Tecan Trading Ag

Markus Schürf

Harald Gebetsroither

Josef Grassl

Walter Gotschy

Fritz Payr

Andreas Erlbacher

Manfred Lansing

Alexander Kaser

Frank Münchow

Josef Grassel

Christian Oberdanner

Gerald Probst

A systemand method are provided for imaging a sample in a sample holder. For providing autofocus, a 2D pattern is projected onto the sample holdervia an astigmatic optical element. Image dataof the sample is acquired by an image sensorvia magnification optics. A difference in sharpness of the two-dimensional pattern in the image data is measured along a first axis and a second axis. Based on the difference, a magnitude and direction of defocus of the camera subsystem is determined with respect to the sample holder. This enables the sample holder, and thereby the sample, to be brought into focus in a fast and reliable manner.

Imaging a sample in a sample holder

An imaging system and method are provided in which a well of a microplateis imaged by a cameracomprising magnification optics. The camera is controlled to acquire a series of images of the well with different exposures. The series of images comprise a base image with a base exposure and at least one further image with a larger exposure than the base exposure. The series of images are then merged into an output image which comprises in a center region of the well image content from the base image and at a peripheral region of the well image content from the at least one further image. Advantageously, the output image may allow for better assaying or analysis of the samples in the well than any of the individual images.

Imaging a well of a microplate

A microplate reader and method has at least one measuring device and a holding device for accommodating at least one microplate and for positioning samples-containing wells of microplates in relation to the measuring device. The at least one measuring device is used for detecting light emitted by samples in wells of a microplate and/or which is influenced by samples transilluminated by light in the wells. The microplate reader has a control unit for controlling the composition of a gas atmosphere surrounding the wells containing the samples. A respective use is characterized particularly in that living cells are measured in a controlled gas atmosphere, wherein the living cells are chosen from microaerophilic, optionally anaerobic and obligatorily anaerobic microorganisms as well as fungi and eukaryotic cells.

Microplate-reader with a controlled gas atmosphere, corresponding method and use of same

Micro cuvette assembly for examining biological samples has a first partial plate with one or more first cuvette surfaces and a second partial plate opposite the first and which also has one or more second cuvette surfaces. In an active position of the assembly, the second cuvette surfaces are arranged parallel and in register with the first cuvette surfaces and are spaced apart from the first cuvette surfaces whereby one or more micro cuvettes are formed. The first and second partial plates also have openings arranged in register with the cuvette surfaces and transparent bodies are provided as the cuvette surfaces. The first and second plates are completely penetrated by these openings and the transparent bodies are manufactured from a different material than the partial plates and span the openings close to a first surface of the partial plates. The first and second cuvette surfaces of a micro cuvette in the active position are wetted by a liquid volume which has previously been applied to one of the cuvette surfaces so that the liquid volume is held between these two cuvette surfaces.

Micro cuvette assembly for examining biological samples

Relates to a micro cuvette assembly (), comprising a first partial plate () with one or more first cuvette surfaces () and a second partial plate () which is arrangeable relative to the first partial plate and has at least one or more second cuvette surfaces () which, in an active position of the micro cuvette assembly (), are arranged in register plane-parallel to the first cuvette surfaces () and spaced apart by a distance (), thus forming, in the active position of the micro cuvette assembly (), one or more micro cuvettes () in which a liquid volume () applied previously to one of the cuvette surfaces () is held between these two cuvette surfaces (). The micro cuvette assembly () according to the present invention is characterized in that each of the first cuvette surfaces () of the first partial plate () is formed individually and completely in each case by a surface of a transparent body () which is accomplished as a free beam optical element and arranged in each case in an opening () penetrating the first partial plate (). Also disclosed is the use of this micro cuvette assembly () in the carrying-out of a method for examining biological samples.

Growing community of inventors

Bergen, Germany

Markus Schürf