Abstract: Fibres with an extraction phase coated thereon in combination with a positioning device are described to perform adsorption of components of interest from an animal or animal tissue for the investigation of living systems. A number of interfaces to analytical instrumentation are disclosed including mass spectrometry, LC/MS, MALDI and CE as well as direct spectroscopic on-fibre measurement.

Abstract: A device and method for tissue engineering is disclosed. More particularly this invention relates to a bioabsorbable device and a method of its use which promotes controlled new tissue in-growth into voids or cavities occupied by the device as portions of the device are selectively absorbed within a host thereby minimizing collapse of surrounding, pre-existing host tissue into the engineered site.

Abstract: A container for samples of organic tissue, comprising: a vessel with an opening which can be sealed with a stopper; one or more cups for containing samples of organic tissue, mutually stacked inside the vessel; a distributor to allow the distribution of preservative liquid inside the vessel and inside the cups.

Abstract: A method for processing a biological tissue specimen using either manual or automated processing. The tissue specimen is sequentially contacted with components of a reagent system in the presence of increased temperature and/or agitation and in the absence of exogenous microwave radiation to facilitate processing in less than one working day.

Abstract: This invention relates to a three dimensional bioengineered sphincter such as a bioengineered internal anal sphincter (IAS) and three-dimensional physiological models of smooth muscle cells. The invention also related to methods for generating a bioengineered sphincter and smooth muscle rings in culture. In addition, the invention provides for methods of using a bioengineered sphincter or bioengineered smooth muscle ring to identify agents that modify contractile force and relaxation in smooth muscle cells.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled and instrumented bioreactor for conditioning intravascular tissue engineered medical products. One bioreactor design including an integrated pump to provide a relatively small volume of fluid nutrient. The microprocessor control providing measurement and control of the fluid flow and tissue displacement and subsequent determination of material properties. One design includes a flexible joint providing motion of the treated tissue in the axial, bending and torsional direction.

Abstract: A device for altering the expression or activation of adhesion molecules on cells including endothelial cells, as well as methods for altering the expression or activation of adhesion molecules on cells including endothelial cells, are provided.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided that improve the function of organ support devices, and also provided are improved methods of treating conditions associated with hemodynamic instability.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a flow system includes a medical device mount, fluid and a conduit containing the fluid and medical device mount. The conduit is mounted on an assembly that moves the conduit along with the medical device mount to induce relative motion of the fluid relative to the medical device mount. In preferred embodiments, pulsatile fluid motion is generated. In some embodiments, the fluid includes viable cells. In alternative embodiments, a flow system includes a continuous flow pump connected to a conduit loop having multiple branch conduits downstream from the pump providing alternative paths over a section of the conduit loop. Each branch conduit has a valve controlling flow through the branch. In some embodiments, at least one branch includes a medical device mount.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preserving tissue such as harvested organs for transplant are described. A preferred method includes delivering to a harvested organ an effective amount of electromagnetic energy, the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range, wherein delivering the effective amount of electromagnetic energy includes selecting a predetermined power density (mW/cm2) of electromagnetic energy to deliver to the organ while in hypothermic or normothermic storage. A preferred apparatus includes a container having a cooling chamber to receive the harvested organ and at least one light source mounted on the container to illuminate the interior cooling chamber, said light source emiting light which produces a biostimulative effect on tissue placed in the cooling chamber thereby preventing or retarding damage to the tissue during storage or transport.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for immunological labeling of thin tissue sections are disclosed. The treatment fluid is applied in the form of liquid droplets onto at least one slide, the arrangement of liquid droplets corresponding to the arrangement of the thin tissue sections on the carrier plate. Each slide is retained in a transport container, the transport container being embodied in the form of a trough which comprises a peripheral delimiting wall that is closed off by a base. The base of one transport containers constitutes the cover of a transport container arranged beneath it. The transport containers are stacked in a first and a second station.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies are provided which bind to heat-treated proteins of meats. The antibodies are useful in detecting the presence of an exogenous meat in a cooked or raw meat sample. Furthermore, the antibodies can be used to determine the end point temperature of a meat sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for monitoring migratory cell proliferation with restricted migration on a substrate includes providing a substrate, coating the substrate with extracellular matrix, plating cells suspended in cell culture media on extracellular matrix, and placing intersecting channels across the extracellular matrix components by removing the extracellular matrix components from the channels to isolate islands of the extracellular matrix components on the substrate. When the cells are immersed with a fluid, migration of the cells is confined to the isolated islands of the extracellular matrix components, permitting long-term observation of a migratory population.

