Abstract: A packed-bed bioreactor system for culturing cells is provided, the system including a cell culture vessel having at least one interior reservoir, an inlet fluidly connected to the reservoir, and an outlet fluidly connected to the reservoir; and a cell culture matrix disposed in the reservoir. The cell culture matrix includes a structurally defined multi-layered substrate for adhering cells thereto, and each layer of the multi-layered substrate has a physical structure and a porosity that are substantially regular and uniform.

Abstract: A bioreactor (1) for the culture of cells (C) comprising a stack of carriers (7) for cell (C) adherence and liquid medium (M) distribution. The carriers (7) are stacked so as to define levels (6) between adjacent carriers (7) for the flow of the liquid medium (M). Adjacent levels (6) are fluidly interconnected via open spaces (2) so that the liquid medium (M) can flow from one level (6) to an adjacent level (6). The open spaces (2) between a first and an adjacent second level (6?) do not overlap with the one or more open spaces (2) between the second level (6?) and an adjacent third level (6?). One or more of the carriers may also include an area adapted to prevent cell adhesion or growth, thereby allowing for the viewing of cell growth on adjacent carriers from a vantage point external to the bioreactor. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A milling jar has a jar body and a jar neck. The jar body has an internal surface and an external surface. Ridges with gently sloping slides, called “lifters,” are formed by indenting the surface of the jar wall so that the internal surface projects toward the center of the jar. Because the depressions (on the external surface) and the lifters (on the internal surface) are segmented, portions of the circumference of the jar remain cylindrical. The jar neck has a lid that secures the materials inside the jar when the lid is fastened.

Abstract: The subject invention provides advantageous systems and processes for anaerobic digestion of organic waste streams, particularly agricultural waste streams. According to this invention, a new process is provided in which a liquid fraction from an organic waste stream comprising soluble compounds is segregated and incubated in a reactor separate from the solids fraction of the organic waste stream. Digestion of waste in both reactors occurs substantially simultaneously and both reactors produce biogas (thus both reactors function essentially like single stage reactors but allow for continuous or intermittent loading). According to one aspect of the invention, at least one cross-flow baffle is provided for use in an anaerobic digester to collect biogas and break up clumped solids in the reactor. In another aspect of the invention, packing media for use in an anaerobic digester is provided.

Abstract: A cell culture bioreactor having a culture chamber for cell growth, a culture medium reservoir mounted externally to the culture chamber, a fluid circulation mechanism for moving culture medium from the reservoir through the culture chamber, and an aerating mechanism for introducing air into and removing air from the culture chamber is provided. The cell culture bioreactor comprises a manifold mechanism mounted at the top end of the culture chamber, a fluid circulation mechanism fluidly connected to the culture medium reservoir, for receiving culture medium from the culture medium reservoir and distributing culture medium into the culture chamber.

Abstract: A carrier for expansion of induced pluripotent stem cells is provided, wherein the carrier comprises a substrate comprising one or more outer surfaces, wherein the one or more outer surfaces are modified with gas plasma treatment, and one or more structured indentations on one or more of the outer surfaces. The carrier has a length at least about 0.2 mm, a width at least about 0.2 mm, and a height in a range from about 0.05 mm to 1.2 mm and each of the structured indentations has a major axis in a range from about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, a minor axis in a range from about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm and a depth in a range from about 0.025 mm to about 0.5 mm. A method of making the carrier, and culturing induced pluripotent stem cells using the same carrier are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cell culture tube, having in opposite end walls two respective eccentric openings which communicate with each other through an inner straight passage formed in the cell culture tube, in which the inner straight passage is tilted at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the cell culture tube to allow a culture medium to smoothly flow into and out of the inner passage through the openings. Also, provided is a multiple cell culture system using a plurality of the culture tubes.

Abstract: A fermentation system for production of biogas from solid organic material, the system including at least one fermentation reactor. The fermentation reactor includes a vessel (37) for housing a feed mixture having liquid and solid particles and an outlet port (44), a strainer assembly (33) at the outlet port for filtering processed feed mixture from the vessel, and a biogasification reactor (37) in fluid communication with another fermentation reactor, the other fermentation reactor configured to produce a biomethane. The strainer assembly further includes a mixture driving member (53) positioned in the strainer body (47) adjacent the drain opening (51), the mixture driving member having a driving surface configured to receive the liquid passing through the filter member (60). The driving surface engages the filter member such that solid particles are driven from a surface of the filter member when the driving member is activated.

