SAMPLE CHAMBER FOR MICROSCOPING CELLS AND SYSTEM WITH A SAMPLE HOLDER AND A SAMPLE CHAMBER

Abstract

The invention relates to a sample chamber for microscoping cells, comprising a cover plate, the underside of which comprises a bearing area. A reservoir for the cells with a reservoir base can be formed in the cover plate and the underside of the cover plate can comprise a reservoir base area which is arranged offset downwardly with respect to the bearing area. Alternatively, the sample chamber can comprise a base plate and the underside of the cover plate can comprise a fastening area which is arranged offset downwardly with respect to the bearing area and to which the base plate is fastened, wherein the cover plate and the base plate are configured and arranged such that they together form a reservoir for the cells with a reservoir base, wherein the base plate forms the reservoir base. The invention also relates to a system with a sample holder and a sample chamber.

Claims

1. A sample chamber (1) for microscoping cells (6), comprising a cover plate (2), the underside (2a) of which comprises a bearing area (2a-1), wherein a reservoir (5) for said cells (6) with a reservoir base (5a) is formed in said cover plate (2) and wherein said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2) comprises a reservoir base area (2a-4) which is arranged offset downwardly with respect to said bearing area (2a-1), or wherein said sample chamber (1) comprises a base plate (3), wherein said cover plate (2) and said base plate (3) are configured and arranged such that they together form a reservoir (5) for said cells (6) with a reservoir base (5a), wherein said base plate (3) forms said reservoir base (5a) and wherein said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2) comprises a fastening area (2a-2) which is arranged offset downwardly with respect to said bearing area (2a-1) and on which said base plate (3) is fastened.

2. The sample chamber (1) according to claim 1, wherein said bearing area (2a-1) is arranged between said fastening area (2a-2) and an outer edge of said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2), in particular, forms at least part of said outer edge of said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2), or wherein said bearing area (2a-1) is arranged between said reservoir base area (2a-4) and an outer edge of said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2), in particular, forms at least part of said outer edge of said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2).

3. The sample chamber (1) according to claim 2, wherein said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2) has a step structure formed by said bearing area (2a-1) and said reservoir base area (2a-4) or by said bearing area (2a-1) and said fastening area (2a-2), or wherein said bearing area (2a-1) is arranged in a first plane (19), which is arranged horizontally during intended use, and said reservoir base area (2a-4) or said fastening area (2a-2) is arranged in a second plane (20), which is arranged horizontally during intended use and wherein said underside of said cover plate (2) between said bearing area (2a-1) and said reservoir base area (2a-4) or between said bearing area (2a-1) and said fastening area (2a-2) comprises an area (21) which is arranged in a third plane (22) which is arranged horizontally during intended use and which is offset upwardly with respect to said bearing area (2a-1).

4. The sample chamber (1) according to claim 1, wherein said bearing area (2a-1) is configured in the form of a continuous area or wherein said bearing area (2a-1) comprises several partial areas separated from one another, in particular partial areas separated by separating elements (18), wherein said separating elements (18) are each configured in the form of a standing element (15) which extends downwardly from said bearing area (2a-1), or in the form of a discontinuation (2a-3).

5. The sample chamber (1) according to claim 4, wherein said bearing area (2a-1) comprises said partial areas separated from one another and wherein said bearing area (2a-1) is configured in the form of an area that is arranged circumferentially around said fastening area (2a-2) or around said reservoir base area (2a-4) and is subdivided by at least two, in particular at least three, separating elements (18) in the form of discontinuations (2a-3) or in the form of standing elements (15) into said separate partial areas.

6. The sample chamber (1) according to claim 1, wherein said bearing area (2a-1) comprises a first partial area and a second partial area which are separate from one another and arranged on oppositely disposed sides of said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2), in particular, wherein said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2) is formed to be rectangular and said first partial area and said second partial area are each arranged on one of the long sides or each on one of the short sides of said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2).

7. The sample chamber (1) according to claim 6, wherein said bearing area (2a-1) comprises a third partial area or a fourth partial area which are arranged to be separate from said first partial area and said second partial area and optionally from one another, in particular wherein said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2) is formed to be rectangular, said first partial area and said second partial area are each arranged on one of said long sides, and said third partial area or said fourth partial area each on one of said short sides of said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2).

8. The sample chamber (1) according to claim 1, wherein said bearing area (2a-1) consists of a plurality of, in particular at least three, partial areas which are separate from one another and arranged, in particular, evenly spaced along an outer side of said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2), in particular wherein said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2) is formed to be round and said partial areas are arranged, in particular, evenly spaced along the circumference of said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2).

9. The sample chamber (1) according to claim 1, wherein said cover plate (2) comprises at least two, in particular, at least three, in particular, at least four, standing elements (15) which extend downwardly from said bearing area (2a-1), wherein said standing elements (15) each comprise a standing area (15a) which is arranged offset downwardly with respect to said bearing area (2a-1), is arranged, in particular, offset downwardly with respect to said reservoir base area (2a-4), or with respect to said underside (3a) of said base plate (3).

10. The sample chamber (1) according to claim 9, wherein said standing elements (15) are arranged spaced from said fastening area (2a-2) or said reservoir base area (2a-4), respectively.

