Molecular Devices Corporation

Molecular Devices (austria) Gmbh

Tecan Trading Ag

Ortho Diagnostic Systems Inc.

Slt Labinstruments Gesellschaft M.b.h.

Tecan Austria Gmbh

Josef J Atzler

Karl Puchegger

Andreas Kenda

Michael Katzlinger

Bernhard Schinwald

Rosemary K Chachowski

Andreas Gfrörer

Georg Kronberger

Jian Shen

Daniel M Stock

Hansjoerg Kunz

Mykola Yaremko

Thierry Dupinet

Reiner Rohlfs

Daniel Kittrich

Steven J Boege

Andreas Erlbacher

Oksana Sirenko

Felix Spira

Klaus Wagner

Martin Verhoef

Methods, systems, and apparatus for cultivating cells in media-exchanging wells. In an exemplary method of cell cultivation, a device () may be selected that includes a row of wells (), and a first reservoir () and a second reservoir () located at opposite ends of the row of wells (). Each well () may have a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion of each well () of at least two of the wells () may contain a cell culture in contact with a liquid. Liquid may be transferred between the first reservoir () and the second reservoir () at least partly along a flow path () defined by the device and extending through the upper portion of each well () of the row of wells (), such that molecules of the media are exchanged between or among the at least two wells ().

Method and system for cultivating cells in media-exchanging wells

The present disclosure provides a system, including methods and apparatus, for culturing, monitoring, and/or analyzing organoids. In an exemplary method of organoid culture, the method may comprise disposing a scaffold in a receptacle having an open side. A sealing member may be bonded to the open side of the receptacle to create a chamber. An organoid may be formed in the chamber using the scaffold. Fluid and/or at least one substance may be introduced into the chamber from an overlying reservoir for contact with the organoid.

System and method for organoid culture

Incubation system and method for automated cell culture and/or testing. An exemplary incubation system may comprise a housing forming a chamber. A rack may define storage positions to support an array of sample holders inside the chamber. A detection robot may be configured to capture one or more images of cells contained by one or more wells of each sample holder while the sample holder remains at one of the storage positions of the rack. A fluid handling station may be configured to add fluid to, and/or remove fluid from, one or more wells of each of the sample holders inside the housing. At least one plate robot may be configured to move sample holders between the rack and the fluid handling station. A computer may control operation of the detection robot, the fluid handling station, and the at least one plate robot.

Incubation system and method for automated cell culture and testing

Organoid microplate

A light-field microscope includes a light-sheet focusing device configured for outputting illumination light as a light sheet, and a microlens array between an objective lens and a light detector. A sample is irradiated by the light sheet along a direction non-parallel to the sample plane. Light-field data may be acquired from the sample without needing to scan through the thickness of the sample. The microscope implements light-field acquisition in conjunction with selective plane illumination.

Light-field microscope with selective-plane illumination

In an optical-based sample analysis, for example fluorescence-based or absorbance-based measurement, a selection is made between a first excitation light path and a second excitation light path. The first excitation light path directs excitation light from a light source, through an excitation monochromator, through an excitation filter, and to a sample. The second excitation light path directs excitation light from the light source, through the excitation filter, and to the sample while bypassing the excitation monochromator. Excitation light generated by the light source is transmitted along either the first excitation light path or the second excitation light path in accordance with the selection made, thereby irradiating the sample. In response the sample produces emission light (transmitted light in the case of absorbance measurements), which is transmitted to and measured by a light detector.

Methods and systems for optical-based measurement with selectable excitation light paths

In a sample analyzing apparatus, an injector assembly injects a reagent onto a sample, and luminescent light from the sample is transmitted to a detector. The assembly may be movable toward and away from the sample. The assembly may include one or more needles that communicate with one or more reservoirs supplying reagent or other liquids. The assembly may include a light guide for communicating with the detector. A cartridge may be provided in which the assembly, one or more reservoirs, and one or more pumps are disposed. The cartridge and/or the apparatus may be configured for enabling rinsing or priming to be done outside the apparatus. The cartridge and/or the apparatus may include one or more types of sensors configured for detecting, for example, the presence of liquid or bubbles in one or more locations of the apparatus and/or the cartridge.

Liquid and plate sensors for microplate injector system

Systems and methods for measuring a target in a sample, the target being capable of generating an emitted light in response to an excitation light. In an example system, an excitation light source generates the excitation light along an excitation optical path. An attenuation filter arrangement selectively adds an attenuation filter to the excitation optical path. The attenuation filter attenuates the excitation light by a corresponding attenuation factor. The excitation light exits the attenuation filter arrangement along the excitation optical path to illuminate the sample. A light energy detector receives the emitted light generated in response to the excitation light, and outputs a measured signal level corresponding to an emitted light level. If the light energy detector indicates an overflow, signal measurement is repeated with attenuation filters of increasing attenuation factors until the measured signal level does not overflow.

