Abstract: The methods of harvesting cells are provided, wherein the methods comprise introducing a processing material and a source material into a processing loop. The processing loop comprises a processing chamber and a filtering device. The processing material and the source material are circulating through the processing chamber and the filtering device, wherein the processing chamber has a mass; balancing an influx of the processing material into the processing chamber with a permeate flux of the filtering device to maintain the mass of the processing chamber at a constant value; and collecting the cells in a collection chamber. Cell harvesting devices are also provided for processing and harvesting cells using a control law to balance the mass of the processing chamber through the entire process.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method comprising, an airlock chamber; a cryogenic chamber; an equilibrator positioned between the airlock chamber and the cryogenic chamber that is configured to allow for the passage of a sample along to the cryogenic chamber; and a cooling unit that is thermally coupled to the equilibrator. Collectively, the airlock chamber, equilibrator, and the cryogenic chamber define a travel path. A machine-readable medium, comprising instructions which when executed by a controller causes a sample to be cooled, is also provided.

Abstract: A cryogen cooling system to cool a superconducting magnet is disclosed herein utilizing embedded vertical tubing with a large heat exchanging surface area. The tubing encompasses the magnet which is further surrounded by a 4 Kelvin thermal shield for extended ride-through. In one embodiment, the system is a hyperpolarizer having an internal high-pressure gas storage for quench gas and to initiate cool-down. Aspects of the invention utilize a minimal volume of pressurized gas, for example, four (4) liters of pressurized gaseous helium in a 150 mL liquid helium system. As such, the prior vent stack has been removed, along with the helium vessel and quench paths/ducts. The method of using the system is further simplified during ramping while the cool-down process utilizing liquids supplied from external dewars has been eliminated. Significant advantages include reducing the helium volume (and cost associated therewith) and allowing for a hermetically sealed vacuum system that is leak-proof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of acetate quantification and acetate complexes useful in the methods of acetate quantification. Such methods and complexes are useful for any application where acetate quantification is desired, including measuring of concentration of 13C hyperpolarized acetate for imaging agent quality control in MRI and NMR spectroscopy. The disclosed acetate complexes may be prepared from acetate, Fe3+, and sulfosalicylic acid and from acetate, Fe3+, and salicylic acid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of acetate quantification and acetate complexes useful in the methods of acetate quantification. Such methods and complexes are useful for any application where acetate quantification is desired, including measuring of concentration of 13C hyperpolarized acetate for imaging agent quality control in MRI and NMR spectroscopy. The disclosed acetate complexes may be prepared from acetate, Fe3+, and sulfosalicylic acid and from acetate, Fe3+, and salicylic acid.

Abstract: A method for dynamic filtration of a pharmaceutical product is provided. The method includes using an unconditioned resin configured to selectively retain one or more components from a mixture having the pharmaceutical product and where the unconditioned resin is configured to be activated by a medium of the mixture. The method further includes the use of at least one positioning material disposed adjacent to the unconditioned resin, where the positioning material is configured to provide mechanical support to the resin to at least partially retain the resin in position.

Abstract: A cryogen cooling system to cool a superconducting magnet is disclosed herein utilizing embedded vertical tubing with a large heat exchanging surface area. The tubing encompasses the magnet which is further surrounded by a 4 Kelvin thermal shield for extended ride-through. In one embodiment, the system is a hyperpolarizer having an internal high-pressure gas storage for quench gas and to initiate cool-down. Aspects of the invention utilize a minimal volume of pressurized gas, for example, four (4) liters of pressurized gaseous helium in a 150 mL liquid helium system. As such, the prior vent stack has been removed, along with the helium vessel and quench paths/ducts. The method of using the system is further simplified during ramping while the cool-down process utilizing liquids supplied from external dewars has been eliminated. Significant advantages include reducing the helium volume (and cost associated therewith) and allowing for a hermetically sealed vacuum system that is leak-proof.

Abstract: A thermal switching device is presented. The thermal switching device includes a plurality of serpentine capillaries having a first end and a second end, where the first end is configured to be operatively coupled to a heating unit and the second end is configured to be operatively coupled to a cooling unit, and where the plurality of serpentine capillaries is configured to transfer heat from the heating unit to the cooling unit by circulating a working fluid in the plurality of serpentine capillaries.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses that facilitate dissolving a hyperpolarized agent within a polarizer and transporting it to a receiver is provided. The methods include delivering water to a hyperpolarized agent contained within a polarizer, forming a hyperpolarized aqueous solution, transporting the aqueous solution through a fluid path system out of the polarizer, filtering the aqueous solution through a partical size exclusion filter to a receiver, and modifying the pH of the filtered hyperpolarized aquous solution with a dissolution medium contained in the receiver. Also disclosed herein are apparatuses for dissolving a hyperpolarized agent comprising a vial for containing a hyperpolarized imaging agent therein, a dissolution fluid path, a delivery fluid path, a particle size exclusion filter, and a receiver connected to the particle size exclusion filter and positioned to receive the filtered aqueous solution of the hyperpolarized imaging agent.