11. The sample chamber (1) according to claim 1, wherein an upper side (2b) of said cover plate (2) comprises a press-on area (2b-1) that is disposed entirely or in part opposite to said bearing area (2a-1), wherein the thickness of said cover plate (2) in the region of said press-on area (2b-1) is smaller than the maximum thickness of said cover plate (2) so that said upper side (2b) of said cover plate (2) has a step structure, wherein said press-on area (2b-1) forms, in particular, at least a part of said outer edge of said upper side (2b) of said cover plate (2).

12. The sample chamber (1) according to claim 11, wherein said press-on area (2b-1) is configured in the form of a continuous area or wherein said press-on area (2b-1) comprises several partial areas which are separate from one another, in particular wherein said press-on area (2b-1) is configured in the form of an area which is arranged circumferentially around said upper side (2b) of said cover plate (2) and which is subdivided into said separate partial areas by at least two, in particular, at least three discontinuations.

13. The sample chamber (1) according to claim 11, wherein said press-on area (2b-1) comprises a first partial area and a second partial area which are separate from one another and arranged on oppositely disposed sides of said upper side (2b) of said cover plate (2), in particular, wherein said upper side (2b) of said cover plate (2) is formed to be rectangular and said first partial area and said second partial area are each arranged on one of said long sides or each on one of said short sides of said upper side (2b) of said cover plate (2).

14. The sample chamber (1) according to claim 13, wherein said press-on area (2b-1) comprises a third partial area or a fourth partial area which are arranged to be separate from said first partial area and said second partial area and optionally from one another, in particular wherein said upper side (2b) of said cover plate (2) is formed to be rectangular, said first partial area and said second partial area are each arranged on one of said long sides and said third partial area or said fourth partial area each on one of said short sides of said upper side (2b) of said cover plate (2).

15. The sample chamber (1) according to claim 11, wherein said press-on area (2b-1) consists of a plurality of, in particular at least three, partial areas which are separate from one another and arranged, in particular, evenly spaced along an outer side of said upper side (2b) of said cover plate (2), in particular wherein said upper side (2b) of said cover plate (2) is formed to be round and said partial areas are arranged, in particular, evenly spaced along the circumference of said upper side (2b) of said cover plate (2).

16. A system (9) comprising a sample holder (4) which comprises a bearing plate (4a) with a microscopy opening (4c), and a sample chamber (1) for microscoping cells (6), in particular a sample chamber (1) according to claim 1, wherein said sample chamber (1) comprises a cover plate (2), said underside (2a) of which comprises a bearing area (2a-1), wherein a reservoir (5) for said cells (6) with a reservoir base (5a) is formed in said cover plate (2) and wherein said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2) comprises a reservoir base area (2a-4), and wherein said sample chamber (1) and said sample holder (4) are configured such that, when said sample chamber (1) is arranged as intended on said sample holder (4), said reservoir base area (2a-4) is arranged offset downwardly with respect to said underside (4b) of said bearing plate (4a) or said reservoir base area (2a-4) is received in said microscopy opening (4c), or wherein said sample chamber (1) comprises a base plate (3), wherein said cover plate (2) and said base plate (3) are configured and arranged such that they together form a reservoir (5) for said cells (6) with a reservoir base (5a), wherein said base plate (3) forms said reservoir base (5a) and wherein said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2) comprises a fastening area (2a-2) on which said base plate (3) is fastened, and wherein said sample chamber (1) and said sample holder (4) are configured such that, when said sample chamber (1) is arranged as intended on said sample holder (4), said underside (3a) of said base plate (3) is arranged offset downwardly with respect to said underside (4b) of said bearing plate (4a) or said base plate (3) is received in said microscopy opening (4c).

17. The system (9) according to claim 16, wherein an upper side (4a-1) of said bearing plate (4a) comprises a bearing region (4a-2) which is arranged offset downwardly with respect to other regions of said upper side (4a-1) of said bearing plate (4a) and on which said sample chamber (1) rests when said sample chamber (1) is arranged as intended on said sample holder (4) so that said upper side (4a-1) of said bearing plate (4a) has a step structure, wherein said bearing region (4a-2), in particular, forms at least part of an inner edge of said upper side (4a-1) of said bearing plate (4a).

18. The system (9) according to claim 17, wherein said bearing region (4a-2) is configured in the form of a continuous area.

19. The system (9) according to claim 17, wherein said bearing region (4a-2) comprises several partial areas separated from one another by discontinuations (23), in particular wherein said bearing region (4a-2) is configured in the form of an area which is arranged circumferentially around said microscopy opening (4c) and which is subdivided into said separate partial areas by at least two, in particular at least three, in particular at least four, discontinuations (23).

20. The system (9) according to claim 16, wherein said cover plate (2) comprises at least two, in particular, at least three, in particular, at least four, standing elements (15) which extend downwardly from said bearing area (2a-1), wherein said standing elements (15) each comprise a standing area (15a) which is arranged offset downwardly with respect to said bearing area (2a-1), is arranged, in particular, offset downwardly with respect to said reservoir base area (2a-4), or with respect to said underside (3a) of said base plate (3), and wherein said bearing region (4a-2) comprises openings (16) or discontinuations (23) which are configured and arranged such that said standing elements (15) are received in said openings (16) or discontinuations (23) when said sample chamber (2) rests on said sample holder (4) as intended.

