Hamilton-Thorn Research

Laura Thorn Ltd.

Hamilton Equine Associates Limited

Paul Boisseau

William Philip Nett

Thomas P Sosnowski

Paul R Loomis

An apparatus and method for determining motility and other characteristics of cells in a fluid medium employing both the scattering and transmission of light through that medium and the absorption of shorter wavelength light by the cell with subsequent emission of fluorescent light. Both forms of light are imaged on an image detection apparatus, the output of which is analyzed as a function of time to produce the information concerning the characteristics of the cell.

Fluorescence and motility characterization system for cells, bacteria,

A motility scanner and method are disclosed for characterizing the motion of sperm, bacteria, particles suspended in flowing fluids and the like. The motility scanner preferably is mounted as a portable unit in a container and includes an optical system, a source of illumination for the system, a heated specimen support disposed in the system, ratiation sensing means coupled to the system, signal processing means for analyzing signals generated by the radiation sensing means, and a front panel disposed on the container and featuring an output screen, a printer and controls required for operating the motility detector, including a power switch. A disposable specimen holder of unique design allows external loading thereof and its positioning on the heated specimen support. The source of illumination can be a conventional filament lamp or one or more LED's. Power for the motility scanner can be self contained by incorporating a battery pack within the container or it can be derived from a conventional 110 V.A.C. outside source via a cord and plug.

Motility scanner and method

An improved motility scanner is disclosed for characterizing the motion of sperm, bacteria, particles suspended in flowing fluids and the like. The motility scanner includes an improved optical system, a source of illumination for the system and radiation sensing means including electronic image reversal means coupled to the system. A disposable specimen holder allows external loading thereof and its positioning on a heated specimen support. The illumination source functions as a collimator in directing all of the emanating illumination onto the specimen. Both directly transmitted light and light scattered by the specimen are received by an imaging lens and are both focussed thereby onto pixels of a light sensitive device. A movable plate provided with a retarding member is designed to be located at the plane conjugate to the plane of the small source aperature. The directly transmitted light is transmitted through the retarding member and/or the attenuating member. The light scattered by the specimen, however, travels for the most part through the plate in areas not covered by the retarding and/or attenuating members.

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Waltham, MA, United States of America

Paul Boisseau