Abstract: Gas permeable devices and methods are disclosed for cell culture, including cell culture devices and methods that contain medium at heights, and certain gas permeable surface area to medium volume ratios. These devices and methods allow improvements in cell culture efficiency and scale up efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotation driving device for cell culturing, comprising: a power supplying unit operated by receiving an electric power from an outside; a rotational part rotated by the power supplying unit; and a driving part which is provided at an upper side of the rotational part and maintained in a stopped state during the rotation of the rotational part, and of which an inclination is changed according to a rotational direction of the rotational part. According to the present invention, there is provided a rotation driving device a rotation driving device which enables cells to be uniformly grown by equally distributing a culture solution with help of inclination control, of which a rotational speed is also controlled and which has a firm structure with a strong durability.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling biological functions with mechanical vibration are provided. Stimulation is applied to cells of one of an organism, bacteria or virus by mechanical vibration. The biological function comprises biological functions relating to cell growth. The biological functions relating to cell growth may include at least one of cell cultivation, cell proliferation, cell fusion, and cell differentiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bioreactor having a system that can grow cells, tissue, etc. while maintaining or improving their function, and finally recover the cells as they are with good efficiency. The bioreactor has a porous sheet-form material disposed in its main body, the porous sheet-form material being formed from a nonwoven fabric, etc. having high cell affinity in order to retain cells. This porous sheet-form material has a thermosensitive polymer and a cell-adhesive substance incorporated thereinto, and the porous sheet-form material is not only cell-adhesive but also allows cells and tissue to be detached from the porous sheet-form material as they are by, for example, cooling from 37° C. to 25° C. Furthermore, in order to efficiently ensure the bioactivity or the survival of the cells, it is arranged so that circulation of a culture medium in a culturing space of the bioreactor is of a radial flow type.

Abstract: A bioreactor comprising a reactor chamber defined by reactor walls and a reactor opening, optionally with means penetrating the reactor opening in order to supply gases and/or liquids, for taking samples, for supplying microorganisms or cells, for the introduction of measuring probes, for the addition of additives or sterilizing agents and/or for emptying the bioreactor, with means for sealing the reactor opening, wherein at least one inflatable eddy current breaker is installed in the reactor chamber.

Abstract: A liquid testing assembly for testing a liquid, the assembly comprising a test vessel and a stopper adapted to fit into a free end of the vessel. The stopper substantially hermetically seals the test vessel from the ambient. Further, the assembly includes a support coated with one or more identifying materials for identifying one or more constituents of the liquid. The support is fixed in the stopper and/or the vessel and extends into its interior for a predetermined distance. The liquid testing assembly when assembled is pre-evacuated to a predetermined vacuum sufficient to draw a predetermined volume of liquid to be sampled into the test vessel. The predetermined volume is of such an amount that it wets the one or more identifying materials ensuring identification of one or more constituents present in the liquid. A kit employing the liquid testing assembly is also discussed.

Abstract: A device for trapping extraneous gas or bubbles is disclosed. The device is defined as having a gas collection area in a tapered neck portion such that when used as a cell culturing apparatus, extraneous gas or bubbles are trapped and isolated from the cell growth areas where cells or media reside.

Abstract: A multilayered cell culture apparatus for the culturing of cells is disclosed. The cell culture apparatus includes a unitary flask body including a rigid upper and lower surface, connected by side walls. The cell growth apparatus comprises multiple cell growth chambers stacked in vertical alignment and orientation within the unitary flask body. The stacked chambers are held in position by unitary connecting columns that run through each cell growth chamber and terminate at the rigid upper and lower surfaces of the apparatus. The cell growth chambers are separated by tracheal spaces that allow air from the external environment to contact the cell growth surface of each individual cell growth chamber.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cell culture vessel which is simple in structure and easy to handle, and is capable of preventing damage to the cells when separated, promoting transport of nutrients and excretion of effete matter, and elevating the culturing efficiency improving effect by the structural features. In order to attain the above object, there is provided a cell culture vessel including a culture section provided with a plurality of projections having an equivalent diameter smaller than the cells to be cultured and the culture section side walls enclosing the culture section, wherein the distance between an arbitrary position on the culture section/side wall boundary line and the nearest projection is smaller than the diameter of the cells to be cultured. The effect of the projections in the vessel given to the cultured cells is enhanced.

Abstract: A device for trapping extraneous gas or bubbles is disclosed. The device is defined as having a gas collection area in a tapered neck portion such that when used as a cell culturing apparatus, extraneous gas or bubbles are trapped and isolated from the cell growth areas where cells or media reside.

