Sample processing improvements for microscopy

Inventors

Fine, Alan Marc • Macaulay, Hershel • Hymes-Vandermeulen, Noah

Assignees

Alentic Microscience Inc

Abstract

Among other things, a first surface is configured to receive a sample and is to be used in a microscopy device. There is a second surface to be moved into a predefined position relative to the first surface to form a sample space that is between the first surface and the second surface and contains at least part of the sample. There is a mechanism configured to move the second surface from an initial position into the predefined position to form the sample space. When the sample is in place on the first surface, the motion of the second surface includes a trajectory that is not solely a linear motion of the second surface towards the first surface.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to contact microscopy using an apparatus that includes a movable body comprising a body surface and a base comprising a sample surface to receive a microscopy sample between the sample surface and the body surface. The body is configured to pivot about a pivot axis, and the body surface comprises a bounding perimeter having a pivot edge.

The pivot edge comprises a pivot portion and a non-pivot portion adjacent the pivot portion. The non-pivot portion forms at least part of a path for flow of the microscopy sample away from the sample surface towards the pivot axis when the body pivots about the pivot axis.

In the described system, chamber surfaces and spacing features define a controlled sample space for capillary filling, and non-linear trajectories such as arc trajectories with a pivot axis/alignment edge are used to move a chamber surface and promote uniform distribution for reproducible imaging. Imaging analysis is based on absorber concentration using pixel averaging and background estimation, combined with a modeled path length approach and Beer’s law, including corrections for deviations from uniformity and for lensing/scattering.

The described workflow also includes maintaining or controlling flow and settling after chamber closure using viscosity/density-thickening agents, and surface/sensor handling such as cleaning the sensor using a lint-free absorbent swab with compartments or microcapsules containing cleaning liquids. In blood-focused examples, the described approach includes concentrating white blood cells by controlled chamber height and spacer beads while maintaining red blood cell concentration.

Claims Coverage

The independent claim is clm-00001. The dependent claims listed refine clm-00001 with additional structural and functional limitations to define the pivot axis and flow path, specify the sample surface as an imaging sensor, and add alignment and mechanical motion features, yielding multiple inventive-feature variations within the same apparatus concept.

Across the independent claim and listed dependent refinements, the coverage centers on a pivoting body with a defined pivot edge whose non-pivot portion creates a flow path away from the sample surface toward the pivot axis, optionally specifying an imaging sensor sample surface and additional geometric, bearing, and alignment features (including recessed geometry, bearing-contact-defined pivot axis, partitioned pivot portions, and an alignment barrier).

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications