Patent EP-2428792-A1 (EP)
Inventor: PROBST GERALD
IPC: G01N21/76
Filed: 2011-09-08
Abstract: The microplate reader comprises a measuring device comprising: a first measuring device (2'), which is formed for measuring absorbance of a microplate (4) introduced in the microplate reader with a light irradiated samples in wells; a second measuring device (2''), which is formed for measuring fluorescence of the microplate introduced in the microplate reader; and a third measuring device (2'''), which is formed for measuring luminescence of the samples in wells of the microplate introduced in the microplate reader, and a receiving device (5) for receiving the microplate. The microplate reader comprises a measuring device comprising: a first measuring device (2'), which is formed for measuring absorbance of a microplate (4) introduced in the microplate reader with a light irradiated samples in wells; a second measuring device (2''), which is formed for measuring fluorescence of the microplate introduced in the microplate reader; and a third measuring device (2'''), which is formed for measuring luminescence of the samples in wells of the microplate introduced in the microplate reader, a receiving device (5) for receiving the microplate and for positioning the sample containing the wells of the microplate against the measuring device, a control unit for controlling composition of a gas atmosphere around the samples containing the wells, a gas inlet controllable by the control unit for admitting gas into the sample space, and an injector device, which is formed for adding reagent to the samples in wells of the microplate. The microplate reader further comprises a limiting device alternatively in form of: a partition plate that divides an internal space of a housing of the microplate reader in an equipment room and a sample space and comprises an opening, which is formed so that the samples in wells of the microplate introduced in the microplate reader is transmitted or an affected light is transgressed from the sample space into the equipment room; or an inner housing, which is arranged within the housing of the microplate-reader in which the receiving device is arranged and divides the internal space of the housing into the equipment room and the sample room surrounding the receiving device. A unit of the partition plate and/or the inner housing of the sample space is detached from the equipment room in light-tight and/or gas-tight manner, where a sealing device extending itself to the opening is provided. A moving device in the sample space is arranged for mixing and/or circulating of gas, which is present and/or inflows into the sample space. The moving device comprises a fan, a device having baffle plates, and a shaking device having paddles or a structured nozzle system. The control unit comprises a computer with corresponding software, where the computer is integrated and/or connectable with a central computer of the microplate reader. The control unit comprises a gas sensor for measuring different gases in the sample space. The control unit in the sample space comprises a moisture sensor for measuring moisture of the gas atmosphere, and a temperature sensor for measuring temperature of the gas atmosphere. An illumination device, which is designed with the light for irradiating and/or illuminating the samples in wells of the microplate introduced in the microplate reader. The first-, second- and/or third-measuring devices comprise: a light guide having an inlet point and an outlet point; and a light detector device, which measures the light outgoing from the outlet point. The first inlet point of the light is arranged in the first measuring device into the sample space, the second inlet of the light is arranged in the second measuring device into the sample space, and the third inlet point of the light is arranged in the third measuring device into the sample space. A first light detector device of the first measuring device and/or a third light detector device of the third measuring device is arranged in the sample space. The first-, second- and third-measuring device comprise a first-, second- and third-optic, where one of the optics and/or the receiving device and/or an inserted microplate is movably formed in direction of a z-axis of a Cartesian coordinate system relative to each other. Living cells are measured in a controlled gas atmosphere. An independent claim is included for a method for measuring living cells in a microplate-reader.