Abstract: A single-use coring probe for collecting a frozen aliquot from a frozen biological sample includes a hollow coring bit and an ejector adapted. The ejector is operable to eject a frozen sample core from the bit as it moves from a retracted position to an extended position. Use of the ejector converts the probe to a disabled configuration to discourage reuse of the coring probe to obtain another sample. The probe may include a locking mechanism adapted to prevent re-use of the single-use coring probe by locking the ejector in the extended position. A hand-held coring device can be used to take frozen sample cores from frozen samples. A tissue container is suitable for holding a frozen tissue sample in frozen storage and also for holding the sample while the sample is sectioned and/or a full-depth frozen sample core is extracted from the frozen tissue.

Abstract: A robotic end effector for collecting frozen aliquots from an array of frozen samples in a plurality of containers has a coring bit for taking frozen sample cores from the frozen samples and a frozen sample core extraction system adapted to extract frozen sample cores from the frozen samples. A fill level detection system is adapted to detect the positions of the surfaces of the frozen samples. A processor is adapted to receive signals from the fill level detection system and use the signals and information concerning operation of the frozen sample core extraction system to determine at least one of the following: (a) the amount of material contained in a frozen sample core obtained by the coring bit; and (b) the number of frozen sample cores needed from a particular frozen sample to obtain a predetermined amount of material from that frozen sample.

Abstract: A robotic end effector for collecting frozen aliquots from an array of frozen samples in a plurality of containers has a coring bit for taking frozen sample cores from the frozen samples and a frozen sample core extraction system adapted to extract frozen sample cores from the frozen samples. A fill level detection system is adapted to detect the positions of the surfaces of the frozen samples. A processor is adapted to receive signals from the fill level detection system and use the signals and information concerning operation of the frozen sample core extraction system to determine at least one of the following: (a) the amount of material contained in a frozen sample core obtained by the coring bit; and (b) the number of frozen sample cores needed from a particular frozen sample to obtain a predetermined amount of material from that frozen sample.

Abstract: A robotic end effector for collecting frozen aliquots from an array of frozen samples in a plurality of containers has a coring bit for taking frozen sample cores from the frozen samples and a frozen sample core extraction system adapted to extract frozen sample cores from the frozen samples. A fill level detection system is adapted to detect the positions of the surfaces of the frozen samples. A processor is adapted to receive signals from the fill level detection system and use the signals and information concerning operation of the frozen sample core extraction system to determine at least one of the following: (a) the amount of material contained in a frozen sample core obtained by the coring bit; and (b) the number of frozen sample cores needed from a particular frozen sample to obtain a predetermined amount of material from that frozen sample.

Abstract: A system for taking frozen sample cores from frozen biological samples includes a coring bit mount adapted to hold a coring bit and a carriage supporting the coring bit mount. A drive system is adapted to produce relative movement between the carriage and the frozen biological samples for moving the coring bit along a path into the frozen biological samples. A cutting action motor is supported by the carriage and adapted to drive a cutting motion of the coring bit as the drive system drives the coring bit into the frozen biological samples. A targeting system is adapted to direct electromagnetic radiation onto one of the frozen biological samples when the sample is positioned in the path of the coring bit. The electromagnetic radiation is adapted to produce a display on the frozen biological sample indicating where the path of the coring bit intersects the frozen biological sample.

Abstract: A single-use coring probe for collecting a frozen aliquot from a frozen biological sample includes a hollow coring bit and an ejector adapted. The ejector is operable to eject a frozen sample core from the bit as it moves from a retracted position to an extended position. Use of the ejector converts the probe to a disabled configuration to discourage reuse of the coring probe to obtain another sample. The probe may include a locking mechanism adapted to prevent re-use of the single-use coring probe by locking the ejector in the extended position. A hand-held coring device can be used to take frozen sample cores from frozen samples. A tissue container is suitable for holding a frozen tissue sample in frozen storage and also for holding the sample while the sample is sectioned and/or a full-depth frozen sample core is extracted from the frozen tissue.

