of particles.

An imaging flow cytometer includes at least one flow channel through which an observation target flows, a light source which irradiates the flow channel with sheet-like excitation light, an imaging unit which images a specific cross-section of the observation target by imaging fluorescence from the observation target having passed through a position irradiated with the excitation light, and a three-dimensional image generation unit which generates a three-dimensional image of the observation target as a captured image on the basis of a plurality of captured images obtained by cross-sectional imaging by the imaging unit.

A microfluidic chip configuration wherein injection occurs in an upwards vertical direction, and fluid vessels are located below the chip in order to minimize particle settling before and at the analysis portion of the chip's channels. The input and fluid flow up through the bottom of the chip, in one aspect using a manifold, which avoids orthogonal re-orientation of fluid dynamics. The contents of the vial are located below the chip and pumped upwards and vertically directly into the first channel of the chip. A long channel extends from the bottom of the chip to near the top of the chip. Then the channel takes a short horizontal turn that nearly negates any influence of cell settling due to gravity and zero flow velocity at the walls. The fluid is pumped up to a horizontal analysis portion that is the highest channel/fluidic point in the chip and thus close to the top of the chip, which results in clearer imaging. A laser may also suspend cells or particles in this channel during analysis which prevents them from settling.

Disclosed is a method of measuring red blood cell membrane fluctuations based on dynamic cell parameters using a digital holographic microscope; the method including a step of modeling the three-dimensional images of red blood cells to be measured, and a step of measuring red blood cell membrane fluctuations based on the three-dimensional images. According to this method, since the three-dimensional images of red blood cells to be measured are modeled and red blood cell membrane fluctuations are measured based on the three-dimensional images, red blood cell membrane fluctuations can be measured more easily.

An apparatus for obtaining a plurality of images of a sample includes a sample device suitable for holding a liquid sample; a first optical detection assembly including a first image acquisition device, the first optical detection assembly having an optical axis and an object plane, the object plane including an image acquisition area from which electromagnetic waves can be detected as an image by the first image acquisition device; one translation unit arranged to move the sample device and the first optical detection assembly relative to each other; and an image illumination device, wherein the apparatus is arranged to move the sample device and the first optical detection assembly relative to each other along a scanning path, which defines an angle theta relative to the optical axis, wherein theta is in the range of about 0.3 to about 89.7 degrees.

The apparati, methods, and computer program products disclosed herein can be used to nondestructively detect undissolved particles, such as glass flakes and/or protein aggregates, in a fluid in a vessel, such as, but not limited to, a fluid that contains a drug.

A method serves for determining particles (3), in particular bacteria in fluid and operates using an imaging optical device with a light source (1), with an optical sensor (4) with a field of light-sensitive pixels and with a fluid sample, which is to be examined, arranged between the light source (1) and the sensor (4). Characteristics of at least one particle (3), which is detected with regard to imaging, are compared to characteristics of a characteristics collection for determining the detected particle (3). The image acquisition is effected with darkfield technology and a light-sensitive pixel comprises several subpixels which are used for image acquisition.

A seed imaging system for imaging seeds includes a seed transfer station configured to move seeds through the system. An imaging assembly includes a first camera mounted relative to the seed transfer station and configured to acquire images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system. A second camera is mounted relative to the seed transfer station and is configured to acquire images of the seeds as the seeds move through the system. The second camera has an imaging modality different from an imaging modality of the first camera. First and second cameras may be disposed above and below the seed transfer stations, such as a transparent belt.

An imaging flow cytometer includes: a flow channel in which an observation object flows and a length in a width direction is longer than a length in a height direction; an acoustic element configured to apply acoustic waves as standing waves to the flow channel; a light source that irradiates the flow channel with illumination light; an image sensor configured to image at least a line included in a cross section of the observation object crossing a flow line direction which is a direction in which the observation object flows in the flow channel by measuring or imaging the observation object passing through a position irradiated with the illumination light; and circuitry configured to generate an image in which the observation object is scanned in the flow line direction on the basis of a plurality of captured images acquired by the imaging unit imaging the line in a time series.

Methods, devices, and systems for performing digital assays are provided. In certain aspects, the methods, devices, and systems can be used for the amplification and detection of nucleic acids. In certain aspects, the methods, devices, and systems can be used for the recognition, detection, and sizing of droplets in a volume. Also provided are compositions and kits suitable for use with the methods and devices of the present disclosure.