Abstract: The present application provides a cell processing system for housing a bioreactor and methods associated therewith. The cell processing system is adapted to support the bioreactor. The cell processing system includes a load sensing unit operable to detect a weight of the bioreactor.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a connector including a housing, a hollow needle, an actuating mechanism, and a locking mechanism. The housing including a first end and a second end. The hollow needle mounted, at least partially, within the housing. A first end of the hollow needle being connected or connectable to a first receptacle and a second end of the hollow needle facing a pierceable seal. The actuating mechanism configured to cause relative movement between the hollow needle and the pierceable seal to enable the hollow needle to pierce the pierceable seal. The locking mechanism, in a first configuration, prevents the actuating mechanism from causing relative movement between the hollow needle and the pierceable seal, and in a second configuration, permits the actuating mechanism to cause relative movement between the hollow needle and the pierceable seal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bioreactor for cell culturing. The bioreactor comprises a container comprising a base and a side wall defining an internal volume for holding a cell suspension. The container is rotatable during use about a rotational axis. The bioreactor also includes a sensor element disposed on an internal surface of the container for interaction with a sensor receiver positioned externally of the container and operable to interact with the sensor element to detect a characteristic of the cell suspension. The sensor element is offset from the rotational axis of the bioreactor and arranged to align with the sensor receiver in at least two rotational positions of the bioreactor during use.

Abstract: A connector comprising a housing extending between a distal end and a proximal end, the housing comprising, at least at one end, a pierceable seal; a hollow needle mounted, at least partially, within the housing between the distal end and the proximal end of the housing, a first end of the hollow needle being connected or connectable to a first corresponding receptacle, and a second end of the hollow needle facing the pierceable seal at an end of the housing; and an actuating mechanism to enable the hollow needle to pierce the pierceable seal, thereby forming a communication through the pierceable seal, such that material is able to transfer through the connector. The pierceable seal includes a distal and a proximal end, the second end of the hollow needle facing the distal end, and the proximal end comprising an engagement element engaging a portion of the hollow needle.