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.

Abstract: A method of expanding TCRalpha deficient T-cells by expressing pTalpha or functional variants thereof into said cells, thereby restoring a functional CD3 complex. This method is particularly useful to enhance the efficiency of immunotherapy using primary T-cells from donors. This method involves the use of pTalpha or functional variants thereof and polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides to expand TCRalpha deficient T-cells. Such engineered cells can be obtained by using specific rare-cutting endonuclease, preferably TALE-nucleases. The use of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR), especially multi-chain CAR, in such engineered cells to target malignant or infected cells. The invention opens the way to standard and affordable adoptive immunotherapy strategies for treating cancer and viral infections.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for in vitro testing of specimens, such as biomaterials, to obtain history-dependent, time-invariant functional materials properties using time-convolution and idempotent analysis. The purpose of the method is to measure these properties using a data processing without limitations of materials models, the properties linearity or material homogeneity.

Abstract: A shipping and storage system which has an access panel with an optional open/close status sensor, and a payload carrier with an affixed sensor connected to a tracking module that monitors the environment of the payload carrier, such as temperature, against a pre-determined threshold for compliance with pre-determined handling and storage requirements for a specific payload type, such as a specific blood product. When a violation is detected by the tracking module, a user alert or user interface is activated. Advanced features optionally include a plurality of pre-determined threshold sets for a plurality of specific payload types, a tamper detection function based on the access panel status and optional weight changes in the payload carrier, and wireless connectivity to allow mobile device and cloud-based enhanced management functions.

Abstract: The invention provides, in various embodiments, systems, devices and methods relating to ex-vivo organ care. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to maintaining an organ ex-vivo at near-physiologic conditions. The present application describes a method for using lactate measurement in the arterial and the venous blood lines of the Organ Care System Heart perfusion device to evaluate the: 1) The overall perfusion status of an isolated heart and 2) The metabolic status of an isolated heart and 3) the overall vascular patency of an isolated donor heart. This aspect of the present invention uses the property of myocardial cell's unique ability to produce/generate lactate when they are starved for oxygen and metabolize/utilize lactate for energy production when they are well perfused with oxygen.

Abstract: A method of expanding TCRalpha deficient T-cells by expressing pTalpha or functional variants thereof into said cells, thereby restoring a functional CD3 complex. This method is particularly useful to enhance the efficiency of immunotherapy using primary T-cells from donors. This method involves the use of pTalpha or functional variants thereof and polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides to expand TCRalpha deficient T-cells. Such engineered cells can be obtained by using specific rare-cutting endonuclease, preferably TALE-nucleases. The use of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR), especially multi-chain CAR, in such engineered cells to target malignant or infected cells. The invention opens the way to standard and affordable adoptive immunotherapy strategies for treating cancer and viral infections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for obtaining differentiated cells and/or differentiated cell products, including the steps of: introducing undifferentiated cells into a perfused organ or living tissue; subjecting the undifferentiated cells introduced to perfusion culture together with the organ or living tissue so as to allow the undifferentiated cells to differentiate, thereby obtaining differentiated cells and/or differentiated cell products; collecting a perfusion culture solution that contains the resulting differentiated cells and/or differentiated cell products; and obtaining the differentiated cells and/or differentiated cell products contained in the collected perfusion culture solution.

Abstract: A micro cell culturing device including: a substrate; an elastomer seated and arranged on an upper surface of the substrate; a test chamber indented to a lower surface of the elastomer at a predetermined height, the lower surface of the elastomer facing the upper surface of the substrate; a main channel indented to the lower surface of the elastomer at a predetermined height, the main channel being spaced apart from the test chamber; a connection channel indented to the lower surface of the elastomer and arranged between the test chamber and the main channel to connect the test chamber and the main channel; and a pressure adjusting unit for pressurizing the elastomer. A height of the connection channel is lower than heights of the test chamber and the main channel.

Abstract: An organ perfusion device includes an inlet for connection to the organ, and an outlet for connection to the organ. The device also includes a perfusion circuit including: a reservoir configured to hold a perfusion fluid; a waste receptacle, and a plurality of fluid conduits. The fluid conduits define: a delivery fluid path connecting the reservoir with the inlet; a return fluid path, independent of the delivery fluid path, connecting the reservoir with the outlet; and a waste fluid path connecting the reservoir with the waste receptacle. The device also includes a first flow control device configured to selectively prevent or allow fluid flow from the reservoir to the organ via the delivery fluid path; and a second flow control device configured to selectively prevent or allow fluid flow from the reservoir to the waste receptacle via the waste fluid path.