Abstract: Use of calibrant in extraction phase is described for quantification of components of interest in samples in laboratory application as well as in on-site monitoring. This approach is particularly useful for in-vivo investigation of living systems.

Abstract: A disclosure is made of various apparatus and methods for culturing and preserving cells and tissue in ways that minimize contamination potential, direct cells to reside in desired areas, allow uniform cell distribution during seeding, provide optimal growth conditions by controlling the amount of medium residing in proximity of cells, allow desired compounds and molecules to reside in proximity of the cells, allow co-culture, provide for efficient scale up, allow a desired shape of tissue to be created while retaining a closed system, and allow cryopreservation and reconstitution of cell and tissue while retaining a closed system. The apparatus and methods can be combined to prevent the need to remove the tissue from the enclosure at any point during the sterilization, seeding, culturing, cryopreservation, shipping, or restoration process. Also disclosed is an apparatus and method of pipette interface with a container in a manner that blocks contaminants from entering the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for high-throughput analysis of compound absorption in a controlled environment that closely resembles in-vivo conditions. The apparatus includes at least one tissue-receiving enclosure that is capable of interfacing (e.g., via transfer of fluids, electronically, etc.) with a variety of preparative devices and analytical instrumentation. In some variations, the tissue-receiving enclosure is formed from two housings, which, when engaged, have a capsular shape. The enclosure receives a tissue sample in the form of an un-everted or everted intestinal segment or tubular artificial membrane. The tissue sample is coupled to a generally cylindrical tissue support. The tissue support and the enclosure are axially aligned, and openings at the ends of the enclosure align with openings at the ends of the tissue support. Two feed fittings, one for each end of the enclosure, forcefully mate with the aligned openings in the housing and the tissue support.

Abstract: This invention is a transportable organ preservation system that substantially increases the time during which the organ can be maintained viable for successful implantation into a human recipient. A chilled oxygenated nutrient solution is pumped through the vascular bed of the organ after excision of the organ from the donor and during transport. The device of the present invention uses flexible permeable tubing to oxygenate the perfusion fluid while the CO2 produced by the organ diffuses out of the perfusion fluid. One pressurized two liter “C” cylinder that contains 255 liters of oxygen at standard temperature and pressure can supply oxygen for up to 34 hours of perfusion time. The device uses a simple electric pump driven by a storage battery to circulate the perfusion fluid through the organ being transported. The vessel containing the organ to be transported is held at 4° C. by coolant blocks.

Abstract: A device for inducing an immune response in cancer therapy in which isolated living malignant tissue is enclosed in a space formed by a microporous membrane and a holder which is introduced into a body cavity so that macromolecular and cellular immune system components can pass freely in both directions through the membrane while malignant cells of the tumor tissue remain trapped inside.

Abstract: A culture device for cellular media including a biomedia growth chamber defining a closed environment and an electronically controllable jetting device in communication with a source of material supporting biological function. The jetting device emits the material into the biomedia growth chamber.

Abstract: A combination mass transfer and pump apparatus, which in a single step actively mixes a first mass and a second mass and simultaneously pumps one of the first mass and the second mass through the apparatus. The combination mass transfer and pump apparatus substantially comprises a housing and at least one distributor element having a plurality of selectively fluid-permeable membrane elements wherein the at least one distributor element is agitated within the second mass such that the first mass diffuses across the selectively fluid-permeable membrane elements, mixing with the second mass, and in the same step the second mass is pumped through the housing.

