Fiber Optic Interrogated Microslide, Microslide Kits and Uses Thereof

• US 20090161100A1
• Filed: 11/08/2006
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Incom, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Incom, Inc.
• Inventors: Stowe, David W., Minot, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US12/084,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20090161100A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/244
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/34 Microscope slides, e.g. mounting specimens on microscope slides
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/06 the relative position of the fibres being the same at both ends, e.g. for transporting images

Abstract

The present invention provides a substrate that overcomes the performance limitations of conventional microscope slides, microarrays, or microtiter plates when optically interrogated through the thickness of the substrate. With conventional microscope slides, image quality and resolution are degraded as a result of distortions introduced by imaging through the thickness of the glass. Fiber Optic Interrogated Microslides (FOI) consist of many fiber optics that have been fused together. When sliced and polished to form microscope slides, the fibers effectively transfer optical images from one surface of the microslide to the other. The finished microslide is the optical equivalent of a zero thickness window. The image of an object on the top surface is transferred to the bottom surface allowing it to be viewed without focusing through the thickness of the slide. In addition to providing improved image quality, FOI microslides allow objects to be directly imaged without complex and expensive focusing optics.

Claims

1. A fiber optic interrogated microslide having zero thickness optical equivalence, the microslide comprising:

a substrate comprising an upper surface and a lower surface; and

a plurality of optic fibers integrally disposed in the substrate, plural optic fibers optically coupling the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate, wherein optically coupling the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate provides for substantially zero thickness optical interrogation.

2. The microslide of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate are substantially parallel.

3. The microslide of claim 1, wherein the fibers are essentially parallel to one another.

4. The microslide of claim 1, wherein the fibers are essentially normal to the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate.

5. The microslide of claim 1, wherein the fibers form a taper or an inverter.

6. The microslide of claim 1, further comprising a chemically modified surface of the substrate.

7. The microslide of claim 6, wherein the chemical modification is the covalent addition of an amino group, an epoxy group, or an aldehyde group.

8. The microslide of claim 7, further comprising a covalently bound peptide, polypeptide, oligonucleotide, or polynucleotide.

9. The microslide of claim 8, wherein the polypeptide is an immunoglobulin or fragment thereof.

10. The microslide of claim 8 comprising an array of covalently bound oligonucleotides or polynucleotides having sequences representative of genomic DNA isolated from a cell or organism.

11. The microslide of claim 8 comprising an array of covalently bound oligonucleotides or polynucleotides suitable for use in nucleic acid sequencing.

12. The microslide of claim 1, wherein at least one surface of the substrate is passivated.

13. The microslide of claim 12, wherein the passivation is by a coating deposited by vacuum evaporation, sputtering, laser ablation, reactive ion platting, plasma enhanced deposition, organo-metallic dipping, spraying or a combination thereof.

14. A system for zero thickness optical interrogation of a sample, the system comprising:

the fiber optic interrogated microslide of claim 1;

a sample disposed on a surface of the substrate of said microslide, whereby a means for viewing the sample from an opposite surface experiences optical coupling of the surfaces of the substrate providing for substantially zero thickness optical interrogation of the sample.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising an imaging device for viewing the sample.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the imaging device is selected from the group consisting of a microscope, a camera, and a sensor array.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the microslide serves as the faceplate for a charge coupled device camera.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the microslide is a taper or an inverter.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the microslide forms the base of a cell culture vessel suitable for use with an inverted microscope.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the microslide provides for greater light collection efficiency to optically interrogate the sample compared to using a plate glass substrate.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein the microslide provides for greater resolution to optically interrogate the sample compared to using a plate glass substrate.

22. The system of claim 14, wherein the microslide provides for less chromatic dispersion to optically interrogate the sample compared to using a plate glass substrate.

23. The system of claim 14, capable of monitoring a chemical reaction in the sample.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the chemical reaction results in chemiluminescence.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the chemical reaction results in binding of a labeled moiety to the substrate.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the labeled moiety is fluorescent, radioactive, or possesses enzyme activity.

27. The system of claim 14, further comprising a split pen printing device.

28. A kit comprising:

the microslide of claim 1; and

a reagent to be disposed on a surface of the substrate.

