Abstract: The preparation unit comprises a body (2) within which are fixed a first (3) and a second (4) membrane, said first membrane (3) having a first predetermined pore diameter and said second membrane (4) a second predetermined pore diameter smaller than said first predetermined pore diameter of said first membrane (3), said body also comprising means (16, 20) for retrieving said sample collected on said second membrane (4). The method of preparing such a sample comprises the step of procuring such a preparation unit (1), the step of passing a predetermined volume of said liquid through said first membrane and through said second membrane (4) in order to collect a sample on said second membrane (4); and the step of retrieving said sample so collected on said second membrane (4).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a microfluidic structure comprises a culture chamber having an object flow inlet disposed between a pair of object flow outlets. A flow-around channel provides fluidic mass transport to the culture chamber through a perfusion barrier disposed opposite from the object flow inlet and object flow outlets. The perfusion barrier surrounds the culture chamber, defines an opposite wall of the culture chamber, and prevents cell passage into the flow around-channel. The perfusion barrier creates a low fluidic resistance path within the culture chamber, such that a flow of cells entering the culture chamber from the object flow inlet encounters a flow of media passing through the perfusion barrier. This causes the cells to take an approximately 180 degree turn and exit the culture chamber via the object flow outlets. The low fluidic resistance path allows the cells to settle onto the chamber floor without needing any physical barrier.

Abstract: A number of novel improved microfluidic configurations and systems and methods of manufacture and operation. In one embodiment, three wells are used for independent cell culture systems in a cell culture array. In a second aspect, artificial sinusoids with artificial epithelial barriers are provided with just one (optionally shared or multiplexed) fluidic inlet and one (optionally shared or multiplexed) fluidic output, where the medium output also functions as a cellular input. A pneumatic cell loader combined with other components provides a fully automated cell culture system. Magnetic alignment of plate molds provides advantages and ease of molded manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a selectively soluble polymer capable of binding to a desired biomolecules in a mixture containing various biological materials and the methods of using such a polymer to purify a biomolecule from such a mixture. The polymer is soluble in the mixture under a certain set of process conditions such as pH or temperature and/or salt concentration and is rendered insoluble and precipitates out of solution upon a change in the process conditions. The polymer is capable of binding to the desired biomolecule (protein, polypeptide, etc) and remains capable of binding to that biomolecule even after the polymer is precipitated out of solution. The precipitate can then be filtered out from the remainder of the stream and the desired biomolecule is recovered such as by elution and further processed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chromatography matrices including ligands based on one or more domains of immunoglobulin-binding proteins such as, Staphylococcus aureus Protein A (SpA), as well as methods of using the same.

Abstract: A valved microfluidics device, microfluidics cell-culture device and system incorporating the devices are disclosed. The valved microfluidics device includes a substrate, a microchannel through which liquid can be moved from one station to another within the device, and a pneumatic microvalve adapted to be switched between open and closed states to control the flow of fluid through a microchannel. The microvalve is formed of three flexible membranes, one of which is responsive to pneumatic pressure applied to the valve and the other two of which deform to produce a more sealable channel cross-section. The cell culture device provides valving to allow controlled loading of cells into the individual well of the device, and exchange of cell-culture components in the wells.

Abstract: A number of novel improved microfluidic configurations and systems and methods of manufacture and operation for a microfluidic invasion assay system.

Abstract: The method, device, and system relate to particle analysis, and in particular, to a microfluidic device designed for trapping particles for analysis. Particles include beads and cells.

Abstract: A number of novel improved microfluidic configurations and systems and methods of manufacture and operation for a microfluidic invasion assay system.

Abstract: The present invention is a cell cultivating vessel or device, such as a single or multitier flask, including a cover having a top plate, a side wall and a resealable port; an intermediate tray for receiving cells and cell culture media, having a bottom plate, a side wall, and a gap region formed between an interior upwardly angled lip located on an interior portion of the intermediate tray bottom plate and an adjacent outwardly angled side wall portion of the intermediate tray bottom plate, wherein the lip has a outwardly swooping curvilinear edge feature; and a base tray for receiving the cells and cell culture media, including a bottom plate and a side wall.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying the occurrence of an environmental condition is disclosed. Rather than store information concerning the occurrence and/or success of the sterilization process, the present invention modifies the wireless transmission characteristics of the device. In some embodiments, the bandwidth of the wireless transceiver is altered as a result of undergoing sterilization. In other embodiments, the resonance frequency of the circuit is affected. In other embodiments, one or more of these parameters are affected based on other environmental conditions, such as shock or vibration.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining whether activated carbon can be used for removing viruses or a certain virus from a sample containing a target protein.

