Abstract: A coupling device configured to form a sample access assembly is provided. The sample access assembly is configured to house a sample. The coupling device includes a heating component and a separating component. Further, the separating component is configured to separate portions of first and second containers that form first and second compartments of the sample access assembly. Moreover, the heating component is configured to heat at least a portion of the sample.

Abstract: A bioreactor is provided. The bioreactor is a multi-scalable bioreactor, which comprises a culture vessel for seeding and culturing cells by adding a cell-culture media, wherein the culture vessel comprises at least a side wall and a bottom surface, a specific heat transfer area and a specific gas transfer area; wherein the culture vessel is configured to accommodate the cell-culture media volume up to 10 liters, and wherein the specific heat transfer area and the specific gas transfer area are independent of cell-culture media volume. A kit for culturing cells in a large scale is also provided which further comprises disposable tubings, culture bag or combinations thereof. A method for culturing cells is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing samples fixed to a porous substrate generally comprising, a compressor defining one or more fluid isolation areas, a support, for the porous substrate, having an opening corresponding to one or more of the fluid isolation areas of the compressor, an actuator that causes at least a portion of the compressor to press against the porous substrate, a fluid inlet having access to the fluid isolation area at least when the compressor is pressed against the porous substrate, and a fluid outlet to receive fluid, through the opening in the support corresponding to the fluid isolation area of the compressor, at least when the compressor is pressed against the porous substrate.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for cutting a sample piece, having a shape and an outer dimension, out of a porous substrate, comprising: a puncher having an outermost dimension at a punch head; a stripping sleeve; a die having an innermost dimension that is larger than the outermost dimension of the punch head; and a fixture that holds the die in a fixed position relative to the puncher and stripping sleeve.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the manufacture and use of a non-rigid breast compression paddle, such as a compression paddle having a mesh material forming the primary interface with patient tissue. In certain implementations, an automatic feedback driven approach may be used in conjunction with such a compression paddle for compressing breast tissue.

Abstract: An ultrasound scan probe and support mechanism are provided for use in a multi-modality mammography imaging system, such as a combined tomosynthesis and ultrasound imaging system. In one embodiment, the ultrasound components may be positioned and configured so as not to interfere with the tomosynthesis imaging operation, such as to remain out of the X-ray beam path. Further, the ultrasound probe and associated components may be configured to as to move and scan the breast tissue under compression, such as under the compression provided by one or more paddles used in the tomosynthesis imaging operation.

Abstract: A sampling assembly configured to be coupled to a sample source and facilitate aseptic sampling at one or more instances in time is provided. Further, the sampling assembly includes a first conduit having first and second ports, where the first port is configured to be coupled to the sample source. The sampling assembly also includes a plurality of sub-conduits having corresponding sub-ports, where each of the plurality of sub-conduits is operatively coupled to the first conduit at respective connector junctions. Also, each of the sub-ports is in fluidic communication with the first conduit. The sampling assembly also includes a plurality of sampling kits and one or more pumping devices. Further, each sampling kit is operatively coupled to a respective sub-port of a corresponding sub-conduit. Moreover, the one or more pumping devices are operatively and aseptically coupled to the second port of the first conduit.

Abstract: A semi-automated sampling assembly configured for aseptic sampling at one or more instances from a sample source having a biological inoculum is provided. The semi-automated sampling assembly includes a sampling conduit, a recovery conduit, one or more sampling kits, and a pumping device. The sampling conduit includes a first port and a second port, where the first port of the sampling conduit is configured to be operatively coupled to the sample source. Further, the recovery conduit includes a first port and a second port, where the first port of the recovery conduit is configured to be operatively coupled to the sample source. Also, the second port of the recovery conduit is operatively coupled to at least a portion of the sampling conduit. Moreover, the one or more sampling kits are operatively coupled to the sampling conduit, and the pumping device is operatively coupled to the sampling conduit.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for cutting a sample piece, having a shape and an outer dimension, out of a porous substrate, comprising: a puncher having an outermost dimension at a punch head; a stripping sleeve; a die having an innermost dimension that is larger than the outermost dimension of the punch head; and a fixture that holds the die in a fixed position relative to the puncher and stripping sleeve.

Abstract: A bioreactor is provided. The bioreactor is a multi-scalable bioreactor, which comprises a culture vessel for seeding and culturing cells by adding a cell-culture media, wherein the culture vessel comprises at least a side wall and a bottom surface, a specific heat transfer area and a specific gas transfer area; wherein the culture vessel is configured to accommodate the cell-culture media volume up to 10 liters, and wherein the specific heat transfer area and the specific gas transfer area are independent of cell-culture media volume. A kit for culturing cells in a large scale is also provided which further comprises disposable tubings, culture bag or combinations thereof. A method for culturing cells is also provided.

