Abstract: A system and method for automated and closed cell culture system. The system includes a disposable assembly, actuators, sensors, software/firmware and smart device App. The disposable includes fresh media, drug or reagents containers, waste container, sample out containers, cell culture flask, well, bag or bioreactor and active or passive pumping elements. The system is expanded to multiple containers cell or organ processing. In all these precisely controlling the fluids are achieved by interdigitated differential capacitance measurements. The system has provision for imaging, machine vision control, controlled over the internet, volume metering and can use wide variety of pumps for actuation. The system is programmed to perform cGMP protocols and operated as a portable instrument.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems, apparatuses, devices and methods for tissue cultivating. Such systems may comprise a plurality of bioreactors, each bioreactor comprising a bag having a mandrel tube arranged therein, and a fluid management system for managing fluid flow among the plurality of bioreactors. The fluid management system can include at least one intra-luminal pump, configured to flow intra-luminal fluid in a first direction in the bioreactors, at least one media pump, configured to flow biomedia fluid in the bioreactors in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a plurality of valves and/or clamps to effect at least one of filling, flowing, cessation of flow, and draining of at least one of the intra-luminal fluid and biomedia fluid tubes among the bioreactors.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for forming stable three-dimensional vascular structures, such as blood vessels and uses thereof. More specifically, the present disclosure provides methods for culturing differentiated endothelial cells that include an exogenous nucleic acid encoding ETV2 transcription factor on a matrix under conditions that express exogenous ETV2 protein in the endothelial cell to form stable three-dimensional artificial blood vessels without the use of a scaffold, pericytes or perfusion. The present disclosure also provides stable three-dimensional blood vessels that are capable of autonomously forming a functional three-dimensional vascular network, and uses thereof.

Abstract: This document describes systems and methods for integrated mechanical loading of tissue. The system includes a three-dimensional tissue comprising organic material. The system includes a strip of bendable material. The strip includes a first region proximate to a first end of the strip coupled to the tissue. The strip includes a second region near a second end of the strip for coupled to the tissue, the second end being opposite the first end, wherein the tissue exerts a force on the strip to bend the strip, the force caused by contraction of the tissue, and wherein the strip exerts a stress on the tissue.

Abstract: A personal laboratory apparatus includes a plurality of life sciences laboratory modules disposed on or in a common housing. The laboratory modules include a cooling station, a heating station, an incubator, a bioreactor, and a removable fluidic cartridge that is fluidly coupled to the bioreactor. The personal laboratory apparatus can be sold as a kit with a wetware kit that includes laboratory hardware and ingredients for performing a genetic-engineering experiment. The wetware kit includes a plurality of test tubes and a pre-measured volume or mass of a plurality of materials, each pre-measured volume or mass disposed in a corresponding test tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic or millifluidic chips (1) comprising at least one pressure sensing unit (4) able to measure a fluid flow pressure. The present invention also relates to a method for a direct and contact-free measuring of a local pressure of a fluid circulating in a microfluidic circuit, using a microfluidic or millifluidic chips (1) according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to organ perfusion systems that can be used at room temperature. The organ perfusion systems do not comprise a temperature controller. In some embodiments, the organ perfusion systems do not comprise a cleaning device for cleaning the perfusion fluid. The perfusion fluid can comprise Williams' medium E. The organ perfusion systems can be portable and can be used to preserving an organ, preventing ischemic damage in an organ, or recovering an ischemically damaged organ.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for the perfusion of an organ, including: a container of fluid, containing an organ bathed in the perfusion fluid; a first path including an inlet, an outlet and a pump; and a second path including an inlet, an outlet and a pump. The “arterial” outlet of the first path has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the “portal” outlet of the second path. The device additionally includes, between the pump and the outlet of the first path and/or between the pump and the outlet of the second path, an oxygenation unit arranged to oxygenate the fluid emerging from the “arterial” outlet of the first path more than the fluid emerging from the “portal” outlet of the second path. The device can include a communication path between the first path and the second path in order to oxygenate the second path. Use in liver transplantation.

