An indicator of a first type and an indicator of a second type are attached to a unit of a chemical component in a sample to form a first multi-indicator complex. The first multi-indicator complex includes the unit of the chemical component, the indicator of the first type, and the indicator of the second type. The indicator of the first type and the indicator of the second type have different discernible characteristics. An image of the sample, including the first multi-indicator complex corresponding to the unit of the chemical component, is captured by an image sensor. Based on a first image of the sample, a count is generated of multi-indicator complexes that include an indicator of the first type and an indicator of the second type, including the first multi-indicator complex. Based on the count, a presence or a level of the chemical component in the sample is identified.

A fluorescence microscope, includes an optical system configured to collect fluorescent light emitted from different fluorophore species within a field of view and to focus the fluorescent light for detection, a spectral splitting arrangement configured to split the fluorescent light into at least two spectrally different fluorescent light components, a multi-channel detector system including at least two image sensors configured to detect at least two spatial light intensity distributions based on the at least two spectrally different fluorescent light components, each spatial light intensity distribution representing an image of the object over the field of view, and a processor configured to determine spatial distributions of the different fluorophore species based on a spectral unmixing analysis of each spatial light intensity distribution, wherein the processor is further configured to obtain compensation information and to determine a spatial distribution of each fluorophore species by taking into account the compensation information.

A sample analyzing method includes: denaturing DNA by heating a measurement specimen; bleaching the measurement specimen to inhibit autofluorescence from the measurement specimen; binding a fluorescent dye to a test substance in the measurement specimen; and capturing an image of fluorescence originated from the fluorescent dye by irradiating the measurement specimen with light. The DNA denaturation treatment is performed before the bleaching.

Disclosed herein are certain sets of antibody-fluorophore pairs comprising antibodies that specifically bind target antigens, the sets of antibody-fluorophore pairs thereby allowing visualization and quantification of a plurality of target antigens in a biological sample using multispectral tissue slide scanners. Also disclosed herein are methods of using such antibody-fluorophore pairs, and reagents related thereto.

Devices and methods for measuring the quantity of multiple analytes in a sample can include a device designed such that each of the analyte sensing elements is configured to measure the quantity of a predetermined analyte and machine executable instructions configured to select the proper analyte sensing element corresponding to the analyte to be measured.

A measuring apparatus includes a flow cell through which a sample containing particles flows, a light source for irradiating light on the sample flowing through the flow cell, a fluorescence detector for detecting the fluorescence generated from the sample irradiated with light from the light source, and a control unit for flowing a positive control sample containing a fluorescent dye through the flow cell, measuring the fluorescence generated from the positive control sample irradiated by the light from the light source via the fluorescence detector, comparing the obtained measurement value and a reference value, and adjusting the detection sensitivity of the fluorescence detector according to the comparison result.

An imaging system for cell-based therapies is provided. The imagining system includes one or more optical tags configured for insertion into a cell or biological tissue, an excitation light source configured to illuminate the one or more optical tags; a detector configured to measure optical emission of the one or more optical tags; an imaging subsystem configured to determine a three-dimensional location of each of the one or more optical tags in the cell or biological tissue; and a controller in electrical communication with the excitation light source, the detector, and the imaging subsystem. Each of the one or more optical tags has a contrasting feature and includes a fluorescent material. The contrasting feature may be defined by at least one of a refractive index, shape, color, and laser emission of each optical tag of the one or more optical tags.

A processor for demixing a fluorescent-light input signal of a fluorescence microscope, the fluorescent-light input signal including at least two fluorescence emission responses that overlap in time, each of the at least two fluorescence emission responses being representative of an individual impulse response of a fluorophore to a fluorescence-triggering light pulse of a clocked time series of fluorescence-triggering light pulses, the processor: receiving a trigger signal comprising a time series of time markers, the trigger signal being representative of a clocking rate, at which the clocked time series of fluorescence-triggering light pulses is generated; and separating at least one fluorescence emission response from the fluorescent-light input signal.

An optical discrimination apparatus adapted for use in PCR testing and the like. The apparatus includes a multi-color light emitter to emit excitation light, a sample holder configured to hold dye-marked nucleic acid fragments in a PCR solution at a position configured to receive the excitation light along a first direction, light emission collection optics configured to collect scattered excitation light and light emission (fluorescent emission) from the sample holder along a second direction that is approximately orthogonal to the first direction, a spectrally-dispersive element configured to spectrally disperse scattered light and emission light, and a spectral detector configured to receive the separated emission light and excitation light on different photosites of the spectral detector. Systems and methods are provided, as are other aspects.

Systems, methods, and devices are described herein for detecting and/or monitoring target extracellular vesicles (“EVs”), e.g., to detect and/or monitor cancer treatment, such as breast cancer, in a subject. The methods can include obtaining a nano-plasmonic array including nanostructures configured to amplify one or more specific wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, flowing a liquid sample over the nano-plasmonic array, optionally labeling target EVs captured on the nano-plasmonic array with one or more reporter groups, projecting electromagnetic radiation onto the labeled target EVs captured on the nano-plasmonic array, and capturing an image of the target EVs by receiving electromagnetic radiation emitted, scattered, or reflected by the labeled target EVs or by reporter groups on the labeled target EVs.