Abstract: A PCR apparatus comprises a PCR heating block having at least two heater units, wherein the at least two heater units are repeatedly disposed on one side of a substrate in a first direction, and each of the at least two heater units has two or more heaters; and a PCR chip having at least two reaction chambers, wherein the at least two reaction chambers are repeatedly formed in the PCR chip, and when the PCR chip is in contact with the PCR heating block, the at least two reaction chambers are arranged to be contacted with the at least two heater units on the PCR heating block, wherein the PCR chip is repeatedly moved in a back-and-forth direction parallel to the first direction and the at least two reaction chambers of the PCR chip is placed to be in contact with the at least two heater units of the PCR heating block.

Abstract: Methods and systems for cell media exchange wherein media maybe aspirated without also aspirating cells and wherein removal and re-plating of cells is not necessarily required. For example, the cell culture system or apparatus features a gap that is small enough to retain cells therein and also sized to prevent media from leaking. The methods and systems of the present invention may help reduce stress and damage to cells as compared to traditional methods that require removing and re-plating cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a single use continuous recovery, flow-through harvest vessel and corresponding method for harvesting culture medium and simultaneously either leaving the microcarrier beads behind in the vessel or flowing microcarrier beads and medium back into a bioreactor.

Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge, configured to facilitate processing and detection of nucleic acids, comprising: a top layer comprising a set of cartridge-aligning indentations, a set of sample port-reagent port pairs, a shared fluid port, a vent region, a heating region, and a set of Detection chambers; an intermediate substrate, coupled to the top layer comprising a waste chamber; an elastomeric layer, partially situated on the intermediate substrate; and a set of fluidic pathways, each formed by at least a portion of the top layer and a portion of the elastomeric layer, wherein each fluidic pathway is fluidically coupled to a sample port-reagent port pair, the shared fluid port, and a Detection chamber, comprises a turnabout portion passing through the heating region, and is configured to be occluded upon deformation of the elastomeric layer, to transfer a waste fluid to the waste chamber, and to pass through the vent region.

Abstract: A cell culture apparatus, includes a connected culture container including n number of units disposed in parallel along a second direction that is a different direction from a first direction where each of the n number of the units is constituted of m number of culture chambers and one or more communication-channels, the m number of the culture chambers each having a cell-holding portion that holds seeded cells, the m number of the culture chambers storing liquid culture media, the m number of the culture chambers being disposed in parallel along the first direction, the communication-channels communicating the m number of the culture chambers with each other; and a plurality of pneumatic pipes communicating same-row-disposed culture chambers that are disposed on a same row along the second direction with each other in the connected culture container.

Abstract: Described is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) device including a PCR thermal block including a first substrate and heating units, a PCR chip including a second substrate and reaction chambers, and an unidirectional sliding driver for sliding the PCR chip relative to the PCR thermal block while maintaining a contact between the second substrate of the PCR chip and the first substrate of the PCR thermal block. The first and second heaters of each of the plurality of heating units are spaced apart from each other along a sliding direction, and the unidirectional sliding driver causes any reaction chamber in the PCR chip to have a sequential thermal contact from a heater of the plurality of heating units mounted at one end of the PCR thermal block to a heater of the plurality of heating units mounted at another end of the PCR thermal block.

Abstract: The invention is directed to disposable cartridge for electroporation of cells, comprising a fluid compartment in an interior of the disposable cartridge; a first fluid port for providing cell suspension to the fluid compartment, and a second fluid port for delivering a fluid comprising at least one compound to be electroporated into the cells to the fluid compartment; a first electrode and a second electrode disposed in the fluid compartment; at least one exit port which delivers the fluid from the fluid compartment wherein the first and second fluid port have a fluid communication to a mixing channel which has a fluid communication to the fluid compartment, and a third ground electrode and a fourth ground electrode.

Abstract: The present invention describes an integrated incubator and image capture module that regulates the incubator atmosphere and obtains high-resolution digital images of sample specimens. The incubator has a cabinet type enclosure that enables the provision of a controlled environment to the contents of the incubator by having at least three ports on one face of the cabinet for the passage of sample containers. Additionally, an image capture module is located immediately adjacent to the incubator. In this regard, using at least three separate access/egress points for the sample containers streamlines operation of the system and enhances preservation of the incubator environment. Furthermore, locating the image capture module directly adjacent to the incubator reduces the amount of time a sample container is exposed to the external environment, thereby reducing the extent to which samples are exposed to potential contaminants and reducing the exchange of the lab and ambient atmospheres.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide fluid flow coordinators, passive flow field modifiers, or even inwardly protruding helical spines which can be used in continuous, scalable, low energy usage, bioreactor systems perhaps to provide optimal mixing of microorganisms with nutrients, gases, or the like or even to move microorganisms, such as algae, in and out of light for effective and optimal growth.