Abstract: An integrated system and method for preparing sperm cells to improve their survivability during cryopreservation are described herein. The system features a vessel, a controlled dispenser, and a dispense tube. The dispense tube has a first end fluidly connected to the dispenser and a second end disposed inside the vessel. The second end can be submerged in the sperm cell fluid. The controlled dispenser may be a syringe pump that includes a syringe for containing a cryoprotectant and a pushing mechanism for displacing the syringe. The syringe pump is configured to discharge the cryoprotectant through the dispense tube and into the vessel, thereby dispensing the cryoprotectant into the sperm cell fluid. Mixing of the fluids is achieved using a shaker table agitation.

Abstract: Presented is an airway organ bioreactor apparatus, and methods of use thereof, as well as bioartificial airway organs produced using the methods, and methods of treating subjects using the bioartificial airway organs. The bioreactor comprises: an organ chamber: an ingres line connecting the organ chamber and a reservoir system and comprising an arterial line, a venous line and a tracheal line; an egress line connecting the chamber and the reservoir system, pumps in ingress and egress lines; a controller to control fluid exchange; a chamber pressure sensor connected to the organ chamber.

Abstract: A minimally invasive system using a surgical robot as a three-dimensional printer for fabrication of biological tissues inside the body of a subject. A preoperative plan is used to direct and control both the motion of the robot and the robotic bio-ink extrusion. The robotic motion is coordinated with the ink extrusion to form layers having the desired thickness and dimensions, and use of different types of ink enables composite elements to be laid down. Such systems have a small diameter bio-ink ejecting mechanism, generally in the form of a piston driven cannula, enabling access to regions such as joints, with limited space. The robotic control is programmed such that angular motion takes place around a pivot point at the point of insertion into the subject. The bio-inks can be stored in predetermined layers in the cannula to enable sequential dispensing from one cannula.

Abstract: A novel macroscale, contactless, label-free method to print in situ three-dimensional (3D) particle assemblies of different morphologies and sizes is demonstrated using non-adherent (blood) and adherent (MCF-7 and HUVEC) cells. This method of manipulating particles such as cells or biological moleules does not necessarily require the use of nozzles that can contaminate the cell suspension, or to which cells can adhere. Instead, the intrinsic diamagnetic properties of particles such as cells are used to magnetically manipulate them in situ in a nontoxic paramagnetic medium, creating various shapes such as (a) rectangular bar, (b) three-pointed star, and (c) spheroids of varying sizes. A normal distribution of 3D cell structures is produced when formed through magnetic assembly. The use of this method in co-culturing of different cell lines is also demonstrated.

Abstract: Blood and platelet storage and rejuvenating compositions that include triciribine, triciribine metabolites, triciribine analogs, and mixtures of the same are disclosed. Such compositions can be useful in methods for treating (e.g., storing and rejuvenating) red blood cells and platelets.

