Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for a lysis procedure, in particular for an automated and/or controlled lysis procedure of a sample, in particular a biological sample.

Abstract: A nucleic acid analysis apparatus includes a casing, a main frame, a fluid delivery unit, a thermal unit, a driving unit, and at least one optical unit. The casing has an upper casing and a lower casing. The main frame is disposed in the lower casing and has a chamber for mounting a cartridge therein. The fluid delivery unit is adapted to transport reagents within the cartridge for sample purification and/or nucleic acid extraction. The thermal unit is adapted to provide a predefined temperature for nucleic acid amplification. The driving unit is disposed in the lower casing and connected with the main frame, and includes a motion control unit capable of pressing the cartridge during sample purification and/or nucleic acid extraction and rotating the cartridge with a predefined program during nucleic acid amplification and/or detection. The optical unit includes plural optical components for detection.

Abstract: A cartridge for digital real-time Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) includes a microfluidic chamber, a well array, a CMOS photo sensor array and a PCB. The microfluidic chamber includes an inlet formed for injection of a liquid sample, the microfluidic chamber being capable of injection molding. The well array includes a plurality of microwells through which upper and lower portions are perforated and being attached to a lower surface of the microfluidic chamber. The CMOS photo sensor array is disposed below the well array to capture a response image of a sample filled in microwells of the well array. The PCB has a vent formed for vacuum processing of micro flow path formed in the microfluidic chamber, a space formed between the well array and the microfluidic chamber, and a microwell formed in the well array as the liquid sample is injected through the inlet.

Abstract: A polymer or other substrate optimized for growing cells is described, which takes the form of a micro-thin bag with gas permeable sides. Sides of the bag can be held at a fixed distance from one another with a multitude of tiny micropillars or other spacers extending between them, keeping the bag at a predetermined thickness and preventing the bag from collapsing and the sides from sticking together. In other embodiments, the sides may be held apart by gas pressure alone. A 0.01 ?m to 1000 ?m parylene or other biocompatible coating over the bag outsides controls the permeability of the bag material and provides a bio-safe area for cell growth. An alternate configuration uses open-cell foam with skins coated with a biocompatible coating. Tubes going into multiple bags can be connected to a manifold that delivers gaseous oxygen or removes carbon dioxide and other waste gases.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a plate comprising an array of wells for chemical or biological reactions, wherein each of the wells comprises a reaction chamber with at least one opening on a surface of the plate. The array of wells consist of a plurality of adjacent blocks of wells, wherein each block of wells consists of a plurality of adjacent rows of wells, and wherein at least one void is provided in each block of wells in between the rows of wells. Here, the void is particularly part of the surface of the plate and lacks a well opening. Furthermore, a method for multiple imaging of such a plate by means of an imaging system is provided with the present disclosure.

Abstract: A flow control and processing cartridge used in a nucleic acid analysis apparatus includes a cartridge body and a reaction chip. The cartridge body includes plural chambers for storing at least one sample and plural biochemical reagents and buffers, and plural channels connected with the plural chambers. The reaction chip is in conjunction with the cartridge body and includes plural detection wells, at least one main fluid channel connected with the detection wells and adapted to dispense the sample into the detection wells, and at least one gas releasing channel connected with the detection wells and adapted to release gas from the detection wells.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermal cycling can transfer heat uniformly and efficiently. The apparatus can be used in a method that reduces condensation on sample wells. The apparatus can also be manufactured to provide uniform configurations. For example, a sample illustratively for polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in each sample well and the components of the embodiment of the thermal cycler apparatus shown at including a well block, a base plate, a layer of adhesive, a peltier device, another layer of adhesive and a heat sink.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various bioreactor devices that mimic the mammalian joint. The bioreactor device can include a series of bioreactor chambers that contain different components of the joint, such as bone, cartilage, synovium, nerve and ligament. At least two different nutrient fluid circulation systems connect subsets of the bioreactor chambers to differentially supply nutrient fluids at concentrations optimized for the tissue that the fluid nourishes. For example, relatively hypoxic fluid can be supplied to synovium and cartilage to mimic oxygenation in the joint compartment, but normoxic fluid can be supplied to the bone and other components that have an arterial supply that provides higher oxygen concentrations. One or more or all of the bioreactor chambers can be supplied with separate inlets through which perturbation agents (such as drugs or other agents) can be introduced to model the effect of the perturbations on different components of the system.

Abstract: A blister assembly comprises at least one collapsible blister adapted, as it is collapsed, to eject a liquid contained therein. The blister assembly comprises a first layer (130) having at least one blister chamber (150) and a second layer (131) sealed to the first layer at least around a periphery of the at least one blister chamber such that a liquid is contained between the first layer and the second layer. The seal between the first and second layers comprises a first planar portion having a first peel strength and a second planar portion having a second peel strength, wherein the first peel strength is greater than the second peel strength, such that when pressure is applied to the blister, the second portion of the seal breaks to release the liquid contained within the chamber into the liquid inlet.

