Abstract: The present invention relates to a filtration system comprising a cabinet, a filtration device having a filtrate or retentate vessel arranged outside the cabinet, and a weighing device that is configured to weigh the filtrate or retentate vessel. The weighing device can be arranged inside an enclosure and the enclosure can be arranged inside the cabinet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for improving and evaluating stability of pumped protein solutions in cross-flow filtration applications. Inter alia, the present invention provides a peristaltic pump for cross-flow filtration having a pump head, wherein the pump head comprises a stepped occlusion plate and at least one pump roller, wherein a tubing is to be arranged between the stepped occlusion plate and the at least one pump roller, wherein the stepped occlusion plate has a specific configuration.

Abstract: A bioreactor outlet air conditioning system (10) has a bioreactor vessel (100) and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a fluid flow path (196) from a headspace (108) in the vessel for venting air from the vessel, and a temperature control element (300) in thermal contact with the fluid flow path (196). The fluid flow path (196) may be defined by a disposable portion of the bioreactor vessel (100). A method of controlling evaporation within a bioreactor vessel (100), dependent on the required evaporation rate, adjusts the temperature of the temperature control element (300) to control the rate of evaporation of the liquid media (106) from the vessel (100), and may include monitoring fluids in the fluid flow path (196) to detect at least water content of the fluids exiting the vessel to adjust the temperature and control the rate of evaporation dependent on the detected water content levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filtration system comprising a cabinet, a filtration device having a filtrate or retentate vessel arranged outside the cabinet, and a weighing device that is configured to weigh the filtrate or retentate vessel. The weighing device can be arranged inside an enclosure and the enclosure can be arranged inside the cabinet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for improving and evaluating stability of pumped protein solutions in cross-flow filtration applications. Inter alia, the present invention provides a peristaltic pump for cross-flow filtration having a pump head, wherein the pump head comprises a stepped occlusion plate and at least one pump roller, wherein a tubing is to be arranged between the stepped occlusion plate and the at least one pump roller, wherein the stepped occlusion plate has a specific configuration.

Abstract: A bioreactor consumable unit (50; 500) comprises a bioreactor part (60); a fluid feed container part (80) integrally connected with the bioreactor part and including at least one fluid feed container (82) in fluid communication with the bioreactor (60); and an integral pumping element (100, 110; 160, 206) configured to enable fluid to flow from the at least one fluid feed container (82) to the bioreactor (60). The bioreactor part (60) includes a bioreactor chamber (62) and a stirrer (64) for agitation of a cell culture (66) in the chamber. The pumping element comprises a combination of a syringe pump (110) and an associated three-way valve (102). The bioreactor consumable unit (50; 500) may be inserted into a receiving station (20) of a cell culture module (10) for the processing and control of a bioreaction in the bioreactor chamber (62).

Abstract: A bioreactor vessel (100) is provided with a rigid ledge projecting to a side thereof and defining fluid conduits (136a-c) between three respective externally-facing ports (132a-c) and a vessel chamber (105). A bioreactor system includes a cell culture module (10) having a receiving station (14) in which the vessel (100) is received, in use. Three fluid connection ports (314a-c) are located adjacent to the receiving station (14) and are in fluid connection with associated gas and/or liquid input lines (302a-c, 316, via a valve assembly (300).

Abstract: A bioreactor outlet air conditioning system (10) has a bioreactor vessel (100) and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a fluid flow path (196) from a headspace (108) in the vessel for venting air from the vessel, and a temperature control element (300) in thermal contact with the fluid flow path (196). The fluid flow path (196) may be defined by a disposable portion of the bioreactor vessel (100). A method of controlling evaporation within a bioreactor vessel (100), dependent on the required evaporation rate, adjusts the temperature of the temperature control element (300) to control the rate of evaporation of the liquid media (106) from the vessel (100), and may include monitoring fluids in the fluid flow path (196) to detect at least water content of the fluids exiting the vessel to adjust the temperature and control the rate of evaporation dependent on the detected water content levels.

Abstract: A bioreactor outlet air conditioning system (10) has a bioreactor vessel (100) and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a fluid flow path (196) from a headspace (108) in the vessel for venting air from the vessel, and a temperature control element (300) in thermal contact with the fluid flow path (196). The fluid flow path (196) may be defined by a disposable portion of the bioreactor vessel (100). A method of controlling evaporation within a bioreactor vessel (100), dependent on the required evaporation rate, adjusts the temperature of the temperature control element (300) to control the rate of evaporation of the liquid media (106) from the vessel (100), and may include monitoring fluids in the fluid flow path (196) to detect at least water content of the fluids exiting the vessel to adjust the temperature and control the rate of evaporation dependent on the detected water content levels.