Abstract: A system for hemodynamic simulation comprises a vessel having properties of a blood vessel, a reservoir containing a quantity of fluid, tubing connecting the vessel and reservoir, and at least one pump for circulating the fluid within the system. Fluid can be tissue culture medium or blood analog fluid, and the vessel may include mammalian cells attached to its inside. A drive system, comprising two reciprocating drive shafts that are coupled by a cam, enables the uncoupling of pulsatile flow and pulsatile pressure to provide independent control over wall shear stress and circumferential strain. The shaft drives two pumps that are 180 degrees out-of-phase and are connected upstream and downstream of the vessel, and effect this uncoupling.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for immunological labeling of thin tissue sections are disclosed. The treatment fluid is applied in the form of liquid droplets onto at least one slide, the arrangement of liquid droplets corresponding to the arrangement of the thin tissue sections on the carrier plate. Each slide is retained in a transport container, the transport container being embodied in the form of a trough which comprises a peripheral delimiting wall that is closed off by a base. The base of one transport containers constitutes the cover of a transport container arranged beneath it. The transport containers are stacked in a first and a second station.

Abstract: This new automatic bio-manipulation factory system for manipulating a single cell comprises: a bio-MEMS that transports, separates, and extracts a single cell for manipulation from a plurality of cells, controls the rotation-orientation of the extracted cell automatically, and enables the extracted cell to maintain a certain temperature; and a micro manipulation system that obtains vision information and manipulation information about the extracted single cell and the manipulation tool, provides such information to operator, manipulates the extracted single cell by transmitting the rotation-orientation feedback information and the cell manipulation order of the operator to the bio-MEMS, and manipulates the manipulation tool by transmitting the tool manipulation order of the operator to the manipulation tool. The conventional manual and individualized single cell manipulation can be automated and processed collectively by systematically combining the bio-MEMS with the micro manipulation system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining expression levels of one or a multiplicity of target proteins in a tissue or cell sample.

Abstract: A total condensed circuit for cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia are provided, as well as methods of using the same. The total circuit includes a cardiopulmonary bypass portion including tubing and components which together have a substantially short path length and priming volume preferably under 800 ml. Thus, the opportunity for an inflammatory response caused by blood contacting plasticizers is minimized. The bypass circuit includes a shunt which bypasses a blood reservoir of the total circuit. The cardioplegia circuit infuses cardioplegia fluid into blood pulled from an oxygenator of the bypass circuit. According to the method, either or both of heart-lung bypass and cardioplegia can be performed with only minimal or no isotonic priming solution circulated into the patient. In addition, use of the shunt and reservoir together eliminate the possibility of air entering the circulation system upon kinking of the circuit.