Abstract: A fluid path system includes a vial containing a pharmaceutical product therein. A dissolution fluid path is also included in the fluid path system, the dissolution fluid path having an output end in fluid communication with the vial and an input end attached to a pressure vessel containing a dissolution medium. A delivery fluid path is also included in the system having a first end hermetically attached to the vial to transport therefrom a mixture of dissolved pharmaceutical product and dissolution medium and a second end connected to a receiving vessel to receive the mixture. A dissolution fluid path valve is positioned between the pressure vessel and the dissolution fluid path to control flow of the dissolution medium, and a delivery fluid path valve is also included in the fluid path system to control flow of the mixture from the delivery fluid path to the receiving vessel.

Abstract: The methods of harvesting cells are provided, wherein the methods comprise introducing a processing material and a source material into a processing loop. The processing loop comprises a processing chamber and a filtering device. The processing material and the source material are circulating through the processing chamber and the filtering device, wherein the processing chamber has a mass; balancing an influx of the processing material into the processing chamber with a permeate flux of the filtering device to maintain the mass of the processing chamber at a constant value; and collecting the cells in a collection chamber. Cell harvesting devices are also provided for processing and harvesting cells using a control law to balance the mass of the processing chamber through the entire process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a wireless sensor, such as an RFID tag, that includes a substrate, an antenna disposed on the substrate, and an environmentally sensitive sensor material disposed over at least a portion of said substrate. Other embodiments an RFID tag and at least one antibody coupled to the RFID tag. The RFID tag includes a substrate, circuitry disposed on the substrate, and an antenna coupled to the substrate. The at least one antibody is capable of affecting the signals emanating from the RFID tag. Further embodiments include a detection system that includes a reader. Yet other embodiments include a method for detecting specific analytes. The method includes providing an RFID tag which emanates a first signal having a first frequency, and enabling the REID tag to emanate a second signal having a second frequency upon attraction of a specific analyte to the RFID tag.

Abstract: A microfluidic channel is provided. The microfluidic channel includes a first substrate having at least one microfluidic channel pattern. Further, the microfluidic channel includes a porous material disposed on the first substrate and occupying the at least one microfluidic channel pattern.

Abstract: A fluid path system includes a vial containing a pharmaceutical product therein. A dissolution fluid path is also included in the fluid path system, the dissolution fluid path having an output end in fluid communication with the vial and an input end attached to a pressure vessel containing a dissolution medium. A delivery fluid path is also included in the system having a first end hermetically attached to the vial to transport therefrom a mixture of dissolved pharmaceutical product and dissolution medium and a second end connected to a receiving vessel to receive the mixture. A dissolution fluid path valve is positioned between the pressure vessel and the dissolution fluid path to control flow of the dissolution medium, and a delivery fluid path valve is also included in the fluid path system to control flow of the mixture from the delivery fluid path to the receiving vessel.

Abstract: A sensor including a substrate and a sensing element disposed on a substrate is provided. The sensing element includes a sensing matrix in contact with a flow of water, an indicator for one or more chemical species in the flow of water, and a selectivity component that reacts reversibly with the one or more chemical species. The sensor also includes a light source configured to direct light through the substrate and the sensing element. The sensor further includes a light detector configured to receive transmitted light from the substrate and the sensing matrix and to generate a signal representative of selective wavelengths of the light indicative of the one or more chemical species in the flow of water.

Abstract: A method for dynamic filtration of a pharmaceutical product is provided. The method includes using an unconditioned resin configured to selectively retain one or more components from a mixture having the pharmaceutical product and where the unconditioned resin is configured to be activated by a medium of the mixture. The method further includes the use of at least one positioning material disposed adjacent to the unconditioned resin, where the positioning material is configured to provide mechanical support to the resin to at least partially retain the resin in position.

Abstract: A device for dynamic filtration of a pharmaceutical product is provided. The device includes a resin configured to selectively retain one or more components from a mixture having the pharmaceutical product, where the resin is configured to be activated by a medium of the mixture. The device further includes at least one positioning material disposed adjacent to the resin, where the positioning material is configured to provide mechanical support to the resin to at least partially retain the resin in position. In certain embodiments, the device does not require conditioning immediately prior to filtration.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate assembly for use in a detector system. The substrate assembly includes a substrate; a sample reception structure secured to the substrate; a test window extending through the substrate; and a fluid channel defined by a surface of the substrate and extending from the sample reception structure to the test window.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for introducing a sample into a cryogenic system comprising, an airlock chamber, a sample path having a first end connected to the airlock chamber and a second end connected to a cryogenic helium bath, an equilibrator, inserted into the sample path and positioned between the airlock and the cryogenic bath and which allows for passage of a sample to the cryogenic helium bath, and a cooling unit to coupled to the equilibration to control the temperature of the equilibrator. A machine-readable medium, comprising instructions which when executed by a controller causes a sample to be positioned within the cryogenic system, is also provided.

Abstract: A method for detecting an aerosol plume includes emitting a light beam from a light source, the light beam having at least one light pulse, wherein the light pulse having a pulse width of between about 10 picoseconds (ps) and about 75 nanoseconds (ns), detecting backscattered light produced by the at least one light pulse interacting with particles in the aerosol plume, determining a presence of the aerosol plume based on the detected backscattered light, and outputting a signal indicating the presence of the aerosol plume.