Abstract: A microplate reader comprises a housing; at least one optical measuring/detection device; a microplate support; a moving unit; and an integrated lid holding apparatus. The lid holding apparatus is arranged to move the microplate lid and/or the microplate support is arranged to move the microplate in one respective, in an at least approximately vertical direction for moving the microplate lid away from the microplate. The lid holding apparatus is arranged inside the housing as a magnetic lifter and comprises a non-array arrangement of at least one permanent magnet, or at least three electromagnets, or at least one switchable permanent magnet. Each microplate lid to be moved away from the microplate comprises magnetizable material.

Abstract: Microplate reader has measuring space, action source, measuring device for biological structure signals of microplate wells, transport support for positioning wells in relation to an optical axis of the device and controller for the action source, the measuring device and the transport support. An incubation apparatus with a frame accommodates a microplate with wells having bottoms for reducing liquid evaporation. The frame has a first opening surrounded by an inner wall for the microplate and an outer wall parallel to the inner wall and connected thereto by an intermediate bottom so that a channel is formed and the intermediate bottom for accommodating a liquid adjusted to the content of the microplate wells. The incubation apparatus has a support surface with a second opening for a microplate and, as a result, at least a portion of the well bottoms is freely accessible by the second opening.

Abstract: Microplate reader has a housing, at least one optical measuring/detection device, a microplate support, a moving unit and an integrated lid holding apparatus. The lid holding apparatus moves the microplate in one respective, at least approximately vertical direction for moving the microplate lid away from the microplate. The lid holding apparatus is arranged inside the housing as a magnetic lifter and comprises a non-array arrangement of at least one permanent magnet, or at least three electro magnets, or at least one switchable permanent magnet. Each microplate lid to be moved away from the microplate comprises magnetizable material with a physical area. A projected area of the at least one permanent magnet, electro magnet, or switchable permanent magnet is smaller than the physical area of the magnetizable material of the microplate lid.

Abstract: Microplate reader has measuring space, action source, measuring device for biological structure signals of microplate wells, transport support for positioning wells in relation to an optical axis of the device and controller for the action source, the measuring device and the transport support. An incubation apparatus with a frame accommodates a microplate with wells having bottoms for reducing liquid evaporation. The frame has a first opening surrounded by an inner wall for the microplate and an outer wall parallel to the inner wall and connected thereto by an intermediate bottom so that a channel is formed and the intermediate bottom for accommodating a liquid adjusted to the content of the microplate wells. The incubation apparatus has a support surface with a second opening for a microplate and, as a result, at least a portion of the well bottoms is freely accessible by the second opening.

Abstract: Microplate reader has a housing, at least one optical measuring/detection device, a microplate support, a moving unit and an integrated lid holding apparatus. The lid holding apparatus moves the microplate in one respective, at least approximately vertical direction for moving the microplate lid away from the microplate. The lid holding apparatus is arranged inside the housing as a magnetic lifter and comprises a non-array arrangement of at least one permanent magnet, or at least three electro magnets, or at least one switchable permanent magnet. Each microplate lid to be moved away from the microplate comprises magnetizable material with a physical area. A projected area of the at least one permanent magnet, electro magnet, or switchable permanent magnet is smaller than the physical area of the magnetizable material of the microplate lid.

Abstract: A microplate reader (1) comprises a housing (3); at least one optical measuring/detection device (2); a microplate support (4); a moving unit (5); and an integrated lid holding apparatus (6). The lid holding apparatus (6) is arranged to move the microplate lid (7) and/or the microplate support (4) is arranged to move the microplate (8) in one respective, at least approximately vertical direction for moving the microplate lid (7) away from the microplate (8). The lid holding apparatus (6) is arranged inside the housing (3) as a magnetic lifter (6?) and comprises a non-array arrangement of at least one permanent magnet (9?), or at least three electro magnets (10?), or at least one switchable permanent magnet (11). Each microplate lid (7) to be moved away from the microplate (8) comprises magnetizable material (12).

Abstract: Microplate reader with optical measuring/detection device has housing, a microplate support and a moving unit. The moving unit moves the microplate support out and into the housing and horizontally within the housing. The reader has an integrated lid holding apparatus within the housing for lifting and placing a microplate lid on the microplate. The lid holding apparatus moves the microplate lid and/or the microplate support for moving the microplate in one respective vertical direction. A method for optically measuring a microplate in such a microplate reader places a covered microplate on the microplate support, retracts it into the housing, lifts the lid from the microplate, measures the microplate with the lifted lid, replaces the lid, and extends the support and the covered microplate out of the housing.