29. The kit of claim 28, wherein the reagent comprises one or more of pharmaceutical compounds, genomic components, metallic components, metals, polymeric components, polymers, polyether, ether, ketones, polyimides, epoxies, nylons, homopolymers, heteropolymers, polycarbonates, glass, acetal polymers, acrylate polymers, methacrylate polymers, copolymers, terpolymers, cellulosic polymers, cellulose acetates, cellulose nitrates, cellulose propionates, cellulose acetate butyrates, cellophanes, rayons, rayon triacetates, cellulose ethers, carboxymethyl celluloses, hydroxyalkyl celluloses, polyoxymethylene polymers, polyimide polymers, polyether block imides, polybismaleinimides, polyamidimides, polyesterimides, polyetherimides, polysulfone polymers, polyarylsulfones, polyethersulfones, polyamide polymers, nylon 6,6, polycaprolactams, polyacrylamides, resins, alkyd resins, phenolic resins, urea resins, melamine resins, epoxy resins, allyl resins, epoxide resins, polycarbonates, polyacrylonitriles, polyvinylpyrrolidones, anhydride polymers, maleic anhydride polymers, polymers of vinyl monomers, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl halides, polyvinyl chlorides, ethylene vinylacetate copolymers, polyvinylidene chlorides, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl methyl ethers, polystyrenes, styrene butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile styrene copolymers, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymers, styrene butadiene styrene copolymers, styrene isobutylene styrene copolymers, polyvinyl ketones, polyvinylcarbazoles, polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl acetates, hydrogels, polybenzimidazoles, ionomers, polyalkyl oxide polymers, polyethylene oxides, glycosaminoglycans, polyesters, polyethylene terephthalates, aliphatic polyesters, polymers of lactide, epsilon caprolactone, glycolide, glycolic acid, hydroxybutyrate, hydroxyvalerate, paradioxanone, trimethylene carbonate, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, 6,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxan-2-one, polyether polymers, polyarylethers, polyphenylene ethers, polyether ketones, polyether ether ketones, polyphenylene sulfides, polyisocyanates, polyolefin polymers, polyalkylenes, polypropylenes, polyethylenes, polybutylenes, polybut-1-ene, polyisobutylene, poly-4-methyl-pen-1-enes, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, fluorinated polymers, polytetrafluoroethylenes, poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropene), modified ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, polyvinylidene fluorides, silicone polymers, polyurethanes, polyurethane dispersions, p-xylylene polymers, polyiminocarbonates, copoly(ether-esters), polyethylene oxide-polylactic acid copolymers, polyphosphazines, polyalkylene oxalates, polyoxaamides, polyoxaesters, amines, amino groups, polyorthoesters, biopolymers, polypeptides, proteins, polysaccharides, fatty acids, esters of fatty acids, fibrin, fibrinogen, collagen, elastin, chitosan, gelatin, starch, glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid, therapeutic agents, oligonucleotides, proteins, antisense polynucleotides, polynucleotides coding for a specific product, genetic recombinant components, nucleic acids, DNA, cDNA, mRNA, tRNA, RNA, polynucleotides, viruses, bacteria, phage, histones, non-infectious vectors, vectors, plasmids, lipids, liposomes, cationic polymers, cationic lipids, viral vectors, virus-like particles, synthetic virus particles, peptide targeting sequences, antisense nucleic acids, genomic sequences, DNA chimeras, gene sequences encoding for ferry proteins, membrane translocating sequences, cells, ribozymes, antisense oligonucleotides, DNA compacting agents, gene or vector systems, polynucleotides, recombinant nucleic acids, naked DNA, cDNA, mRNA, tRNA or RNA, genomic DNA, cDNA, mRNA, tRNA or RNA in a non-infectious vector or in a viral vector, human origin cells, autologous cells, allogeneic cells, animal source cells, xenogeneic cells, genetically engineered proteins, polymerized chain reaction components, blood, serums, bodily fluids, tissues or any combination thereof.

30. A kit comprising:

the microslide of claim 1; and

a functional agent for coating at least one surface of the substrate of the microslide.

