Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing a plaque counting assay of cultured cell by using a time sequence of images to identify plaques.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing condensation on a cell culture plate transferred from an incubator to an imager. A block having a higher thermal conductivity layer and a lower thermal conductivity layer is preheated in an incubator. The block is placed on a cell culture plate either before or immediately after removing the cell culture plate from an incubator with the higher thermal conductivity layer resting on the plate and configured to overlie all of the wells of the plate. The culture plate is transported to an imager with the thermal block in place and the block is removed before inserting the culture plate into the imager.

Abstract: A cell culture incubator with an incubator cabinet has an internal chamber with a door opening from an external environment. An imager and a manipulator with a scraper are in the internal chamber. A controller is configured for controlling the manipulator to modulate the contact pressure between a scraping edge of the cell scraper and a surface of a cell culture vessel and a sensor is connected to the cell scraper that provides signal to the controller informative of a sensed pressure between a scraping edge of the cell scraper and the surface of a cell culture vessel. The controller controls the manipulator to increase or decrease the pressure between a scraping edge of the cell scraper and the surface of a cell culture vessel.

Abstract: Aspects relate to an automated cell culture incubator and to methods for using such an incubator. In one aspect, the cell culture incubator includes an incubator cabinet having a transfer chamber and an internal chamber that are arranged to form an airlock configuration. In some embodiments, objects placed into the incubator cabinet are sterilized using ozone produced by an ozone generator. The incubator may include one or more transfer devices that move objects between the transfer chamber and the internal chamber.

Abstract: At least one tool removably mountable on a cell incubator mandrel or a cell incubator having at least one mandrel having an end portion, the at least one mandrel mounted on a movable transport for moving the at least one mandrel and at the least one tool removably mountable on the end portion of the at least one mandrel. The at least one tool is preferably electrically powered and controllable by signals applied to the at least one tool to perform at least one operation with respect to the incubation of cells.

Abstract: In some aspects, the invention relates to automated cell culture incubators and their methods of use. In one aspect, the disclosure provides cell culture incubators having an airlock chamber, a storage chamber and/or an internal chamber. In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods for producing autologous mammalian cell cultures.

Abstract: A method of conjugating a substrate includes exchanging a counter ion associated with a biomolecule with a lipophilic counter ion to form a biomolecule complex, dispersing the biomolecule complex in a nonaqueous solvent, and coupling the biomolecule complex to a substrate in the presence of the nonaqueous solvent.

Abstract: At least one tool removably mountable on a cell incubator mandrel or a cell incubator having at least one mandrel having an end portion, the at least one mandrel mounted on a movable transport for moving the at least one mandrel and at the least one tool removably mountable on the end portion of the at least one mandrel. The at least one tool is preferably electrically powered and controllable by signals applied to the at least one tool to perform at least one operation with respect to the incubation of cells.

Abstract: Methods for the image processing od cells are disclosed for the purpose of segmenting cell colonies for further processing to determine confluence, counting and morphology.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to liquid transfer systems including a pipette tip having a body defining an inner volume and having first and second ends, the first end arranged to transfer a volume of liquid into and out of the pipette tip and the second end arranged for attachment to a pipette, and a bladder sealingly attached to the body. In some embodiments, the bladder is disposable in the inner volume. The bladder may be defined by a membranous sac and/or a planar membrane. The bladder may be moveable in response to an applied pressure to transfer liquid. The bladder also may be stretchable to accommodate a volume of fluid. In some embodiments, the pipette tip is used in a cell culture incubator, with a manipulator including a pipette that is in fluid communication with the pipette tip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for incubating sperm, eggs, and/or embryos for in vitro fertilization placing at least one of sperm, eggs, and embryos in at least one cell culture vessel in an incubator chamber having windows with filters to filter out ultraviolet light, wherein interior surfaces of the chamber comprises material that prevents the growth of fungus, and wherein the chamber includes sensors for regulating the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen in the chamber, transporting the at least one cell culture vessel from a storage location in the chamber to an imager at an imaging location in the chamber using an elevator; and repeatedly imaging at least one of the sperm, eggs, and the embryos in the imager while maintaining the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen throughout the chamber.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to liquid transfer systems including a pipette tip having a body defining an inner volume and having first and second ends, the first end arranged to transfer a volume of liquid into and out of the pipette tip and the second end arranged for attachment to a pipette, and a bladder sealingly attached to the body. In some embodiments, the bladder is disposable in the inner volume. The bladder may be defined by a membranous sac and/or a planar membrane. The bladder may be moveable in response to an applied pressure to transfer liquid. The bladder also may be stretchable to accommodate a volume of fluid. In some embodiments, the pipette tip is used in a cell culture incubator, with a manipulator including a pipette that is in fluid communication with the pipette tip.

Abstract: A method of conjugating a substrate includes exchanging a counter ion associated with a biomolecule with a lipophilic counter ion to form a biomolecule complex, dispersing the biomolecule complex in a nonaqueous solvent, and coupling the biomolecule complex to a substrate in the presence of the nonaqueous solvent.

Abstract: A method for pre-scanning a transparent cell culture plate with a plurality of wells to improve focus using a plurality of z-axis images and a method for focusing an optical system on a transparent cell culture plate by performing a Fourier transform on image data at different focus distance steps to reveal a pattern and using the pattern at each step to determine the focus distance.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to cell culture vessels and method for using the vessels to agitate and maintain cells in suspension. In some embodiments, the vessel has a body configured to hold a volume of liquid containing cells to be cultured, the vessel body having a deformable portion arranged to induce movement of the liquid sufficient to maintain the cells in suspension. In some embodiments, the deformable portion is in at least one of a base and sidewall of the vessel body. In some embodiments, the deformable portion is deformed according to a deformable pattern. In some embodiments, the deformable portion is deformed via a deformation plate having one or more movable members that contact the deformable portion.

Abstract: Aspects relate to an automated cell culture incubator and to methods for using such an incubator. In one aspect, the cell culture incubator includes an incubator cabinet having a transfer chamber and an internal chamber that are arranged to form an airlock configuration. In some embodiments, objects placed into the incubator cabinet are sterilized using ozone produced by an ozone generator. The incubator may include one or more transfer devices that move objects between the transfer chamber and the internal chamber.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to automated cell culture incubators. In some embodiments, automated cell culture incubators comprise an integrated manipulation device having one or more cell scrapers.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to automated cell culture incubators. In some embodiments, automated cell culture incubators comprise an integrated manipulation device having one or more cell scrapers.

Abstract: Aspects relate to an automated cell culture incubator and to methods for using such an incubator. In one aspect, the cell culture incubator includes an incubator cabinet having a transfer chamber and an internal chamber that are arranged to form an airlock configuration. In some embodiments, objects placed into the incubator cabinet are sterilized using ozone produced by an ozone generator. The incubator may include one or more transfer devices that move objects between the transfer chamber and the internal chamber.

Abstract: In some aspects, the invention relates to automated cell culture incubators and their methods of use. In one aspect, the disclosure provides cell culture incubators having an airlock chamber, a storage chamber and/or an internal chamber. In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods for producing autologous mammalian cell cultures.