Abstract: Microplate reader with optical measuring/detection device has housing, a microplate support and a moving unit. The moving unit moves the microplate support out and into the housing and horizontally within the housing. The reader has an integrated lid holding apparatus within the housing for lifting and placing a microplate lid on the microplate. The lid holding apparatus moves the microplate lid and/or the microplate support for moving the microplate in one respective vertical direction. A method for optically measuring a microplate in such a microplate reader places a covered microplate on the microplate support, retracts it into the housing, lifts the lid from the microplate, measures the microplate with the lifted lid, replaces the lid, and extends the support and the covered microplate out of the housing.

Abstract: Laser scanner and method images or measures fluorescent samples on specimen slides treated with different fluorescent dyes. Motor-driveable sample table for the slides includes a laser and first optical system creating two laser beams of differing wavelength, a scanner with movable head and an optical deflection element for deflecting the beams toward the sample. Scanner has second optical system for forwarding emission beam bundles to two detectors for detecting emission beam bundles coming from the samples. A drive and counter oscillator connected to the drive by connecting rods drives the head for rapid back-and-forth movement and the counter oscillator has a mass at least equivalent to the head for compensation by opposite movement to the head. The optical deflection element causes spatial separation of two resulting focal points and a spatial separation of the two beam bundles in the direction of the detectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser scanner apparatus (1) for imaging and/or measuring fluorescent samples which are located on specimen slides (8) and treated with two different fluorescent dyes and also to a corresponding method. This laser scanner apparatus (1) comprises a motor-driveable sample table (2) with a receptacle (34) for specimen slides (8) in a sample plane (49); at least one laser (51,52) and a first optical system (53) for providing two laser beams (54,55) of differing wavelength; a scanner means (72) comprising a scanner head (50) which can move in a direction of movement (75) and has an optical deflection element (56) for deflecting the laser beams (54,55) toward the sample; and a first objective (57) for focusing the laser beams (54,55) on the sample in the plane (49).

Abstract: A laser scanner apparatus images and/or measures a fluorescent sample on a moveable table. At least one laser and an optical system provide two laser beams at differing wavelengths parallel to the fluorescent sample. A moveable wedge-shaped dichroic mirror deflects the laser beams through an objective toward the sample causing spatial separation of the focal points and two non-parallel emission beams. The emission beams are guided through an optical system to two detectors.

Abstract: Relates to a measuring apparatus (4) and corresponding methods carried out in e.g. hybridization systems for determining fluid parameters provided by a laboratory system (1). The measuring apparatus (4) comprises a measuring unit (5) and a processing unit (6) for determining the fluid parameters provided by the laboratory system (1) and the measuring unit (5) is accomplished to be able to be integrated into this laboratory system (1). The measuring apparatus (4) according to the invention is characterised in that the measuring unit (5) comprises a measuring block (15) without a reaction room (34) and at least one sensor (17). The measuring block (15) comprises hollow spaces (16) for receiving or guiding fluids (13) provided by the laboratory system (1). The at least one sensor (17) is arranged, for determining physical and/or chemical parameters of fluids (13) located in the hollow spaces (16), on or in fluidic operative connection with these hollow spaces (16) of the measuring block (15).

Abstract: A device provides a hybridization chamber for hybridizing nucleic acid samples, proteins or tissue sections on a slide, and is an essentially rectangular body movable opposite the slide. The device includes a surface, lines for supplying and/or removing media, a specimen supply line and an agitating device. The agitation device includes at least one membrane which separates a pressure chamer to be fillable with a pressure fluid via one of the lines, from at least one agitation chamber connected via an agitation line to the hybridization chamber. The lines are continuously open so the media therein can permanently flow unhindered. Four such devices can be combined into a process unit for providing a hybridization chamber. Such unit is pivotable around an axis and has a holder with four seats, which is lockable in relation to a baseplate, one device being insertable into each one of the seats.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (1) having hybridization chambers (5) for hybridizing nucleic acid samples, proteins, or tissue sections immobilized on slides (27), each hybridization chamber (5) being defined as an essentially gap-shaped chamber, which is essentially fillable with a liquid, between one of these slides (27) and a cover (26), and the cover (26) being positioned in relation to the slide (27) in such a way that the hybridization chamber (5) is sealed to the surrounding air, the system (1) including a device for preventing air bubbles in the hybridization chambers (5). The system according to the present invention is distinguished in that this device for preventing air bubbles in the hybridization chambers (5) is implemented as a pressure device to build up a chamber pressure in the hybridization chambers (5), this chamber pressure lying above the normal atmospheric pressure existing in the surrounding air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser scanner apparatus (1) for imaging and/or measuring fluorescent samples which are located on specimen slides (8) and treated with two different fluorescent dyes and also to a corresponding method. This laser scanner apparatus (1) comprises a motor-drivable sample table (2) with a receptacle (34) for specimen slides (8) in a sample plane (49); at least one laser (51,52) and a first optical system (53) for providing two laser beams (54,55) of differing wavelength oriented parallel to each other and extending parallel to this plane (49); a scanner means (72) comprising a scanner head (50) which can move back and forth parallel to this plane (49) and in a direction of movement (75) and has an optical deflection element (56) for deflecting the laser beams (54,55) toward the sample; and a first objective (57) for focusing the laser beams (54,55) on the sample in the plane (49).