Abstract: A bioreactor consumable unit (50; 500) comprises a bioreactor part (60); a fluid feed container part (80) integrally connected with the bioreactor part and including at least one fluid feed container (82) in fluid communication with the bioreactor (60); and an integral pumping element (100, 110; 160, 206) configured to enable fluid to flow from the at least one fluid feed container (82) to the bioreactor (60). The bioreactor part (60) includes a bioreactor chamber (62) and a stirrer (64) for agitation of a cell culture (66) in the chamber. The pumping element comprises a combination of a syringe pump (110) and an associated three-way valve (102). The bioreactor consumable unit (50; 500) may be inserted into a receiving station (20) of a cell culture module (10) for the processing and control of a bioreaction in the bioreactor chamber (62).

Abstract: A bioreactor vessel (100) is provided with a rigid ledge projecting to a side thereof and defining fluid conduits (136a-c) between three respective externally-facing ports (132a-c) and a vessel chamber (105). A bioreactor system includes a cell culture module (10) having a receiving station (14) in which the vessel (100) is received, in use. Three fluid connection ports (314a-c) are located adjacent to the receiving station (14) and are in fluid connection with associated gas and/or liquid input lines (302a-c, 316, via a valve assembly (300).

Abstract: A bioreactor processing unit (10) includes at least one cell culture module (200) comprising: a base (202) including a receiving station (204) for removably receiving a plurality of bioreactor vessels (400) at respective locations (206); and a clamp plate (240). The clamp plate (240) is removably connectable to the base (202). The system further includes a drive mechanism (226) and multiple fluid conduits. When the system is to be used for an experiment run, vessels (400) are loaded into the receiving station (204) and the clamp plate (240) is connected to the base (202), forming a connection between the drive mechanism and the vessels, for transmitting input motion from the drive mechanism (226) into multiple rotary motion outputs for turning a stirrer (416) in each vessel (400).

Abstract: A bioreactor processing unit (10) includes at least one cell culture module (200) comprising: a base (202) including a receiving station (204) for removably receiving a plurality of bioreactor vessels (400) at respective locations (206); and a clamp plate (240). The clamp plate (240) is removably connectable to the base (202). The system further includes a drive mechanism (226) and multiple fluid conduits. When the system is to be used for an experiment run, vessels (400) are loaded into the receiving station (204) and the clamp plate (240) is connected to the base (202), forming a connection between the drive mechanism and the vessels, for transmitting input motion from the drive mechanism (226) into multiple rotary motion outputs for turning a stirrer (416) in each vessel (400).

Abstract: A capper/de-capper system 1 has a rack support 10 for supporting a rack 11 containing a plurality of capped tubes 31 in a given position. A head unit 12 supports a two-dimensional array of capping/de-capping spindles 13, each of which includes a clutch 133 and a capping/de-capping spigot 131 or socket, the spindles being aligned with the tube positions defined in the rack. A drive mechanism 108 moves the tubes and the head unit relatively towards and away from one another in use, when a rack containing capped tubes is disposed in the rack support, causing engagement and disengagement of the capping/de-capping spigots or sockets with and from the tube caps 32. A spindle drive system 15-22 provides simultaneous rotation of the capping/de-capping spigots or sockets together after engagement with the caps, either to detach caps from the tubes or attach caps to the tubes.

Abstract: A tube for storing micro-liter volumes is provided. The tube is open at one end and comprises a body portion of substantially square cross section; a shoulder portion at one end of the body portion and providing the open end of the tube, the cross section of the shoulder portion being greater than that of the body portion; and a formation providing a snap fit connector portion at the other end.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaking a plurality of vessels, for example in an incubator, has at least one rotatable support 10 (101,102) defining a plurality of support locations for vessels 50 at predefined positions 12 around an upright axis and the support or supports 10 are rotatable around the upright axis to move the vessels between a number of positions about the axis for insertion and removal of the vessels onto and from the support(s) respectively. A drive transmission system 38,381 (39,391) connects the support to a drive motor 382 (392), whereby the support can be rotated to a desired position for loading or unloading of a vessel to or from a respective support location 12. A drive mechanism 33, 36 (37). 35 is operable to move each support location eccentrically about an axis independently of the rotation of the support about the upright axis, so that vessels disposed on the support can be shaken.

Abstract: A capper/de-capper system 1 has a rack support 10 for supporting a rack 11 containing a plurality of capped tubes 31 in a given position. A head unit 12 supports a two-dimensional array of capping/de-capping spindles 13, each of which includes a clutch 133 and a capping/de-capping spigot 131 or socket, the spindles being aligned with the tube positions defined in the rack. A drive mechanism 108 moves the tubes and the head unit relatively towards and away from one another in use, when a rack containing capped tubes is disposed in the rack support, causing engagement and disengagement of the capping/de-capping spigots or sockets with and from the tube caps 32. A spindle drive system 15-22 provides simultaneous rotation of the capping/de-capping spigots or sockets together after engagement with the caps, either to detach caps from the tubes or attach caps to the tubes.