Systems, devices and methods for analyzing and processing samples

Abstract

An example embodiment may include a hyperspectral analyzation subassembly configured to obtain information for a sample. The hyperspectral analyzation subassembly may include one or more transmitters configured to generate electromagnetic radiation electromagnetically coupled to the sample, one or more sensors configured to detect electromagnetic radiation electromagnetically coupled to the sample, and an electromagnetically transmissive window. At least one of the sensors may be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation from the sample via the window. The hyperspectral analyzation subassembly may include an analyzation actuation subassembly configured to actuate at least a portion of the hyperspectral analyzation subassembly in one or more directions of movement with respect to the sample.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hyperspectral analyzation subassembly configured to obtain information for a sample, the hyperspectral analyzation subassembly comprising:
 one or more transmitters to generate electromagnetic radiation electromagnetically coupled to the sample;   one or more sensors to detect electromagnetic radiation electromagnetically coupled to the sample;   an electromagnetically transmissive window to receive the sample, wherein at least one of the sensors detects electromagnetic radiation from the sample via the window; and   an analyzation actuation subassembly to actuate at least a portion of the hyperspectral analyzation subassembly in one or more directions of movement with respect to the sample.   
     
     
         2 . The hyperspectral analyzation subassembly of  claim 1 , wherein the analyzation actuation subassembly further comprises:
 a first actuator to actuate at least the portion of the hyperspectral analyzation subassembly in a first direction of movement;   a second actuator to actuate at least the portion of the hyperspectral analyzation subassembly in a second direction of movement; and   a third actuator to actuate at least the portion of the hyperspectral analyzation subassembly in a third direction of movement.   
     
     
         3 . The hyperspectral analyzation subassembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an optical multiplexer electromagnetically coupled to an objective, wherein the optical multiplexer directs electromagnetic radiation travelling between the sample and at least one of the one or more sensors and/or the one or more transmitters; and   an objective electromagnetically coupled between the window and the optical multiplexer, the objective focusing electromagnetic radiation travelling to or from the sample.   
     
     
         4 . The hyperspectral analyzation subassembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a computerized subassembly configured to one or more of:
 transmit power and/or control signals to the analyzation actuation subassembly to scan the sample; and   receive data from the hyperspectral analyzation subassembly to obtain information regarding the sample.   
     
     
         5 . The hyperspectral analyzation subassembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one of the transmitters includes a Raman laser source optically coupled to the sample; and   at least one of the sensors is a Raman spectrometer optically coupled to the sample.   
     
     
         6 . The hyperspectral analyzation subassembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the transmitters generates ultraviolet radiation directed at the sample. 
     
     
         7 . A system comprising the hyperspectral analyzation subassembly of  claim 1  coupled to a device configured to analyze one or more samples positioned in a sample tray, the device comprising:
 a tray holder configured to receive a sample tray including a plurality of wells, the sample tray configured to permit electromagnetic radiation to travel through the sample tray to one or more samples positioned inside of the wells; 
 a first actuator configured to actuate the tray holder in a first direction of movement; and 
 a second actuator configured to actuate the tray holder in a second direction of movement. 
 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising an electronic assembly electrically coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator, the electronic assembly configured to control the first actuator and the second actuator to position each of the wells of the sample tray with respect to the hyperspectral analyzation subassembly to scan the samples positioned inside of the wells. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the sample tray is removably positioned at least partially inside of the tray holder;   the samples are positioned on a first side of the sample tray; and   the hyperspectral analyzation subassembly analyzes the samples by transmitting electromagnetic radiation through an oppositely positioned second side of the sample tray.   
     
     
         10 . A system comprising the hyperspectral analyzation subassembly of  claim 1  coupled to a device configured to analyze fluid samples, the device comprising:
 a body defining an aperture; 
 a first window and a second window occluding the aperture and configured to permit electromagnetic radiation to travel through the aperture; 
 a chamber defined between the first window and the second window; 
 an inlet defined in the body and configured to permit fluid samples to enter the chamber; and 
 an outlet defined in the body and configured to permit fluid samples to exit the chamber. 
 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein a fluid sample is directed into the chamber through the inlet adjacent to the first window, the hyperspectral analyzation subassembly is functionally coupled to the chamber via one or more of the first window or the second window to analyze and/or process the fluid sample, and the fluid sample exits the chamber through the outlet. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising one or more valves configured to segment portions of the fluid sample. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a peristaltic pump fluidly coupled to the inlet and a plurality of conduits coupled to the outlet, wherein each of the plurality of conduits is sized and shaped for particles of a specified density. 
     
     
         14 . A system for analyzing a sample comprising:
 an objective;   a window configured to receive a sample;   a deformable member positioned between the window and the objective, the deformable member including a membrane defining a bladder filled at least partially with a fluid, the deformable member capable of deforming to permit the objective to move with respect to the window.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the deformable member and the window permit electromagnetic radiation to travel between the objective and the sample. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the deformable member is at least partially optically transparent and conveys electromagnetic radiation travelling to or from the sample. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the deformable member deforms to a shape corresponding to a space between the objective and the window. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the deformable member is capable of deforming to permit the objective to move with respect to the window in at least two directions of movement. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the membrane is a vulcanized silicone and the fluid is a silicone oil. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the deformable member is part of an array of deformable members configured to be used in analyzing a plurality of samples.