Abstract: Method and system for organ preservation. According to one aspect, an organ may be preserved by being perfused with an in situ generated preserving gas. The organ may be, for example, a human or porcine pancreas, and perfusion of the pancreas may be anterograde, retrograde, ductal, anterograde/ductal, or retrograde/ductal. The preserving gas used to perfuse the organ may be dissolved in a liquid and then administered to the organ as a gas/liquid solution or may be mixed with one or more other gases and then administered to the organ as a gas/gas mixture. The preserving gas may be, for example, oxygen gas generated in situ using an electrochemical oxygen concentrator. According to another aspect, an organ preservation system may include an electrochemical oxygen concentrator having a water vapor feed, as well as auxiliary equipment to control and measure delivery pressure, flow, temperature and humidity.

Abstract: Disclosed is portable organ transportation system including a mobile cart and an organ container. At least one of the mobile cart and the organ container include a latch for releasably attaching the organ container to the mobile cart. The organ container may be a portable organ preservation device or a portable organ perfusion apparatus.

Abstract: A control method causes a computer of an information apparatus to: display a display screen representing a floor plan on a display; display on the display screen device icons, the device icons including a dehumidifier icon; when selection of the dehumidifier icon is sensed, display on the display an operation screen for operating a dehumidifier corresponding to the dehumidifier icon, the operation screen being displayed on the display screen and outside of a region corresponding to a room where the selection of the dehumidifier icon is sensed; output a control command for operating the dehumidifier to a network based on an operation on the operation screen; and display an operation state of the dehumidifier in the region corresponding to the room where the selection of the dehumidifier icon is sensed based on the operation on the operation screen.

Abstract: A donor organ treatment apparatus has a container for holding an organ and a perfusion liquid circuit. The perfusion circuit includes a supply conduit downstream of an oxygenator and a heat exchanger for supplying perfusion liquid from the oxygenator and the heat exchanger to an organ in the container and a return conduit upstream of the oxygenator and the heat exchanger for guiding perfusion liquid from the organ inside the container to the oxygenator and the heat exchanger. The supply conduit is provided with an outlet port coupling for connection to a perfusion catheter and the return conduit is provided with an inlet port coupling for connection to a return catheter. A method for successively perfusing an organ in-situ and ex-vivo with liquid circulating through the same perfusion circuit is also described.

Abstract: An organ perfusion apparatus and method monitor, sustain and/or restore viability of organs and preserve organs for storage and/or transport. Other apparatus include an organ transporter, an organ cassette and an organ diagnostic device. The method includes perfusing the organ at hypothermic and/or normothermic temperatures. The methods further include perfusing the organ at hypothermic and/or normothermic temperatures with a second perfusate containing a substance for reacting with the organ. Condition of the organ may be automatically monitored, and the perfusion process can be automatically controlled using a control program.

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 bidirectional perfusate pumping system, (in) 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 relates to a method for in vitro testing of specimens, such as biomaterials or implants, wherein the method comprises at least immersing at least a part of the test specimen into a liquid media, controlling the liquid media, controlling surrounding environment, providing a predetermined non-destructive force to the specimen, and measuring reactions of the specimen or constituents of the liquid media. Further it relates to an apparatus for in vitro testing.

Abstract: Fluid pumps and medical treatment devices, in particular dialysis machines, include devices configured such that operating pressures and flow rates of the fluid pumps assume desired characteristics, in particular constant values or controlled profiles. The operating point of a peristaltic hose roller pump is adjusted based on an angle of rotation of a pump rotor, or by adjusting the operating point of a centrifugal pump in accordance with a profile.

