Abstract: Microfluidic devices, systems, and methods providing for an invasion assay using microfluidic culture systems.

Abstract: A method for removing retroviruses from liquid samples and a nanofiber containing liquid filtration medium that simultaneously exhibits high liquid permeability and high microorganism retention is disclosed. Retroviruses are removed from a liquid by passing the liquid through a porous nanofiber containing filtration medium having a retrovirus LRV greater than about 6, and the nanofiber(s) has a diameter from about 10 nm to about 100 nm. The filtration medium can be in the form of a fibrous electrospun polymeric nanofiber liquid filtration medium mat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanofilter formed by using a porous ultrafiltration membrane as a precursor, and carefully controlling reaction conditions so as to maintain sufficient hydrophilic nature of the membrane while causing the pore structure to close to a nanofilter range (less than 400 Daltons). This produces a solvent stable cellulose nanofiltration membrane capable of operating at satisfactory flux in aqueous solutions, and being low binding to organic biomaterials.

Abstract: Sample preparation device for receiving in sealing relation one or more filter assemblies and one or more sample containers, each container uniquely positioned within the device to receive filtered sample from a designated filter. The device includes a body, a lid disposed on the body, a container tray, a base, an integrated seal on the body, a valve and a valve actuator. The tray can be disposed in a vacuum chamber defined by the lid and the body, and one or more sample containers can be disposed in the tray. When properly positioned in the tray in the vacuum chamber, each container is in fluid communication with a single respective filter assembly disposed in sealing relation in a respective aperture in the lid. A single actuation of a valve to place the vacuum chamber under vacuum causes the lid to seal to the base and drives the simultaneous filtration of a plurality of samples.

Abstract: The present invention is an integral multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer made by cocasting or sequentially casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a filtration device comprising a providing fluid connection and mechanical connection comprising a clamping plate movably mounted relative to the manifold and adapted to compress at least one cassette against the manifold, means for driving and guiding the clamping plate comprising a rod extending between the manifold and the plate, an actuator provided with a body and a member moveable relative to the body, which member is adapted to move through a predetermined travel between an extended position and a retracted position, the body being carried by the manifold, and the member carrying the rod and driving the plate via the rod to a clamped position in which the member is in an intermediate retracted position in which it has moved through a shorter travel than the predetermined travel relative to its extended position.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to solid supports for chromatography. In specific embodiments the invention provides for solid supports suitable for affinity chromatography along with methods, systems and kits which use the same.

Abstract: The invention concerns a filtration device comprising a manifold providing fluid connection and mechanical connection comprising a clamping plate movably mounted relative to the manifold and adapted to compress at least one cassette against the manifold, means for driving and guiding the clamping plate comprising a rod extending between the manifold and the plate, an actuator provided with a body and a member moveable relative to the body, which member is adapted to move through a predetermined travel between an extended position and a retracted position, the body being carried by the manifold, and the member carrying the rod and driving the plate via the rod to a clamped position in which the member is in an intermediate retracted position in which it has moved through a shorter travel than the predetermined travel relative to its extended position.

Abstract: The invention provides a filtering and centrifugation device, comprising a barrel, a volume in the barrel for receiving a fluid sample to be processed, a filter medium, at least one piston movable in the barrel to force fluid in the volume through the filter medium to produce a filtrate, and a space for pelleting particulate material. The device is centrifugeable, and said space is located in or communicates with the volume and is located preferably away from the filter medium such that the particulate material does not or at least not completely clog the filter medium during such centrifugation of the device.

Abstract: The method comprises the step of forming pipes (12) by clamping a bag between shells (13, 14) and by injecting an inflating agent via an inflating connector. The circuit comprises a bag (126) and a press (10) comprising two shells (13, 14) clamping said bag in a state in which pipes (12) are formed between the films (25, 26) of the bag.

Abstract: A circuit for biological liquid including a bag having two films and a press. The press includes two shells that clamp the bag in a state in which pipes are formed between the films of the bag.

