Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to microfluidic devices. In one example, a microfluidic device can include a first covered fluid feed slot in fluid communication with a first microfluidic channel and a second covered fluid feed slot in fluid communication with a second microfluidic channel. The first microfluidic channel can be formed adjacent to the second microfluidic channel but not in fluid communication with the second microfluidic channel. The first covered fluid feed slot can include a first fluid feed hole for filling a fluid into the first covered fluid feed slot. The second covered fluid feed slot can also include a second fluid feed hole for filling a fluid into the second covered fluid feed slot.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a first substrate including at least one microfluidic channel and a plurality of microwells, as well as a cooperating second substrate defining multiple split-walled cell trap structures that are registered with and disposed within the plurality of microwells. A method for performing an assay includes flowing cells and a first aqueous medium into a plurality of microwells of a microfluidic device, wherein each microwell includes a cell trap structure configured to trap at least one cell. The method further comprises flowing a nonpolar fluid with low permeability for analytes of interest through a microfluidic channel to flush a portion of the first aqueous medium from the microfluidic channel while retaining another portion of the first aqueous medium and at least one cell within each microwell. Surface tension at a non-polar/polar medium interface prevents molecule exchange between interior and exterior portions of microwells.

Abstract: A microfluidic device (100) is disclosed for in-process monitoring of cell culture conditions including for example one or more of: cell density; cell viability; secreted proteins; protein analysis; epitope markers; concentrations of metabolites or nutrients and antigenic determinations; the device comprising: a cell inlet path (120); plural fluid reservoirs (130) in fluid communication with the cell input path, a cell analysis area (160) in fluid communication with the path and reservoirs, and a waste storage volume (166) also in fluid communication with the cell analysis area, the device being operable to cause a primary fluid flow along the inlet path to the analysis area, and to selectively cause secondary fluid flow(s) into the path from none, one or more of the selected reservoirs to combine, if one or more of the reservoirs are selected, with the primary fluid flow from the cell inlet path, in each case for analysis at the cell analysis area, the device being further operable to cause a fluid flow of t

Abstract: A reaction processor includes: a reaction processing vessel placing portion for placing a reaction processing vessel provided with a channel into which a sample is introduced; a temperature control system, which controls the temperature of the channel in order to heat the sample inside the channel; and a liquid feeding system, which controls the pressure inside the channel of the reaction processing vessel in order to move the sample inside the channel. The liquid feeding system maintains the pressure inside the channel to be higher than the atmospheric pressure in the surrounding of the reaction processing vessel, more preferably 1 atm or higher, during a reaction process of the sample.

Abstract: This culture device comprises: a culture container which houses cells, magnetic particles and a culture medium; a temperature adjustment unit for adjusting the temperature of the culture container; a magnet which is provided to the outside of the culture container; a magnetic force adjustment unit for adjusting the magnetic force of the magnet; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the magnetic force adjustment unit. The magnetic force adjustment unit adjusts the magnetic force of the magnet, thereby holding magnetic particles and cells in a predetermined region within the culture container, or dispersing the magnetic particles and cells within the culture container.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a microorganism in a fluid sample is disclosed. The method includes providing a fluid specimen within a specimen collection container having a sidewall defining an interior therein. The interior includes a mechanical separator adapted for separating the fluid sample into first and second phases within the specimen collection container and a sensing element capable of detecting the presence of a microorganism disposed therein. The method includes subjecting the specimen collection container to applied rotational force to isolate a concentrated microorganism region. The method also includes detecting by a sensing element the presence or absence of a microorganism within the concentrated microorganism region.

Abstract: A method of analysing nucleic acid using apparatus comprising a reaction chamber and plurality of sensors located in the base of the chamber, with each sensor preferably located within a respective well. The method comprises flowing a fluid containing the nucleic acid or fragments thereof into the reaction chamber. While the chamber is fully or at least partially sealed, amplification of the nucleic acid or said fragments is performed within the chamber using an amplification primer or primers whilst detecting the generation of amplicons using said sensors. Sequencing or hybridisation is then performed on the amplicons, and sequencing or hybridisation is detected using said sensors.

Abstract: A new method of disposing of waste for the hog industry is disclosed which avoids use of lagoons. Manure is semi-continuously degritted, anaerobically digested and digested with biomass to produce bio-organic fertilizer and biogas.

Abstract: A new method of disposing of waste for the hog industry is disclosed which avoids use of lagoons. Manure is semi-continuously degritted, anaerobically digested and digested with biomass to produce bio-organic fertilizer and biogas.

Abstract: A culture container includes: a culture container body; a partition plate disposed in the vicinity of a bottom of the culture container body to face the bottom so that a culture region is formed as a culture region between the partition plate and the bottom; and a sample inlet/outlet provided in the culture container body, the culture region and the sample inlet/outlet communicating with each other via an opening formed adjacent to one end of the partition plate. With the culture container and a culture method using this container, a large amount of adipocytes can be cultured at one time with easy handling. Dedifferentiation of a large amount of adipocytes and removal of cells having failed to dedifferentiate can be efficiently accomplished.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions, tools, methods and devices to culture microorganisms and, in particular, to compositions, tools, methods and devices for the detection of microorganisms in biological samples.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions, tools, methods and devices to culture microorganisms and, in particular, to compositions, tools, methods and devices for the detection of microorganisms in biological samples.

Abstract: A bioreactor system may include (a) two or more fluidically coupled vessels configured to collectively carry out a bioreaction; (b) one or more fluidic paths coupling the two or more vessels to one another, where the fluidic paths are configured to provide flow of culture medium between the two or more vessels; (c) one or more fluid transfer devices along at least some of the one or more fluidic paths; and (d) a control system. The control system may be configured to (i) read or receive values of one or more parameters characterizing the culture medium in one or more of the vessels, and (ii) use the values to determine an adjusted flow rate in at least one of the fluidic paths to maintain substantially uniform values of the one or more parameters in the culture medium from vessel-to-vessel among the two or more vessels.

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: A bench top incubator is described. The bench top incubator includes a multiple temperature sensors and control systems so as to provide independent data logs of temperature data from each of the multiple temperature sensors. The incubator is relatively simple and small in design and can be conveniently located to carry out temperature processing of biological samples such as fixed cells and tissues, biological fluids, and so forth.

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 system and method adapted to have high sensitivity to the formation of biofilm by mixed community bacteria in fluids. The system enhances corrosion imbalance by differentiating conditions between metal sensor elements immersed in the liquid being monitored. The liquid may be diverted to and flowed through a sample chamber where adjacent sensor elements may reside in different flow velocity or temperature regions. The differentiated conditions allow for different film formation on one of the sensor elements relative to the other, and also more quickly than in the main system from which the sampled liquid has been diverted. The differentiated formation allows the use of measurement of polarization current between the metal sensors to produce data with superior resolution relative to prior methods. The speed of film formation promoted by the differentiated conditions allows for determination of risk of film formation in the main system prior to that film's formation in the main system.