Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for the analysis of cultured cells, comprising a plurality of culture vessels, optical sensors and a detection system with detectors for determining a physico-chemical parameter in a culture vessel and for imaging the morphology of cells in a vessel. The device comprises a microscope adapted to be moved and having an optical path provided with switching means to switch between an optical path for determining a physico-chemical parameter and an optical path for imaging the morphology of cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for shaking sample containers, especially micro titer plates, and to a shaking apparatus, comprising an oscillating plate holding the sample containers and an exciter drive for generating the oscillating movement of the oscillating plate. The oscillating plate is made to oscillate in resonance oscillation, with the oscillating plate being connected in a flexurally rigid manner with an apparatus base preferably by at least four spring elements which consist of several individual springs and is held in an oscillating plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for shaking sample containers, especially micro titer plates, and to a shaking apparatus, comprising an oscillating plate holding the sample containers and an exciter drive for generating the oscillating movement of the oscillating plate. The oscillating plate is made to oscillate in resonance oscillation, with the oscillating plate being connected in a flexurally rigid manner with an apparatus base preferably by at least four spring elements which consist of several individual springs and is held in an oscillating plane.

Abstract: A sample processing station is created by which the samples filled into the sample wells of a microtiter plate are not only thoroughly mixed by intense shaking at one place and with one device unit, but that can also be subjected to a vacuum treatment without hindering and/or without making it impossible to manipulate the microtiter plate and automatically fill or empty samples, and without the need for conveying the concerned microtiter plate through several different processing stations. To this end, an evacuating plate unit is removably arranged over the microtiter plate, which is set over a shaking table plate, said evacuating plate spanning over the microtiter plate and designed to be sealed off in such a manner that it permits the generation of a vacuum in all of the sample containers. The evacuating plate unit is controllably connectable to a vacuum source or to a directed airflow source via ports which originate from the base of the device.

Abstract: A device for stirring, mixing, and agitating liquids includes a vessel 1 having vertical supporting elements (2, 5) to support at least part of the weight of the vessel, rotational holding elements (7, 8) for positioning and guiding the vessel as it rotates around its essentially vertical symmetrical axis, and driving elements (3, 4) for rotating the vessel. The rotational holding elements are provided with centering and stabilizing devices (9, 10) which exert in a clearance S between the rotational holding devices and an outer wall of the vessel, centering and stabilizing forces acting on the vessel.

Abstract: In a magnet stirring apparatus comprising a base which includes a plurality of magnet coils and onto which respective vessels can be placed, said vessels being made of a non-magnetic material and each containing a magnetic stirring bar as well as the liquid to be stirred, the stability of the stirring operation within a wide range of lengths of stirring bars and of adjusted rotational speeds is achieved by pole shoes which are long straggling in the radial direction toward one center.