Abstract: Apparatus for processing life-based organic particles, including particles selected from the list comprising cells, cellular spheroids, tissues, eukaryotes, micro-organisms, organs or embryos, comprises a hollow volume (10) that (a) is internally divided into at least first (14), second (16) and third (17) sub-volumes by at least two phaseguides (12, 13) formed inside the volume and (b) includes parts that are relatively upstream and relatively downstream when judged with reference to the movement of a meniscus or a bulk liquid in the volume (10). The apparatus includes at least first, second and third fluid conduits (19, 21, 22) connected to permit fluid communication between the upstream exterior of the volume (10) and a respective said sub-volume (14, 16, 17); and at least one further conduit (24) connected to permit fluid communication between the downstream exterior of the volume (10) and a said sub-volume.

Abstract: A probe assembly and a method of manufacturing a probe assembly. In one aspect there is a method of manufacturing a probe assembly comprising providing an electrode carrier carrying a plurality of electrodes, the electrode carrier comprising a top wherein the plurality of electrodes are exposed relative to the top and a bottom having a plurality of electrical contacts in electrical communication with the plurality of electrodes respectively; moulding a body around the electrode carrier to retain the electrode carrier whilst leaving the plurality of electrodes exposed. The invention also extends to a biomass monitoring system comprising a flexible enclosure including a probe assembly and support arrangement for receipt of the probe assembly in an engaged configuration.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a liquid reservoir for a food waste recycling appliance including a reservoir body with a hollow interior, a first arm portion, and a second arm portion, and at least partially bounding an interstitial space exterior of the reservoir body. A food waste through opening can be defined by an exterior surface of the reservoir body.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a measuring device with a bipolar electrode array for the impedimetric analysis of adherent cells according to the ECIS principle (electric cells substrate impedance sensing). The measuring device comprises an electrode array which is adapted for being wetted with an electrolyte solution and adherently growing cells in order to perform impedimetric cell analyzes, characterized in that the electrode array comprises a bipolar electrode on a substrate, where the bipolar electrode is formed as a conductive path on the transparent substrate and has an inherent resistance between two connection points of the conductive path that is a multiple of the AC impedance of the electrolyte solution at 1 MHz, measured at the two connection points.

Abstract: A culture device supplying an accurate amount of liquid into a culture bag has a culture bag having ports, a first bag holding portion having supporting surfaces supporting the culture bag, a rotation mechanism rotating the first bag holding portion, a liquid supplying mechanism supplying a liquid through a tube communicating with the ports a weight detector detecting the weight of the culture bag and the first bag holding portion, and a control portion, in which the control portion sets a first reference value according to a first detection information output from the weight detector in a first state and carries out a liquid supplying step of stopping the liquid supplying mechanism under the condition where a second detection information output from the weight detector when a liquid is supplied to the culturing bag reaches a first target value obtained by adding the weight of the liquid to be supplied to the first reference value.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatus comprising: a first layer comprising a first microfluidic channel; a second layer comprising a second microfluidic channel; and a membrane for culturing cells; along with methods of making and using same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal cycler (10) comprising a housing (12), the housing (12) accommodating a thermal block (14) having a plurality of sample wells (32), each for receiving a test sample in a sample vessel, electric heater means (18) for heating the thermal block (14), a power supply (24) and an electronic control (22) for controlling the electric heater means (18), and further comprising a temperature analysis and/or verification unit (28) for analyzing and/or verifying a thermal performance of the thermal block (14). The invention further relates to a method for analyzing or verifying a thermal performance of a thermal cycler (10) and for calibrating the thermal cycler (10).

Abstract: Bio-reactive systems for voltage controlled metabolism are described, that include electrochemical-electrostatic systems having a conventional three electrode cell modified with at least one additional gating electrode. The rate of a metabolic process occurring in at least one organism disposed on a working electrode is controllable by applying a gating voltage VG to the at least one gating electrode. A method for voltage controlled metabolism in a bio-reactive electrostatic cell that includes applying a gating voltage VG to at least one gating electrode is also described. The rate of a metabolic process may be controlled by altering at least one of the magnitude and polarity of the applied gating voltage VG. The method for voltage controlled metabolism may further be used to treat cancer and/or increase the rate of ethanol production by fermentation.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for specimen preparation by employing a combination of capillary and centrifugal forces. For example, provided herein are devices, systems, and methods that collect a sample by capillary force, separate components of the collected sample by centrifugal force, and isolate one or more of the separated components by further capillary force.

