Molecular Devices Corporation

Gillian M Humphries

John Wallace Parce

Harden M McConnell

Viola T Kung

Dean G Hafeman

Calvin Y Chow

John C Owicki

Jeffrey M Libby

Henry L Schwartz

Michael M Lacy

Josef E Kercso

Donald L Miller

Karen M Kercso

Robert Giebeler

Steven McNerney

Thomas J Smith

Paul Hayter

A method and apparatus for determining the fluorescence, luminescence, or absorption of a sample is provided. The sample may either be contained within a cuvette or within one or more sample wells within a multi-assay plate. A combination of a broadband source, monochromator, and a series of optical filters are used to tune the excitation wavelength to a predetermined value within a relatively wide wavelength band. A similar configuration is used to tune the detection wavelength. In one aspect, multiple optical filters are coupled to the excitation source subassembly, thus allowing the system to be quickly converted from one optical configuration to another. In another aspect, the excitation light and the detected sample emissions pass to and from an optical head assembly via a pair of optical fibers. In another aspect, an optical scanning head assembly is used that includes mirrored optics for coupling the excitation source to the sample and the emitted light to the detector. In another aspect, time tags are recorded for samples contained within a multi-assay plate to monitor compositional time dependent properties or to ensure the accurate comparison of individual samples.

Optimization systems in a scanning fluorometer

This invention encompasses porous microchambers which contain cells and permit liquid to flow in and out of the chamber while retaining cells within the chamber. These porous microchambers serve as disposable devices for placing cells in a microflowchamber so that properties of the cells within the porous microchamber can be measured.

Cell assay device

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for detecting the effects of cell affecting agents on living cells. The method steps include providing living cells that are retained in a micro flow chamber. The micro flow chamber is adapted for either continuous or intermittent flow of solutions or suspensions in intimate contact with the cells. The solutions or suspensions, which contain a cell affecting agent, are then flowed in intimate contact with the cells and the pit is measured.

Methods and apparatus for detecting the effect of cell affecting agents

An ultraviolet radiation transparent multi-assay plate for ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy of ultraviolet absorbing liquids comprising a plurality of cylinders fixed in a frame each covered at the bottom with a portion of an ultraviolet transparent sheet material sealed to the bottom wall of the cylinder to form a non-leaking multi-assay plate well.

Ultraviolet radiation transparent multi-assay plates

Methods are disclosed for detecting the effects of cell affecting agents on living cells. The method steps include providing living cells that are retained in a micro flow chamber. The micro flow chamber is adapted for either continuous or intermittent flow of solutions or suspensions in intimate contact with the cells. The solutions or suspensions, which contain a cell affecting agent, are then flowed in intimate contact with the cells and at least one effect of the cell affecting agent on the cells is measured by an appropriate detecting means, which is operatively associated with the micro flow chamber.

Methods for detecting the effect of cell affecting agents on living cells

A multibeam photometric measuring device includes a light assembly comprising a single modulated light source along with a filter assembly for passing only a desired band of wavelengths and an optical system for suitably focusing light from the light source. A plurality of light transmitting means accept light and transmit it individually to each of the plurality of sites disposed on a multi-well sample plate. Enhancement of color distribution resulting from chromogenic reactions is provided by automatic agitation of the reacting agents within the sample wells before a reading is taken at each of the sampling intervals of a kinetic measurement sequence.

Single source multi-site photometric measurement system

Cell assay device used in a microphysiometer

A multibeam photometric measuring device includes a single light source along with a filter assembly for passing only a desired band of wavelengths and an optical system for suitably focusing light from the light source. Light is transmitted individually to each of a plurality of sites disposed on a multi-well sample plate. Enhancement of color distribution is provided by automatic agitation of the reacting agents within the sample wells before a reading is taken at each of the sampling intervals of a kinetic measurement sequence.

Devices and methods are provided for making a plurality of determinations of the local (site-specific) redox state of a liquid system, by employing a photoresponsive element, which can be independently irradiated at different sites to provide independently detectable signals.

Photoresponsive redox detection and discrimination

A microtiter plate prepared from a hydrophobic plastic is rendered more hydrophilic by treatment of the surfaces of the wells of the microplate prior to use. The resulting plates are particularly useful in vertical beam photometry.

Growing community of inventors

Los Altos, CA, United States of America

Gillian M Humphries