Abstract: An apparatus for perfusing an organ or tissue includes a perfusion circuit for perfusing the organ or tissue; an oxygenator for oxygenating perfusate that circulates through the perfusion circuit; and an oxygen supply device such as an oxygen concentrator or an oxygen generator configured to supply oxygen to the oxygenator. A method of perfusing an organ or tissue includes producing oxygen from a device such as an oxygen concentrator and an oxygen generator; supplying the produced oxygen, preferably as the oxygen is produced, to a perfusate to oxygenate the perfusate; and perfusing the organ or tissue with the oxygenated perfusate. The produced oxygen preferably has a concentration greater than the oxygen concentration in air.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for supporting and connecting an excised organ (such as a heart, a pair of lungs, a kidney, or a liver) during ex vivo perfusion. The device includes a resilient and flexible sheet having a first portion for contacting and supporting the organ thereon, and a second portion comprising an opening for forming a connection between the organ and a conduit to allow fluid communication between the conduit and the organ. The device also includes a magnetic material embedded in the second portion of the sheet for magnetically securing the connection between the conduit and the organ.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention generally relate to prolonging viability of bodily tissue, especially lung tissue, through the use of an expandable accumulator to maintain a constant pressure within the lumen of the organ even during external pressure fluctuations due to, for example, flight. Systems and methods may include prolonging donor organ viability in storage through the use of an organ container that mimics the geometry and orientation of the organ in vivo.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention generally relate to prolonging viability of bodily tissue, especially an organ such as a lung, by adjusting pressure as needed to maintain a constant pressure within the organ even during external pressure fluctuations due, for example, to transportation of the organ in an airplane. Gas passing into and out of the organ may be conditioned to prolong tissue viability.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an afterload device for ex situ heart perfusion, which includes an afterload energy storage module, a pressure regulation module and two flow rate regulators that are connected through a conduit. The afterload energy storage module includes a rigid closed container and a flexible container. The perfusion fluid flows into the flexible container from one side thereof through the conduit, and the perfusion fluid flows out from the flexible container at another side thereof as the flexible container is subjected to the action of the medium pressure in the rigid hermetic container. The pressure regulation module includes two pressure regulation valves and a compressible-medium source, for regulating the pressure range within the rigid hermetic container to be always maintained between the set diastolic pressure and the set systolic pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for the perfusion of an organ, including: a container of fluid, containing an organ bathed in the perfusion fluid; a first path including an inlet, an outlet and a pump; and a second path including an inlet, an outlet and a pump. The “arterial” outlet of the first path has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the “portal” outlet of the second path. The device additionally includes, between the pump and the outlet of the first path and/or between the pump and the outlet of the second path, an oxygenation unit arranged to oxygenate the fluid emerging from the “arterial” outlet of the first path more than the fluid emerging from the “portal” outlet of the second path. The device can include a communication path between the first path and the second path in order to oxygenate the second path. Use in liver transplantation.

Abstract: Devices that may couple two or more apparatuses, such as an organ-on-a-chip device and a microfluidic device. Devices that include an organ-on-a-chip device, a microfluidic device, and a cap that couples the organ-on-a-chip device and the microfluidic device. Systems that include the devices and a detection unit. Methods for quantitation of insulin.

Abstract: This fluid handling device has a rotary member that is rotatable around the central axis. In the rotary member, a first protruding part for pressing and closing a valve of a flow channel chip and a recessed part for opening the valve without pressing the valve are disposed on the circumference of a first circle around the central axis. The rotary member further has a second protruding part for, when the recessed part is located at the valve in a state where the rotary member is rotated, pressing the valve so as not to open the valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ischaemia-free organ perfusion device and perfusion method. The perfusion device perfuses an isolated organ at normal temperature during whole transplantation, and comprises a first container, a second container, a first flow path, a second flow path, a third flow path and a fourth flow path. The perfusion device and the perfusion method are capable of maintaining the blood flow of the isolated organ during whole transplantation without interruption by machine perfusion, recovering the blood of the organ, effectively avoiding the interruption of blood supply for the organ during the whole transplantation, and improving the prognosis of organ transplantation.

Abstract: A multi-layered microfluidic system featuring tissue chambers for cells in a first layer and a plurality of medium channels for culture medium in a second layer. The tissue chambers fluidly connect to the medium channels such that media flows from the medium channels to the tissue chambers, forming large-scale perfused capillary networks. The capillary networks can undergo angiogenesis and vertical anastomosis. The multi-layered configuration of the system of the present invention allows for flexibility in design.

Abstract: Methods for ex vivo perfusion of organs (and/or tissues) with a perfusate designed to condition the organ with the desired effect being that upon transplant, said organ, having been administered said perfusate, is less likely to experience delayed graft function, deleterious effects of ischemia/reperfusion injury, including inflammatory reactions, and/or other detrimental responses that can injure the organ or recipient including precipitating or enhancing an immunological reaction from the recipient with the potential of compromising the graft's and/or recipients short teen and/or long term health and proper functionality while monitoring, sustaining and/or restoring the viability of the organ and preserving the organ for storage and/or transport.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an encapsulated liver tissue that can be used in vivo to improve liver functions, in vitro to determine the hepatic metabolism and/or hepatotoxicity of an agent and ex vivo to remove toxic compounds from patients' biological fluid. The encapsulated liver tissue comprises at least one liver organoid at least partially covered with a biocompatible cross-linked polymer. Processes for making the encapsulated liver tissue are also provided.

