TOP-COVER FOR A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEM, TOP-COVER-SET AND CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEM COMPATIBLE WITH PROBE BASED TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURE TO CONTROL THE ENVIRONMENT FOR A SAMPLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a top-cover for a controlled environmental system (CES) for use with a measurement technique that requires introducing a probe to a sample placed on a sample holder, a CES and a procedure to control the environment for a sample in a system in particular a CES during a measurement with a probe based technique.

Claims

1. Top-cover for a controlled environmental system for use with a measurement technique that requires introducing a probe to a sample placed on a sample holder wherein the top-cover comprises a cavity which is forming a chamber around the sample on the sample holder, when placed on the sample holder.

2. Top-cover according to claim 1, wherein the cavity in the top-cover comprises an inlet and/or an outlet.

3. Top-cover according to claim 1, wherein the cavity in the top-cover comprises a humidity sensor.

4. Top-cover according to claim 1, wherein the cavity in the top-cover comprises a port that connects an exterior of the top-cover to the sample.

5. Top-cover according to claim 1, wherein the top-cover comprises a lid with an aperture for the probe holder to go through and the lid is constructed separately.

6. Top-cover according to claim 5, wherein the aperture fits by non-positive mechanical engagement with the probe holder.

7. Top-cover-set comprising a top-cover according to claim 1 and a separation element that divides the chamber into two chambers.

8. Controlled environmental system comprising a top-cover according to claim and a sample holder.

9. Controlled environmental system according to claim 8 comprising a first chamber to accommodate the sample on the sample holder and a second chamber to accommodate a suitable gas mixture to regulate the environment in the first chamber.

10. Controlled environmental system according to claim 9 wherein the first and the second chamber are connected.

11. Controlled environmental system according to claim 9, wherein the second chamber is concentrically arranged around the first chamber.

12. Controlled environmental system according to claim 8, wherein the sample holder is a culture dish holder and a first lid with a first aperture for the probe holder to go through and a cell culture dish form a first chamber.

13. Controlled environmental system according to claim 12 wherein the body of the top-cover and a first lid and/or a second lid with a second aperture for the probe holder to go through form a second chamber.

14. Controlled environmental system according to claim 8, wherein the system comprises a heating and/or cooling system.

15. Controlled environmental system according to claim 8, wherein the controlled environmental system is compatible with optical techniques.

16. Process to control the environment for a sample in a system in particular a controlled environmental system according to claim 8 for use with a measurement technique that requires introducing a probe to a sample placed on a sample holder, wherein the sample is located in a first chamber and a second chamber is filled with a suitable gas mixture regulating environment in the first chamber.

Description

[0046] The invention will be described in more detail herein after with reference to an exemplary embodiment. In the drawing,

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a CES and

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a CES with an additional port.

[0049] The CES 1 in FIG. 1 is shown with a light source 2 for differential interference contrast, phase contrast or an equivalent technique. Furthermore, a laser 3 is shown to read the movement of the cantilever 4 which is used as a probe of an AFM and held by the cantilever holder 5 for an AFM-based technique compatible with optical microscopy techniques. However, other types of probes and/or holders can be compatible with the device. This is just an example to show, that the device is compatible with these types of techniques or any other that requires to introduce a probe into the sample or chamber where the sample is placed.

[0050] The sample holder 11 of the CES 1 holds a Petri dish 6 in which the sample is placed in a buffer solution. This Petri dish 6 is covered by the first lid 7 with an aperture 8 for the cantilever holder 5 to go through. The Petri dish 6 together with the cantilever holder 5 and the lid 7 form the first chamber 9. The lid 7 can move allowing different positions of the cantilever holder 5 with respect to the Petri dish 6. The cantilever holder 5 can be moved in and out through the lids 7 and 13. The second chamber 10 is formed by a sample holder 11 of the CES 1, a top-cover 12, the cantilever holder 5, the first lid 7 and the second lid 13. The second chamber 10 is the chamber into which the gas mixture is introduced. The gas mixture can be used to control the pH and osmolarity of the buffer solution located in the first chamber 9. Also, the lid 13 has an aperture for the cantilever holder 5 to go through. The second chamber 10 has an inlet 14 that can be used to pump the gas mixture into the second chamber 10. The outlet 15 can be used to avoid overpressures within said second chamber 10. Alternatively, the function of inlet 14 and outlet 15 can be switched and the outlet 15 can be used to pump the gas mixture into the second chamber 10 or the inlet 14 can be used in order to avoid overpressures within said second chamber 10. The humidity sensor 16 can be used to monitor the relative humidity within the second chamber 10. In addition, the information from the sensor 16 can be used to actively control the humidity within the second chamber 10.

[0051] The system is compatible with an inverted microscope 19 and techniques based on that such as fluorescence, DIC, phase contrast, confocal microscopy and others. Additionally optical access from the top is possible.

[0052] Between the sample holder 11 and the top cover a sealing (not shown) can be provided.

[0053] The setup of the CES 1 in FIG. 2 is identical. However, additionally ports 17, 18 are provided, that connect the exterior of the CES 1 with the first chamber 9. These ports 17,18 can be used to exchange the fluidic medium of the petri dish 6 or to deliver desired substances.

[0054] A heating and or cooling system 20 allows keeping the sample at a desired temperature.