A method for analysing a biological sample by means of an analysis instrument, the sample including biological agents and being arranged in an analysis receptacle in view of a holographic imaging system, the method including: acquiring a holographic image of the sample, the holographic image associating an intensity value with each pixel, determining, from the image acquired, an image mask which associates an active or inactive state with each pixel in accordance with the intensity values so that an inactive state is associated with pixels which correspond to artefacts caused by elements present in the field of view other than biological agents, determining a value of at least one biomass parameter which represents the quantitative spatial distribution of biological agents in the field of view, using only the pixels of the holographic image having an active state, and supplying the value of the biomass parameter from the analysis results.

Flow cells and corresponding methods are provided. The flow cells may include a support frame with top and back sides, and at least one cavity extending from the top side. The flow cells may include at least one light detection device with an active area disposed within the at least one cavity. The flow cells may include a support material disposed within the at least one cavity between the support frame and the periphery of the at least one light detection device coupling them together. The flow cells may include a lid extending over the at least one light detection device and coupled to the support frame about the periphery of the at least one light detection device. The lid and at least a top surface of the at least one light detection device form a flow channel therebetween.

An analysis device includes an analysis unit configured to receive scattered light, transmitted light, fluorescence, or electromagnetic waves from an observed object located in a light irradiation region light-irradiated from a light source and analyze the observed object on the basis of a signal extracted on the basis of a time axis of an electrical signal output from a light-receiving unit configured to convert the received light or electromagnetic waves into the electrical signal.

A method of detecting particles, e. g. proteins, after separation of particles based on their specific features, e.g. charge, size, shape, density, as series of single light scattering events created by the individual particles is described. The particles are separated from each other along the separation path and particles have specific arrival times at the target side depending on the particle features. The detecting step comprises an interferometric sensing of the light scattered at individual particles bound or transient in the detection volume. Parameters of the scattering light signals e.g. the interferometric contrast are analyzed for obtaining specific particle features, e.g. size, mass, shape, charge, or affinity of the particles. Furthermore, a detection apparatus being configured for detecting particles is described.

Flow cells and corresponding methods are provided. The flow cells may include a support frame with top and back sides, and at least one cavity extending from the top side. The flow cells may include at least one light detection device with an active area disposed within the at least one cavity. The flow cells may include a support material disposed within the at least one cavity between the support frame and the periphery of the at least one light detection device coupling them together. The flow cells may include a lid extending over the at least one light detection device and coupled to the support frame about the periphery of the at least one light detection device. The lid and at least a top surface of the at least one light detection device form a flow channel therebetween.

Disclosed are methods, devices, systems and applications for camera-less, high-throughput three-dimensional imaging of particles in motion. In some aspects, a system includes a particle motion device to allow particles to move along a travel path; an optical illumination system to produce an asymmetric illumination area of light in a region of the travel path of a particle that scans over a plurality of sections of the particle at multiple time points while the particle is moving; an optical detection system optically interfaced with the particle motion device to obtain optical signal data associated with different parts of the particle corresponding to the particle's volume during motion in the travel path; and a data processing unit to process the optical signal data obtained by the optical detection system and produce data including information indicative of 3D features of the particle.

Flow cells and corresponding methods are provided. The flow cells may include a support frame with top and back sides, and at least one cavity extending from the top side. The flow cells may include at least one light detection device with an active area disposed within the at least one cavity. The flow cells may include a support material disposed within the at least one cavity between the support frame and the periphery of the at least one light detection device coupling them together. The flow cells may include a lid extending over the at least one light detection device and coupled to the support frame about the periphery of the at least one light detection device. The lid and at least a top surface of the at least one light detection device form a flow channel therebetween.

A sensor arrangement characterizes particles. The arrangement has an emitter with a laser source that generates a laser beam; a mode converter that generates a field distribution of the laser beam, which at each position has a different combination of a local intensity and a local polarization direction of the laser beam; and focusing optics that focus the field distribution of the laser beam onto at least one measurement region, through which the particles pass, in a focal plane. A receiver is also provided with analyzer optics configured to determine polarization-dependent intensity signals of the field distribution of the laser beam in the at least one measurement region; and an evaluator configured to characterize the particles, including the particle position, the particle velocity, the particle acceleration, or the particle size, using the polarization-dependent intensity signals.

A sensor arrangement characterizes particles. The arrangement has an emitter with a laser source that generates a laser beam; a mode converter that generates a field distribution of the laser beam, which at each position has a different combination of a local intensity and a local polarization direction of the laser beam; and focusing optics that focus the field distribution of the laser beam onto at least one measurement region, through which the particles pass, in a focal plane. A receiver is also provided with analyzer optics configured to determine polarization-dependent intensity signals of the field distribution of the laser beam in the at least one measurement region; and an evaluator configured to characterize the particles, including the particle position, the particle velocity, the particle acceleration, or the particle size, using the polarization-dependent intensity signals.

Methods and devices are provided for use with a biological sample, wherein in one example, the device comprising a sample holder and an excitation source for providing excitation energy into the light conduit towards the sample holder. In one embodiment, the device comprises an imaging cytometer. Optionally, the device comprises a flow cytometer. Optionally, a light conduit comprises an optical fiber. Optionally, the optical fiber has an outer cross-sectional shape different from an inner optical core cross-sectional shape.