Patent ID: 6446020
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method for calibrating the sample height of a sample in a chamber of a sample analyzer held within an imaging optical scanning instrument, said method comprising:a) providing said chamber for receiving a sample, in said sample analyzer; b) depositing a sample into said chamber wherein said sample contains a fluorescent dye; c) illuminating said sample with excitation light; d) scanning the sample with said instrument to detect the fluorescence from said sample; e) measuring fluorescence intensity values as a function of the focal plane position of the instrument relative to the sample; f) determining a characteristic width of the fluorescence intensity vs. focal plane position curve; g) calculating an approximate sample height from said characteristic width; h) calculating a corrected sample height value by taking into account the index of refraction of the sample; and i) obtaining the calibrated sample height.