Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cell harvesting instrument suitable for concentrating cells from a source suspension of cells and/or washing said cells, the instrument comprising: a housing for accommodating mechanical elements including at least one fluid pump, at least one valve; and a processing kit removably insertable into the housing, said kit including a generally flat frame having or supporting plural sealed fluid paths arranged in a generally flat plane and such that fluids in the paths do not contact said mechanical elements, wherein at least portions of the fluid paths comprise flexible tubes, the outer surfaces of which are manipulateable by the or each fluid pump, to provide fluid flow in one or more of the paths and/or by the or each valve to restrict fluid flow in one or more of the paths. In an embodiment, the kit comprises also a fluid processing reservoir and a filter suitable for separating cells from fluid in said paths.

Abstract: Methods comprising the use of photoactivated chemical bleaching for detecting multiple targets in a biological sample are provided. The methods include the steps of providing a biological sample including multiple targets, binding at least one probe to one or more target present in the sample, and detecting a signal from the probe. The method further includes the steps of contacting the sample comprising the bound probe with an electron transfer reagent, as well as an optional additive which prevents target modification during photoactivated chemical bleaching, and irradiating the sample, thereby initiating a photoreaction that substantially inactivates the probe by photoactivated chemical bleaching. The method further includes the steps of binding at least one probe to one or more target present in the sample, and detecting a signal from the probe. The process of binding, defecting and bleaching may be iteratively repeated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable container comprising a side wall, top and bottom, wherein the side wall and the bottom comprise a flexible material, wherein the side wall, top and bottom are joined together to define the container with an interior compartment for keeping a fluid inside the container. The bottom of the container comprises at least one portion of rigid or semi-rigid material comprising a folding means that enables folding of the bottom. Thus an easy way of folding the bottom of the container is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cell harvesting instrument suitable for concentrating cells from a source suspension of cells and/or washing said cells, the instrument comprising: a housing for accommodating mechanical elements including at least one fluid pump, at least one valve; and a processing kit removably insertable into the housing, said kit including a generally flat frame having or supporting plural sealed fluid paths arranged in a generally flat plane and such that fluids in the paths do not contact said mechanical elements, wherein at least portions of the fluid paths comprise flexible tubes, the outer surfaces of which are manipulateable by the or each fluid pump, to provide fluid flow in one or more of the paths and/or by the or each valve to restrict fluid flow in one or more of the paths. In an embodiment, the kit comprises also a fluid processing reservoir and a filter suitable for separating cells from fluid in said paths.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cell harvesting instrument suitable for concentrating cells from a source suspension of cells and/or washing said cells, the instrument comprising: a housing for accommodating mechanical elements including at least one fluid pump, at least one valve; and a processing kit removably insertable into the housing, said kit including a generally flat frame having or supporting plural sealed fluid paths arranged in a generally flat plane and such that fluids in the paths do not contact said mechanical elements, wherein at least portions of the fluid paths comprise flexible tubes, the outer surfaces of which are manipulateable by the or each fluid pump, to provide fluid flow in one or more of the paths and/or by the or each valve to restrict fluid flow in one or more of the paths. In an embodiment, the kit comprises also a fluid processing reservoir and a filter suitable for separating cells from fluid in said paths.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an instrument suitable for processing cells for example culturing, concentrating or washing said cells, the instrument comprising: a housing for accommodating mechanical elements including at least one fluid pump; and a disposable processing kit complementary to the mechanical elements within the housing and comprising a fluid circuit including a fluid reservoir and plural fluid paths capable of carrying fluid flow caused by said pump(s), the instrument further including a mechanism for determining the quantity, or change in quantity of the fluid in the reservoir resulting from said fluid flow, the instrument yet further comprising a controller operable to control at least the pump and operable to perform a fault determination process, which includes the steps of determining the expected flow rate of said pump(s) calculated from the speed of the pump(s) and comparing that expected flow with the change in quantity of the fluid in the reservoir as determined by said mechanism.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to an automated determination of cell-by-cell segmentation quality of a tissue specimen sample. A training set of cells is examined by an expert to determine which cells that include “good” segmentation and which cells include “poor” segmentation. A training model is build based on the image data of the cells in the training set. Image data from cells in a test specimen is obtained and that image data is compared to the training model to determine on a cell-by-cell basis which cells in the test specimen include “good” segmentation and which cells include “poor” segmentation. The accumulated data on the cells analyzed in the test specimen can be utilized to determine an overall segmentation quality score for the area of the test specimen in which the individual cells are located in the test specimen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microscope slide for analyzing a tissue sample. The slide includes an elongate planar substrate, which comprises a first major surface having a sample-affixing area within which a tissue sample may be affixed; a first positive control sample affixed on the first major surface at a first location adjacent to the sample-affixing area; and a second positive control sample affixed on the first major surface at a second location adjacent to the sample-affixing area. The first and second locations are spaced such that quality of the staining of the first and second positive control samples is indicative of the quality of the staining of the tissue sample. Also provided are a kit containing the microscope slide and a method of making and a method of using the microscope slide.