Abstract: A disposable flow path having a manifold system that provides pressure resistance for the disposable device. The disposable device is comprised of a first rigid plastic sheet and a second rigid plastic sheet. Each sheet has two major surfaces and a thickness between them. At least one sheet surface has flow channels formed in it. The flow channels extend away from a first major surface and beyond the normal plane of a second major surface of the sheet. The sheets are liquid tightly sealed to each other at their adjoining first major surfaces. When each sheet contains a flow channel, the flow channels are aligned and in register with each other. One or more fittings can be secured in the flow channel(s) at an edge of the two liquid tightly sealed sheets. Alternatively, tubing is placed in the channels before the sheets are secured to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the sterile transfer of fluids, be they liquids or gases. It uses a presterilized device comprised of a body having a bore formed through at least a portion of its interior. Contained within the bore is a movable plunger. The body has a first and a second end. The first end contains a face designed to be attached to the upstream component. The second end is connected to a downstream component such as a filter, pipeline, sample bag and the like. The plunger has corresponding first and second ends. The first end of the plunger when it the closed position is in alignment with the face of the body which combined form a steamable surface and a sterile barrier against the environment to the rest of the interior of the body, the plunger and downstream components. The device is attached to an upstream component and the face and the first end of the plunger are steam sterilized in place.

Abstract: A take-off needle comprises a hollow lance having a distal end adapted to perform a insertion operation, said hollow lance being connected to at least one pipe provided with a spigot for it to be connected to a tube, and comprising a body for holding the hollow lance and pipe relative to each other such that the spigot projects from the holding body, said needle timber comprising two flanges held on respective sides of and spaced from the holding body by virtue of a spacer disposed between each flange and the holding body, said flanges extending in a longitudinal direction from the spigot to the vicinity of the proximal end of the hollow lance, the width of each flange being greater than the width of the portion of the holding body facing the flanges.

Abstract: Media and devices, such as anion exchangers including such media, wherein the media is a membrane having a surface coated with a polymer such as a polyallylamine. The resulting membrane offers stronger binding of protein impurities and superior removal of host cell proteins from biological samples than conventional ligands based on quaternary ammonium salts, including trimethylammonium ligands. Also described is a chromatography scheme and method for purifying monoclonal antibodies, wherein the anion exchange sorber is placed downstream of an affinity column (such as Protein A or Protein G affinity column) and optionally one or more polishing devices such as cationic exchange columns. Little or no dilution of the cation exchanger pool (or affinity column exchange pool where no cation exchanger is used) is necessary to lower the conductivity of the sample. The sorber functions well to strongly bind host cell proteins and other impurities in biological samples even at high conductivities and pH.

Abstract: The present invention uses a wireless memory/communication device at least on the one or more sample storage devices, preferably on both the one or more sample storage devices and the sampling holder, optionally the port on the equipment as well. Data such as that relating to the vessel, the location of the port on the vessel, the device, its manufacture date or lot number, the date of the installation, sterilization and/or taking of a sample along with the person who installed the device and/or took the sample can be read and preferably added to the wireless device when a read/write type of device as these events occur through a scanner/reader/writer device (fixed or hand held). The sample storage device in the laboratory can also then be read and recorded to track the sample storage device's life.

Abstract: Sample preparation device for receiving in sealing relation one or more filter assemblies and one or more sample containers, each container uniquely positioned within the device to receive filtered sample from a designated filter. The device includes a body, a lid disposed on the body, a container tray, a base, an integrated seal on the body, a valve and a valve actuator. The tray can be disposed in a vacuum chamber defined by the lid and the body, and one or more sample containers can be disposed in the tray. When properly positioned in the tray in the vacuum chamber, each container is in fluid communication with a single respective filter assembly disposed in sealing relation in a respective aperture in the lid. A single actuation of a valve to place the vacuum chamber under vacuum causes the lid to seal to the base and drives the simultaneous filtration of a plurality of samples.

Abstract: A micro-incubator manifold for improved microfluidic configurations and systems and methods of manufacture and operation for a manifold and automated microfluidic systems.

Abstract: An inherently hydrophobic polymer membrane substrate having its surface rendered hydrophilic with a hydroxyalkyl cellulose and having a throughput greater than about 1500 L/m2 is provided. A process for making the membrane also is provided which includes a step of autoclaving in boiling water and/or steam or submerging in boiling water. The membrane is useful for removing virus from a protein solution.