Abstract: A robotic end effector for collecting frozen aliquots from an array of frozen samples in a plurality of containers has a coring bit for taking frozen sample cores from the frozen samples and a frozen sample core extraction system adapted to extract frozen sample cores from the frozen samples. A fill level detection system is adapted to detect the positions of the surfaces of the frozen samples. A processor is adapted to receive signals from the fill level detection system and use the signals and information concerning operation of the frozen sample core extraction system to determine at least one of the following: (a) the amount of material contained in a frozen sample core obtained by the coring bit; and (b) the number of frozen sample cores needed from a particular frozen sample to obtain a predetermined amount of material from that frozen sample.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for manipulating chambers and other substrates for chemical, biological, or biochemical samples, such as cell culture and other chambers, within units such as incubators. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a technique for maintaining a plurality of substrates or chambers in a housing within which a predetermined environment is maintained, and moving substrates or chambers in and out of the housing, in some cases without creating a large opening in the housing (e.g., by opening a door significantly larger than the substrates). A technique is provided, in certain embodiments, in which a plurality of substrates are mounted in fixed, secured relation to each other within a housing providing a predetermined, controlled environment, and are moved within the housing so that they can be evenly exposed to any differences in environment within the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for manipulating chemical, biological, and/or biochemical samples, optionally supported on substrates and/or within chambers, for example biological samples contained on chips, within biological chambers, etc. In certain embodiments, an apparatus configured to be able to position a chamber or other substrate in one or more modules surrounding the apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may be configured to be able to move the chamber or substrate in any set of directions, such as radially, vertically, and/or rotationally, with respect to the apparatus. The apparatus may be manually operated and/or automatically controlled. Examples of modules include, but are not limited to, stacking or holding modules, barcode readers, filling modules, sampling modules, incubation modules, sensor modules (e.g., for determining cell density, cell viability, pH, oxygen concentration, nutrient concentration, fluorescence measurements, etc.), assay modules (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to chips, particularly microfluidic chips, that are rotatable and/or have a generally circular or rotationally symmetric geometry. The chips may be substantially planar in certain instances. In some cases, the chips of the invention can have more than one reaction site, which can, for example, contain cells. The reaction site can be very small, in some cases with a volume of less than about 1 ml. Reactions, transport, and/or other manipulations within the chip can be facilitated by rotating the chip, for example, at tens, hundreds or thousands of revolutions per minute (RPM). In some cases, data may also be written to and/or read from the chip. The chips of the invention can be used, for example, to move fluid from one portion of a chip to another, to concentrate and/or separate a mixture (e.g., a cell suspension), to lyse or fractionate a cell, or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for manipulating chemical, biological, and/or biochemical samples, optionally supported on substrates and/or within chambers, for example biological samples contained on chips, within biological chambers, etc. In certain embodiments, an apparatus configured to be able to position a chamber or other substrate in one or more modules surrounding the apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may be configured to be able to move the chamber or substrate in any set of directions, such as radially, vertically, and/or rotationally, with respect to the apparatus. The apparatus may be manually operated and/or automatically controlled. Examples of modules include, but are not limited to, stacking or holding modules, barcode readers, filling modules, sampling modules, incubation modules, sensor modules (e.g., for determining cell density, cell viability, pH, oxygen concentration, nutrient concentration, fluorescence measurements, etc.), assay modules (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for conveniently and reliably storing and/or retrieving data associated with a chemical, biological, or biochemical chip, reactor, or reaction system. The data can pertain to the reactor; to chemical, biological, or biochemical species introduced into, taken from, or otherwise associated with the reactor; to conditions to which the reactor and/or some or all of its contents has been, is being, or will be exposed to, or the like. Various aspects of the present invention relate to memory and data storage components suitable for use in chips or other reaction systems. These components may include silicon integrated circuits, magnetic media, optical media, radio-frequency tags, smart cards, bar-codes and other kinds of data storage devices. The chip may contain a reaction site having a volume of less than about 2 ml. In some embodiments, the chip may be constructed in such a way as to be able to support a living cell.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for manipulating chambers and other substrates for chemical, biological, or biochemical samples, such as cell culture and other chambers, within units such as incubators. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a technique for maintaining a plurality of substrates or chambers in a housing within which a predetermined environment is maintained, different from the environment external to the housing, and moving substrates or chambers in and out of the housing, in some cases without creating a large opening in the housing (e.g., by opening a door significantly larger than the substrates). A technique is provided, in certain embodiments, in which a plurality of substrates are mounted in fixed, secured relation to each other within a housing providing a predetermined, controlled environment, and are moved within the housing so that they can be evenly exposed to any differences in environment within the housing.