21. A system (9) comprising a sample holder (4) which comprises a bearing plate (4a) with a microscopy opening (4c), a sample chamber (1) for microscoping cells (6), and a sample hold-down device (11), wherein said sample chamber (1) comprises a cover plate (2), said underside (2a) of which comprises a bearing area (2a-1), wherein said sample hold-down device (11) is configured such that it presses said sample chamber (1) in the installed state onto said bearing plate (4a) wherein said sample hold-down device (11) comprises a hold-down structure (11a), and wherein a reservoir (5) for said cells (6) with a reservoir base (5a) is formed in said cover plate (2) and wherein said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2) comprises a reservoir base area (2a-4), and wherein said sample chamber (1) and said sample holder (4) are configured such that, when said sample chamber (1) is arranged as intended on said sample holder (4), said reservoir base area (2a-4) is arranged offset downwardly with respect to said underside (4b) of said bearing plate (4a) or said reservoir base area (2a-4) is received in said microscopy opening (4c), or wherein said sample chamber (1) comprises a base plate (3), wherein said cover plate (2) and said base plate (3) are configured and arranged such that they together form a reservoir (5) for said cells (6) with a reservoir base (5a), wherein said base plate (3) forms said reservoir base (5a) and wherein said underside (2a) of said cover plate (2) comprises a fastening area (2a-2) on which said base plate (3) is fastened, and wherein said sample chamber (1) and said sample holder (4) are configured such that, when said sample chamber (1) is arranged as intended on said sample holder (4), said underside (3a) of said base plate (3) is arranged offset downwardly with respect to said underside (4b) of said bearing plate (4a) or said base plate (3) is received in said microscopy opening (4c).

Description

[0110] Further features and advantages shall be explained below using the exemplary figures, wherein

[0111] FIG. 1a shows a schematic cross section, not to scale, of a first embodiment of the sample chamber;

[0112] FIG. 1b shows a schematic top view, not to scale, onto a first embodiment of the sample chamber;

[0113] FIG. 1c shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view, not to scale, of the first embodiment of the sample chamber;

[0114] FIGS. 1d to 1m show a schematic representation, not true to scale, of modifications of the first embodiment of the sample chamber;

[0115] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross section, not to scale, of a second embodiment of the sample chamber;

[0116] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross section, not to scale, of a third embodiment of the sample chamber;

[0117] FIG. 4a shows a schematic cross section, not to scale, of an embodiment of a system with a sample holder and a sample chamber;

[0118] FIG. 4b shows a schematic representation, not to scale, of part of the sample holder;

[0119] FIG. 5 shows a schematic top view, not to scale, onto the embodiment of the system shown in FIG. 4a;

[0120] FIG. 6a shows a schematic cross section, not to scale, of an embodiment of a system with a sample chamber, s sample holder, and a sample hold-down device;

[0121] FIGS. 6b to 6d show schematic representations, not true to scale, of hold-down structures;

[0122] FIGS. 6e to 6g show schematic representations, not true to scale, of warped or bent sample chambers;

[0123] FIGS. 7a to 7c show schematic views at an angle, not true to scale, of an embodiment of the system with a sample chamber, a sample holder, and a sample hold-down device;

[0124] FIG. 8 shows a schematic side view, not true to scale, onto part of a system known from prior art.

[0125] Unless otherwise specified below, the same reference symbols are used in the figures for elements with the same designation.

[0126] FIG. 1a shows a cross section of a sample chamber 1 according to a first embodiment. The sample chamber comprises a cover plate 2 which is presently open, for example, towards the bottom in the region of reservoir 5 and a base plate 3 fastened to the cover plate, wherein the base plate forms reservoir base 5a. This can be, for example, a cover plate in the form of an injection-molded member made of plastic material and a base plate in the form of a cover glass base.

[0127] The cover glass base can be made of plastic material or glass. The shape, in particular, the thickness, and the material of the cover glass base are selected such that microscopy can be performed through the cover glass base.

[0128] The cover plate and the base plate are configured and arranged such that they together form a reservoir 5 for cells 6. A sample chamber with a single reservoir is presently shown in a simplified manner, but alternatively, the sample chamber can comprise a plurality of reservoirs which are then arranged, for example, next to one another and separated from one another by walls. Exemplary sample chambers with a plurality of reservoirs are shown in FIGS. 1g, 1h, 1k, 11 and 7a to 7c.

[0129] The reservoir in FIG. 1a is open towards the top, but it is conceivable that the reservoir is covered from above, either in that the cover plate itself is configured such that it covers the reservoir, or in that a cover 12 is placed on top of the cover plate, in particular, fastened thereto. An exemplary embodiment with a cover is shown in FIG. 6a.

[0130] The base plate is fastened to underside 2a of the cover plate. More precisely, the underside of the cover plate comprises a bearing area 2a-1 and a fastening area 2a-2. They are each presently formed to be planar and arranged parallel to one another. When the sample chamber is installed, bearing area 2a-1 rests on the sample holder. The base plate is fastened to fastening area 2a-2 of the underside of the cover plate. In the present example, the underside of the base plate is also configured and arranged to be planar and parallel to the bearing area and the fastening area.

