Integrated calibration sample bay for fluorescence readers
AssigneeCellomics, Inc.
InventorsRichard C. Salisbury, Dirk John VandenBerg, III, Kim Anthony Ippolito
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Abstract
A stage assembly, an imaging system that uses the stage assembly, and methods for using the stage assembly in a high content screening system. The stage assembly includes a stage having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface and an opening extending between the top and bottom surfaces to receive a specimen plate. The stage assembly also includes a calibration sample bay formed in the stage. A calibration sample can also be secured within the calibration sample bay.
Claims23
A stage assembly for use in a high content screening system, the stage assembly comprising:
- a stage having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, the stage bounding an opening extending between the top and bottom surfaces;
- a specimen plate holder removably positioned within the opening, the specimen plate holder being configured to receive a microtiter plate holding a plurality of biological cells;
- a calibration sample bay formed on the stage at a location spaced apart from the opening;
- and
- a calibration sample removably secured within the calibration sample bay, the calibration sample being comprised of a fluorescent material.
A method of using an imaging system for high content screening of biological cells, the method comprising:
- moving a stage assembly of an imaging system to a first position in which a well is aligned with an objective of the imaging system to allow an image to be captured of biological material disposed within the well, the well being disposed within a microtiter plate removably disposed on a specimen plate holder which is removably positioned on the stage assembly;
- and
- moving the stage assembly to a second position in which a calibration sample bay is aligned with the objective to allow an image to be captured of a calibration sample disposed within the calibration sample bay, the calibration sample bay being formed on the stage assembly and spaced apart from the specimen plate.
A method of calibrating an imaging system used for high content screening of biological cells, the method comprising:
- positioning a calibration sample in a calibration sample bay of a stage assembly of an imaging system, the calibration sample bay being spaced apart from an opening in the stage assembly configured to receive a microtiter plate;
- moving the stage assembly so that the calibration sample bay is aligned above an objective of the imaging system;
- capturing an image of the calibration sample disposed within the calibration sample bay using the objective;
- processing the captured image to determine calibration results;
- and
- adjusting system parameters of the imaging system based on the calibration results.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.