Substrates for performing quantification processes and related systems and methods
Substrates for performing quantification processes and related systems and methods are disclosed. In an implementation, an apparatus includes a substrate and an imaging system. The substrate includes a pair of plates and a plurality of spacers positioned between the plates to define a gap between the pair of plates. A portion of a sample is to be received within the gap of the substrate and the imaging system is to obtain image data of the portion of the sample. The image data is to be used to determine a concentration of the portion of the sample.
1 . An apparatus, comprising:
a contact dispenser;
a stage coupled to and used to move the contact dispenser;
a substrate comprising a pair of plates and a plurality of spacers positioned between the plates to define a gap between the pair of plates, wherein the substrate comprises an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the gap, the outlet opening downwardly to waste; and
an imaging system,
wherein, to perform a quantification process, the stage aligns the contact dispenser with the inlet of the substrate and the contact dispenser dispenses a portion of a sample into the inlet of the substrate, and wherein the imaging system is to obtain image data of the portion of the sample, the image data to be used to determine a concentration of the portion of the sample.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the spacers comprise ball bearings having opposing flat surfaces.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spacers comprises three spacers.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the gap is about 500 micrometers.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a channel is defined between the pair of plates.
6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the substrate further comprises a seal positioned between the pair of plates and defines the channel.
7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the seal is positioned around a perimeter of the pair of plates.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a mask.
9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the mask is an opaque mask.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein one of the pair of plates comprises the opaque mask and the opaque mask defines a window through which the imaging system is to obtain the image data of the portion of the sample.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of channels.
12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the inlet comprises a first inlet, and the substrate further comprises a second inlet and a third inlet in fluid communication with the gap.
13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a centrifugal pump to move the sample from the inlet to the outlet.
14 . A method, comprising:
performing a quantification process, comprising:
aligning a contact dispenser using a stage with a first plate of a substrate;
dispensing, using the contact dispenser, a sample onto the first plate of the substrate;
positioning a second plate of the substrate on the first plate and defining a gap between the first plate and the second plate using a plurality of spacers wherein the spacers comprise ball bearings having opposing flat surfaces;
obtaining image data of the sample; and
determining a concentration of the sample using the image data.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of spacers comprises three spacers.
16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising positioning a seal around a perimeter of the first plate and the second plate.
17 . A method, comprising:
performing a quantification process, comprising:
aligning a contact dispenser using a stage with an inlet of a channel of a substrate;
dispensing a sample in the inlet of the channel of the substrate using the contact dispenser;
obtaining image data of the sample;
determining a concentration of the sample using the image data; and
flowing the sample downwardly out of an outlet of the channel to waste.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein obtaining the image data comprises obtaining the image data through a window of the substrate.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the window comprises an unmasked region and wherein a masked region may surround the unmasked region.
20 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising dispensing a fluid into the channel to separate the sample and another sample.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the fluid comprises oil.
22 . The method of claim 20 , wherein dispensing the fluid into the channel comprises dispensing the fluid into a second inlet of the channel.
23 . The method of claim 17 , wherein flowing the sample out of the outlet of the channel comprises urging the sample out of the outlet of the channel using negative pressure.
24 . The method of claim 17 , wherein flowing the sample out of the outlet of the channel comprises urging the sample out of the outlet of the channel using a fluid.
25 . An apparatus, comprising:
a contact dispenser;
a stage coupled to and used to move the contact dispenser;
a substrate, comprising:
a channel including an inlet and an outlet; and
a valve disposed between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the channel comprises a first portion between the valve and the inlet and a second portion between the valve and the outlet; and
an imaging system,
wherein, to perform a quantification process, the stage aligns the contact dispenser with the inlet of the substrate and the contact dispenser dispenses a portion of a sample into the inlet of the substrate, and wherein the imaging system is to obtain image data of the portion of the sample, the image data to be used to determine a concentration of the portion of the sample.
26 . The apparatus of claim 25 , further comprising a pump to move the sample from the inlet to the outlet.
27 . An apparatus, comprising:
a substrate, comprising:
a channel including an inlet and an outlet; and
a valve disposed between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the channel comprises a first portion between the valve and the inlet and a second portion between the valve and the outlet;
a pump to move the sample from the inlet to the outlet; and
an imaging system,
wherein a portion of a sample is to be received within the first portion of the channel of the substrate and the imaging system is to obtain image data of the portion of the sample, the image data to be used to determine a concentration of the portion of the sample, wherein the pump comprises a plate comprising an axis of rotation and an actuator to rotate the plate, the substrate coupled to the plate and extending radially from the axis of rotation.
28 . The apparatus of claim 27 , further comprising a second substrate coupled to the plate and extending radially from the axis of rotation.
29 . The apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the plate comprises a first position and a second position, the substrate positioned at the first position and the second substrate positioned at the second position, the first position opposite the second position.