31. The kit of claim 12, wherein the functional agent comprises an aminosilane, epoxy, aldehyde or combinations thereof.

32. The kit of claim 31, wherein the functional agent comprises one or more of pharmaceutical compounds, genomic components, metallic components, metals, polymeric components, polymers, polyether, ether, ketones, polyimides, epoxies, nylons, homopolymers, heteropolymers, polycarbonates, glass, acetal polymers, acrylate polymers, methacrylate polymers, copolymers, terpolymers, cellulosic polymers, cellulose acetates, cellulose nitrates, cellulose propionates, cellulose acetate butyrates, cellophanes, rayons, rayon triacetates, cellulose ethers, carboxymethyl celluloses, hydroxyalkyl celluloses, polyoxymethylene polymers, polyimide polymers, polyether block imides, polybismaleinimides, polyamidimides, polyesterimides, polyetherimides, polysulfone polymers, polyarylsulfones, polyethersulfones, polyamide polymers, nylon 6,6, polycaprolactams, polyacrylamides, resins, alkyd resins, phenolic resins, urea resins, melamine resins, epoxy resins, allyl resins, epoxide resins, polycarbonates, polyacrylonitriles, polyvinylpyrrolidones, anhydride polymers, maleic anhydride polymers, polymers of vinyl monomers, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl halides, polyvinyl chlorides, ethylene vinylacetate copolymers, polyvinylidene chlorides, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl methyl ethers, polystyrenes, styrene butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile styrene copolymers, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymers, styrene butadiene styrene copolymers, styrene isobutylene styrene copolymers, polyvinyl ketones, polyvinylcarbazoles, polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl acetates, hydrogels, polybenzimidazoles, ionomers, polyalkyl oxide polymers, polyethylene oxides, glycosaminoglycans, polyesters, polyethylene terephthalates, aliphatic polyesters, polymers of lactide, epsilon caprolactone, glycolide, glycolic acid, hydroxybutyrate, hydroxyvalerate, paradioxanone, trimethylene carbonate, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, 6,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxan-2-one, polyether polymers, polyarylethers, polyphenylene ethers, polyether ketones, polyether ether ketones, polyphenylene sulfides, polyisocyanates, polyolefin polymers, polyalkylenes, polypropylenes, polyethylenes, polybutylenes, polybut-1-ene, polyisobutylene, poly-4-methyl-pen-1-enes, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, fluorinated polymers, polytetrafluoroethylenes, poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropene), modified ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, polyvinylidene fluorides, silicone polymers, polyurethanes, polyurethane dispersions, p-xylylene polymers, polyiminocarbonates, copoly(ether-esters), polyethylene oxide-polylactic acid copolymers, polyphosphazines, polyalkylene oxalates, polyoxaamides, polyoxaesters, amines, amino groups, polyorthoesters, biopolymers, polypeptides, proteins, polysaccharides, fatty acids, esters of fatty acids, fibrin, fibrinogen, collagen, elastin, chitosan, gelatin, starch, glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid, therapeutic agents, oligonucleotides, proteins, antisense polynucleotides, polynucleotides coding for a specific product, genetic recombinant components, nucleic acids, DNA, cDNA, mRNA, tRNA, RNA, polynucleotides, viruses, bacteria, phage, histones, non-infectious vectors, vectors, plasmids, lipids, liposomes, cationic polymers, cationic lipids, viral vectors, virus-like particles, synthetic virus particles, peptide targeting sequences, antisense nucleic acids, genomic sequences, DNA chimeras, gene sequences encoding for ferry proteins, membrane translocating sequences, cells, ribozymes, antisense oligonucleotides, DNA compacting agents, gene or vector systems, polynucleotides, recombinant nucleic acids, naked DNA, cDNA, mRNA, tRNA or RNA, genomic DNA, cDNA, mRNA, tRNA or RNA in a non-infectious vector or in a viral vector, human origin cells, autologous cells, allogeneic cells, animal source cells, xenogeneic cells, genetically engineered proteins, polymerized chain reaction components, blood, serums, bodily fluids, tissues or any combination thereof.

33. A method for zero thickness optical interrogation of a sample, the method comprising:

providing the microslide of claim 1 and said sample;

disposing the sample on a surface of the substrate of the microslide; and

optically interrogating the sample from an opposite surface of the substrate.

34. A method for zero thickness optical interrogation of an event, the method comprising:

providing the system of claim 15;

initiating an event in the sample disposed on a surface of the substrate; and

optically interrogating the event in the sample with the imaging device from an opposite side of the substrate.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the imaging device is selected from the group consisting of a microscope, camera, and a sensor array.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the step of interrogating from a surface of the substrate includes interrogating from a surface of a microtiter plate, a microscope slide, a microarray plate or a combination thereof.