Abstract: A device and method for capturing a biological tissue, comprises cutting a minute biological cellular tissue using a contactless cutting apparatus, wherein, by inverting a biological tissue slide provided with a sample thereon, and after cutting a cellular tissue profile using said contactless cutting apparatus, an impact lever moving mechanism applies from up to down a proper impact force or vibration force onto the target area thus cut, and thereby render said cellular tissue specimen thus captured dropping exactly through a tissue sampling hole into a sampling mortar located therebelow so as to achieve the object of capturing the desired minute biological cellular tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for mechanical organ perfusion during the transport phase of a donor organ, which apparatus comprises an organ receptacle for acommodating the organ, propulsion means for moving the perfusate contained in a liquid compartment of the apparatus to and through the organ receptacle, and oxygenation means for the aeration of the organ receptacle. The propulsion means are embodied as a pump driven by compressed air, while the compressed air serves at the same time for the aeration of the organ receptacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a treatment compartment (1) for treating histological samples with treating agents (2, 2?, 2?). The treatment compartment (1) comprises a housing (3) with an inlet and outlet (4, 4?) for the treating agents (2, 2?, 2?), a rotatable retaining device (5) which receives the samples and a closable access opening (6) on the front (7). The aim of the invention is to improve a treatment compartment (1) of the above kind in such a way that it has a compact design and is easily accessible without the risk of the treating agents (2, 2?, 2?) emerging.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that allows the visualization of leakage of cell culture media through a conduit wall of a tissue-engineered biological construct such as a semilunar heart valve or valve graft under controlled physiologic conditions. The apparatus and method also allows for the assessment of valve function and intraluminal flow using conventional imaging modalities such as ultrasonic and magnetic resonance imaging. The apparatus allows the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of structural and functional characteristics of a condition tissue engineered construct prior to implantation using a valve housing and chamber and a flow-pressure simulator.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for producing demineralized osteoinductive bone, and demineralized osteoinductive bone produced thereby. The process achieves demineralization of bone by subjecting bone, including for example ground bone, bone cubes, chips, strips, or essentially intact bone, to a rapid continuous acid demineralization process. The process includes subjecting bone to a continuous exchange of demineralizing acid solution where the demineralizing acid solution is recirculated from the substantially closed container through an ion exchange media to remove calcium and phosphate thereby producing a regenerated acid, and returning the regenerated acid to the substantially closed container to produce osteoinductive demineralized bone. The process allows bone to be rapidly demineralized to a precise and specific desired residual calcium level, without sacrificing osteoinductivity.

Abstract: An organ perfusion apparatus and method monitor, sustain and/or restore viability of organs and preserve organs for storage and/or transport. Other apparatus include an organ transporter, an organ cassette and an organ diagnostic device. The apparatus and methods include the organ cassette with one or more openings configured to allow tubing to pass through the openings and be connected to the organ or tissue within the cassette, and including a pressure control device to allow pressure inside the portable housing to be varied.

Abstract: A method for controlling a pump for delivery of liquid to an organ over a series of fixed-length time intervals f, each interval f comprising a time t1 and a time t2 wherein t1+t2 equals the length of interval f. The method comprises allowing output pressure of the pump to decrease over time t1, increasing output pressure of the pump over time t2, comparing achieved pump output pressure to a predetermined pressure at about the end of interval f, and at least one of (i) adjusting t1 and t2 if necessary so the predetermined pressure is approximated by the output pressure at the end of the next interval f, and (ii) adjusting a rate of change of the output pressure during at least one of t1 and t2 if necessary so the predetermined pressure is approximated by the output pressure at the end of the next interval f.

Abstract: An organ perfusion apparatus and method monitor, sustain and/or restore viability of organs and preserve organs for storage and/or transport. Other apparatus include an organ transporter, an organ cassette and an organ diagnostic device. The apparatus and methods further include a tube frame removably connected to the cassette and configured to hold a plurality of tubes in a position to be connected to tubes in the portable housing.

Abstract: An organ perfusion apparatus and method monitor, sustain and/or restore viability of organs and preserve organs for storage and/or transport. Other apparatus include an organ transporter, an organ cassette and an organ diagnostic device. The apparatus and methods include the cassette and transporter with heat transfer surfaces arranged to transfer heat between a cooling source in said transporter and the heat transfer surfaces of the cassette.

Abstract: A device (12) for separating motile sperm from a sperm-containing sample of semen comprises a tubular conduit (14) with a constrictor (20) therein. The constrictor is dimensioned to establish capillary flow of fluid therethrough. The sample is deposited in the larger cross-section upstream end (16) of the device, together with a fluid medium which entrains the semen through the constriction. The motile sperm, having passed through the constriction, swim against the flow and collect in a harvesting zone at the distal end of the conduit, from where they can be aspirated. Non-motile sperm are flushed from the device.

Abstract: The invention features a bioreactor system. The system includes components, which exert physiologically relevant translational and rotational strains on a growing bioengineered tissue.

