US 12,152,987 B2 · Microplate reader

Abstract

A microplate reader having a receiving apparatus for receiving a microplate having predefined dimensions and a multiplicity of wells, and an optical detector for detecting an optical radiation at respective individual ones of the wells of a microplate that in the receiving apparatus. The receiving apparatus is arranged to be movable in at least one spatial direction by a positioning mechanism to position the received microplate relative to the optical detector for successive measurements at different wells. The movable receiving apparatus has an interface device configured to provide an energy and/or data connection and/or a media supply connection and/or media disposal from the microplate reader to an accessory apparatus for additional functions. The interface device enables additional hardware provided as an accessory apparatus, which can be inserted into the receiving apparatus jointly with or instead of a microplate or some other sample container, to be supplied with energy and communication.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A microplate reader comprising:

a receiving apparatus (1) for receiving a microplate having predefined dimensions and having a multiplicity of wells;
an optical detector (9) configured to detect an optical radiation at respective individual ones of the wells from among the wells of the microplate that has been received in the receiving apparatus;
the receiving apparatus is arranged for movement in at least one spatial direction by a positioning mechanism (2, 3) configured to position the received microplate relative to the optical detector (9) for successive measurements at different wells;
and
the receiving apparatus (1) has an interface device (16) configured to provide at least one of an energy connection, a data connection, a media supply connection, or media disposal from the microplate reader to an accessory apparatus for additional functions that is inserted into the receiving apparatus (1) jointly with or instead of the microplate or another sample container;
wherein the interface device (16) provides a media interface (5) embodied as a tube connection (5) for the at least one of the media supply or the media disposal.

3 more elements

A microplate reader comprising:

a receiving apparatus (1) for receiving a microplate having predefined dimensions and having a multiplicity of wells;
an optical detector (9) configured to detect an optical radiation at respective individual ones of the wells from among the wells of the microplate that has been received in the receiving apparatus;
the receiving apparatus is arranged for movement in at least one spatial direction by a positioning mechanism (2, 3) configured to position the received microplate relative to the optical detector (9) for successive measurements at different wells;
the receiving apparatus (1) has an interface device (16) configured to provide at least one of an energy connection, a data connection, a media supply connection, or media disposal from the microplate reader to an accessory apparatus for additional functions that is inserted into the receiving apparatus (1) jointly with or instead of the microplate or another sample container;
and
a controller (15) configured to activate via the interface device (16) additional functions of an accessory apparatus (20) that is inserted into the receiving apparatus (1) jointly with or instead of the microplate.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Microplate reader

Life of this patent

Microplate reader

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21