Abstract: A sampling assembly configured to be coupled to a sample source is provided. The sampling assembly is configured to facilitate aseptic sampling at one or more instances in time. The sampling assembly includes a first conduit having a first port and a second port, where the first port is configured to be coupled to the sample source, and where the second port is configured to be hermetically sealed. The sampling assembly further includes a plurality of sub-conduits having corresponding sub-ports, where each of the plurality of sub-conduits is operatively coupled to the first conduit at respective connection points, and where each of the sub-ports is in fluidic communication with the first conduit. Moreover, the sampling assembly includes a plurality of sampling kits, where each sampling kit of the plurality of sampling kits is operatively connected to a respective sub-port of a corresponding sub-conduit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure comprise a vision-based robotic manipulation system that identifies, singulates, and removes an individual surgical instrument from a cluttered environment. A computer-vision algorithm incorporated with the system is robust against optical challenges such as changing light conditions, specularities, and inter-reflections among various surgical instruments. The system estimates 2D pose (as opposed to a more challenging 3D pose) using a camera with normal room lighting to identify each object, including its specified data matrix barcode; and incorporates the use of a robotic arm with a compliant electromagnetic gripper to handle objects having large shape variance. The system can then relocate the objects as desired. The robot manipulator is utilized in hospital and research settings, manufacturing, and sterile environments.

Abstract: A coupling device configured to form a sample access assembly is provided. The sample access assembly is configured to house a sample. The coupling device includes a heating component and a separating component. Further, the separating component is configured to separate portions of first and second containers that form first and second compartments of the sample access assembly. Moreover, the heating component is configured to heat at least a portion of the sample.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing samples fixed to a porous substrate generally comprising, a compressor defining one or more fluid isolation areas, a support, for the porous substrate, having an opening corresponding to one or more of the fluid isolation areas of the compressor, an actuator that causes at least a portion of the compressor to press against the porous substrate, a fluid inlet having access to the fluid isolation area at least when the compressor is pressed against the porous substrate, and a fluid outlet to receive fluid, through the opening in the support corresponding to the fluid isolation area of the compressor, at least when the compressor is pressed against the porous substrate.

Abstract: A method for separating and collecting cell-free plasma by finger stick that minimizes contamination with genomic DNA from a donor. The method comprising placing a tourniquet on one of the digits of the donor's finger to apply pressure, lancing the digit to create an incision in the digit, and collecting blood from the incision from the incision site. The collected blood is placed on a separation membrane wherein the separation membrane is in contact with a collection membrane and both the separation and collection membrane are inserted into a substrate configured to provide overlap between the membranes. A kit and instructions for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A substrate for positioning a separation membrane and a collection membrane for separating and collecting plasma is disclosed. The substrate includes an inner flexure disposed proximate to a first peripheral portion of the substrate and an outer flexure disposed surrounding at least a portion of the inner flexure. The inner flexure is formed from a plurality of first slots in the substrate and the outer flexure is formed from a plurality of second slots in the substrate.

Abstract: A high-throughput system for processing biological material that comprises: a tray that supports a functionally-closed fluid path subsystem comprising, a vessel for containing and enabling the biological material to separate into two or more distinct submaterials; one or more receptacles to receive one or more of the submaterials from the vessel; a filtration device; a conduit through which one or more submaterials are transported between at least the vessel and the filtration device; and a first engagement structure; a processing unit comprising, a pumping device for moving one or more of the submaterials between at least the vessel and the filtration device via the conduit; a second engagement structure corresponding to the first engagement structure; a locking mechanism for at least temporarily holding the tray in a fixed position relative to the processing unit; a control device that automatically starts and stops the pumping device in response to one or more commands.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure comprise a vision-based robotic manipulation system that identifies, singulates, and removes an individual surgical instrument from a cluttered environment. A computer-vision algorithm incorporated with the system is robust against optical challenges such as changing light conditions, specularities, and inter-reflections among various surgical instruments. The system estimates 2D pose (as opposed to a more challenging 3D pose) using a camera with normal room lighting to identify each object, including its specified data matrix barcode; and incorporates the use of a robotic arm with a compliant electromagnetic gripper to handle objects having large shape variance. The system can then relocate the objects as desired. The robot manipulator is utilized in hospital and research settings, manufacturing, and sterile environments.

Abstract: A sample storage and extraction device is provided. The sample storage and extraction device includes a substrate frame and a substrate cover. The substrate frame includes a substrate region configured to receive a sample substrate. The sample storage and extraction device further includes a compression assembly configured to provide an isolation zone in a portion of the sample substrate. Moreover, the sample storage and extraction device includes a fluidic channel configured to flow elution fluid to the isolation zone.

Abstract: A high-throughput system for processing biological material that comprises: a tray that supports a functionally-closed fluid path subsystem comprising, a vessel for containing and enabling the biological material to separate into two or more distinct submaterials; one or more receptacles to receive one or more of the submaterials from the vessel; a filtration device; a conduit through which one or more submaterials are transported between at least the vessel and the filtration device; and a first engagement structure; a processing unit comprising, a pumping device for moving one or more of the submaterials between at least the vessel and the filtration device via the conduit; a second engagement structure corresponding to the first engagement structure; a locking mechanism for at least temporarily holding the tray in a fixed position relative to the processing unit; a control device that automatically starts and stops the pumping device in response to one or more commands.