Abstract: The present set of embodiments relate a system, method, and various devices for installation of a bioproduction system. The bioproduction system includes a rigid housing having a moveable platform to assist in the installation of a bioprocessing container within. The system also includes mounting systems for a variety of peripherals originating from the flexible container while safeguarding operators. More specifically, the system includes systems and methods for mounting bearings, organizing tube sets, and placement of the flexible container in its proper orientation.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for automatically preparing pure cultures of microbial cells under native environmental conditions. The devices and methods permit the discovery and investigation of novel microorganisms having unknown culture requirements from natural environments and microbiomes. Cultures obtained using the invention lead to the identification and isolation of novel biologically active compounds. The devices utilize a single entry pore in a thin membrane to select a single cell for clonal expansion.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus comprising a receptacle to receive a sample. A sample dispenser dispenses the sample into the receptacle and an image capture device captures an image of the sample in the receptacle. Processing circuitry processes the image to determine whether the receptacle contains zero cells, exactly one cell, or more than one cell. In response to the processor determining that the receptacle contains zero cells, the processing circuitry causes the sample dispenser to dispense a further sample into the receptacle.

Abstract: Provided is a cell treatment apparatus that includes: an isolator; a disposal box that includes a storage part; and a decontamination unit, wherein the disposal box includes: a first opening and closing device that is configured to allow the isolator and the storage part to be communicated with each other at the time of disposal of the waste product and allow them to be shut off from each other after the putting-in of the waste product and before the disposal of the same; and a second opening and closing device that is configured to allow the storage part and the outside to be communicated with each other at the time of disposal of the waste product, which has been put into the storage part, and allow them to be shut off from each other after the disposal of the waste product.

Abstract: An instrument determines a concentration of bacteria in a plurality of fluid samples, and comprises a housing, a rotatable platform, a plurality of fluid containers, a light source, a sensor, and a motor. The rotatable platform is within the housing. The fluid containers are located on the rotatable platform. Each fluid container holds a corresponding one of the plurality of fluid samples, and has an input window and an output window. The light source provides an input beam for transmission into the input windows of the fluid containers and through the corresponding fluid samples. The input beam creates a forward-scatter signal associated with the concentration of bacteria. The motor rotates the rotatable platform so that the input beam sequentially passes through each fluid sample. A sensor within the housing detects the forward-scatter signal exiting from the output window associated with the fluid sample receiving the input beam.

Abstract: Technology for a pillar structure for a biochip is disclosed. The pillar structure for a biochip includes: a substrate portion having a plate structure; an insertion pillar portion formed in one piece with the substrate portion and protruding downward from a lower surface of the substrate portion so as to be inserted into a well; and a compensation pillar portion formed in one piece with the substrate portion, the compensation pillar portion corresponding to the insertion pillar portion and protruding upward from an upper surface of the substrate portion. Therefore, when the pillar structure is cooled during an injection molding process, the substrate portion is prevented from being partially recessed, and when samples are analyzed using microscopic images, accuracy and reliability may be improved.

Abstract: A product concentration device that utilizes a reservoir connected to a hollow-fiber filter element where the reservoir can serve as a container for filtrate emanating from another filtering device, such that product in the reservoir can be stored, concentrated and/or further processed as desired. Enclosed reactor systems, each of at least three chambers, fluid flow between the chambers controlled by selectively permeable barriers, flow controlled by an alternating flow diaphragm pump.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a substrate including a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) zone. The PCR zone includes a first heating region, a second heating region spaced away from the first heating region and a detection region. A microchannel is formed in the substrate. The microchannel receives a fluid flowing therethrough, the microchannel passing through the first heating region and second heating region to thermally cycle the fluid. The microchannel passes through the detection region after the fluid has been thermally cycled.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various bioreactor devices and systems for growing cellular material, and related methods of growing cellular material. In some cases, a system can include a bioreactor system having one or more wells with at least one fluidic passageway coupled to each well to feed fluids to biological material being developed inside the well. In some cases, a bioreactor system can include a main body comprising the perimeter of the well and the fluidic passageways, a cover that forms the top of the well and provides optical access into the well, and a base that forms the bottom surface of the well. The cover and base can be attached and detached from the main body to seal the well closed and to physically access the contents of the well.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a parallel bioreactor system, comprising: an oscillator for generating oscillating motion; a plurality of culture vessels mounted on the oscillator, wherein each culture vessel is provided with an inner cavity, the inner cavity comprises a cylindrical portion at the upper part and an inverted truncated conical bottom at the lower part, a cross section of the cylindrical portion is consistent with the cross section of the top of the inverted truncated conical bottom, and the bottom of the cylindrical portion is joined with the top of the inverted truncated conical bottom; disposable culture bags arranged in the inner cavities of the culture vessels and used for accommodating culture solution, wherein each disposable culture bag is provided with a multifunctional cover plate, and the multifunctional cover plate is connected to the top of the culture bag to seal the culture bag, and is provided with a plurality of connection holes leading to interior of the disposabl

Abstract: A device for in vitro culture of embryos includes: an array having at least one well formed therein; and a bottom surface formed in the well and made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The use of the culture vessel having the well bottom surface made of PDMS has the effect of further increasing the blastocyst formation rate of embryos compared to the use of conventional arrays made of plastic.