System for imaging captured cells

Abstract

A system for imaging captured cells comprising: an illumination module configured to illuminate a target object; a platform configured to position the target object in relation to the illumination module; a filter module configured to filter light transmitted to the target object and/or to filter light received from the target object, an optical sensor configured to receive light from the target object and to generate image data; and a focusing and optics module configured to manipulate light transmitted to the optical sensor. The system can further comprise one or more of: a control system configured to control at least one of the illumination module, the platform, the focusing and optics module, the filter module, and the optical sensor; a tag identifying system configured to identify and communicate tag information from system elements; a thermal control module configured to adjust temperature parameters of the system; and an image stabilization module.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a thermal control subsystem comprising:
 a platform configured to support a substrate, and 
 a heating element configurable to transfer heat to the substrate; and 
   an imaging subsystem comprising:
 a set of excitation filters, 
 a light source configured to transmit light toward an excitation filter of the set of excitation filters, 
 the excitation filter configured to receive light from the light source and transmit light from the light source toward the substrate, 
 a set of emission filters comprising an emission filter configured to receive light from the substrate and transmit light from the substrate toward a lens, 
 the lens configured to receive light from the emission filter and transmit light from the emission filter toward an optical sensor, 
 a platform control module configured to provide relative translation between components of the system and the platform along a direction perpendicular to a first axis perpendicular to a broad surface of the platform, to align the substrate with the light source, and 
 a filter actuator configured to rotate the emission filter about a second axis to position the emission filter to receive light from the substrate and to transmit light toward the lens; 
   wherein the system is transitionable between a first state in which the platform positions the substrate for interactions with the thermal control subsystem and a second state in which the platform positions the substrate for interactions with the imaging subsystem.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the platform comprises a retainer for the substrate, and wherein the substrate is configured to retain a material derived from a biological sample. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the substrate comprises a set of partitions for isolating and distributing the material. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating element of the thermal control subsystem transfers heat to the substrate by at least one of conduction and convection. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal control subsystem is configured to individually heat different regions of the substrate. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor, wherein the imaging subsystem, in coordination with the processor, is configured to detect excitation and fluorescence using the emission filter, the excitation filter, and the optical sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the set of excitation filters and the set of emission filters comprise filters for at least three of: HEX-based assays, FAM-based assays, ROX-based assays, and Cy5-based assays. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an optics manipulation module, said optics manipulation module comprising a lens actuator configured to translate the lens to facilitate focusing a material within a partition at the substrate. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a microarray. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a tissue-processing substrate. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the set of emission filters are arranged radially about the second axis. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal control subsystem further comprises a cooling element configured to modulate heat within the system. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the cooling element comprises a fan. 
     
     
         14 . A system comprising:
 a thermal control subsystem comprising:
 a platform, 
 a heating element, and 
 a cooling element; 
   an imaging subsystem comprising:
 a set of excitation filters, 
 a light source configured to transmit light toward an excitation filter of the set of excitation filters, 
 the excitation filter configured to receive light from the light source and transmit light from the light source toward the platform, 
 a set of emission filters comprising an emission filter configured to receive light from the platform and transmit light from the platform toward a lens, 
 the lens configured to receive light from the emission filter and transmit light from the emission filter toward an optical sensor, and 
 a platform control module configured to provide relative translation between components of the system and the platform to align the platform with the light source; and 
   a processor comprising a first module that coordinates actuation of the platform and the imaging subsystem, and a second module that controls motion of the lens to facilitate focusing.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the system is transitionable between a first state in which the thermal control subsystem is configurable to be in thermal communication with the platform and a second state in which the platform is positioned for interactions with the imaging subsystem. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the heating element of the thermal control subsystem transfers heat to the platform by conduction, and wherein the thermal control subsystem is configured for temperature generation and control through the heating element. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the imaging subsystem, in coordination with the processor, is configured to detect excitation and fluorescence using the emission filter, the excitation filter, and the optical sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the set of emission filters and the set of excitation filters comprise filters for: HEX-based assays, FAM-based assays, ROX-based assays, and Cy5-based assays. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the platform further configured to support a substrate, said substrate comprising an array of chambers configured to partition a sample.