Abstract: The invention is an automated advanced tissue engineering system that comprises a housing in which one or more tissue engineering modules are accommodated together with a central microprocessor that controls functioning of the tissue engineering modules. In one embodiment, the tissue engineering module comprises a housing supporting one or more bioreactor chamber assemblies and a fluid reservoir operationally engageable with the housing. The bioreactor chamber assemblies may be selected depending on the end product option desired and may include, for example, a cell therapy bioreactor chamber, a single implant bioreactor chamber and a multiple (mosaic) implant bioreactor chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for analyzing the effect of a test substance on biological and/or biochemical samples in which a plurality of samples, each comprising a known concentration of the test substance in at least three different concentrations, are used to obtain measurements which provide raw data. An evaluation rule utilizes the raw data of the sample determining the effect of the test substance, at the particular concentration, on the sample. The evaluation rule is influenced by at least one control parameter, and at least one starting value for the at least one control parameter is determined. The raw data is evaluated and correspondence between the determined activities and a functional model resulting from theoretical considerations yields a dose/effect curve describing the dependence of the activities on the concentration of the test substance. The steps are modified and repeated until an abort criterion has been reached.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to modified substrates such as membranes for use in bioartificial organs, such as bioartificial kidneys, and other applications. Certain aspects are generally directed to a membrane or other substrate modified to facilitate the attachment of cells. In one set of embodiments, the substrate or membrane may be at least partially coated with an adhesive such as 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (DOPA), poly(dopamine), or other adhesive comprising a molecule having a catechol moiety, for example on one side of the membrane or substrate. On at least a portion of the adhesive coated portion of the substrate, a protein may be coated, such as an extracellular matrix protein (for example, a collagen), to which cells such as primary human renal proximal tubule cells may be adhered. Surprisingly, such a dual coating may be used to promote the attachment of such cells to a membrane or other substrate that otherwise may not promote cell adhesion.

Abstract: To provide a cell culture device, a cell culture system and a cell culture method capable of suppressing fluctuations in pressure in a culture fluid, and suppressing gas bubbles from flowing into a cell culture section. A cell culture device including: a cell culture section that cultures cells; a storage section that stores a culture fluid; flow paths that connect the cell culture section and the storage section; a fluid delivery device that is provided at the flow paths and that delivers the culture fluid from the storage section to the cell culture section; a pressure equalizing unit that is provided at the flow paths and that suppresses fluctuations in pressure imparted to the culture fluid delivered to the cell culture section; and a pressurization unit that is provided at the flow path at a flow outlet side of the cell culture section and that applies a specific pressure to the culture fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for at least one of storage, treatment, assessment and transport of an organ or tissue includes a coolant container configured to cool the organ or tissue, a perfusion circuit configured to perfuse the organ or tissue, and a sample compartment for holding a biological sample. Preferred apparatus has a first internal compartment under a first cover (lid) of the apparatus that includes the coolant container and the sample compartment. The apparatus can include a second internal compartment under a second cover (lid) of the apparatus, the second internal compartment including at least part of the perfusion circuit and a sample compartment.

Abstract: System for fluid perfusion of biological matter that includes tissue. According to one embodiment, the system may include a storage container for storing the biological matter, a thermal control device for cooling the contents of the storage container, a gas generator for generating a preserving gas, a fluid conduit coupled to the gas generator and insertable into tissue for delivering the preserving gas to the biological matter, and a process controller for controlling the operation of the gas generator and the thermal control device. The gas generator, in turn, may include an electrochemical oxygen concentrator and/or a water electrolyzer for generating the preserving gas. The system may further include a liquid perfusion system that includes a reservoir of liquid perfusate, a fluid delivery conduit for delivering liquid perfusate from the reservoir to the biological matter, and a fluid draining conduit for draining liquid perfusate from the biological matter.

Abstract: An organ preservation system having an organ chamber with a perfusate reservoir surrounded by a heat exchanger. The system has a pump for circulating perfusate, which draws perfusate from the reservoir and passes the perfusate through a bubble trap, and temperature and pressure sensors prior to entering the chamber where the organ is perfused. An oxygenator with a platform and a filter is situated within the perfusate reservoir such that perfusate leaving the organ which rests on the platform passes through the filter before dripping into the perfusate reservoir below. The pump re-circulates perfusate from the perfusate reservoir. The oxygenator has gas permeable tubes wound around support legs of the oxygenator. Circulation of oxygen through the tubes allows for gas exchange by diffusion across the membrane to oxygenate perfusate flowing around the tubes.

Abstract: The invention provides, in various embodiments, systems, devices and methods relating to ex-vivo organ care. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to maintaining an organ ex-vivo at near-physiologic conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for shipping, storing, and viewing a cornea comprising a container having a viewing window in a container base, an inner sidewall, and a corneal basket arranged within said container base. The corneal basket is in contact with said inner sidewall and adapted to support a corneoscleral disc by including more than one corneal support rod and more than one disc support surface and a lid that sealingly engages with the container.

Abstract: A system for perfusing a biological organ for use as an experimental model includes a housing having sides that define a cavity for containing a biological organ model within a solution. The housing includes a plurality of apertures defined therethrough configured to mechanically interface with a filter, one or more heating elements and one or more sensors. A peristaltic pump is configured to withdraw and pressurize the solution from the housing and reintroduce the solution under pressure into the biological organ. A heat control module operatively connects to the heating elements and is configured to regulate the temperature of the solution within the housing. A data acquisition system operatively connects to the heat control module, the peristaltic pump and the sensor(s) and regulates and monitors the pressure, flow rate and temperature of the solution during electrical treatment of the biological organ.