37. The method of claim 33 further comprising coating one or both surfaces of the substrate of the microslide with a functional agent.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the functional agent comprises an aminosilane, epoxy, aldehyde or a combination thereof.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the functional agent comprises one or more of pharmaceutical compounds, genomic components, metallic components, metals, polymeric components, polymers, polyether, ether, ketones, polyimides, epoxies, nylons, homopolymers, heteropolymers, polycarbonates, glass, acetal polymers, acrylate polymers, methacrylate polymers, copolymers, terpolymers, cellulosic polymers, cellulose acetates, cellulose nitrates, cellulose propionates, cellulose acetate butyrates, cellophanes, rayons, rayon triacetates, cellulose ethers, carboxymethyl celluloses, hydroxyalkyl celluloses, polyoxymethylene polymers, polyimide polymers, polyether block imides, polybismaleinimides, polyamidimides, polyesterimides, polyetherimides, polysulfone polymers, polyarylsulfones, polyethersulfones, polyamide polymers, nylon 6,6, polycaprolactams, polyacrylamides, resins, alkyd resins, phenolic resins, urea resins, melamine resins, epoxy resins, allyl resins, epoxide resins, polycarbonates, polyacrylonitriles, polyvinylpyrrolidones, anhydride polymers, maleic anhydride polymers, polymers of vinyl monomers, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl halides, polyvinyl chlorides, ethylene vinylacetate copolymers, polyvinylidene chlorides, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl methyl ethers, polystyrenes, styrene butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile styrene copolymers, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymers, styrene butadiene styrene copolymers, styrene isobutylene styrene copolymers, polyvinyl ketones, polyvinylcarbazoles, polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl acetates, hydrogels, polybenzimidazoles, ionomers, polyalkyl oxide polymers, polyethylene oxides, glycosaminoglycans, polyesters, polyethylene terephthalates, aliphatic polyesters, polymers of lactide, epsilon caprolactone, glycolide, glycolic acid, hydroxybutyrate, hydroxyvalerate, paradioxanone, trimethylene carbonate, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, 6,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxan-2-one, polyether polymers, polyarylethers, polyphenylene ethers, polyether ketones, polyether ether ketones, polyphenylene sulfides, polyisocyanates, polyolefin polymers, polyalkylenes, polypropylenes, polyethylenes, polybutylenes, polybut-1-ene, polyisobutylene, poly-4-methyl-pen-1-enes, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, fluorinated polymers, polytetrafluoroethylenes, poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropene), modified ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, polyvinylidene fluorides, silicone polymers, polyurethanes, polyurethane dispersions, p-xylylene polymers, polyiminocarbonates, copoly(ether-esters), polyethylene oxide-polylactic acid copolymers, polyphosphazines, polyalkylene oxalates, polyoxaamides, polyoxaesters, amines, amino groups, polyorthoesters, biopolymers, polypeptides, proteins, polysaccharides, fatty acids, esters of fatty acids, fibrin, fibrinogen, collagen, elastin, chitosan, gelatin, starch, glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid, therapeutic agents, oligonucleotides, proteins, antisense polynucleotides, polynucleotides coding for a specific product, genetic recombinant components, nucleic acids, DNA, cDNA, mRNA, tRNA, RNA, polynucleotides, viruses, bacteria, phage, histones, non-infectious vectors, vectors, plasmids, lipids, liposomes, cationic polymers, cationic lipids, viral vectors, virus-like particles, synthetic virus particles, peptide targeting sequences, antisense nucleic acids, genomic sequences, DNA chimeras, gene sequences encoding for ferry proteins, membrane translocating sequences, cells, ribozymes, antisense oligonucleotides, DNA compacting agents, gene or vector systems, polynucleotides, recombinant nucleic acids, naked DNA, cDNA, mRNA, tRNA or RNA, genomic DNA, cDNA, mRNA, tRNA or RNA in a non-infectious vector or in a viral vector, human origin cells, autologous cells, allogeneic cells, animal source cells, xenogeneic cells, genetically engineered proteins, polymerized chain reaction components, blood, serums, bodily fluids, tissues or any combination thereof.

