The US Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent to BioTek Instruments Inc, Winooski, Vt, a provider of life science instrumentation, including advanced cell imaging systems, for the invention of an autofocus system for imaging, used in the company’s Cytation and Lionheart FX products. The patented method uses a custom laser-based cube configuration, enabling quick and reproducible focusing for many sample types. Additionally, as the autofocus method requires less time and sample exposure to light compared to other focus methods, phototoxicity and photobleaching of sensitive samples is reduced.
The patented laser autofocus method is available in BioTek’s Cytation cell imaging multimode readers, which combine automated digital microscopy and conventional multimode microplate detection for data-rich qualitative and quantitative data; and in the company’s Lionheart FX automated microscope, a fully-integrated digital microscopy system with environmental control for a wide range of cell biology applications. Existing Cytation and Lionheart instruments may be easily upgraded with the laser autofocus capability via the addition of the custom cube and software.
For more information, visit BioTek Instruments.