Abstract: A device, appropriate process units and/or systems for providing a gap-shaped hybridization space to hybridize nucleic acid samples, proteins or tissue sections over a slide. Said items of device are able to move in relation to the slide and comprise an annular sealing surface to seal the hybridization space by application to a surface of the slide. Said items of device additionally comprise lines to introduce media to and remove them from the hybridization space. Said items of device furthermore comprise a specimen supply line and preferably an agitation device to move fluids in relation to the samples immobilized on the surface of the slide. The devices according to the invention are characterized in that they limit a hybridization space that features relief structures to conduct and/or block air bubbles on at least one surface of the device and the slide directed at the interior of this hybridization space.

Abstract: A device (1), appropriate process units (18) and/or systems (38) for providing a gap-shaped hybridization space (2) to hybridize nucleic acid samples, proteins or tissue sections over a slide (3). Said items of device (1) are able to move in relation to the slide (3) and comprise an annular sealing surface (4) to seal the hybridization space (2) by application to a surface (5) of the slide (3). Said items of device (1) additionally comprise lines (6,6?) to introduce media to and remove them from the hybridization space (2). Said items of device (1) furthermore comprise a specimen supply line (7) and preferably an agitation device (8) to move fluids in relation to the samples immobilized on the surface (5) of the slide (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (1) having hybridization chambers (5) for hybridizing nucleic acid samples, proteins, or tissue sections immobilized on slides (27), each hybridization chamber (5) being defined as an essentially gap-shaped chamber, which is essentially fillable with a liquid, between one of these slides (27) and a cover (26), and the cover (26) being positioned in relation to the slide (27) in such a way that the hybridization chamber (5) is sealed to the surrounding air, the system (1) including a device for preventing air bubbles in the hybridization chambers (5). The system according to the present invention is distinguished in that this device for preventing air bubbles in the hybridization chambers (5) is implemented as a pressure device to build up a chamber pressure in the hybridization chambers (5), this chamber pressure lying above the normal atmospheric pressure existing in the surrounding air.

Abstract: A device provides a hybridization chamber for hybridizing nucleic acid samples, proteins or tissue sections on a slide, and is an essentially rectangular body movable opposite the slide. The device includes a surface, lines for supplying and/or removing media, a specimen supply line and an agitating device. The agitation device includes at least one membrane which separates a pressure chamer to be fillable with a pressure fluid via one of the lines, from at least one agitation chamber connected via an agitation line to the hybridization chamber. The lines are continuously open so the media therein can permanently flow unhindered. Four such devices can be combined into a process unit for providing a hybridization chamber. Such unit is pivotable around an axis and has a holder with four seats, which is lockable in relation to a baseplate, one device being insertable into each one of the seats.

Abstract: A device (1) is disclosed for providing a hybridization chamber (2), for hybridizing nucleic acid samples, proteins, or tissue sections on a slide (3), which is implemented so that it is movable in relation to this slide (3) and includes an annular sealing surface (4) for sealing the hybridization chamber (2) by being applied to a surface (5) of this slide (3), lines (6) for supplying and/or removing media to and/or from the hybridization chamber (2), and a specimen supply line (7). The devices according to the invention include a media-separating agitation device (8) for moving liquids in relation to samples immobilized on the surface (5) of the slide (3). Furthermore, process units (18) for hybridizing nucleic acid samples, proteins, or tissue sections and corresponding automatable systems including such process units (18) are disclosed.