Abstract: A bioreactor system comprising a multi-well platform including an array of bioreactor units. The bioreactor system comprises a perfusion unit and a fluid source unit fluidly interconnected by a pumping unit. The perfusion unit comprises a multi-well plate including a plurality of main chambers configured to house or contain a cell culture and in each bioreactor unit an independent cell study or experiment may be performed.

Abstract: A sample processing tubule may include a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment. Each segment may be defined by the tubule, may be fluidly isolated, at least in part by a breakable seal, may be so expandable as to receive a volume of fluid expelled from another segment, and may be so compressible as to contain substantially no fluid when so compressed. Each segment may contain at least one reagent.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cell culture vessel which is simple in structure and easy to handle, and is capable of preventing damage to the cells when separated, promoting transport of nutrients and excretion of effete matter, and elevating the culturing efficiency improving effect by the structural features. In order to attain the above object, there is provided a cell culture vessel including a culture section provided with a plurality of projections having an equivalent diameter smaller than the cells to be cultured and the culture section side walls enclosing the culture section, wherein the distance between an arbitrary position on the culture section/side wall boundary line and the nearest projection is smaller than the diameter of the cells to be cultured. The effect of the projections in the vessel given to the cultured cells is enhanced.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to provide a cell culture vessel which has a simple and convenient structure, can prevent the injury on the cells at the time of peeling, and accelerates the transportation of nutrients and discharge of waste materials. In order to solve the problem mentioned above, the cell culture vessel of this invention has protrusions having a corresponding diameter not smaller than 10 nm and not greater than 10 ?m and a height not smaller than 10 nm and not greater than 1 mm on the surface of the cell culture vessel. The protrusions make the culture fluid permeate into the under part of the cells, accelerate the supply of nutrients and discharge of waste materials, and makes the contact between the cells and the vessel as a point-contact and thereby prevents the cells from the injury which the cells undergo at the time of peeling.

Abstract: A reagent cuvette has a first chamber with an inspection part and a socket, and a second chamber. The socket has four spikes at its base. Both chambers are sealed with a membrane. At the point-of-care the foil membrane of the first chamber is peeled away by the therapist (typically general practitioner doctor). A sample, such as blood, is added to the chamber using a pipette or other device to provide a verifiable quantity of sample. This provides a mixture of a buffer reagent supplied in the chamber and the sample injected into the inspection chamber at the point of care. The chamber is then inserted into the socket by gently pressing it down so that its foil membrane is broken by the spikes. This causes the starter reagent to drop down from within the second chamber into the inspection part of the first chamber. The inspection part is then inserted into an optical inspection instrument for analysis of the two reagents and the sample mixed together.

Abstract: Multiple-component integral-structure dual-test sterility indicator, method of assembling physical components, selected spores, and chemical constituents in solution, within the indicator and arranged to enable dual-evaluations of bacterial-lethality of a dry-goods load, resulting from exposure to a selected saturated-steam sterilizing cycle. The chemical constituents are formulated to chemically produce reaction-product, which is quantitatively responsive to the combined effect of cycle steam temperature and time of exposure at that temperature, for providing a promptly-available spectroscopic evaluation of bacterial-lethality. Absorption of narrow-band selected visible-light wavelength by reaction-product, if any, of chemical-constituent solution, is used to quantitatively measure that combined-effect exposure.

Abstract: A culture chamber for use in a method of culturing microbiological material, which comprises a wall or at least a portion of a wall consisting of a gas-permeable membrane, a textured interior growth surface arranged for contact with the microbiological material being cultured and at least a portion of the external surface gas-permeable membrane being textured to enhance gas permeability. Preferably, the gas-permeable membrane is textured over the majority of both of its surfaces. This culture chamber provides enhanced gaseous exchange between the interior and exterior of the culture chamber and increased surface area within the culture chamber for cell attachment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a growth medium support plate including an essential planar body part extending therefrom. The growth medium support plate also includes a stem member for connecting a cap to the support plate. The stem member is connected to the body part so as to have a position co-planar with the body part and a position inclined to the plane of the body part. The support plate includes at least one fixed projection extending from and co-planar with said body part adjacently to the stem member and the stem member having in the position coplanar with the body part a releasable connection to the at least one fixed projection.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus comprising a magnet adapted to create a diamagnetic force field at all points in space at which a magnetic field-field gradient product of the magnet has a value greater than or equal to a threshold value. At or above the threshold value, the diamagnetic force field induces a diamagnetic body force within a biological specimen supported within a bioreactor chamber that is disposed within the diamagnetic force field. The apparatus may alter the magnitude of the induced diamagnetic body force and may alter the direction of the induced diamagnetic body with respect to a spatial coordinate system or with respect to the direction of a secondary body force acting upon or within the biological specimen, thereby altering the vector sum of the induced diamagnetic body force and the secondary body force acting on the biological specimen.