[0131] The fastening area is arranged offset downwardly with respect to the bearing area, for example, by a height H.sub.U. In the present case, the underside of the cover plate then has a step structure. Height H.sub.U is also referred to as the step height of this step structure.

[0132] The sample chamber is shown in FIG. 1a in the intended orientation in which underside 3a of the base plate faces downwardly. In particular, the bearing area, the fastening area, and the underside of the base plate are presently arranged horizontally.

[0133] A part of a sample holder 4 is also shown for illustration purposes in FIG. 1 and is not part of the sample chamber. The sample holder shown there comprises a bearing plate 4a with a microscopy opening 4c. The sample chamber is shown in the intended arrangement on the sample holder.

[0134] As can be seen from this illustration, part of the step structure projects into the microscopy opening. More precisely, the sample chamber rests with the bearing area of its underside on the upper side of the bearing plate. Part of the cover plate bordering the bearing area extends downwardly into the microscopy opening, presently, in particular, through the microscopy opening. The fastening area to which the base plate is fastened is arranged at the lower end of this part of the cover plate.

[0135] The base plate does not rest on the sample holder. It is instead arranged below the microscopy opening. The underside of the base plate is offset downwardly with respect to the underside of the bearing plate, namely by a distance A.

[0136] Part of an optical system, namely objective 7, for example an immersion objective, is also shown in FIG. 1a for illustration purposes with front lens 8 which is also not part of the sample chamber. It can be seen in the illustration that it is possible to approach the front lens towards the underside of the base plate over its entire width without running the risk of striking bearing plate 4a of the sample holder when the objective is moved sideways.

[0137] A top view onto the sample chamber 1 is shown in FIG. 1b, wherein the cross section shown in FIG. 1a extends along line A-A′. The position of the base plate and, if covered by the sample chamber, the boundary of the microscopy opening are shown by dashed lines. A cover plate 2 is shown there by way of example, upper side 2b and underside 2a of which have a rectangular basic shape.

[0138] It is shown in FIG. 1b that bearing area 2a-1 comprises two separate partial areas which are arranged to be disposed opposite one another. One partial area arranged on each of the long sides of the underside of the cover plate is shown there by way of example. The bearing area there forms part of the edge of the underside, namely the edge on the two long sides of the underside. There is no bearing area provided on the two short sides.

[0139] FIG. 1c shows a longitudinal sectional view along line B-B′ illustrated in FIG. 1b so that it can be seen how the cover plate is configured at the short ends in this example, namely without a step structure. The outer side wall of the cover plate instead extends straight downwardly towards the fastening area.

[0140] As an alternative to the variant shown in FIGS. 1b and 1c, the two partial areas of the bearing area can also be arranged on the two short sides of the underside of the cover plate or, in addition to the two partial areas on the long sides, a partial area of the bearing area can each be arranged on one or both short sides.

[0141] Alternatively, a single continuous circumferential bearing area can be provided, as indicated in the top view in FIG. 1d.

[0142] A modification of the first embodiment is shown in FIG. 1e as a top view. Cover plate 2 and base plate 3 have a circular basic shape. Underside 2a of the cover plate can have a step structure such that it has a cross section like the cross section shown in FIG. 1a. Bearing area 2a-1 there forms an inner edge of the underside of the cover plate. The bearing area is there continuous and configured in the shape of a circular ring.

[0143] The edge can alternatively also be configured in the shape of a circular ring with several discontinuations 2a-3 so that the bearing area comprises several partial areas separated from one another, as shown in simplified form in FIG. 1f. The discontinuations therefore form separating elements between the partial areas. In this embodiment, the bearing areas are arranged along the circumference of the circle, presently by way of example evenly spaced. Alternatively, unlike shown there, only two or three or more than four partial areas, can also be provided.

[0144] A further modification of the first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1g and 1h in a view at an angle from below and in a top view onto the underside of cover plate 2. For the sake of clarity, the illustration of the base plate is presently dispensed with which can be configured, for example, like in FIGS. 1a to 1d and is fastened to fastening area 2a-2. By way of example, the sample chamber presently comprises two reservoirs 5.

[0145] As can presently be seen, cover plate 2 is formed to be substantially rectangular and the underside of the cover plate comprises a partial area of the bearing area at each of the corners. It additionally comprises a further partial area of the bearing area on each of the long sides of the rectangle, presently approximately in the middle. The bearing area therefore comprises a total of six partial areas. It can respectively be seen in the view at an angle that the underside is configured such that a respective step structure is formed by each partial area and the fastening area offset downwardly.

[0146] The shape of the bearing areas on the long sides gives rise to two receptacles 13 in the underside of the sample chamber, presently for example, receptacles defined laterally towards the inner side of the cover plate which are defined to the top by the bearing area.

[0147] The partial areas at the corners each have a triangular shape by way of example and the partial area on the long sides are each semicircular. The bearing area presently makes up less than 10% of the total area of the underside of the cover plate. In particular, it can make up less than 5%, in particular, less than 2% of the total area of the underside.