Abstract: A connection clamping device (21; 61; 81; 131; 151) arranged for connecting a flexible tube (1) to a barbed end (5b) of a connection means (5), whereby the barbed end (5b) comprises a barb (9) and the connection means during connection is arranged to protrude into an end of the flexible tube (1), characterized in that said connection clamping device comprises two halves (23a, 23b) which, during connection when the connection means protrudes into an end of the flexible tube, are arranged to be connected and locked to each other by a locking mechanism (33a,33b,34a,34b; 63a, 63b, 64a, 64b) around the connection means (5) and the flexible tube (1), such that the flexible tube (1) is compressed against the connection means (5) by a rib (41a, 41b) provided on the inner circumference of the connection clamping device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable container (100) comprising a side wall (2, 32), top (4) and bottom (6), wherein the side wall (2; 32) and the bottom (6) comprise a flexible material, wherein the side wall (2; 32), top (4) and bottom (6) are joined together to define the container (100) with an interior compartment (10) for keeping a fluid inside the container (100). The bottom (6) of the container (100) comprises at least one portion of rigid or semi-rigid material comprising a folding means (124; 224; 324; 324?) that enables folding of the bottom (6). Thus an easy way of folding the bottom of the container is provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for delivering index-matching immersion liquid in high numerical-aperture optical microscopy and lithography. An array of immersion liquid droplets is delivered to a specimen substrate or specimen substrate cover by an immersion liquid printing apparatus. An immersion liquid reservoir provides immersion liquid to the printer by a precision pump. The printer delivers immersion liquid to the substrate or substrate cover in arrays of immersion liquid droplets of defined volumes and array patterns. The volumes and patterns of array droplets delivered to the substrate or substrate cover are optimized to maintain adequate immersion liquid between the substrate or substrate cover and an immersion objective while avoiding the formation of air bubbles in the immersion liquid and the accumulation of excess volumes of immersion liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single-use bioreactor bag design providing substantially equivalent maximum shear rate at the impeller tip and average or bulk shear rate over a range of power per unit working volume and rpm needed for bio culture processing. The uniformity in shear profile of the bag design providing a unique advantage when used as a scale-down or scale-up platform. Also disclosed is a linearly scalable, single-use, bioreactor system for use in carrying out a scalable biomanufacturing process, the system comprising two single-use bioreactor bags of different volumes, wherein the ratio H/D of the height of the working volume H to the diameter D of the tank, or of the bag is equal to about 1.5, and the bulk shear in each of the bags is substantially constant.

Abstract: A flexible bag and a method for filling a flexible bag which is collapsed when empty, wherein at least one fastening means is provided on a surface of the flexible bag such that at least two upper parts of the flexible bag can be held together by this at least one fastening means during a first part of filling of the flexible bag, whereby the fastening means is designed to release when the bag is filled to a certain amount such that the two upper parts being held together by the fastening means will lose contact.

Abstract: The aspects of the disclosed embodiments generally relate to an apparatus which allows for the controlled addition of antifoam to the foam present in the headspace of a disposable single-use bioreactor in a reliable manner. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments also generally relate to a method of using such apparatus which allows for the controlled addition of antifoam to the foam present in the headspace of a disposable single-use bioreactor in a reliable manner. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments generally relate to antifoam systems, methods and apparatus, and more particularly, to an antifoam device operably connected to a single use biobag.

Abstract: A line confocal microscope system, comprising a scanning unit in the form of a mechanically driven scanning unit with a controllable a scanning trajectory and a two dimensional sensor unit operated in a rolling line shutter mode in synchronization with the scanning unit, wherein the scanning trajectory is set to have an acceleration part outside the field of view of the sensor unit.

Abstract: A disposable filtration system can include a disposable filter housing having an ultrafiltration filter contained therein. The disposable filtration system can further include a feed inlet and retentate outlet in fluid communication on one side of the filter and a permeate conduit on the other side of the filter for withdrawing permeate that passes through the filter. The system can include at least one disposable pressure control valve in fluid communication with either the retentate outlet or the permeate conduit and configured to regulate the pressure within the housing.

Abstract: A vessel configured to contain a liquid is provided. The vessel includes a collapsible bad, a reusable support structure, a sensor, and a controller. The collapsible bag is operative to contain the liquid. The reusable support structure is operative to support the collapsible bag. The sensor is operative to measure a parameter within the collapsible bag. The controller is in electronic communication with the sensor and operative to introduce an antifoaming agent into the collapsible bag based at least in part on a signal received from the sensor.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments are directed to a method for accurately counting and characterizing multiple cell phenotypes and sub-phenotypes within cell populations simultaneously by exploiting biomarker co-expression levels within cells of different phenotypes in the same tissue sample. The disclosed embodiments are also directed to a simple intuitive interface enabling medical staff (e.g., pathologists, biologists) to annotate and evaluate different cell phenotypes used in the algorithm and the presented through the interface.

Abstract: A probe assembly for inserting a probe into a flexible or semi-rigid object is provided. The probe assembly includes an aseptic connector for coupling to the object, a probe sheath that extends longitudinally from the aseptic connector, and an actuator for deploying the probe within the object. The probe sheath has a plurality of concentric sheath elements and an inner longitudinal volume that is configured to permit longitudinal movement of the probe within the probe sheath. The actuator moves the probe longitudinally within the probe sheath by telescoping a first sheath element of the plurality within another sheath element of the plurality such that the probe is moved to a position sufficient to measure at least one parameter within the object.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single-use bioreactor bag design providing substantially equivalent maximum shear rate at the impeller tip and average or bulk shear rate over a range of power per unit working volume and rpm needed for bioculture processing. The uniformity in shear profile of the bag design providing a unique advantage when used as a scale-down or scale-up platform. Also disclosed is a linearly scalable, single-use, bioreactor system for use in carrying out a scalable biomanufacturing process, the system comprising two single-use bioreactor bags of different volumes, wherein the ratio H/D of the height of the working volume H to the diameter D of the tank, or of the bag is equal to about 1.5, and the bulk shear in each of the bags is substantially constant. The disclosed small scale system models larger scale systems from both a shear/scalability/performance basis and also from a validation and regulatory basis.