Abstract: An apparatus intended for evaluation, preservation and perfusion of an organ, such as a lung. The apparatus includes a container with a bottom portion, an insert portion and a lid portion. A pulmonary artery tube is intended to be connected to the lung pulmonary artery and a trachea tube is intended to be connected to the trachea of the lungs and bent tube connects the pulmonary artery tube to a circuit for providing a fluid to the pulmonary artery is provided. The circuit includes a pump, an oxygenator, an optional leukocyte-filter, and a holder for connecting the trachea tube to a source of respiration. There is an oxygenator tube set and a leukocyte-filter tube set. A supporting structure for the container comprises a recess sized for enclosing said container and a display panel. Moreover, there are two handles, which may be unfolded into a position for supporting a sterile cloth.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro or ex vivo method for preserving and/or keeping alive mammalian, preferably human skin biopsies, enabling to transport it and, if applicable, to culture it. Also disclosed is a skin biopsy thus preserved and obtained by such a method and relates to its use as a model especially in a kit for screening or selecting cosmetic or therapeutic compounds.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preserving tissues in situ using critical point drying are disclosed. Such methods and systems are particularly applicable to the preservation of a deceased body, such as a deceased person or animal, with or without removal of internal tissues or organs. A fixative can be perfused through the vascular system of the body while blood is removed from the body. The exterior of the body can also be immersed in a bath of fixative. The fixative in the vascular system and the bath can be replaced by subsequent washes of buffer, de-ionized water, and/or alcohol. The alcohol-infused and fixated body can be disposed in a pressure chamber and subjected to a critical point drying process using carbon dioxide. After the critical point drying process, the body is in a preserved state.

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.

Abstract: A cultivation apparatus and a cultivation method of a culture such as a cell or tissue. Provided are an incubator unit for accommodating a culture and a lever that penetrates through the incubator unit and can move in circular arc around a fulcrum as a center, the fulcrum being set at a wall of the incubator unit or in the vicinity thereof, then displacement is imparted to the culture by operating the lever. Bending force can be acted on the culture (cell construct) such as a cell or tissue, so that without any increase or decrease of a culture fluid in the incubator unit, namely, without any increase or decrease of pressure to the culture fluid, displacement required for cultivation can be imparted to the culture in the incubator unit. By curving, continuous compression and extension are generated in a direction of thickness from a concave portion to a convex portion of the curving.

Abstract: An exhaust system suitable for high volume exhaust from flexible disposable bags is described that prevents nutrient media volume loss and prevents cross-contamination without using any filters. The invention described here allows the use of disposable two-dimensional bioreactors for the cultivation of bacterial and other organisms and cells require high aeration.

Abstract: A bioartificial filtration organ can be produced from an organ scaffold by re-seeding the scaffold with endothelial cells or cell progenitors and with epithelial cells or cell progenitors in a negative pressure environment. The negative pressure encourages the re-seeding over a greater extent of the scaffold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transporting an organ having a container for organs, a gas-driven pump connected to the container and conduits for circulating a liquid and/or gas through the container, and a controller for controlling the pump. There is a pressure sensor in the liquid output conduit of the pump that is connected to the controller and control the drive for the pump. The invention also relates to a method for transporting an organ in a container.

Abstract: A system and method for regulating cooperatively the pressures and flows of input vessels such as both the portal vein and hepatic artery for the liver. This invention solves problems of less-than-therapeutic portal vein flow during perfusion preservation by implementing cooperative regulation between the inputs, e.g., portal vein and hepatic artery pumping systems, on an organ preservation apparatus. It includes an algorithm that adapts to the situation wherein the portal vein has reached minimum flow and maximum pressure. The cooperative regulation algorithm senses the problem with the portal vein and solves it by adjusting the hepatic artery flow conditions.

Abstract: An evaluation and preservation solution for human and animal organs, tissues and parts thereof is described, wherein it comprises serum albumin at a concentration of 55-105 g/L, a scavenger and coating compound, preferably dextran compounds and derivatives thereof having essentially the same structure at a concentration of 1-55 g/L weight, and a physiological serum concentration of salts and nutrients in a physiologically acceptable medium.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes, in one embodiment, a first silk film coupled to a second silk film with at least one microchannel therebetween.