Abstract: A bioreactor including a housing, a first fluid dispenser and a second fluid dispenser. The bioreactor is configured to receive a scaffold mounted within the housing with the first and second fluid dispensers being positioned to apply respective first and second fluids to at least two different regions of a mounted scaffold.

Abstract: An organ container includes flexible films and a tube holder. The films hold an organ in contact with the surface of the organ. The tube holder holds tubes that extend between the organ in the films and an outside of the films. This makes it possible to hold and preserve the organ while allowing a liquid to be perfused through the organ via the tubes. It is also possible to reduce movements of the organ relative to the organ container and to reduce damage to the organ.

Abstract: A continuous automated perfusion culture analysis system (CAPCAS) comprises one or more fluidic systems configured to operate large numbers of biodevices in parallel. Each fluidic system comprises an input reservoir plate for receiving media; a biodevice plate comprising an array of biodevices fluidically coupled to the input reservoir plate, configured such that each biodevice has independent media delivery, fluid removal, stirring, and gas control, and each biodevice is capable of continuously receiving the media from the input reservoir plate; and an output plate fluidically coupled to the biodevice plate for real-time analysis and sampling. The operations of the CAPCAS are automated and computer-controlled wirelessly. The CAPCAS can also be used for abiotic and biotic chemical synthesis processes.

Abstract: A device for support of an organ ex vivo comprises a chamber with a first engagement feature. A support structure includes a second engagement feature. The first and second engagement features may be engaged so that the chamber body is carried by the support structure for rotation. The chamber body comprises first and second chamber components. In a first orientation of the chamber body, the first chamber component provides support for a first surface of the organ, and the second chamber component is removable so that a second surface of the organ is exposed to manipulation from outside the chamber body. In a second orientation of the chamber body, the second chamber component provides support for the second surface of the organ, and the first chamber component is removable so that the first surface of the organ is exposed to manipulation from outside the chamber body.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration unit and a method for controlling the transport refrigeration unit, wherein the transport refrigeration unit has a controller device for operating a compressor of the transport refrigeration unit with a continuously-variable speed, which allows the compressor to run continuously but with a smooth gradient range of speed variations. The controller device allows the transport refrigeration unit to have a start-stop operation stage, continuous run operation stage, and/or a cycle-sentry operation stage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for in-situ calibration and/or validation of a thermometer having a temperature sensor and a reference element composed at least partially of a material that undergoes a phase transformation at a phase transformation temperature, wherein the material remains in the solid phase in the phase transformation, the method including detecting and/or registering a measured value from the temperature sensor; detecting and/or registering a reference variable of the reference element; detecting the occurrence of the phase transformation based on a change of the reference variable; ascertaining a phase transformation time at which the phase transformation occurs; determining a sensor temperature using the temperature sensor at a measurement time that has the shortest time separation from the phase transformation time; and comparing the sensor temperature with the phase transformation temperature and/or determining a difference between the sensor temperature and the

Abstract: A system and method for growing and maintaining biological material including producing a protein associated with the tissue, selecting cells associated with the tissue, expanding the cells, creating at least one tissue bio-ink including the expanded cells, printing the at least one tissue bio-ink in at least one tissue growth medium mixture, growing the tissue from the printed at least one tissue bio-ink, and maintaining viability of the tissue.

Abstract: A bioreactor system may include (a) two or more fluidically coupled vessels configured to collectively carry out a bioreaction; (b) one or more fluidic paths coupling the two or more vessels to one another, where the fluidic paths are configured to provide flow of culture medium between the two or more vessels; (c) one or more fluid transfer devices along at least some of the one or more fluidic paths; and (d) a control system. The control system may be configured to (i) read or receive values of one or more parameters characterizing the culture medium in one or more of the vessels, and (ii) use the values to determine an adjusted flow rate in at least one of the fluidic paths to maintain substantially uniform values of the one or more parameters in the culture medium from vessel-to-vessel among the two or more vessels.