[0148] To illustrate the embodiment, a respective sample holder is also shown in FIGS. 1g and 1h in order to illustrate how the partial areas of the bearing area can each rest on the bearing region of the bearing plate of an exemplary sample holder. In the case presently shown, the sample holder has a substantially rectangular microscopy opening, at the corners and on parts of the long sides of which the sample chamber, more precisely, its bearing area, rests on the bearing region. In this example, the bearing region of the sample holder has a semicircular structure 14 on each of the long sides of the microscopy opening. It is received in the receptacles on the underside of the sample chamber when the sample chamber is arranged as intended on the sample holder.

[0149] A system according to the invention comprises the sample chamber and the sample holder as shown in FIGS. 1g and 1h and described above.

[0150] A further modification of the first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1i and 1j in a view at an angle from below (the sample chamber and the sample holder in FIG. 1i are therefore with their undersides facing upwardly and therefore not illustrated in the orientation for intended use) and in a top view onto the underside of cover plate 2. The underside of the cover plate comprises several standing elements 15 in the region of the bearing area. Standing areas 15a of the standing elements are offset downwardly with respect to the bearing area at least as far as the underside of the base plate. When the sample chamber is standing, for example, on a flat area, for example on a table, it therefore also stands on the standing elements, in particular, only on the standing elements if the standing areas are offset further downwardly than the underside of the base plate.

[0151] A respective sample holder is also shown in FIGS. 1i and 1j for the illustration of the embodiment, the bearing plate of which comprises openings 16 in the region of the bearing region which are configured and arranged such that the standing elements are received in the openings when the sample chamber rests on the sample holder as intended. The openings there extend up to the underside of the bearing plate, they are therefore configured as breakthroughs through the bearing plate. Alternatively, they can also be configured as receptacles that do not extend up to the underside of the bearing plate, i.e., are closed at the bottom.

[0152] A system according to the invention comprises the sample chamber and the sample holder as shown in FIGS. 1i and 1j.

[0153] A further modification of the first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1k and 1l in a view at an angle from above and in a view at an angle from below onto cover plate 2.

[0154] For the sake of clarity, the illustration of the base plate is presently dispensed with, which can be configured, for example, like in FIGS. 1a to 1d. By way of example, the sample chamber presently comprises a plurality of reservoirs.

[0155] The underside of the cover plate comprises several standing elements in the region of the bearing area which extend downwardly from the bearing area. The bearing area there comprises several partial areas which are separate from one another by separating elements 18 in the form of the standing elements. More precisely, in a top view onto the sample chamber, the bearing area is configured in the form of an area which is arranged circumferentially around the fastening area and which is subdivided into the separate partial areas by standing elements.

[0156] The standing elements in FIGS. 1k and 1l are arranged at the corners and on the long sides of the substantially rectangular-shaped underside of the cover plate. The standing elements there together with the bearing areas form a presently continuous circumferential edge of the underside of the cover plate, which, however, does not necessarily have to be the case. In particular, the edge can also have one or more discontinuations which further subdivide the bearing area.

[0157] The standing areas of the standing elements are offset downwardly with respect to the bearing area at least as far as the underside of the base plate. When the sample chamber is standing, for example, on a flat area, it therefore also stands on the standing elements, in particular, only on the standing elements if the standing areas are offset further downwardly than the underside of the base plate.

[0158] A cover plate is shown in the present case by way of example, wherein the bearing area is arranged in a first plane 19 which is arranged horizontally for intended use, and the fastening area is arranged in a second plane 20 which is arranged horizontally for intended use. The underside of the cover plate comprises an area 21 between the bearing area and the fastening area which is arranged in a third plane 22 which is arranged horizontally for intended use and which is arranged offset upwardly with respect to the bearing area.

[0159] A sample holder is also shown in FIGS. 1k for the illustration of the embodiment, the bearing plate of which comprises discontinuations 23 in the bearing region which are configured and arranged such that the standing elements are received in the discontinuations when the sample chamber rests on the sample holder as intended. The discontinuations there extend up to the underside of the bearing plate, they are therefore configured as breakthroughs through the bearing plate. Alternatively, they can also be configured as receptacles that do not extend up to the underside of the bearing plate, i.e., are closed at the bottom.

[0160] In particular, the standing elements can be received entirely in the discontinuations. In the case of discontinuations in the form of breakthroughs, however, the standing elements can also extend through the breakthroughs and their standing area can be offset downwardly as compared to the underside of the bearing plate.

[0161] A system according to the invention comprises the sample chamber and the sample holder as shown in FIGS. 1k and 1l.

[0162] A further modification of the first embodiment is shown in FIG. 1m in a cross-sectional view. The underside of cover plate 2 comprises a bearing area 2a-1 and a reservoir base area 2a-4. A reservoir 5 is there formed in cover plate 2 of the sample chamber. The cover plate therefore provides at least the lower boundary, i.e. the reservoir base, and the lateral boundary of the reservoir. Unlike in the above embodiments, the cover plate is not open to the bottom in the region of the reservoirs. In principle, the above explanations apply analogously, although the reservoir base in this modification is not formed by a base plate fastened to the cover plate, which base plate is fastened to a fastening area on the underside of the cover plate. The explanations for the configuration and arrangement of the fastening area in this modification apply accordingly in analogy for the reservoir base area.

