Abstract: A system 100 and method are provided for imaging a sample in a sample holder. For providing autofocus, a 2D pattern is projected onto the sample holder 050 via an astigmatic optical element 120. Image data 172 of the sample is acquired by an image sensor 140 via magnification optics 150. 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.

Abstract: A device for determining a position and/or an extension of a drop in a position determination space, where the device has a camera having an objective and a beam splitter in the recording area of the camera, and the device is designed in such a way that light coming from the position determination space can enter the objective of the camera along a first light path as well as along a second light path, where light along the first light path can be reflected at a first reflector element in the direction of the beam splitter and can be transmitted through the beam splitter towards the objective, and where light along the second light path can be reflected at a second reflector element in the direction of the beam splitter and can be reflected at the beam splitter towards the objective.

Abstract: A system 100 and method are provided for imaging a sample in a sample holder. For providing autofocus, a 2D pattern is projected onto the sample holder 050 via an astigmatic optical element 120. Image data 172 of the sample is acquired by an image sensor 140 via magnification optics 150. 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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microplate reader and a respective method, wherein the microplate reader comprises at least one measuring device and a holding device for accommodating at least one microplate and for positioning the samples-containing wells of this(these) microplate(s) in relation to the at least one measuring device. The at least one measuring device is used for detecting light which is emitted by samples in wells of a microplate inserted in this microplate reader and/or which is influenced by samples transilluminated by light in wells of a microplate inserted in this microplate reader. The microplate reader comprises a control unit for controlling the temperature of a gas atmosphere surrounding the wells containing the samples of microplates used in this microplate reader.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microplate reader and a respective method, wherein the microplate reader comprises at least one measuring device and a holding device for accommodating at least one microplate and for positioning the samples-containing wells of this(these) microplate(s) in relation to the at least one measuring device. The at least one measuring device is used for detecting light which is emitted by samples in wells of a microplate inserted in this microplate reader and/or which is influenced by samples transilluminated by light in wells of a microplate inserted in this microplate reader. The microplate reader comprises a control unit for controlling the temperature of a gas atmosphere surrounding the wells containing the samples of microplates used in this microplate reader.

Abstract: Relates to a micro cuvette assembly (1), comprising a first partial plate (2) with one or more first cuvette surfaces (3) and a second partial plate (4) which is arrangeable relative to the first partial plate and has at least one or more second cuvette surfaces (5) which, in an active position of the micro cuvette assembly (1), are arranged in register plane-parallel to the first cuvette surfaces (3) and spaced apart by a distance (6), thus forming, in the active position of the micro cuvette assembly (1), one or more micro cuvettes (7) in which a liquid volume (8) applied previously to one of the cuvette surfaces (3,5) is held between these two cuvette surfaces (3,5).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Relates to a micro cuvette assembly (1), comprising a first partial plate (2) with one or more first cuvette surfaces (3) and a second partial plate (4) which is arrangeable relative to the first partial plate and has at least one or more second cuvette surfaces (5) which, in an active position of the micro cuvette assembly (1), are arranged in register plane-parallel to the first cuvette surfaces (3) and spaced apart by a distance (6), thus forming, in the active position of the micro cuvette assembly (1), one or more micro cuvettes (7) in which a liquid volume (8) applied previously to one of the cuvette surfaces (3,5) is held between these two cuvette surfaces (3,5).

Abstract: A holding device for at least one object carrier, the object carrier being suitable to receive one or more organic and/or inorganic samples and comprising materials such as glass, plastic, silicon, pyrolytic graphite, and/or metal, this holding device being configured to be gripped by grippers of a robot. The holding device comprising two essentially parallel lengthwise walls and two essentially parallel transverse walls which extend substantially at right angles from the lengthwise walls. Holding devices according to preferred embodiments are constructed in a frame shape, wherein the lengthwise and transverse walls define a frame surrounding at least one opening which completely transverses the device. Holding devices according to further embodiments are constructed a plate shape, in that the region between the lengthwise walls and transverse walls is implemented as a carrying surface. All embodiments comprising gripping surfaces on the external surface profile of the lengthwise and transverse walls.

Abstract: A holding device for at least one object carrier, the object carrier being suitable to receive one or more organic and/or inorganic samples and comprising materials such as glass, plastic, silicon, pyrolytic graphite, and/or metal, this holding device being configured to be gripped by grippers of a robot. The holding device comprising two essentially parallel lengthwise walls and two essentially parallel transverse walls which extend substantially at right angles from the lengthwise walls. Holding devices according to preferred embodiments are constructed in a frame shape, wherein the lengthwise and transverse walls define a frame surrounding at least one opening which completely traverses the device. Holding devices according to further embodiments are constructed a plate shape, in that the region between the lengthwise walls and transverse walls is implemented as a carrying surface. All embodiments comprising gripping surfaces on the external surface profile of the lengthwise and transverse walls.

Abstract: An ejection device for ejecting a plurality of submunitions (24a-d) having an adapter (10) including a control unit (12, 13, 14a-c, 15a-b, 16) and adapted for releasable fastening in an ejection barrel (2) of a discharger (1), and a submunitions cluster (20) including the submunitions and adapted for releasable connection, both mechanical and electrical, with the adapter. In the assembled condition of the device, the submunitions cluster is connected with the adapter, permitting submunitions to be ejected from the submunitions cluster. The control unit of the adapter controls the device to eject submunitions in one or more of a variety of ejection modes, such as sequentially one by one or at least in part simultaneously. The period between ejection of two consecutive submunitions may be adjustable. The ejection device may be integrated into a discharging unit including at least one discharger (1), such as a conventional discharging unit.