Abstract: A SCBI useful in ambient air pressure systems is disclosed. The SCBI includes a body which serves as the culture tube, a glass media ampoule, an inoculated stainless steel disc positioned on the top of the glass media ampoule so that the spores are close to the top/opening of the SCBI, filter paper on the top of the body and overlying the disc, and a cap.

Abstract: A method for counting blood cells in a sample of whole blood. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a sample of whole blood; (b) depositing the sample of whole blood onto a slide, e.g., a microscope slide; (c) employing a spreader to create a blood smear; (d) allowing the blood smear to dry on the slide; (e) measuring absorption or reflectance of light attributable to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells in the blood smear on the slide; (f) recording a magnified two-dimensional digital image of the area of analysis identified by the measurement in step (e) as being of suitable thickness for analysis; and (g) collecting, analyzing, and storing data from the magnified two-dimensional digital image. Optionally, steps of fixing and staining of blood cells on the slide can be employed in the method.

Abstract: A cell mass dissociator for a pluripotent stem cell production system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a jig for vitrification cryopreservation of cell or tissue, having a metallic support, and a vitrification solution absorber including an adhesion layer and a vitrification solution-absorbing layer on the metallic support in the order from the side closer to the metallic support.

Abstract: A culture chamber includes a plurality of recesses (10) each formed of a bottom portion (11) and an opening portion (12). The bottom portion (11) has a hemispherical shape and the opening portion (12) is defined by a wall that surrounds an area from a boundary between the opening portion (12) and the bottom portion (11) to an end of each of the recesses (10), the wall having a taper angle in a range from 1 degree to 20 degrees. An equivalent diameter of the boundary is in a range from 50 ?m to 2 mm and a depth from a bottom of the bottom portion (11) to the end of each of the recesses is in a range from 0.6 or more times to 3 or less times the equivalent diameter, and the wall defining the opening portion (12) forms a surface continuous to the bottom portion (11).

Abstract: A method for regulating parameters of at least two bioreactor bags individually, which bioreactor bags are provided on one and the same rocking part of a bioreactor system. The method includes the steps of: determining an individual weight of the content in each bioreactor bag at different points in time during processing; regulating one or more parameters in each bioreactor bag in dependence of the individual weights.

Abstract: In one aspect, a thermal cycler system including a sample block and a thermoelectric device is disclosed. In various embodiments, the sample block has a first surface configured to receive a plurality of reaction vessels and an opposing second surface. In various embodiments the thermoelectric device is operably coupled to the second surface of the sample block. In various embodiments a thermal control unit is provided. In various embodiments the thermal control unit includes a computer processing unit. In various embodiments the thermal control unit includes an electrical current source. In various embodiments the thermal control unit also includes an electrical interface portion configured to connect the thermoelectric device with the electrical current source by way of an electrical cable. In various embodiments the thermal control unit is oriented in a different plane than the sample block and thermoelectric cooler.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly comprising a cartridge holder is presented. The cartridge holder can receive a cartridge for dispensing a fluid. The cartridge can comprise a reservoir for receiving the fluid. The reservoir can comprise an outlet. The reservoir can have an adjustable volume for forcing the fluid through the outlet. The cartridge can further comprise a nozzle for dispensing the fluid. The nozzle can be connected to the outlet. The dispensing assembly can further comprise an actuator for actuating the adjustable volume. The dispensing assembly can further comprise an impulse generator for imparting an impulse to the nozzle. The impulse generator can comprise an actor for contacting the nozzle. The dispenser assembly can further comprise a controller for controlling the actor and the impulse generator.

Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for isolating nucleic acid, cell lysates and cell suspensions from unprocessed samples apparatus, to be used with an instrument, includes at least one input, and: (i) a macrofluidic component, including a chamber for receiving an unprocessed sample from a collection device and at least one filled liquid purification reagent storage reservoir; and (ii) a microfluidic component in communication with the macrofluidic component through at least one microfluidic element, the microfluidic component further comprising at least one nucleic acid purification matrix; and (iii) at least one interface port to a drive mechanism on the instrument for driving said liquid purification reagent, through the microfluidic element and the nucleic acid purification matrix, wherein the only inputs to the apparatus are through the chamber and the interface port to the drive mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filtration system for use in a method of determining the presence and/or amount of cells, for example, viable cells, in a liquid sample, and to methods of using and manufacturing such a filtration system. The filtration system includes a cup with an upper portion and a ring portion, where the ring portion is separably coupled to the upper portion.