[0163] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a sample chamber 1 according to a second embodiment. It is configured substantially like the sample chamber shown in FIG. 1a. However, the fastening area is there offset less far downwardly with respect to the bearing area than in the first embodiment. Step height H.sub.U is therefore smaller than in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a.

[0164] There as well, the part of a sample holder already shown in FIG. 1a is shown for illustration purposes and the sample chamber is shown in the intended arrangement on the sample holder The underside of the base plate in FIG. 2 is flush with the underside of the sample holder, instead of being offset downwardly with respect to the underside of the sample holder like in FIG. 1a. Here as well, approaching the front lens towards the underside of the base plate is possible over its entire width without running the risk of striking the bearing plate of the sample holder when the objective is moved sideways. With the same approach to the base plate as in FIG. 1a, the front lens must be approached closer to the sample holder in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. However, the cover plate is arranged in a more protected manner in the microscopy opening than in the example shown in FIG. 1a, wherein it is comparatively exposed.

[0165] Based on a comparison of the two embodiments, it can be seen that step height H.sub.U of the underside of the cover plate, when using a base plate with a predetermined thickness and having the same depth T.sub.M of the microscopy opening, is crucial for where the underside of the base plate is disposed in the installed state relative to the underside of the bearing plate of the sample holder.

[0166] FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a sample chamber 1 according to a third embodiment which is a modification of the first and the second embodiment. There as well, the underside of the cover plate has a step structure. For illustration purposes, FIG. 3 also shows the part of a sample holder already illustrated in FIG. 1a and shows the sample chamber in the intended arrangement on the sample holder. A step structure of the underside is shown there by way of example with a step height H.sub.U that is between the step height of the first and the step height of the second embodiment. However, other step heights, in particular, like in the first or the second embodiment, are also possible. The underside of the cover plate in FIG. 3 aligns with the underside of the sample holder, which means that the step height of the underside H.sub.U is equal to the depth T.sub.M of the microscopy opening. Accordingly, the underside of the base plate is offset downwardly with respect to the underside of the sample holder.

[0167] Unlike the embodiments in FIGS. 1 and 2, upper side 2b of the cover plate in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 comprises a downwardly offset press-on area 2b-1 so that a step structure is formed. More precisely, the step structure comprises a press-on area 2b-1 offset downwardly by the distance H.sub.O with respect to the remaining regions of the upper side of the cover plate. The press-on area is arranged to be disposed opposite bearing area 2a-1, wherein the width of the press-on area is greater in this example than the width of the bearing area. However, the width of the press-on area can also be smaller than the width or equal to the width of the bearing area. In particular, the width of the press-on area can be equal to the width of the bearing area and the press-on area and the bearing area can be configured such that they are congruent.

[0168] FIGS. 4a and 5 show, in cross section and in a top view, an embodiment of a system 9 comprising a sample chamber 1 and a sample holder 4 which comprises a bearing plate 4a with a microscopy opening 4c. The sample holder without a sample chamber is shown schematically in FIG. 4b in a cross section for illustration purposes.

[0169] The system can optionally comprise a microscope stage 10, which is only shown in FIG. 5 for the sake of clarity, and/or an optical system, in particular, an objective 7 with a front lens 8. The sample holder 4 can be a separate component or can be formed integrally with the microscope stage.

[0170] The sample chamber is shown in the intended arrangement on the sample holder. Sample chamber 1 also comprises a cover plate 2 there as well and a base plate 3 fastened to an underside 2a of the cover plate, wherein the cover plate and the base plate are configured and arranged such that they together form a reservoir 5 for cells 6. The sample chamber can be one of the sample chambers described above.

[0171] The sample chamber and the sample holder are configured in the system shown in FIG. 4a such that, when the sample chamber is arranged as intended on the sample holder, underside 3a of the base plate is offset downwardly with respect to underside 4b of the bearing plate. Alternatively, the base plate can be received in the microscopy opening, in particular, such that the underside of the base plate aligns with an underside of the bearing plate, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0172] In the example presently shown, underside 2a of the cover plate, more precisely, fastening area 2a-2, aligns with underside 4b of the bearing plate. The step height of the underside H.sub.U is equal to the depth T.sub.M of the microscopy opening. Alternatively, however, as shown for example in FIG. 1 or 2, the step height of the underside H.sub.U can be greater or smaller than the depth T.sub.M of the microscopy opening.

[0173] In this embodiment, upper side 4a-1 of bearing plate 4a of sample holder 4 comprises a bearing region 4a-2. The bearing region is arranged offset downwardly by a step height H.sub.H with respect to other regions of the upper side of the bearing plate so that the upper side of the bearing plate has a step structure.

[0174] When the sample chamber is arranged as intended, it rests on bearing region 4a-2, as can be seen in FIG. 4a. The bearing region presently forms part of the inner edge of the upper side of the bearing plate, i.e. it directly borders the microscopy opening. As can be seen in the top view in FIG. 5, the bearing region there consists of two partial areas, also referred to hereafter as partial regions, which each extend along the longitudinal side of the microscopy opening. The bearing area of the cover plate comprises two partial areas which run along the longitudinal side and which each rest on one of the partial regions of the bearing region.

