METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUANTITATIVE MICROIMAGING

1 . An optical detection platform for assays comprising:

a solid state light source disposed in a fixed array with a solid state light sensor for assessing light and generating signals to be processed by one or more data analysis modules; and

a microfluidic sample chamber, wherein the sample chamber is adapted to contain a sample and is positioned to receive input light from the solid state light source and permit output light from the sample in the test chamber to be conveyed to the solid state light sensor.

2 . The optical detection platform of claim 1 , wherein the solid state light source comprises at least one LED.

3 . (canceled)

4 . (canceled)

5 . (canceled)

6 . The optical detection platform of claim 1 , wherein the planar semi-transparent LED is positioned between the microfluidic test sample chamber and the solid state light sensor.

7 . The optical detection platform of claim 1 , wherein the solid state light sensor is a CMOS image sensor.

8 . The optical detection platform of claim 1 , further comprising at least one optical filter.

9 . (canceled)

10 . The optical detection platform of claim 1 , wherein the signals are conveyed to the sensor by contact imaging.

11 . The optical detection platform of claim 1 , wherein the signals define a power spectrum and frequency or luminescence spectrum of the light received by the light sensor to provide for quantitation of assays conducted in the microfluidic test sample chamber.

12 . The optical detection platform of claim 1 , wherein the platform is lensless.

13 . The optical detection platform of claim 1 , wherein the platform further comprises at least one planar microlens array.

14 . The optical detection platform of claim 1 , wherein the micro fluidic test sample chamber is multichambered or disposable.

15 . (canceled)

16 . The optical detection platform of claim 1 , wherein the solid state light source and the solid state light sensor are powered and controlled by a combined power and data control cable.

17 . The optical detection platform of claim 1 , further comprising a microprocessor connected via the combined power and data control cable, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to collect, analyze and store results of assays conducted with the optical detection platform.

18 . The optical detection platform of claim 1 , wherein the optical detection platform is a portable hand-held platform.

19 . A method of performing a quantitative assay in an optical analyzer that comprises a microfluidic test sample chamber in operable communication with a solid state light source and a solid state light sensor comprising:

loading a test sample into the microfluidic test sample chamber;

illuminating the test sample with an input light from the solid state light source;

receiving an output light originating from the sample with the solid state light sensor; and

analyzing one or more parameters of the output light to quantitate characteristics of the sample.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the solid state light source is an LED and the solid state light sensor is a CMOS image sensor.

21 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the test sample comprises eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells and one or more of the cells are labeled with a quantum dot or other optical reporter.

22 . (canceled)

23 . (canceled)

24 . (canceled)

25 . The method of claim 21 wherein the analyzing is based on a measurement of a power spectrum of light emitted by the quantum dot or other optical reporter upon excitation by the input light.

26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the wavelength of the input light is shorter than the wavelength of the output light.

27 . A method of performing a quantitative assay in an optical analyzer that comprises a microfluidic sample chamber in operable communication with an LED and a CMOS image sensor comprising:

providing at least one quantum dot or other optical reporter conjugated to a recognition element that is specific for a cell marker;

loading a sample into the microfluidic sample chamber, wherein the sample comprises a population of mammalian cells that has been reacted with the at least one quantum dot or other optical reporter conjugated recognition element;

illuminating the test sample with an input light from the LED;

assessing an output light originating from the sample with the CMOS image sensor; and

analyzing one or more parameters of the output light to quantitate the cell marker in the sample.

28 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the cell marker is a tumor cell marker, a stem cell marker, a pathogen marker, or a T cell marker.

29 . (canceled)

30 . (canceled)

31 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the optical analyzer is a hand held analyzer.

32 . A method of screening an individual patient using an optical analyzer that comprises a microfluidic sample chamber in operable communication with an LED light source and a CMOS image sensor comprising:

collecting a biological sample from the patient;

loading the sample into the micro fluidic sample chamber;

illuminating the sample with an input light from the LED;

assessing with the CMOS image sensor an output light originating from the sample; and

analyzing one or more parameters of the output light to screen the patient.

33 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the sample comprises a sample of blood enriched for platelets that have been exposed to an anti-platelet drug.

34 . The method of claim 33 , wherein the sample is tested for plasmatic coagulation or cellular coagulation.

35 . (canceled)

36 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the parameter is light scattering.

37 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the optical analyzer is a hand held analyzer.

38 . A method of determining sensitivity of tumor cells for a potential biologic or chemotherapeutic drug using an optical analyzer that comprises a microfluidic sample chamber in operable communication with an LED light source and a CMOS image sensor comprising:

collecting a sample of tumor cells from a patient;

exposing the tumor cells with one or more potential therapeutic agents;

assaying the sensitivity of the tumor cells to the potential therapeutic agent by reacting the cells with one or more fluorescent markers of the status of the cell;

illuminating the exposed and reacted tumor cells in the sample chamber with an input light from the LED;

assessing light originating from the sample with the CMOS image sensor; and

analyzing one or more parameters of the light originating from the sample to determine the effect the potential therapeutic agent on the tumor cells.

39 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the fluorescent marker of cell status is a quantum dot or other optical reporter.

40 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the fluorescent marker of apoptosis cell viability is conjugated to an enzyme substrate.

41 . A method to assay point-of-care cells to be administered to a patient for a therapeutic purpose comprising;

loading a sample of cells into a microfluidic sample chamber;

illuminating the sample with a light from a solid state light source;

assessing light originating from the sample; and

analyzing one or more parameters of the light originating from the sample to quantitate characteristics of the sample.

42 . (canceled)

43 . (canceled)

44 . (canceled)

45 . The method of claim 41 , wherein the solid state light sensor is a CMOS sensor.

46 . (canceled)

47 . The method of claim 41 , wherein the analyzing of one or more parameters of the output light is performed by a computer in operable association with the light sensor and the computer provides a point-of-care read-out of a distribution of cell populations in the test sample.

48 . (canceled)

49 . A method of assessing a physiologic condition of a patient comprising; loading a biological sample from the patient into a disposable microfluidic test sample chamber;

illuminating the test sample with a light from a LED that is in operable communication with the sample chamber;

assessing an output light originating from the test sample with CMOS sensor; and

analyzing one or more parameters of the output light to quantitate characteristics of the sample.

50 . The method of claim 49 , wherein the physiologic condition is a coagulation state or a metabolic state.

51 . (canceled)

52 . The method of claim 49 , wherein the disposable microfluidic sample chamber has a test sample volume of less than 100 microliters.

53 . The method of claim 52 wherein the microfluidic sample chamber has a sample volume of less than one micro liter.

54 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the sample chamber is constructed to provide for simultaneous assay or two or more parameters.