Dynamic signal extension in optical detection systems

A system is provided for performing filter-based and monochromator-based measurements. The system includes a light source and a plurality of detectors. An excitation monochromator outputs a selected wavelength component of the excitation light. Emitted light from a sample follows a selected emission optical path. An emission monochromator outputs a selected wavelength component of the emitted light when part of the selected path. An interface cartridge includes emission light ports positioned to direct the emitted light from the sample along a corresponding optical path. The interface cartridge aligns a selected optical path with the main measurement optical axis. A movable sliding switch mechanism provides optical channels corresponding to positions on the sliding switch mechanism to complete a selected emission optical path. The position on the sliding switch mechanism is selected by moving the sliding switch mechanism to align the optical channel for the position with the main measurement optical axis.

Monochromator-based and filter-based detection system

A cartridge and cartridge system for use in an apparatus for analyzing a sample are provided. The system has a plurality of cartridges for different applications for a multimode instrument. The cartridges are removably engaged with a cartridge support of the apparatus in a 'plug-in' format such that one cartridge may be removed from the apparatus and another cartridge may be easily installed. The cartridge support includes a plurality of cartridge positions that receive cartridges concurrently. One of the cartridges may be a luminescence cartridge that includes an integrated detector that is movable toward and away from a sample carrier of the apparatus, and thus toward and away from a sample located at the sample carrier.

Luminescence measurement utilizing cartridge with integrated detector

Systems and methods for measuring a light intensity. An example photodetector measurement circuit comprises a photodetector that receives a light and generates a photodetector current indicative of the light intensity. The measurement circuit includes a first integrator coupled along a first signal path to the photodetector to generate a first voltage signal at a first integrator output indicative of an integral of the photodetector current level. A second integrator is configured to generate a second voltage signal at a second integrator output indicative of an integral of the photodetector current level. A differential amplifier receives the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal and generates a third output signal at a differential amplifier output indicative of a difference between the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal. The differential amplifier outputs the third voltage signal to an analog-to-digital conversion function ('ADC function') input.

Differential photodiode integrator circuit for absorbance measurements

A cartridge and cartridge system for use in an apparatus for analyzing a sample are provided. The system has a plurality of cartridges for different applications for a multimode instrument. The cartridges are removably engaged with a cartridge support in a 'plug-in' format such that one cartridge may be removed from the apparatus and another cartridge may be easily installed. The cartridge support includes a plurality of cartridge positions that receive cartridges concurrently. One of the cartridges is a wavelength-tunable cartridge in which different light sources, excitation filters, and/or emission filters may be selected. Tuning is further accomplished by tilting the excitation or emission filters at desired angles relative to a beam of exciting light or emitted light.

Optical detection utilizing cartridge with tunable filter assembly

A cartridge and cartridge system for use in an apparatus for analyzing a sample are provided. The cartridge has one or more light sources and/or optical systems and other components that are specific for a certain type of application such as fluorescence, absorbance, or luminescence. The light source, optical systems, and other components for a specific application are housed in a single cartridge. The system has a plurality of cartridges for different applications for a multimode instrument. The cartridges are removably engaged with the apparatus in a 'plug-in' format such that one cartridge may be removed from the apparatus and another cartridge may be easily installed.

Multimode reader

An optical system for exciting and measuring fluorescence of samples has a first laser; a deflection element; a mirror; and an optic fixed in relation to one another. A unit is linearly movable back and forth along the optical axis and is mechanically connected to an oscillating linear drive. The optic acts as a collimator and the mirror acts to deflect the collimated light diametrically opposite to the bundled light of the laser. A table for receiving sample holders for samples; an optical arrangement for imaging a second focal point; an aperture plate in the second focal point; a first spectral filter; and a first detector are parts of the optical system and a focusing beam of the light emitted by the laser and is deflected by the deflection element toward the mirror.

Optical system and method for exciting and measuring fluorescence on or in samples treated with fluorescent pigments

An optical system and method of exciting and measuring fluorescence on or in samples treated using fluorescent pigments using such an optical system having at least one first laser (); a mirror (); a deflection element (); an optic (); and a unit (), which includes mirror () and optic () mounted fixed in relation to one another. The unit () is positioned so it is linearly movable back and forth along the optical axis () and is mechanically connected to an oscillating linear drive (). The optic () additionally acts as a collimator and the mirror () additionally acts to deflect the collimated light () parallel to the optical axis ().

Growing community of inventors

Hallem, Austria

Josef J Atzler