Abstract: The invention provides a roller bottle for cell growth culturing including a plurality of axial pleats therearound for increasing cell growth surface area and further including circumferential ribs integrally formed therewith for reinforcing the pleated wall structure. These circumferential ribs prevent the bottle walls from bowing outward when the inside of the bottle becomes pressurized during cell growth culturing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bioreactor for cultivating microorganisms, as well as a method for its production. The invention is characterized in that the bioreactor (1) comprises two identically constructed base elements (2,3) that are constructed in trough shape and consist of a bottom part (4) and four side parts (5) arranged on a bottom part (4) and having an inside depth T1. The base element (2,3) consists of a light permeable material. The identically constructed base elements (2,3) are arranged on each other so as to exactly cover each other. A flow guide device is arranged inside the identically constructed base elements (2,3).

Abstract: The invention provides a bioreactor (10) for the culture of animal, vegetable, microbial of algal cells of their co-cultures, of the type including a body (12) which delimits an internal volume (14) capable of holding a culture liquid (16) and a gas volume (17) above the culture liquid (16), and which includes means for introducing (18) and/or extracting (20) elements respectively into and/or out of the internal volume (14) of the body (12), and of the type which includes means (22) for driving the body (12) in an oscillating movement so as to obtain agitation of the culture liquid (16), characterised in that the body (12) is a rigid vessel.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a matrix reactor for reactions in which low-molecular and high-molecular reactants are involved wherein the reactor space VR contains a matrix and comprises a reaction compartment and a supply compartment, wherein the matrix is composed of a porous material which can take up low-molecular reactants and wherein the exclusion volume V0 of the matrix is available as the reaction compartment and the matrix volume VM of the matrix is available as the supply compartment. The matrix reactor can be used for enzymatic processes, in particular for a coupled in vitro transcription/translation reaction to produce proteins.

Abstract: A sterilizable bio-reactor comprising a three-dimensional reactor culture assembly substantially equivalent to a bone marrow micro environment, an inert bio-compatible scaffolding material located on a base of the reactor culture assembly to provide a micro environment identical to the micro environment in human bone marrow, for cultivating stem cells in the scaffolding, forming part of a sterilizable bio-reactor device, and a process for the expansion of haemopoietic stem cells derived from Human Umbilical Cord Blood for therapeutic use, comprising growing haemopoietic stem cells in the bio-degradable non-toxic bio-compatible scaffold while providing necessary nutrition and gasses cultivating the stem cells in the scaffolding material to provide for the cell growth in the bio reactor, and supplying mobilizing oxygen and carbon dioxide to maintain gas tension for optimal expansion of the stem cells, and circulating media containing micro and macro nutrients and growth factors to establish gradients within the

Abstract: A co-culture apparatus and method for, among other things, converting a progenitor cell line into a target cell line. The apparatus comprises an exterior receptacle, a removable cartridge that fits into the exterior receptacle, and a closure member to seal the apparatus. The invention is also directed to a method for transforming a progenitor cell line into a target cell line. In one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the steps of: establishing a progenitor cell line; establishing a support cell line; co-culturing said progenitor and support cell lines; establishing a transformation cell line; and co-culturing said progenitor and transformation cell lines, wherein the transformation cell line supports the transformation of the progenitor cell line into a target cell line.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for preparing and culturing cells, particularly bone marrow stromal cells. The method includes the steps of placing an oxygenator and a scaffold in a container, such as a syringe, withdrawing bone marrow stromal cells with the syringe, evenly distributing the cells on the scaffold, connecting the syringe with a reservoir with a medium to enrich the syringe with the medium, and promoting the medium level movement in the syringe to culture bone marrow stromal cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to culturing devices that are compact, utilize small amounts of cell culture media to establish and maintain cell cultures, and produce a large number of cells in a short period of time when compared to other cell culturing devices and techniques. Such devices are useful in the culture of all cell types, but are particularly useful in the culture of cells that are known in the art to be difficult to culture, including cells that lose one or more of their particular attributes/characteristics (e.g., pluripotentiality), or cells that are difficult to establish cultures of (e.g., primary cells), during culture in traditional cell culture devices.

Abstract: A device for growing cells has a container with a bottom; and a plurality of elements extending into an area for growing cells and formed as thin, elongated plates extending along the bottom one after the other at predetermined distances from one another.

