Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments related to automated cellular passaging of spheroids, tumoroids, organoids and/or other multi-cellular bodies. Organoids can be cultured in a hydrogel that is disposed in a well unit of a microwell plate. The well unit includes a primary well section that is fluidly connected to a secondary well section via at least one channel, and the hydrogel is disposed in the primary well section of the well unit. The hydrogel is dissipated into hydrogel fragments, thereby separating the organoids from the hydrogel. The hydrogel fragments are removed from the well unit, while the organoids remain in the well unit. The remaining organoids are broken into organoid fragments and corresponding debris. A fresh culture environment is created using the organoid fragments.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for growing, culturing, monitoring, and analyzing embryoid bodies, fused embryoid bodies, spheroids, organoids, or other multi-cellular bodies in a microwell structure formed in one or more wells of an assay and culturing microplate. Hydrogel deposited into a well of the microplate and supported by a support ledge and the bottom surface of the well is molded into a microwell structure using a mold insert tool. In some examples, channels can be formed in the bottom of the microwell structure to allow for an exchange of fluid between a primary well section and a secondary well section of the well. The bottom surface of the assay and culturing microplate is optically transparent and gas-permeable.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microplate including a plurality of wells includes obtaining an upper portion of the microplate. A bottom surface of the microplate is coated with a bottom surface uncured resin. A sheet material is disposed adjacent a central portion of the bottom surface. A frame is disposed adjacent an edge portion of the bottom surface. The frame contains a frame uncured resin. At least a portion of the bottom surface uncured resin is cured to produce a bottom surface cured resin. At least a portion of the frame uncured resin is cured to produce a frame cured resin. A remaining portion of the bottom surface uncured resin is removed subsequent to curing at least a portion of the bottom surface uncured resin.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for culturing a multicellular structure, such as an organoid. An exemplary system comprises a vessel, an electric/magnetic module, and a control circuit. The vessel may include a culture chamber to contain a multicellular structure. The electric/magnetic module may be configured to be located in the vessel, at a position in or adjacent the culture chamber. The control circuit may be configured to wirelessly power and/or operate the electric/magnetic module.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for cultivating cells in media-exchanging wells. In an exemplary method of cell cultivation, a device (50) may be selected that includes a row of wells (52), and a first reservoir (56) and a second reservoir (58) located at opposite ends of the row of wells (52). Each well (52) may have a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion of each well (52) of at least two of the wells (52) may contain a cell culture in contact with a liquid. Liquid may be transferred between the first reservoir (56) and the second reservoir (58) at least partly along a flow path (62) defined by the device and extending through the upper portion of each well (52) of the row of wells (52), such that molecules of the media are exchanged between or among the at least two wells (52).

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for growing, culturing, monitoring, and analyzing embryoid bodies, fused embryoid bodies, spheroids, organoids, or other multi-cellular bodies using a system of microplates. Different types of microplates are designed to be used during the various stages of growing and culturing of cells to form embryoid bodies, fused embryoid bodies, spheroids, organoids, or other multi-cellular bodies. The different microplates are designed to mate with one another to allow for the transfer of cells from wells in one plate to wells in the other plate. An assay plate includes an array of perfusable units that include a supply well that is in fluid communication with a culture well to allow for an exchange of fluid.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A cartridge and cartridge system for use in an apparatus for analyzing a sample is 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.

Abstract: An optical system and a method of exciting and measuring fluorescence on or in samples treated using fluorescent pigments using such an optical system are disclosed. The optical system comprises at least one first laser (1); a deflection element (7); a mirror (4); an optic (8); and a unit (10), which includes mirror (4) and optic (8) mounted fixed in relation to one another. The unit (10) is positioned so it is linearly movable back and forth along the optical axis (5) and is mechanically connected to an oscillating linear drive (11). The optic (8) additionally acts as a collimator and the mirror (4) additionally acts to deflect the collimated light (12) diametrically opposite to the direction of incidence of the bundled light of the laser (1).

Abstract: 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 (1); a mirror (4); a deflection element (7); an optic (8); and a unit (10), which includes mirror (4) and optic (8) mounted fixed in relation to one another. The unit (10) is positioned so it is linearly movable back and forth along the optical axis (5) and is mechanically connected to an oscillating linear drive (11). The optic (8) additionally acts as a collimator and the mirror (4) additionally acts to deflect the collimated light (12) parallel to the optical axis (5).

Abstract: 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 (1); a mirror (4); a deflection element (7); an optic (8); and a unit (10), which includes mirror (4) and optic (8) mounted fixed in relation to one another. The unit (10) is positioned so it is linearly movable back and forth along the optical axis (5) and is mechanically connected to an oscillating linear drive (11). The optic (8) additionally acts as a collimator and the mirror (4) additionally acts to deflect the collimated light (12) parallel to the optical axis (5).

Abstract: A fluorimeter has a flash lamp, a measurement station with a receiver for microtitration plates, at least one measurement head disposed at the receiver and an evaluation station having a detector. Emission signals given off by a sample are evaluated by the detector. Light guides extend from the flash lamp to the measurement head from the measurement head to the detector. At the measurement station one measurement head is arranged above a sample and one measurement head beneath the sample. A change-over switch is formed by a pivotal bar which connects the light guides selectively to the upper or the lower measurement heads. On the pivotal bar are connections for the light guides which lead to the upper and the lower measurement heads. Connection of a respective measurement head can be brought selectively into correlation with the light source and the detector.