Diagnostic apparatus
An automated microscope apparatus comprises an outer housing having an external wall; optionally but preferably an internal wall in the housing configured to form a first compartment and a separate second compartment in the outer housing; a microscope assembly in the housing (preferably in the first compartment); a microprocessor in the housing (preferably in the second compartment), and (optionally but preferably) a heat sink mounted on the housing external wall, preferably adjacent the second compartment, with the microprocessor thermally coupled to said heat sink and operatively associated with the microscope assembly. Systems and methods employing the same are also described, along with component parts thereof.
1. A microscope assembly for use in an automated portable microscope apparatus, comprising: a support frame; a subframe; a plurality of vibration isolators mounted between said support frame and said subframe such that said plurality of vibration isolators are configured to vibrationally isolate said subframe from said support frame; an XYZ stage configured to support a sample cartridge, the XYZ stage being mounted at a first mounting position on the subframe; an optical unit mounted on the subframe at a second mounting position, the optical unit being configured to support microscope optical components, and wherein the first mounting position is spaced apart from the second mounting position; and an XYZ drive interconnecting said XYZ stage to said subframe, wherein the XYZ drive is rigidly mounted to the subframe, wherein said XYZ drive comprises a plurality of linear rails mounted to said subframe and said XYZ stage.
2. The microscope assembly of claim 1 , said XYZ stage configured to receive a sample cartridge having an end portion, a pair of generally parallel opposing side edge portions, and a locking edge portion formed thereon; said XYZ stage comprising:
a base member having a planar stage surface portion;
a pair of generally parallel oppositely facing guide members on said planar stage surface and configured for slideably receiving said cartridge therebetween;
a locking member on said planar stage surface portion and positioned to press against the sample cartridge locking edge portion when said sample cartridge is inserted between said guide members, so that pressure is exerted by said lock member through said sample cartridge against at least one of said guide members, whereby the cartridge is removably locked in place on the XYZ stage in the Z plane.
3. The microscope assembly of claim 1 , wherein the XYZ stage is configured to receive a sample cartridge that is removably inserted into or engaged by the XYZ stage.
4. The microscope assembly of claim 1 , further comprising optical components mounted on the subframe.
5. The microscope assembly of claim 4 , wherein the optical components comprise a light source, a beam splitter, a camera and an objective lens that are configured so that light from the light source is directed onto the sample cartridge and light emitted or fluoresced from the sample cartridge is directed to the camera.
6. The microscope assembly of claim 5 , wherein the optical components further comprises filters provided between the camera and beam splitter and between the light source and beam splitter, the filters being configured to filter wavelengths of light that are directed to the sample cartridge and to filter wavelengths of light that are directed to the camera, respectively.
7. The microscope assembly of claim 6 , further comprising a controller configured to control one or more of the optical components and the XYZ drive assembly.
8. The microscope assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of vibration isolators define opposing first and second sides, wherein the XYZ stage is on the first side and the optical unit is on the second side and the XYZ stage is rigidly connected to the optical unit.
9. The microscope assembly of claim 8 , wherein the subframe extends between the first and second sides defined by the plurality of vibration isolators.
10. The microscope assembly of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of vibration isolators comprise a plurality of annular vibration isolators.