Abstract: The present invention describes an automated platform for inoculating a variety of receptacles with biological samples for testing and analysis. The lab automation system includes a plurality of modules used to automate the inoculation of media for subsequent analysis. In this regard, the lab automation system has one module to enter specimen/order information and store an inventory of petri dishes. Another module is used to label the sample receptacles with a unique identifier that associates the receptacles with the sample. Yet another module includes a robot for retrieving sample and inoculating the receptacles. The sample inoculation module also includes an apparatus that will receive slides, inoculate those slides, and further process the slides for analysis. Finally, the lab automation system includes a module that streaks the culture media with the sample. Thus, the automated lab system described herein provides consistent samples with minimal input from a lab operator.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for use in processing a fluid comprises a reservoir for holding the fluid and one or more bioreactors for receiving the fluid from the reservoir. One or more sensors are provided for sensing one or more parameters of the fluid, and corresponding control measures may be initiated. Regulators may also be provided for regulating various parameters of the fluid processing operation. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Peel plates and plate assemblies are shown and described. In one embodiment, a peel plate assembly includes a semi-rigid plate, a removable cover seal, and an adhesive to provide a moisture vapor barrier. In particular embodiments, the moisture vapor barrier provides less than about one pound peel adhesion and a stiffness for reapplication without wrinkling. The result is a peel plate, assembly, and method for the enumerating a microorganism, when present, in a sample.

Abstract: A container includes a vial, cap, and one or more wireless transponders secured to the cap, the vial or a jacket to store and identify samples of biological material at cryogenic temperatures (e.g., vitrified biological samples), for instance held by cryopreservation storage devices. A specimen holder may be extend from the cap. The vial and/or cap includes ports or vents. A carrier includes a box, thermal shunt, thermal insulation to store and identify arrays of containers that hold cryopreservation storage devices with samples of biological material at cryogenic temperatures. Various apparatus include wireless transponders positioned and oriented to enhance range, and allow interrogation while retained in a carrier. Various apparatus can maintain the biological material at or close to cryogenic temperatures for prolonged period of times after being removed from a cryogenic cooler, and can allow wireless inventorying while maintaining the biological samples at suitably cold temperatures.

Abstract: A corneal preservation and rehydration device includes a box body and a box lid (1), wherein the box body and the box lid are detachably connected. A corneal bracket (2) is provided in the box body for holding a cornea, wherein a surface of the corneal bracket for placing a cornea is a convex spherical surface (21), and a blocking portion (22) is arranged at the surrounding of the convex spherical surface (21) for preventing a cornea from dropping out.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Petri dish comprising a dish body which comprises a bottom wall and a side wall which extends along an outer circumference of the bottom wall, the bottom wall and the side wall of the dish body form an upper opening space adapted to accommodate cultures; a dish lid adapted to cover the upper opening space from above the dish body, the dish lid comprises a top wall and a side wall which extends along an outer circumference of the top wall, wherein the dish body and the dish lid are two independent members that are detachable, and the side wall of the dish body is formed on the outer side thereof with a ring for gripping that extends circumferentially, and the ring for gripping having an outer diameter larger than that of the dish lid. The Petri dish according to the present invention has a simple structure. Through the ring for gripping on the dish body, the user can easily hold the dish body without accidentally dislodging the dish lid or sliding it off the dish body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for culturing cells, which device comprises a bottom wall, at least one side wall as well an upper wall for forming an interior volume that can be shut off from the outside world, a liquid culture comprising cells being present on the bottom wall in use, between the at least one side wall, to which volume fluid can be supplied via at least one supply channel disposed in the upper wall and from which fluid can be discharged via at least one discharge channel disposed in the upper wall.

Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator includes a housing having a first enclosure and a second enclosure, an ampule containing a liquid growth medium, and an insert disposed at least partially in the first enclosure. A portion of the ampule may be disposed inside the first enclosure. The insert may have a platform including a top surface, an abutment surface, and a side surface, as well as a first void disposed in the platform and configured to allow passage of a first volume of the liquid growth medium into the second enclosure and a second void disposed through at least a portion of the side surface and configured to allow passage of a second volume of the liquid growth medium into the second enclosure.

Abstract: A perfusion bioreactor chamber for engineering a broad spectrum of tissues. The bioreactor allows controlled distribution of fluid through or around scaffolding materials of various shapes, structures and topologies during prolonged periods of cultivation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus that uses shadow images of cells to continuously measure cell activity at a high processing rate in order to provide cell activity and cell number results. According to one embodiment of the present invention, instead of a highly experienced examiner or technician using a microscope, ELISA reader, etc. having to collect various cell activity measurements and cell numbers, the collection of said information can be automated so as to reduce cost and largely reduce errors in measurements through the development of computer software coupled with hardware using low cost and compact optoelectronic components and simple image processing techniques.

Abstract: A modular incubator comprising a housing structure divided into cells and having several incubator modules, each of which can be housed, in a removable manner, in a relative cell and is provided with an incubation chamber to incubate microbiological or cellular cultures. Each cell has a first group of connectors and each incubator module has a second group of connectors, each of which can be coupled to a corresponding connector of the first group of connectors of the relative cell when the incubator module is housed in the cell. The first group of connectors has at least one pneumatic connector communicating with at least one source of aeriform substance, and the second group of connectors has a corresponding pneumatic connector communicating with the relative incubation chamber to allow the aeriform substance to be introduced into the incubation chamber.