Abstract: A cell culture module, a cell culture system and a cell culture method are provided. The cell culture module includes a casing, a first fixer, a second fixer and a sheet-shaped carrier member. The casing has a chamber and at least one inlet/outlet. The inlet/outlet communicates with the chamber. The first fixer is fixed to the casing and located in the chamber. The second fixer is disposed in the chamber and is movable relative to the first fixer. The sheet-shaped carrier member is formed by arranging a plurality of cell culture carriers, and two opposite ends of the sheet-shaped carrier member are respectively fixed to the first fixer and the second fixer. The sheet-shaped carrier member is in an open state or a folded state according to a variation in a distance between the first fixer and the second fixer due to a movement of the second fixer.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system, and methods for receiving, perfusing and maintaining and assessing excised donor heart physiological functionality. The system generally comprises an apparatus for receiving and holding an excised heart that is interconnected with: (i) a perfusate-processing system, (ii) a bi-directional perfusate pumping system, (iii) flow sensors for monitoring the flow of perfusate to and from an installed heart's aorta, pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein, and vena cava, (iv) an ECG apparatus interconnectable with the installed heart, and (v) probes interconnecting the installed heart with instruments for monitoring the heart's physiogical functionality using load independent indices and load dependent indices.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems, methods, and devices for ex vivo organ care. More particularly, in various embodiments, the invention relates to caring for a liver ex vivo at physiologic or near-physiologic conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a description of a method and a device suitable for producing a cell suspension spray with living cells, and the produced cell preparation, suitable for grafting to a patient. In contrast to other methods, the spraying is performed through a disposable needle which is inserted into a disposable air tube; which provides a cell distribution avoiding spray nozzles. Small suspension droplets are provided instead of cell nebulization. By using medical grade sterile Luer-lock disposables from medical routine praxis, biocompatibility and easy application is addressed. In applying the method and/or in using the device, cells suitable for grafting to a patient are dispersed in a solution and sprayed with the device for distribution over the recipient graft site.

Abstract: Apparatus for perfusion of multiple types of organs include base unit configured to removably couple with a perfusion module for perfusing an organ. The base unit has conduits for connecting a source of a perfusate to the organ to circulate the perfusate through the organ; first and second pumps coupled to the conduits for driving circulation of the perfusate in the conduits; and a controller configured and connected for controlling the first and second pumps to regulate the circulation of the perfusate through the organ. The controller is operable to control the first and second pumps to perfuse the organ in accordance with organ specific perfusion parameters. The organ specific perfusions parameters are selected based on the type of the organ, and may be selected by an operator for at least two organ types selected from the group of heart, liver, kidney and lung.

Abstract: A cannula for connecting a medical device to a biological system is taught. The cannula includes a tissue engagement portion, preferably in the form of an annulus, to which a vacuum is applied through the cannula to attract and hold tissue of the biological system in an initial connection while an affixment device is applied to complete the connection. In addition to a working fluid conduit, comprising a main port, a working fluid passage and a working fluid port, and a port to apply the vacuum, the cannula can include a sensor port to allow sensing pressure or other characteristics of the working fluid at a point closely adjacent to the connection between the cannula and the biological system.

Abstract: Bioreactors and components of bioreactors are described as may be beneficially utilized in development and conditioning of cellular materials for study or implant. The bioreactors are modular and components of the bioreactors can be easily assembled with alternatives provided to develop specific, predetermined conditioning environments for cellular materials (e.g., implantable tissue). By selection of one of multiple alternative compliance chambers, a bioreactor can be utilized to condition tissue in a low pressure circuit (e.g., a pulmonary heart circuit), and by utilization of an alternative compliance chamber, the bioreactor can instead condition tissue in a high pressure circuit (e.g., an aortic heart circuit).