Abstract: A customizable laboratory instrument comprising an interior space for receipt of test materials therein. An indented exterior surface of the laboratory instrument defines a boundary surface, a backing surface, and a sidewall. The backing surface is offset from the boundary surface a distance substantially equal to a depth of the sidewall. A panel having an edge is attachable to the sidewall such that a space is formed between the panel and backing surface for receipt of an object therein.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for sampling and/or controlling the productivity of a bioreactor. The system and methods can include a vessel capable of providing an environment suitable for containing whole broth that can produce the bioproduct, wherein the whole broth contains media and at least one undissolved species, an automated sampling system, a first analytical instrument, and a control system.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a nonmagnetic layer and a plurality of magnetic field sensors. The nonmagnetic layer has a first surface and a second surface. The magnetic field sensors are arranged along the second surface. The second surface is between the first surface and the magnetic field sensors. Each of the magnetic field sensors includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the nonmagnetic layer, and an intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The intermediate layer is nonmagnetic. A distance between the first surface and the second magnetic layer is not more than a pitch of the magnetic field sensors.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a composting device including a housing defining an interior with an access opening providing access to the interior, a composter bin located within the interior and in communication with the access opening, and a funnel assembly integrated with the access opening.

Abstract: A tear glucose measuring device includes a tear glucose test strip (101) and a reaction device, wherein the tear glucose test strip (101) is used for collecting tears which are then subjected to an elution reaction with a glucose assay reagent contained in the reaction device. With this device, a user can collect tears by himself by folding a leading portion (1014) of the tear glucose test strip (101) about a folding line (1021) and inserting the leading portion (1014) into the lower conjunctival sac inside the lower eyelid to allow the absorbance of tears therein. If tear glucose test strips (101) of the same lot are consistent in terms of thickness of a moisture-absorbent layer of the leading portion (1014), as long as a tear collection region (1020) of the leading portion (1014) has a fixed area, the leading portion (1014) can collect a quantitative amount of tears.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a molecular diagnostic device that comprises a cartridge configured to eject samples comprising genomic material into a microfluidic chip that comprises an amplification area, a detection area, and a matrix analysis area.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for growing cells—referred to as a cassette. The cell culturing device includes a housing that contains a lid having an optically clear window; a fluid distribution channel; a sample injection port fluidically connected to the fluid distribution channel; a base housing a porous media pad; and a media injection port fluidically connected to the media pad. The lid mates to the base to form a sterile seal; the fluid distribution channel is disposed over the media pad, which is viewable through the optical window; and sample fluid introduced into the fluid distribution channel is distributed evenly to the media pad, e.g., via a plurality of channels. The invention also provides kits that include cassettes of the invention and a tube set.

Abstract: A dual chamber bioreactor for producing complex, multilayer tissue, organs, organ parts, and skin replacements has been developed. The bioreactor is modular and incorporates a removable tissue culture cassette. By rotating the dual chamber bioreactor along the horizontal axis, different populations of cells with different growth requirements can be cultured on the different surfaces of the tissue culture cassette that are exposed to different media reservoirs. Culturing different populations of cells on different surfaces of the tissue culture cassette enables the production of multilayer tissue and organs. The tissue culture cassette can contain one or more discrete tissue culture sections.

Abstract: A means capable of simply and efficiently concentrating a cell suspension. A concentrator has a culture vessel having a first port and a second port, a server bag having a port, a case having a hollow fiber bundle in the internal space, a filtering device having an inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port, a collection vessel having a port, a liquid supply circuit connected to the first port, the inlet port, and the server bag's port so that flow passages are switchable, a liquid discharge circuit connected to the second port, the first outlet port, the second outlet port, and the collection vessel's port so that flow passages are switchable, a liquid supply mechanism having a switching mechanism, a supply pump, and a discharge pump, and a rotation mechanism rotating the filtering device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feeding system (10) having a feeding apparatus (30) for conveying laboratory vessels for samples, microorganisms, cell cultures or the like, and a carrier (12) having one or plural holders (16) for storing laboratory vessels, which feeding apparatus (30) has a loading area (36) and an unloading area (46) remote from the loading area (36) in which plural laboratory vessels can be stored in a vertically stacked configuration, with each receiving unit (34) being coupled to an endless conveyor unit (38) which transports the receiving unit (34) from the loading area (36) to the unloading area (46), and in which the carrier (12) can be used to introduce laboratory vessels into one or plural receiving units (34) in the loading area (36), for which purpose the carrier (12) is at least partially slid over the at least one receiving unit (34) which is to be loaded or unloaded, and for this purpose has projections (28, 32) and/or recesses that are associated with the carrier (12) and are provi

Abstract: A transfection device suitable for delivery of various macrostructures (e.g., mitochondria, bacteria, liposomes) is described and uses mechanical force to thereby induce active endocytosis in a target cell. Contemplated devices are able to achieve high throughput of transfected cells that remain viable and are capable of producing colonies.