Abstract: A bio-reactor for cultivating cells, preferably mammalian cells, within a porous support matrix material, the bio-reactor having an inner vessel disposed within an outer vessel, and a matrix carrier containing a support matrix disposed within the inner vessel. The support matrix is provided with a supply of cultivation medium through an inlet and an outlet boring of the matrix carrier.

Abstract: A plant micropropagation apparatus and process is provided in which a support platform for vessels containing a liquid growth media are periodically pivoted which brings about an intermittent immersion of the plant tissue/growth substrate in the growth media. The motion of the support platform may optionally be used to engage a piston operated dispenser for supplying aseptic media to the sealed vessel. The intermittent immersion also provides for an improved method of separating viable embryos from culture materials using a separation matrix in conjunction with the intermittent wave motion of the plant media when suspended in a liquid culture.

Abstract: The invention provides a roller bottle for cell growth culturing including a plurality of axial pleats therearound for increasing cell growth surface area and further including circumferential ribs integrally formed therewith for reinforcing the pleated wall structure. These circumferential ribs prevent the bottle walls from bowing outward when the inside of the bottle becomes pressurized during cell growth culturing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for cultivating plant or animal tissue. The inventive device comprises a fermenter container, a supply device for liquid nutrients and gases, devices for discharging used nutritive liquids and gases and solid carrier plates for the plant tissues which are permeable to said liquid nutrients and gases and are arranged within the fermenter container in a stationary manner. According to the invention, the fermenter container comprises a dimensionally stable lid component that carries the various supply and discharge lines as well as the carrier for the cells and comprises a pot- or bag-shaped plastic hose. The opening of said hose is sealed against the lid and is fixed.

Abstract: A scraper for scraping live cells from a substrate. The scraper comprises a magnetic core and an elastomeric housing surrounding at least a portion of the magnetic core and defining at least one scraping blade. A method of scraping and a system for scraping are also provided.

Abstract: A plant micropropagation apparatus (100) and process is provided in which a support platform (110) for vessels (12) containing a liquid growth media are periodically pivoted which brings about an intermittent immersion of the plant tissue/growth substrate in the growth media. The motion of the support platform (110) may optionally be used to engage a piston operated dispenser (14) for supplying aseptic media to the sealed vessel (12). The intermittent immersion also provides for an improved method of separating viable embryos from culture materials using a separation matrix in conjunction with the intermittent wave motion of the plant media when suspended in a liquid culture.

Abstract: A fermentation apparatus is constructed to produce a known and repeatable amount of unpoisoned fermentation product using multiple fermentation vessels. To facilitate further processing compatible with other product processing steps, the fermentation apparatus has an array of sample vessels arranged in a container frame. The container frame is configured to hold the sample vessels during fermentation and to transport the vessel array to or from another processing station. Corresponding to the number of sample vessels in the sample vessel array, a cannula array is configured such that each cannula may be placed inside a sample vessel. The cannula array is attached to a gas distributor that delivers oxygen and/or one or more other gases from a gas source through the cannula into the sample vessel.

Abstract: A fermentation assembly comprising: (a) a vessel for culturing living cells; (b) at least two storage flasks in fluid communication with the vessel for supply of liquids and a first transport means for transferring the liquids from the storage flasks to the vessel; (c) individual appliances operably connected to the transport means for monitoring the supply of the contents of the storage flasks to the vessel; (d) a harvest flask in fluid communication with the vessel and a second transport means for transferring the fermentation broth from the vessel to the harvest flask; and (e) a device operably connected to the first transport means for controlling and maintaining a constant dilution rate in the vessel with varying rates of individual supply of liquid from the storage flasks to the vessel is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of the growth of cell and tissue cultures in vitro is disclosed. The improvement in efficiency is achieved through the use of a scaffold formed from an open cell polymer foam that has been surface treated by an oxidative plasma discharge. In one embodiment, the polymer foam is a polystyrene foam treated with an oxygen gas plasma to functionalize the surface of the polymer. In the preferred embodiment, the scaffold is used as an insert for a bioreactor to culture cells and tissue. The scaffold is formed from a porous polymer structure having a continuous polymer matrix with a plurality of interconnected open pores. The pore size typically ranges from about 50 microns to about 500 microns.

Abstract: The invention concerns a solid-phase determination method and equipment and an adapter for use in these. In the method a sample is allowed to react with a separating reagent bound to the outer surface of a separate solid phase body, whereafter the body is removed from the vessel and is taken to a measurement vessel, if required through one or several intermediate step vessels. At least one vessel contains a medium needed in a determination step to be performed therein when the phase body is brought into this vessel. The invention is especially suitable for use in automatic immunodetermination systems.