Abstract:
An active pixel sensor for use in ambient light conditions together with a controlled light source, the sensor producing a difference signal which is indicative of the intensity of light incident on the sensor from the controlled light source. The sensor operates in two phases and includes a photodetector coupled to processing circuitry coupled to storage circuitry. In the first phase, the photodetector generates an ambient light signal and the processing circuitry memorises the ambient light signal. In the second phase the photodetector generates a total light signal, the processing circuitry subtracts the stored memorised ambient light signal from the total light signal to produce the difference signal, and the storage circuitry stores the difference signal. The sensor alternates between the first and second phases in response to receiving a strobing signal, the strobing signal and the controlled light source being synchronised.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for referencing fluorescence signals and/or calibration of fluorescence detection systems, whereby the device comprises an essentially non-fluorescing support, on which are applied polymer layers in several defined regions and with partly varying thicknesses and/or compositions. Said polymer layers are applied to the support such as to fluoresce after corresponding irradiation and the device may thus be used as a fluorescence standard. The invention further relates to a method for the production of said fluorescence standards.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a thermally stable reference member comprising, at least one radiation attenuating element and at least one radiation scattering element. The radiation attenuating element comprising at least one aperture for transmission of radiation therethrough. The attenuating and scattering elements placed in series so that radiation transmitted through the reference member passes through each of the attenuating and scattering elements. The attenuating and scattering elements of the reference member may further comprise a thermally stable mount to hold the elements in a selected position relative to each other, and in relation to an instrument, or the elements may be bonded together. The radiation attenuating element may be comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of INVAR, tungsten, brass, and a material substantially non-transparent for incident radiation, and the radiation scattering element may be comprised of a radiation scattering material selected from the group consisting of opalescent glass, SPECTRALON, PTFE, ZERODUR, fused silica, quartz, sapphire, diamond, and a transparent material with essentially low thermal expansion.
Abstract:
An aspect of the invention relates to a calibration standard for a three-dimensional measurement system and various calibration methods and techniques. The calibration standard typically includes a calibration standard surface and a plurality of optical targets. The optical targets being are affixed to the calibration standard surface and define a three-dimensional distribution of optical reference points. The optical targets can be serve as active, passive calibration targets, or combinations of both. In one embodiment, the optical targets include an optical source and a diffusing target, and each of the optical sources are configured to illuminate the respective diffusing target. The optical targets can be removably affixed to the calibration standard surface.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an artificial member (80, 210) which mimics the absorbance spectrum of a body part and includes the spectral components of blood analytes. The artificial member comprises a light scattering and reflecting material, and has a chamber portion comprising one or more chambers (90, 100, 220). The artificial member is configured to be reproducibly received in a measuring receptor which receptor is operatively connected to a non-invasive monitoring device.
Abstract:
A roundness calibration device includes a ring or plug gauge with a wall defining an arcuate surface traversable by a sensing probe. A protuberance, typically in the form of a piston, is displaceably mounted in a radial bore in the wall. A displacement device adjusts the amount of protrusion of said protuberance to locally, radially modify the arcuate surface. A calibrated measuring device accurately determines the amount of protrusion.
Abstract:
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the related art by providing a spatial reference system that includes at least one artifact assembly. The artifact assembly has a measuring bar assembly including an inner member with a proximate end and a distal end, an outer member with a proximate end and a distal end, and a compensating member with a proximate end and a distal end operatively disposed between said inner and said outer members. The distal end of the outer member is fixedly mounted to the distal end of the compensating member. The proximate end of the compensating member is fixedly mounted to the proximate end of the inner member. The inner and the outer members each have a predetermined length and a predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion and the compensating member has a predetermined length and a predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion, such that the thermal expansion of the inner and the outer members is substantially eliminated by the expansion of the compensating member.
Abstract:
A method for checking the operation of a laboratory instrument used in biochemistry by means of an individual test plate (10) by comparing measured values of sample units (20, 21) placed in the wells (12) of the frame plate (11) to previously known measured values verified by a reference device. The sample unit (20) placed in the frame plate (11) of the test plate (10) is a teflon plastic cup (22) provided with an aluminum cover (23), the sample material (24) in powdery form being placed in said cup, or an optical filter (21), which is locked in place by means of a locking spring ring (25).