[0175] In this example, the width of the bearing region is greater than the width of the bearing area. The width of the bearing region can alternatively be equal to the width of the bearing area. In particular, the bearing region and the bearing area can be configured such that they have the same shape and size. When the sample chamber is arranged as intended, they are then congruent.

[0176] In the example presently shown, the distance between underside 4b of the bearing plate and bearing region 4a-2, i.e. the depth of the microscopy opening T.sub.M, is equal to the step height H.sub.U of the underside of the cover plate. As a result, the underside of the cover plate and the underside of the bearing plate align when the sample chamber is installed as intended.

[0177] In the present case, upper side 2b of the cover plate of the sample chamber comprises a press-on area 2b-1 which is arranged to be disposed opposite bearing area 2a-1 and is offset downwardly with respect to other regions of the upper side so that a step structure is formed. For example, it can be a sample chamber which comprises one of the press-on areas described in the context of FIG. 3.

[0178] Alternatively, the upper side of the cover plate can also be configured without a downwardly offset press-on area, for example, like the upper side shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

[0179] FIG. 6a shows a cross section of a system comprising a sample chamber and a sample holder which can be configured like in FIGS. 4, 4a, and 5. Alternatively, however, a differently configured sample chamber according to the invention and a differently configured sample holder according to the invention can also be provided. The upper side of bearing plate 4a of the sample holder comprises a downwardly offset bearing region 4a-2 so that a step structure is formed, wherein the bearing region forms part of the inner edge of the bearing plate. For example, the bearing region can comprise two separate partial regions, in particular, consist of two separate partial regions, which are disposed opposite one another and each along one of the long sides of the microscopy opening.

[0180] Upper side 2b of the sample chamber comprises a downwardly offset press-on area 2b-1 which is arranged to be disposed opposite bearing area 2a-1 so that a step structure is formed, wherein the bearing area and the press-on area each form part of the outer edge of the underside or the upper side of the cover plate, respectively. When the sample chamber is installed, bearing area 2a-1 rests on bearing region 4a-2 of the bearing plate.

[0181] The system further comprises a sample hold-down device 11 which comprises a hold-down structure 11a, presently a two-part hold-down structure which consists of two webs 11a-1 and 11a-2. When installed, each of the webs presses onto one of the partial regions of the press-on area.

[0182] The web can respectively be configured to be continuous or comprise discontinuations. This is shown in simplified form in FIGS. 6b and 6c in a detail of a longitudinal section in the region of the web. A further alternative is shown in FIG. 6d, wherein the bearing region of the sample holder on each of the longitudinal sides comprises several separate partial regions, opposite each of which a partial section of the hold-down structure is arranged, wherein the press-on area and the bearing area of the cover plate are arranged therebetween.

[0183] A warped cover plate is shown in FIGS. 6e and 6f in cross section and is not held down by a sample holder. It is bent upwardly there, once at the center and once at the ends. If the sample hold-down device is configured such that it presses onto the press-on area along the long side, then the cover plate can be made to assume a planar shape, as shown in the other figures. Due to the press-on area of the bearing area of the sample chamber and, in the installed state, there also the bearing region of the bearing plate of the sample holder being disposed opposite one another, the situation shown in FIG. 6g is prevented in which the cover plate is bent by pressing action.

[0184] The reservoir in FIG. 6a is covered from above by way of example, wherein a cover 12 there rests above on the cover plate. Alternatively, the cover plate itself can be configured such that it covers the reservoir. The cover can therefore be formed integrally with the cover plate, in particular, be part of the upper side of the cover plate. Alternatively, no cover can be provided like in the preceding figures.

[0185] FIGS. 7a to 7c show an example of a system 9 according to the invention comprising a rectangular sample chamber 1 with several reservoirs 5, a press-on area 2b-1 arranged downwardly offset and circumferentially without discontinuations on the outer edge of the upper side of the cover plate, a bearing area 2a arranged circumferentially without discontinuations-1 on the outer edge of the underside [sic] cover plate, and a sample hold-down device 11 with two continuously formed webs 11a-1 and 11a-2, wherein each of the webs in the installed state presses onto one of the press-on areas along the longitudinal sides of the cover plate.

[0186] FIG. 7a shows the sample holder, the sample chamber, and the sample hold-down device in a view at an angle and before the sample chamber is inserted. For better illustration, only part of the system is shown in FIG. 7b so that the cross-sectional structure is also evident. The same part of the system is shown in FIG. 7c, wherein the sample chamber is inserted into the sample holder and the sample hold-down device is arranged on the sample chamber.

[0187] The respective web can alternatively (presently not shown) be configured with discontinuations in the longitudinal direction. The length of the discontinuations can be selected in accordance with the shape and properties of the sample chamber such that the sample chamber does not bend open.

[0188] Instead of a respective sample chamber which comprises a cover plate that is open towards the bottom in the region of the reservoirs and a base plate fastened thereto which forms the reservoir base, a sample chamber can be used in all of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the cover plate of which is formed integrally, wherein the underside of the cover plate comprises a bearing area 2a-1 and a reservoir base area 2a-4, for example, as described in the context of FIG. 1m. In principle, the above explanations apply analogously to FIGS. 2 to 7, wherein the configuration and arrangement of the fastening area in this modification apply to the reservoir base area.

