Abstract:
A reaction cartridge (10) for an automatic analysis apparatus having a plurality of reaction wells (16) having different reagents disposed thereon, at least one sample well (11a, 11b), a well (12) containing magnetically separable particles for binding the sample, a fluorophore containing well (13), and a wash area (15) for washing a probe.
Abstract:
Procédé de détection d'agglutination consistant à visualiser des puits de réaction contenant des éléments d'agglutination dans un appareil programmable à accès sélectif servant à effectuer des dosages par agglutination. Une image des éléments d'agglutination dans les puits de réaction est produite, accompagnée d'une analyse des transitions et des valeurs d'intensité sur des parties relatives de l'image et du fond, ce qui permet d'obtenir des valeurs d'intensité susceptibles d'être classifiées. Le procédé consiste à utiliser des courbes de données à partir d'un dérivé des valeurs plutôt que des intensités absolues, ce qui permet d'obtenir un algorithme d'évaluation basé sur la courbe des données totales. Le procédé de détection d'agglutination consiste à utiliser une caméra CCD pour produire une image de chaque puits d'une cartouche multipuits, et pour obtenir des données susceptibles d'être analysées à partir de l'appareil de détection d'images. L'appareil traite ensuite les données afin de produire une indication visuelle des résultats des analyses effectuées. Un micro-processeur est prévu pour faciliter le fonctionnement de l'appareil ainsi que la collecte et l'analyse des données de traitement d'images.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a device for obtaining images of bacterial cultures in a dish. The proposed device includes a support for a culture dish to be analyzed surrounded by an annular light emitting source facing an image capturing device and a non-reflective surface which, in conjunction with a reflective surface arranged in the periphery of the support, form a preferably spherical-shaped contrast observation chamber, providing a glare- and reflection-free, uniform tangent illumination of the support.
Abstract:
A stage assembly, an imaging system that uses the stage assembly, and methods for using the stage assembly in a high content screening system. The stage assembly includes a stage having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface and an opening extending between the top and bottom surfaces to receive a specimen plate. The stage assembly also includes a calibration sample bay formed in the stage. A calibration sample can also be secured within the calibration sample bay.
Abstract:
A device for analysing a specimen by fluorescence includes a confocal microscope, illumination means capable of emitting a light beam that converges, by means of an objective, on a focal spot, means for successively positioning the focal spot at various points on the specimen during analysis. The confocal microscope includes an objective mounted on a movable rapid-scan carriage driven in a reciprocating linear movement along a traverse direction by a rotating motor by means of a device of the connecting rod type. The specimen is placed on a movable support driven in a longitudinal movement and is able to move along the axis of the objective of the microscope in order to position the specimen relative to the focal spot. The excitation light spectrum is spread over the surface of the specimen in such a way that the excitation light reflected by the specimen and corresponding to the wavelengths close to fluorescence converge on points that are sufficiently distant from a diaphragm positioned in front of a device for measuring the fluorescence.
Abstract:
An apparatus is provided which includes a reaction cartridge having a plurality of reaction wells having different reagents disposed thereon, at least one well adapted to receive a sample, a well containing particles adapted to bind to the sample and which have the capability of being separated from cells which are not bound to the separation particles and at least one fluorophore adapted to bind to a specific type of cell in the sample, and a wash area adapted for washing a probe. An image forming device is provided to detect images which indicate whether specific reactions have occurred in each of the reaction wells. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for dispensing and aspirating liquids including a mechanism for detecting liquid levels. The device further includes logic for analyzing the information received from the image detection apparatus and processing the information to generate a visual indication of the results of the assays being performed. A microprocessor is provided to assist in the operation of the device as well as in the image processing.
Abstract:
A liquid dispensing mechanism (34) is provided which includes a dispensing probe having a tip (70) for dispensing liquid, a pump for collectively discharging fluid from the probe tip (70) in measured quantities such as droplets. The dispensing probe has the capability to detect droplet formation and droplet separation from the probe (70) through use of a radio-frequency signal (74, 76) to the probe tip (70) and a conductive element (72) connected to amplifying and analyzing circuitry (78, 80, 82, 84) disposed below the dispensing probe (70) and a reaction well (16) which contains a receiving fluid. The conductive element (72) also detects when the probe has been inserted into the receiving fluid.
Abstract:
A robotic microscope is provided for automation of microscopic analysis and testing. It consists of a specimen handling subsystem (M, N, O, P) for handling a sample of specimen to be analyzed, an imaging subsystem (F, G, I, K, L) for obtaining a magnified electronic image of specimen sample, and a control subsystem (A, B, C, D) for displaying the magnified electronic image of the specimen sample, wherein the operation of all three subsystems is controlled by a computer.