Abstract: A hand-held molecular diagnostic test device includes a housing, an amplification (or PCR) module, and a detection module. The amplification module is configured to receive an input sample, and defines a reaction volume. The amplification module includes a heater such that the amplification module can perform a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the input sample. The detection module is configured to receive an output from the amplification module and a reagent formulated to produce a signal that indicates a presence of a target amplicon within the input sample. The amplification module and the detection module are integrated within the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for sorting sperm is provided. The system includes a housing and a microfluidic system supported by the housing. The system also includes an inlet providing access to the microfluidic system to deliver sperm to the microfluidic system and an outlet providing access to the microfluidic system to harvest sorted sperm from the microfluidic system. The microfluidic system provides a flow path for sperm from the inlet to the outlet and includes at least one channel extending from the inlet to the outlet to allow sperm delivered to the microfluidic system through the inlet to progress along the flow path toward the outlet. The microfluidic system also includes a filter including a first plurality of micropores arranged in the flow path between the inlet and the outlet to cause sperm traveling along the flow path to move against through the filter and gravity to reach the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system, and methods for receiving, perfusing and maintaining and assessing excised donor heart physiological functionality. The system generally comprises an apparatus for receiving and holding an excised heart that is interconnected with: (i) a perfusate-processing system, (ii) a bi-directional perfusate pumping system, (iii) flow sensors for monitoring the flow of perfusate to and from an installed heart's aorta, pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein, and vena cava, (iv) an ECG apparatus interconnectable with the installed heart, and (v) probes interconnecting the installed heart with instruments for monitoring the heart's physiogical functionality using load independent indices and load dependent indices.

Abstract: The device for the microbiological analysis of a support (41) adapted to contain microorganisms marked by a fluorophore agent comprises illuminating means adapted to illuminate said support (41) comprising two bases (21) on each of which is mounted at least one group of light sources (22), with said sources (22) of that group being regularly spaced from each other to form an array for illuminating said support (41), said bases (21) being fixed to a frame of said device, one on each side of an opening (9) formed in said frame, with said bases (21) being inclined towards each other in the direction of a predetermined location for reception of said support (41) in said device.

Abstract: The invention discloses a bio-MEMS transducer comprising a cultured myotube and a piezoelectric microcantilever having the myotube attached thereto along a lengthwise extent of said microcantilever. The transducer may include an input/output processor operably connected with said piezoelectric microcantilever to process electrical signals received therefrom and to send electrical signals thereto. The invention may operate as a biosensor wherein the attached myotube contracts on contact with a sensed agent, the myotube contraction deflecting the microcantilever to generate a piezoelectric signal therefrom. The invention may also be used as a biosensor for quantitating physiologic response to an agent by measuring deflection of the cantilever caused by myotube contraction elicited by contact with the agent; and correlating the measurement to effectiveness of the sensed agent in causing a myotube physiologic response.

Abstract: The invention provides devices that improve tests for detecting specific cellular, viral, and molecular targets in clinical, industrial, or environmental samples. The invention permits efficient detection of individual microscopic targets at low magnification for highly sensitive testing. The invention does not require washing steps and thus allows sensitive and specific detection while simplifying manual operation and lowering costs and complexity in automated operation. In short, the invention provides devices that can deliver rapid, accurate, and quantitative, easy-to-use, and cost-effective tests.

Abstract: A cultivation bag assembly for the cultivation of microbes, fungi and other organisms includes a bag having first and second walls joined along side edges to define a bag interior for containing a food substrate and an organism to be cultivated. At least one of the first and second walls is constructed of a layer of water-vapor permeable material to allow the passage of water vapor therethrough. A bag wall overlay layer formed from gas impermeable layer is releasably coupled to the bag. The overlay layer overlays the layer of water-vapor permeable material to prevent the passage of gases therethrough. The bag wall overlay layer has an opening with a gas filter patch covering the opening to allow the passage of oxygen and carbon dioxide gases through the gas filter patch to and from ambient air to facilitate incubation of the organism within the interior of the bag.

Abstract: The incubation and detection device includes a heater, a detection surface with at least one receptacle including a growth medium, and a detection system. There is also a system for preventing the formation of condensation in the receptacle, which includes a temperature-control formed by temperature sensors, heaters, coolers, and management device capable of collecting and analyzing the information collected by the sensor and controlling the heater and cooler so as to generate the desired incubation temperature and permanently apply a temperature gradient to the surface of the receptacle.

Abstract: Provided are devices and methods for effecting processing of samples, including essentially isothermal amplification of nucleic acids, at multiple reaction locations in a single device. In some embodiments, the disclosed devices and methods provide for effecting parallel sample processing in several hundred locations on a single device.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a device in the form of a microfluidic chip. In particular, various features are incorporated into the microfluidic chip for aligning and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as for separating selected subpopulations of sperm.