Microtiter plate reader apparatus and dynamic filter storage

An apparatus for optically measuring samples, comprising:

• a radiation source configured to form an excitation beam in an excitation channel;
• a detector configured to detect an emission beam in an emission channel;
• a filter configured to be located, in an excitation position, in the excitation channel, and in an emission position, in the emission channel;
• and
• a filter module for storing and moving the filter between a storage position, the excitation position and the emission position;
• the filter module comprising:
• a first filter storage comprising a first set of filter storage positions;
• a second filter storage comprising a second set of filter storage positions;
• and
• a filter transfer mechanism configured to move the filter between the excitation position, the emission position, the first set of filter storage positions and the second set of filter storage positions.

A method for optically measuring samples, comprising:

• providing a first set of filter storage positions in a first filter storage of a filter module;
• providing a second set of filter storage positions in a second filter storage of the filter module;
• moving an excitation filter between first set of filter storage positions and an excitation position using a filter transfer mechanism of the filter module;
• moving an emission filter between second set of filter storage positions and an emission position using a filter transfer mechanism of the filter module;
• forming an excitation beam in an excitation channel using a radiation source;
• filtering the excitation beam in the excitation channel using the excitation filter located in the excitation position;
• filtering an emission beam in an emission channel using the emission filter located in the emission position;
• and
• detecting the emission beam in the emission channel using a detector.