[0189] A few examples are used hereafter to illustrate how the sample chamber and/or the sample holder can be configured specifically.

[0190] In a specific example, the cover plate of the sample chamber is configured in the form of a rectangular microscopy carrier. The cover plate, also referred to as the upper part, is configured in the form of an injection-molded member and fastened to its underside is a base plate in the form of a cover glass.

[0191] The maximum length of the sample chamber, in particular, the length of its underside, is at most, in particular, less than 76 mm, and the maximum width of the sample chamber, in particular, the width of its underside is at most, in particular, less than 26 mm The cover glass thickness D.sub.D can be, for example, 0.17 mm. The underside of the cover plate comprises an opening which is covered by the base plate. Fastened to the underside of the cover plate in a centered manner is the base plate in the form of a rectangular cover glass having a length of 73 mm long and a width of 23 mm. The step structure of the underside of the cover plate comprises a step having a width of 2 mm which forms a circumferential outer edge of the underside of the cover plate.

[0192] In this example, the height of the step H.sub.U=0.5 mm-D.sub.D=0.5 mm-0.17 mm=0.33 mm. This means that the fastening area to which the cover plate is fastened is offset downwardly by 0.33 mm compared to the bearing area. The size of H.sub.U=0.5 mm-D.sub.D is advantageous if the bearing plate of a sample holder has a thickness of 0.5 mm in the bearing region. The underside of the base plate then aligns with the underside of the bearing plate. In this view, it is assumed that joining the injection-molded member and the cover glass does not affect the overall thickness, i.e. that the sum of the thickness of the cover glass and the thickness of the injection-molded member is individually equal to the thickness of the joined structure composed of the cover glass and the injection-molded member. For example, this can be achieved by way of a welding technique that does not add any spacing between the cover glass and the injection-molded member.

[0193] Alternatively, double-sided adhesive tape can be used to apply the cover glass. The adhesive tape, for example, can have a mounted thickness of D.sub.K=0.15 mm The step height can then be H.sub.U=0.5 mm-D.sub.D-D.sub.K=0.5 mm-0.17 mm-0.15 mm=0.18 mm. The size of H.sub.U=0.5 mm-D.sub.D-D.sub.K is advantageous if the bearing plate of a sample holder has a thickness of 0.5 mm in the bearing region. The underside of the base plate then aligns with the underside of the bearing plate.

[0194] As a further example, the sample chamber can be configured in the form of a Petri dish with a maximum external diameter of 35 mm. The cover plate, i.e. the upper part of the Petri dish, is a circular rotationally symmetrical injection-molded member. The underside of the cover plate has a circular opening with a diameter of 21 mm which is covered with a circular base plate in the form of a cover glass having a thickness of 170 μm. The base plate is fastened to the cover plate using, for example, double-sided adhesive film having a thickness between 10 μm and 100 μm, in particular, a thickness of 50 μm. The underside of the cover glass is plane-parallel to the underside of the horizontal base region of the cover plate.

[0195] The underside of the cover plate in the region of the fastening area has a thickness of 1 mm and at the height of the fastening area a diameter of 31 mm. In the region of the bearing area, the cover plate has a thickness of 0.5 mm. The bearing area is offset upwardly by 0.5 mm with respect to the fastening area and the bearing area forms a 2 mm wide outer edge of the underside of the cover plate.

[0196] An exemplary system can comprise such a Petri dish and a sample holder, for example, made of an aluminum-magnesium alloy, the bearing plate of which has a vertical cylindrical recess with a diameter of 36 mm on the upper side. The recess ends 0.5 mm above the underside of the bearing plate so that the bearing plate has a thickness of 0.5 mm in this section. The recess is configured such that the bearing plate comprises a bearing region in the form of an even surface arranged parallel to the underside of the bearing plate. A microscopy opening in the form of a likewise cylindrical breakthrough having a diameter of 32 mm is arranged in the section of the bearing plate having a thickness of 0.5 mm, wherein the opening and the recess are arranged, in particular, concentrically.

[0197] If the above-described sample chamber in the form of a Petri dish is placed in this sample holder, then the underside of the cover glass and the underside of the bearing plate are in one plane, i.e. they align.

[0198] In a further example, the sample holder can have the lateral external dimensions of a multititer plate, i.e. for example 128 mm×86 mm, and can comprise several, for example, six, cylindrical recesses having an internal diameter of 36 mm. A cylindrical microscopy opening having a diameter of 35 mm can be formed in each of the recesses, wherein the bearing plate below the bearing region has a thickness of 0.5 mm, similar to the example described above.

[0199] It goes without saying that the features described above or shown in the figures are not restricted to these specific combinations.

[0200] For a better understanding, FIG. 8 shows a schematic cross-sectional view, not true to scale, of part of a system known from prior art. The sample holder is shown there on which the base plate, for example, a cover glass base, is fastened to the underside of a cover plate. As can be seen there, the underside of the base plate is arranged above the microscopy opening. FIG. 8 illustrates the above-described risk of collision between the objective and the sample holder and the accessibility decreasing towards the edges of the sample chamber.