Sample processing and analysis methods and apparatus
Sample handling, processing and analysis methods and apparatus are described. According to one aspect, a sample processing method includes providing a sample, providing a reference frame which comprises a plurality of markers arranged in a predefined pattern, wherein individual ones of the markers are uniquely identifiable from others of the markers, and associating the reference frame comprising the markers with the sample. The markers are amenable to human or machine reading and for computational manipulation in some examples.
1. A sample processing method comprising:
providing a physical sample;
associating a reference frame with the sample, wherein the reference frame comprises a plurality of markers arranged in a predefined pattern and wherein individual ones of the markers are uniquely identifiable from others of the markers;
identifying a location of a target of the sample with respect to at least one of the markers;
storing the location of the target with respect to the at least one marker;
after the storing, locating the target within the sample using the stored location and the at least one marker; and
wherein the physical distance between the target and the at least one marker changes after the storing and before the locating.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the reference frame has a plurality of axes, and wherein the markers individually have a plurality of legs which are aligned with the axes and at least one flag, and wherein the legs and the at least one flag indicate the location of the individual marker with respect to the axes.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the markers comprise different and unique arrangements of components which identify the respective locations of the markers in the reference frame.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the markers comprise different numbers of components which identify the respective locations of the markers in the reference frame.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the markers include different arrangements of components which uniquely identify the markers.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the markers individually have a unique outline which uniquely identifies the individual marker.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising identifying locations within the sample using shapes of the markers.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the associating comprises providing the markers upon a surface of the sample.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the associating comprises extending the markers into the sample.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the reference frame has a plurality of sub-areas which individually comprise different ones of the markers, and the markers are configured to indicate which of the plurality of sub-areas they are located within.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the markers are configured to individually indicate their orientation within the reference frame.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the markers are configured to individually indicate their location within the reference frame.
13. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after the associating, using the markers to reconstruct the sample.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the markers are individually located a predefined distance from adjacent ones of the markers in the reference frame.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the markers have a base form and a plurality of flags which indicate locations of the markers in the reference frame.
16. An article of manufacture comprising non-transitory storage media configured to store programming configured to control processing circuitry to control the associating of claim 1 .
17. An instrument configured to perform the associating of claim 1 .
18. The method of claim 1 wherein the markers are arranged in the predefined pattern prior to the associating.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein the markers are arranged in the predefined pattern upon a substrate, and the associating comprises placing the sample upon the substrate.
20. The method of claim 1 wherein the associating comprises permanently associating the markers of the reference frame with the sample.
21. The method of claim 1 wherein the sample is one of a solid, particulate, powder, or liquid.
22. The method of claim 1 wherein the associating comprises contacting the markers with the sample which physically associates the markers with different portions of the sample.
23. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
placing an entirety of the sample upon a support surface of a substrate to associate the markers of the reference frame with the sample; and
using the substrate to support the entirety of the sample.
24. The method of claim 1 wherein the identifying comprises identifying using a first instrument, and the locating the target comprises locating using a second instrument.
25. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after the associating, using the markers to register the sample with respect to an instrument.
26. The method of claim 1 wherein the markers arranged in the predefined pattern individually correspond to respective unique coordinates of a coordinate system, and further comprising identifying the markers using the respective coordinates.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein the predefined pattern is a grid.
28. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a sample holder having a surface which includes the markers, and wherein the associating comprises providing the sample upon the surface of the sample holder.
29. The method of claim 28 wherein the markers comprise depressions within the surface of the sample holder.
30. The method of claim 28 wherein the markers comprise protrusions which extend outwardly from the surface of the sample holder.