Abstract: A plant micropropagation apparatus and process is provided in which a support platform for vessels containing a liquid growth media are periodically pivoted which brings about an intermittent immersion of the plant tissue/growth substrate in the growth media. The motion of the support platform may optionally be used to engage a piston operated dispenser for supplying aseptic media to the sealed vessel. The intermittent immersion also provides for an improved method of separating viable embryos from culture materials using a separation matrix in conjunction with the intermittent wave motion of the plant media when suspended in a liquid culture.

Abstract: An organ preservation system according to one embodiment of the disclosures herein includes a perfusion liquid delivery apparatus, a perfusion liquid pumping apparatus and a thermal mass. The perfusion liquid pumping apparatus is connected to the perfusion liquid delivery apparatus and is capable of delivering a perfusion liquid to the perfusion liquid delivery apparatus. The thermal mass includes a thermal mass cooling core body having a core cavity therein. A cooling member is disposed in the core cavity of the thermal mass cooling core body. A super-coolable composition is disposed within the core cavity of the thermal mass cooling core body encapsulating at least a portion of the cooling member. The cooling member is coupled between the perfusion liquid delivery apparatus and the perfusion liquid pumping apparatus and is capable of having the perfusion liquid routed therethrough for enabling the perfusion liquid to be cooled.

Abstract: A method and a device for improved freezing of biological containing living cells is disclosed. Directional cooling coupled with agitation, preferably rotation, of the vessel containing the biological sample allows for the freezing of large volume samples at much grater rates than before. Whether a sample is large or not, the greater thermal homogeneity during the freezing process as well as the resulting crystal morphology yield a frozen sample which is exceptionally suited for lyophilization.

Abstract: A method of delivering oxygen to a biological entity comprising of dissolving oxygen into a perfusate and forcing the perfusate through the biological entity whereby substantially high levels of oxygen are available to satisfy the biological demand of the biological entity. An apparatus for supplying oxygen to a biological entity whereby substantially high levels of oxygen are available to satisfy the metabolic demand of said biological entity. An apparatus for supplying metabolic supplements to a biological entity whereby the effect of said metabolic supplement on said biological entity can be monitored. The method and apparatus keeps a biological entity such as an organ viable at a range of temperatures while in an aerobic state. This allows the study of said organ from a physiological or experimental standpoint. It allows said organ to be transplanted with little or no reperfusion injury, thus increased survivability over the prior art.

Abstract: This invention is a transportable organ preservation system that substantially increases the time during which the organ can be maintained viable for successful implantation into a recipient. A chilled oxygenated nutrient solution can be pumped through the vascular bed of the organ after excision of the organ from the donor and during transport. The device of the present invention uses flexible permeable tubing to oxygenate the perfusion fluid while the CO2 produced by the organ diffuses out of the perfusion fluid. One pressurized two-liter “C” cylinder can supply oxygen for up to 34 hours of perfusion time. The device can use a simple electric pump driven by a storage battery to circulate the perfusion fluid through the organ being transported. The vessel containing the organ to be transported can be held at a suitable temperature by a chiller.

Abstract: A heart preservation chamber is disclosed which comprises a housing, an inclined trough support surface, and inlet and outlet fluid connections for the major heart blood vessels.

Abstract: A tissue sample is conventionally visualized in a microscope. A selectively activated convex surface is provided, preferably at the distal end of a rod. This selectively activated convex surface when activated, typically with a laser through an optic light path in the microscope, provides the activated region with adhesive properties. At least one portion of the tissue sample which is to be extracted is identified. This identified portion is contacted with a portion of the selectively activated convex surface on the end of the rod. When the convex surface is activated, typically by exposure to laser light in the footprint of the desired sample, an adhesive transfer surface on the selectively activated convex surface is provided which adheres to the desired cells in the footprint of the desired sample. Thereafter, the adhesive transfer surface is separated from the remainder of the tissue sample while maintaining adhesion with the desired cells. Thus the desired portion of the tissue sample is extracted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for creating a cryoarray of frozen tissue cores using a cryoarray system. Such system comprises a tissue mold, an embedding medium and a cryoarray device. The cryoarray device comprises a mold plate, an ejector plate, mold alignment pins, ejector pins, and cryoarray pins. Such method/system may be used for preparing frozen sections with multiple tissue specimens for assays such as in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.