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to medical training, and more particularly but not exclusively, to training performed for extracorporeal support techniques such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (“ECMO”). In one non-limiting embodiment, a system includes a clamp defining a space to receive a conduit of an ECMO circuit, an articulator operably coupled to the clamp to change a dimension of the space, and a simulator module communicatively coupled to the articulator to transmit control signals. Additional and/or alternative embodiments, forms, features and aspects are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to organ perfusion systems that can be used at room temperature. The organ perfusion systems do not comprise a temperature controller. In some embodiments, the organ perfusion systems do not comprise a cleaning device for cleaning the perfusion fluid. The perfusion fluid can comprise Williams' medium E. The organ perfusion systems can be portable and can be used to preserving an organ, preventing ischemic damage in an organ, or recovering an ischemically damaged organ.

Abstract: Status of a payload and a shipping container is tracked and monitored by a tracking module which receives at least one signal from one or more sensors; determines a rate of change over time for the signal(s) and sensor(s); compares, in real-time, memory-stored rate-of-change thresholds corresponding to a payload type to the determined rate(s) of change; and, responsive to the comparison indicating a current or impending violation of a payload handling condition, powers up a wireless communications interface, communicates a digital report to a remote computing system, and powers down the wireless communications interface upon completion of the communicating of the report, while continuing to monitor the sensor(s).

Abstract: An automated bioreactor system for decellularizing an organ includes a main chamber for containing the organ. The system further includes a reagent chamber containing a liquid phase reagent. A reagent conduit delivers the liquid phase reagent to the main chamber, and a perfusion conduit delivers the reagent from the reagent outlet in the main chamber into the organ. A perfusion pump drives the flow of the reagent. A perfusion pressure sensor detects a pressure of the flowing reagent. A control system controls the perfusion pump to drive the flow of the reagent based on a received input representative of a desired pressure and a received input of the detected pressure. The control system may automatically perform all of the steps of a decellularization protocol based on sensor input. An automated waste decontamination system may also be provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a comprehensive tissue management system for transplantable materials like tissues and organs. The tracking portion of the system prompts and verifies that staff members of a medical establishment like a hospital have handled, stored, transported, reconstituted, and used the tissue or organ materials in a safe and regulatory-compliant manner from the point of receipt to the point of issuance or surgical use throughout the hospital's organization. The tracing portion of the system creates an integral record that documents which hospital staff members have provided which processing steps to the tissue or organ, any associated materials used in conjunction with such tissue or organ, and an identification of the tissue or organ that was transplanted or implanted inside a patient. Such a system will enable adverse reaction investigations for transplant patients, and recalls of transplantable materials.

Abstract: Methods of using human airway stem cells in lung epithelial engineering, optionally wherein the cells are contacted with a gamma secretase inhibitor, bioartificial airway organs produced thereby, and the use thereof, e.g., for transplantation. Also methods of treating a bio-artificial matrix with Tenascin-C and/or fibrillin 2.

Abstract: A pulsatile perfusion bioreactor for culturing one or more engineered blood vessels having a lumen and a wall is provided. The bioreactor includes a chamber for holding the engineered blood vessel and cell culture media; a mechanical property monitoring system for measuring axial tensile stress and strain, circumferential tensile stress and strain, and/or shear stress imparted on the vessel wall; and a pump system for delivering cell culture media through the vessel lumen, wherein the vessel is exposed to a composite pressure waveform and a composite flow waveform as the media is delivered there through. The pump system includes a steady flow and peristaltic pumps. Further, the composite pressure and flow waveforms each include a mean component, a fundamental frequency component, and a second harmonic frequency component. The bioreactor also includes a computer interface for monitoring and adjusting the composite waveforms to maintain a predetermined stress levels.

Abstract: An organ-chimerization maintenance device. The organ-chimerization device includes at least one large cannula connector that connects to at least one of an organ's vessels. The large cannula is configured to supply a chimerization solution to the organ. The organ-chimerization device also includes a an oxygenation cannula connector that facilitates oxygenation of the organ during chimerization.

Abstract: Device for sorting living cells, comprising at least one support including a surface having adherence properties with respect to said type of living cells, actuators capable of making said surface vibrate at at least one given frequency and a controller for controlling the actuators such that the surface vibrates at a frequency causing the detachment of at least one type of living cells.

Abstract: Techniques for providing in vivo environments to in vitro cells by periodically applying mechanical stimuli to in vitro cells are provided for effective studies on cell culture.