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:
An apparatus is provided for moving a reaction cartridge (10) to different processing areas (36, 38, 42) of the apparatus. Robots (34, 40) for moving the reaction cartridge to the various areas (30, 32, 36, 38, 42, 46) of the apparatus. An image forming device (42) is provided to detect images which indicate whether specific reactions have occurred in reaction wells (16) of the reaction cartridge (10). The apparatus also includes a mechanism (36) for aspirating and dispensing liquids which includes a liquid level detecting mechanism (70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84). The device further includes a microprocessor and logic (44) for controlling the apparatus operation and analyzing the information received from the image forming device (42) to generate a visual indication of assay results.
Abstract:
A device for analysing a specimen by fluorescence comprises 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 (21) during analysis. The confocal microscope includes an objective mounted on a movable rapid-scan carriage driven in a reciprocating linear movement along a transverse direction by a rotating motor by means of a device of the connecting rod type. The specimen (21) is placed on a movable support (20) 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 (21) 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:
Appareil assurant le transfert d'une cartouche de réaction (10) vers différentes zones de traitement (36, 38, 42). Des dispositifs automatiques (34, 40) assurent le transfert de la cartouche de réaction vers différentes zones de l'appareil (30, 32, 36, 38, 42, 46). Un dispositif de formation d'image (42) détecte des images indiquant si telle réaction s'est produite dans tel puits de réaction (16) de la cartouche de réaction (10). L'appareil comporte également un dispositif (36) d'aspiration et de distribution des liquides assorti d'un sytème de détection du niveau de liquide (70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84). L'appareil comporte en outre un micro-processeur et une logique (44) de contrôle de fonctionnement et d'analyse des informations reçues du dispositif de formation d'image (42) afin de produire une indication visuelle des résultats des analyses.
Abstract:
A stain discriminating apparatus in which light rays having at least one light component having a wavelength in a predetermined range is projected to a cell sample (2) to discriminate the staining method by which the cell sample has been stained on the basis of the light intensity of the light component transmitted through the sample and having the wavelength (530 nm) in the predetermined range. An automatic cell sample classifying apparatus in which a plurality of cell sample slides (2) are sequentially fed to the stain discriminating apparatus (6) to determine the staining method by which the cell samples have been stained, respectively. One of the examination/classification programs previously stored in a memory (82) is read out according to the staining method as discriminated and the cell samples are processed in accordance with the program as read out.
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:
Un dispositif d'analyse d'un échantillon par fluorescence comporte un microscope confocal, des moyens d'illumination aptes à émettre un faisceau lumineux convergeant au moyen d'un objectif en un point de focalisation, des moyens pour positionner successivement le point de focalisation en différents points de l'échantillon (21 ) en cours d'analyse. Le microscope confocal comporte un objectif monté sur un chariot mobile de balayage rapide entraîné dans un mouvement linéaire alternatif suivant une direction transversale par un moteur rotatif au moyen d'un dispositif de type bielle manivelle. L'échantillon (21 ) est placé sur un support mobile (20) entraîné suivant un déplacement longitudinal et est mobile suivant l'axe de l'objectif du microscope pour assurer le positionnement de l'échantillon par rapport au point focal. Le spectre de la lumière d'excitation est étalé à la surface de l'échantillon (21 ) de telle sorte que la lumière d'excitation réfléchie par l'échantillon et correspondant à des longueurs d'onde proche de la fluorescence converge en des points suffisamment distants d'un sténopé positionné devant un capteur de mesure de la fluorescence.
Abstract:
A method is provided for auto-positioning auto-focusing reaction wells for optically imaging purposes within a programmable random access automated apparatus for performing assays wherein the apparatus includes a reaction cartridge (10) having a plurality of reaction wells requiring precision location of the reaction wells (16) within an image allowing accurate transfer of the optical images to a logic system for analyzing the optical information. The optical imaging system (185) provides a generated visual indication of the results of the assays being performed. A micro processor is provided to assist in the operation of the apparatus as well as the imaging processing.
Abstract:
A method is provided for auto-positioning auto-focusing reaction wells for optically imaging purposes within a programmable random access automated apparatus for performing assays wherein the apparatus includes a reaction cartridge (10) having a plurality of reaction wells requiring precision location of the reaction wells (16) within an image allowing accurate transfer of the optical images to a logic system for analyzing the optical information. The optical imaging system (185) provides a generated visual indication of the results of the assays being performed. A micro processor is provided to assist in the operation of the apparatus as well as the imaging processing.
Abstract:
A method for agglutination detection using optical imaging of reaction wells containing agglutination objects in a programmable random access automated apparatus for perforing agglutination assays is provided. An image of the agglutination objects in the reaction wells is taken with analyzation of the intensity values and transitions through relative portions of the image and background which provides intensity values suitable for classifying. The method utilizes slope information from a derivative (Fig. 34 A-E, second row) rather than absolute intensities, thus allowing scoring algorithm based on slope total information. The agglutination detection method uses a CCD camera to take an image at each well (Fig. 34 A-E, first row) of a multiple well cartridge, thus providing information suitable for analyzing from the image detection apparatus, the apparatus processes the information to generate a visual indication of the results of the assays being performed. A micro-processor is provided to assist in the operation of the apparatus as well as the image processing data collection and analysis.