Abstract: A method for cell and electrical therapy of living tissue including administration of exogenous cells into a region of injured tissue and application of electrical energy. In one application the exogenous cells are conditioned in vitro before their administration into tissue. In one application the combined cell and electrical therapy is applied in vivo to damaged heart tissue. In such applications, minimally invasive procedures are used to apply the cell therapy and the electrical therapy is provided via an implantable pulse generator. In one application an implantable pacemaker is used in the VDD or DDD mode with an atrioventricular delay kept relatively short when compared to the intrinsic atrioventricular delay.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for cell purification and ablation is disclosed. The present invention comprises a laser system which directs radiant energy at computer or manually selected individual cells thereby disrupting DNA, RNA and protein structure in those cells. The present invention produces a purified tissue section containing relatively intact DNA, RNA or protein from only the untreated cells. This purified sample is suitable for amplification of material by PCR or other techniques for the analysis of molecular genetic features in the selected cells of interest.

Abstract: A system for the production of a blood component composition is provided. The system includes a centrifuge having a blood reservoir for receiving and separating a blood sample into multiple components; a dispenser disposed outside of the centrifuge having a first collection chamber containing an activation agent and a second collection chamber containing one or more medicinal agents; means for removing a first portion at least one separated blood component from the centrifuge to the first container and a second portion to the second collection chamber, wherein the first collection chamber activates the first portion and stores the resulting clot and thrombin; a filter for separating the thrombin from the clot; and a nozzle for entraining and mixing the thrombin with the second portion containing the one or more medicinal components.

Abstract: The invention features modular cell culturing devices including one or more flat-plate modules, and is based on the discovery that if the flows of liquid medium and oxygenated fluid are separated by a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane, and the cells are grown attached to the liquid side of the membrane, the device can be used to culture cells with transport of oxygen through the membrane (i.e., direct oxygenation), without regard for the flow rate of the liquid medium passing through the device. The new flow-through cell culturing devices can thus be used to culture cells, e.g., hepatocytes, with high levels of cell function in organ, e.g., liver, assist systems, for production of cells, for production of cell-derived products, such as, proteins or viruses, or for systems to treat biological liquids to remove toxins, such as, ammonia, or add cell-synthesized products, or both.

Abstract: A plant micropropagation apparatus (100) and process is provided in which a support platform (110) for vessels (12) containing a liquid growth media are periodically pivoted which brings about an intermittent immersion of the plant tissue/growth substrate in the growth media. The motion of the support platform (110) may optionally be used to engage a piston operated dispenser (14) for supplying aseptic media to the sealed vessel (12). The intermittent immersion also provides for an improved method of separating viable embryos from culture materials using a separation matrix in conjunction with the intermittent wave motion of the plant media when suspended in a liquid culture.

Abstract: This invention is a transportable organ preservation system that substantially increases the time during which the organ can be maintained viable for successful implantation into a human recipient. A chilled oxygenated nutrient solution is pumped through the vascular bed of the organ after excision of the organ from the donor and during transport. The device of the present invention uses flexible permeable tubing to oxygenate the perfusion fluid while the CO2 produced by the organ diffuses out of the perfusion fluid. One pressurized two liter “C” cylinder that contains 255 liters of oxygen at standard temperature and pressure can supply oxygen for up to 34 hours of perfusion time. The device uses a simple electric pump driven by a storage battery to circulate the perfusion fluid through the organ being transported. The vessel containing the organ to be transported is held at 4° C. by coolant blocks.