Systems and methods for optically processing samples

Abstract

A system for processing a sample includes a chamber having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, where the chamber is configured to accommodate flow of the sample from the at least one inlet toward the at least one outlet, and an imager array configured to image the flow of the sample in the chamber, where the imager array includes at least one lensless image sensor configurable opposite at least one light source.

1 . A system for processing a sample, the system comprising:
 a chamber having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, wherein the chamber is configured to accommodate flow of the sample from the at least one inlet toward the at least one outlet; and   an imager array configured to image the flow of the sample in the chamber, wherein the imager array comprises at least one lensless image sensor configurable proximate at least one light source.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is configured to accommodate a two-dimensional flow of the sample. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the imager array comprises a two-dimensional array of lensless image sensors. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber comprises a first surface and a second surface offset from the first surface, wherein at least one of the first surface and the second surface comprises an optically transparent material. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the first structure and the second structure is formed through planar processing. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first surface and the second surface are configured to flatten at least a portion of the sample. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of spacers disposed between the first surface and the second surface. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a light source, the imager array and the light source are opposing each other across the chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the imager array is embedded in a first structure having a first optically transparent portion adjacent the chamber, and the light source is embedded in a second structure having a second optically transparent portion adjacent the chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first structure and the second structure comprises a laminated stack of optically transparent layers. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the light source is configured to emit visible light. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the imager array is configured to generate shadow images of the flow of the sample. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the light source is configured to emit ultraviolet light and the imager array is configured to generate fluorescent images of the flow of the sample. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first structure and the second structure are integrally formed. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sample comprises at least one POD. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one POD comprises an analyte. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the analyte comprises at least one of the group consisting of: a cell, DNA, RNA, a nucleotide, a protein, and an enzyme. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one POD does not comprise an analyte. 
     
     
         19 . A system for processing a sample, the system comprising:
 a chamber defined at least partially by a first structure and a second structure opposing the first structure, each of the first and second structures having at least a portion that is optically transparent;   at least one light source embedded in the first structure and configured to emit light toward the chamber; and   an imager array embedded in the second structure and configured to image the chamber, wherein the imager array comprises at least one lensless image sensor.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the chamber is configured to accommodate a two-dimensional flow of the sample between at least one inlet and at least one outlet. 
     
     
         21 - 144 . (canceled)