Abstract: A fixed bed bioreactor assembly for culturing cells is provided and methods for sampling cell culture substrates from such assemblies. The assembly includes a bioreactor vessel having an interior space for culturing cells and a sidewall at least partly defining the interior space; and a plurality of cell culture substrate layers in the interior space, each layer having a structurally defined surface for culturing cells thereon. The structurally defined surface defines an ordered and regular array of openings through a thickness of the layer. The assembly further includes a sleeve at least partially surrounding the plurality of cell culture substrate layers and having at least one sample access window. The sample access window includes an opening in the sleeve to allow one or more layers of the cell culture substrate to be removed from the sleeve through the opening.

Abstract: A cell culture substrate (200, 308) for a fixed bed bioreactor and a fixed bed bioreactor having such a cell culture substrate is provided. The substrate has a structurally defined surface for culturing cells thereon, where the structurally defined surface defines an ordered and regular array of openings through a thickness of the cell culture substrate. At least a portion of the cell culture substrate includes a sample substrate, the sample substrate being defined by a separation boundary between the sample substrate and a remainder of the cell culture substrate, and the separation boundary allows separation of the sample substrate from the remainder of the cell culture substrate. A bioreactor (300) having ports for aseptic removal of the sample substrate is also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure describes hardware for microfluidic chips and an associated platform for facilitating operation of one or more microfluidic chips. The microfluidic chips described herein are designed for supporting multiple different tissue types, including kidney tissue, liver tissue, adipose cells, and so forth. Chip geometry facilities fluid flow through one or more channels of the chip with a particular flow rate. For example, shear forces are reduced where needed to ensure proper flow rate of fluid in the channels. The chamber geometry and the geometry of the channels ensures that a desired amount of oxygen is delivered to sample cells or tissues in a controlled manner.

Abstract: Drinking straws for aerating fluids are described. A straw includes a body and a cover. The body defines a flow space and an aeration area. The cover includes an aeration opening and a movable barrier. The cover encloses the body and the movable barrier can move between a first position occluding the aeration area and a second position exposing a portion of the aeration area. The straw body and the straw cover, when in the second position, enable air flow through the exposed portion of the aeration area so as to aerate fluid flowing through the flow space. The straw body and the straw cover dampen sound created by the aeration of the fluid when in the second position. The movable barrier may be a plug or a slider.

Abstract: Drinking straws for aerating fluids are described. A straw includes a body and a cover. The body defines a flow space and an aeration area. The cover includes an aeration opening and a movable barrier. The cover encloses the body and the movable barrier can move between a first position occluding the aeration area and a second position exposing a portion of the aeration area. The straw body and the straw cover, when in the second position, enable air flow through the exposed portion of the aeration area so as to aerate fluid flowing through the flow space. The straw body and the straw cover dampen sound created by the aeration of the fluid when in the second position. The movable barrier may be a plug or a slider.