40. The method of claim 37 further comprising immobilizing a material on a surface of the substrate using the functional agent.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the material comprises a compound of biological origin, a synthetic compound, a metallic compound or a combination thereof.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the material comprises one or more of pharmaceutical compounds, genomic components, metallic-components, metals, polymeric components, polymers, polyether, ether, ketones, polyimides, epoxies, nylons, homopolymers, heteropolymers, polycarbonates, glass, acetal polymers, acrylate polymers, methacrylate polymers, copolymers, terpolymers, cellulosic polymers, cellulose acetates, cellulose nitrates, cellulose propionates, cellulose acetate butyrates, cellophanes, rayons, rayon triacetates, cellulose ethers, carboxymethyl celluloses, hydroxyalkyl celluloses, polyoxymethylene polymers, polyimide polymers, polyether block imides, polybismaleinimides, polyamidimides, polyesterimides, polyetherimides, polysulfone polymers, polyarylsulfones, polyethersulfones, polyamide polymers, nylon 6,6, polycaprolactams, polyacrylamides, resins, alkyd resins, phenolic resins, urea resins, melamine resins, epoxy resins, allyl resins, epoxide resins, polycarbonates, polyacrylonitriles, polyvinylpyrrolidones, anhydride polymers, maleic anhydride polymers, polymers of vinyl monomers, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl halides, polyvinyl chlorides, ethylene vinylacetate copolymers, polyvinylidene chlorides, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl methyl ethers, polystyrenes, styrene butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile styrene copolymers, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymers, styrene butadiene styrene copolymers, styrene isobutylene styrene copolymers, polyvinyl ketones, polyvinylcarbazoles, polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl acetates, hydrogels, polybenzimidazoles, ionomers, polyalkyl oxide polymers, polyethylene oxides, glycosaminoglycans, polyesters, polyethylene terephthalates, aliphatic polyesters, polymers of lactide, epsilon caprolactone, glycolide, glycolic acid, hydroxybutyrate, hydroxyvalerate, paradioxanone, trimethylene carbonate, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, 6,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxan-2-one, polyether polymers, polyarylethers, polyphenylene ethers, polyether ketones, polyether ether ketones, polyphenylene sulfides, polyisocyanates, polyolefin polymers, polyalkylenes, polypropylenes, polyethylenes, polybutylenes, polybut-1-ene, polyisobutylene, poly-4-methyl-pen-1-enes, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, fluorinated polymers, polytetrafluoroethylenes, poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropene), modified ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, polyvinylidene fluorides, silicone polymers, polyurethanes, polyurethane dispersions, p-xylylene polymers, polyiminocarbonates, copoly(ether-esters), polyethylene oxide-polylactic acid copolymers, polyphosphazines, polyalkylene oxalates, polyoxaamides, polyoxaesters, amines, amino groups, polyorthoesters, biopolymers, polypeptides, proteins, polysaccharides, fatty acids, esters of fatty acids, fibrin, fibrinogen, collagen, elastin, chitosan, gelatin, starch, glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid, therapeutic agents, oligonucleotides, proteins, antisense polynucleotides, polynucleotides coding for a specific product, genetic recombinant components, nucleic acids, DNA, cDNA, mRNA, tRNA, RNA, polynucleotides, viruses, bacteria, phage, histones, non-infectious vectors, vectors, plasmids, lipids, liposomes, cationic polymers, cationic lipids, viral vectors, virus-like particles, synthetic virus particles, peptide targeting sequences, antisense nucleic acids, genomic sequences, DNA chimeras, gene sequences encoding for ferry proteins, membrane translocating sequences, cells, ribozymes, antisense oligonucleotides, DNA compacting agents, gene or vector systems, polynucleotides, recombinant nucleic acids, naked DNA, cDNA, mRNA, tRNA or RNA, genomic DNA, cDNA, mRNA, tRNA or RNA in a non-infectious vector or in a viral vector, human origin cells, autologous cells, allogeneic cells, animal source cells, xenogeneic cells, genetically engineered proteins, polymerized chain reaction components, blood, serums, bodily fluids, tissues or any combination thereof.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein immobilization is through covalent bonding, chemical interaction, physical interaction, electrostatic interaction, mechanical interaction, hybridization or a combination thereof.

44. The method of claim 37, including the step of forming a microarray on a surface of the substrate.

45. The method of claim 44, including forming the microarray by split pin printing, spotting or a combination thereof.

46. The method of claim 34, wherein said optical interrogation provides one or more of gene expression monitoring, mutation detection, mutation analysis, genotyping, genomic mapping, clone mapping, protein detection, protein quantification, protein expression monitoring, assaying enzyme activity, assaying receptor binding, or any combination thereof.

47. An imaging device having a specimen supporting substrate, the substrate providing spatial translation of a viewing plane of the imaging device, the substrate comprising:

first and second surfaces, one of which is conformal to the viewing plane;

a plurality of optical micro channels between the first and second surface providing said viewing plane translation;

the other of said surfaces providing support for the specimen.

48. The imaging device of claim 47 wherein said micro channels comprise optical fibers.

49. A specimen supporting substrate, the substrate providing spatial translation of a viewing plane of an imaging device, the substrate comprising:

first and second surfaces, one of which is conformal to the viewing plane;

a plurality of optical micro channels between the first and second surface providing said viewing plane translation.

50. The substrate of claim 49 wherein said micro channels comprise optical fibers.

51. A specimen supporting substrate, the substrate providing spatial translation of a viewing plane, the substrate comprising:

first and second surfaces, one of which is conformal to the viewing plane;

a plurality of optical micro channels between the viewing plane conformal surface and the other surface providing said viewing plane translation there between;

a sensor array on the surface conformal to the viewing plane; and

the other of said surfaces providing support for the specimen.

52. The substrate of claim 51 wherein said substrate comprises physically separable elements capable of being placed adjacent to each other, each having a separate plurality of optical micro channels which when said elements are adjacent provide a single said plurality of optical micro channels.

53. The substrate of claim 51 or 52 wherein said micro channels comprise optical fibers.