Abstract: An optical sensor comprising a waveguide having a sensing layer which is molecularly imprinted such that it will receive and retain target entities to be sensed, the optical sensor further comprising a detection apparatus arranged to detect a change of an optical property of the waveguide which occurs when the target entities are received and retained in the sensing layer.

Abstract: A method for transferring a filter membrane (130) bearing a retentate to a reagent pad (310), in which the membrane is mounted in a support frame (120) having a shoulder (121) and a skirt (122) projecting from the shoulder, the pad being mounted on a cassette (300) of complementary form to said skirt, the skirt being adapted to slide sealingly on the cassette until it comes into abutment formed by the shoulder, the method comprising the steps of sealingly engaging the skirt of the membrane support frame on the cassette, establishing a pressure difference between the cassette and the membrane support frame such that the membrane adopts the shape of a dome pointing towards the pad, while maintaining the pressure difference, applying a force on the frame so as to make the skirt slide on the cassette until contact is established between the end of the dome and the pad, maintaining a force on the frame so as to move it downward until it comes into abutment formed by the shoulder while maintaining the pressure diff

Abstract: Sample preparation device that allows for a complete bind, wash, elute, buffer-exchange and concentration process to be carried out without sample transfer between multiple devices. The device includes a reservoir, a column for holding chromatography media, a holder region for holding a filtration device, and an outlet. The filtration device plugs into the holder region of the centrifugal device, and the assembly can be placed in an optional holder. The assembly, with or without the optional holder, can be placed in a conventional centrifuge tube for centrifugation. The entire bind, wash, elute, buffer exchange and concentration steps can be carried out with the apparatus without any pipette transfers (and the associated sample losses. The sample preparation device also can be used for binding and washing steps, in which case the filtration device is not needed, and for buffer exchange and concentration steps, in which case the media is not needed.

Abstract: The device for the transfer of a medium comprises a magazine having two main faces (17) of which one is adapted to cooperate with a container and a lateral face (18) extending between said main faces (17) as well as at least one sliding valve (3) housed in a cavity of said magazine (2) and in which there is formed a transfer duct (59) for said medium which issues on said face (17) adapted to cooperate with said container, said valve (3) having a closed position in which it sealingly isolates said duct (59) from said container and an open position in which said duct (59) is placed in communication with said container; said valve (3) comprising a valve member (40), an isolation sleeve (41) surrounding at least partially said valve member (40) as well as spring means (58) adapted to be compressed by said valve member (40) when said valve (3) is in its open position.

Abstract: A porous substrate capable of adsorptive filtration of a fluid having a porous self-supporting substrate and one or more porous, adsorptive polymeric coatings comprising from about 1 to about 80% of the void volume of the pores of the substrate. The resultant substrate has good convective and diffusive flow and capacity. The substrate may be cross-linked, have one or more capture chemistries attached to it and is useful as a chromatography media for the selective filtration of desired species including biomolecules such as proteins and DNA fragments.

Abstract: Filtration device suited for concentration of liquid samples, particularly biomolecules, and a method of concentrating, desalting, purifying and/or fractionating liquid samples. In certain embodiments the device includes a housing having a sample reservoir, and two substantially vertically oriented and spaced apart membranes disposed in the housing. An underdrain is associated with each membrane such that fluid passing through each membrane flows through a respective underdrain into a filtrate collection chamber. The fluid that does not pass through the membrane is collected in the retentate collection chamber, and can be recovered such as by a reverse spinning step, achieving recoveries greater than about 90%. The substantially vertical orientation of the membranes increases the available membrane area by at least 2.7 times the area available in a conventional filter device.