Abstract: A biological tissue processing substrate for fixing proteins in a biological tissue or degradation products of the proteins, the substrate comprising: a porous body that forms a contact surface with the biological tissue, the porous body holding in pores an enzyme for obtaining the proteins or the degradation products of the proteins from the biological tissue, wherein the proteins or the degradation products obtained by the action of the enzyme are brought into contact with a member consisting of a metal.

Abstract: An organ perfusion apparatus and method monitor, sustain and/or restore viability of organs and preserve organs for storage and/or transport. Other apparatus include an organ transporter, an organ cassette and an organ diagnostic device. In perfusion, organ perfusion pressure is preferably controlled in response to a sensor disposed in an end of tubing placed in the organ, by a pneumatically pressurized medical fluid reservoir, providing perfusion pressure fine tuning, overpressurization prevention and emergency flow cut-off. In the hypothermic mode, the organ is perfused with a medical fluid, preferably a simple crystalloid solution containing antioxidants, intermittently or in slow continuous flow. The medical fluid may be fed into the organ from an intermediary tank having a low pressure head to avoid organ overpressurization. Viability of the organ may be automatically monitored, preferably by monitoring characteristics of the medical fluid perfusate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable personal cryogenic container for carrying materials at low temperatures, and more particularly for carrying cryogenically preserved materials. The cryogenic container can be formed from an external shell assembly having multiple parts, where the parts are interlocked to support an inner container. An elongate receptacle holding preserved materials may be supported in the inner container alongside cryogenic fluids for maintaining cryopreserved materials.

Abstract: Novel methods and systems for electromagnetic freezing are disclosed. An oscillating magnetic field can be applied in conjunction with a static magnetic field in order to align magnetic particles inside biological tissues. Such chains may be naturally present or artificially introduced. Needle-shaped electrodes may be used to produce ions and disturb the air layers insulating the tissues to be frozen.

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 bidirectional perfusate pumping system, (in) 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: An organ transport container system for storing and transporting therein an organ coupled to a perfusion system for preserving the viability of the organ for implantation by perfusing the organ with a perfusion liquid. The container system includes a cartridge for carrying the organ and a receptacle for holding a volume of the perfusion liquid and for removably holding therein the cartridge in a transport position. The cartridge has a holder for supporting the organ and relay conduit extending between an artery connector for sealingly connecting the relay conduit to an artery of the organ in the holder and an inlet. An outlet of a passage through the receptacle wall or bottom and the inlet are positioned and arranged such that the outlet and the inlet are sealingly coupled to each other when the cartridge is brought in the transport position, for allowing preservation liquid supplied via the supply conduit to be relayed to the artery via the relay conduit when the cartridge is in the transport position.

Abstract: A perfusion system for the perfusion of an organ comprises a perfusion fluid circuit (16) for circulating perfusion fluid through the organ, oxygenation means (14) for adding oxygen into the perfusion fluid, and an oxygen supply arranged to supply oxygen to the oxygenation means. The oxygen supply comprises an oxygen concentrator.

Abstract: A disposable set of components for an organ perfusion system comprising a fluid supply duct for supplying fluid to the organ, a fluid removal duct for removing fluid from the organ, and a surrogate organ removably connected between the fluid supply duct and the fluid removal duct so as to form a fluid circuit, so that fluid can be circulated in the circuit in preparation for connection of the organ.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bioreactor for charging the outside and the interior of a hollow element (1) or hollow element framework with a liquid, having a housing (2) accommodating the liquid, forming a liquid surface, and a rotation device (3) arranged within the housing (2) and receiving the hollow element (1), which rotation device (3) is for rotating the hollow element (1) about the longitudinal axis (4) thereof in the region of the liquid surface. In known bioreactors of this type, the interior of the hollow element must be flushed with a special device, and so here also a liquid exchange takes place.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an integrated bio-object microfluidics chip includes a fluidic network having a plurality of inlets for providing a plurality of fluids, a plurality of outlets, a bio-object chamber for accommodating at least one bio-object, a plurality of fluidic switches, and one or more pumps, coupled to each other such that at least one fluidic switch operably and selectively receives one fluid from a corresponding inlet and routes the received fluid, through the one or more pumps, to the bio-object chamber so as to perfuse the at least one bio-object therein, and one of the downstream fluidic switches selectively delivers an effluent of the at least one bio-object responsive to the perfusion to a predetermined outlet destination, or to the at least one fluidic switch for recirculation.