Including Liquid Flow, Level, Or Volume Control Patents (Class 435/286.5)
  • Patent number: 11685883
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally provide for the expansion of cells in a cell expansion system using an active promotion of a coating agent(s) to a cell growth surface. A coating agent may be applied to a surface, such as the cell growth surface of a hollow fiber, by controlling the movement of a fluid in which a coating agent is suspended. Using ultrafiltration, the fluid may be pushed through the pores of a hollow fiber from a first side, e.g., an intracapillary (IC) side, of the hollow fiber to a second side, e.g., an extracapillary (EC) side, while the coating agent is actively promoted to the surface of the hollow fiber. In so doing, the coating agent may be hydrostatically deposited onto a wall, e.g., inner wall, of the hollow fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan D. Frank, Brian J. Nankervis, Dennis J. Hlavinka, Thomas G. DiLorenzo
  • Patent number: 11452976
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixing system for a bioreactor, comprising a plurality of supply units (10), each being able to hold media for use in a bioreactor a mixing unit (30) for creating a uniform mixing of media a first feeding mechanism (20), arranged to feed media from the supply units (10) into the mixing unit (30), a control unit (40) operatively connected to the first feeding mechanism (20) and the mixing unit (30), said control unit (40) being configured to control the first feeding mechanism (20) to feed predetermined amounts of media from the plurality of supply units (10) to the mixing unit (30), and further being configured to control the mixing unit (30) to create a uniform mixing of media. The invention also relates to a method for mixing media for use in a bioreactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Global Life Sciences Solutions USA LLC
    Inventors: Manoj Ramakrishna, Sebastian John, Anoop Bhargav, Haresh Digambar Patil, Praveen Paul
  • Patent number: 11359172
    Abstract: A single-use chamber comprising a primary subchamber containing at least one primary component configured to perform an operation comprising at least one of generation and handling of a biological material; and a secondary subchamber containing at least one of a connection to equipment external to the single-use chamber and a secondary component, wherein the external equipment and the secondary component are configured to support the operation of the at least one primary component; wherein the primary subchamber and the secondary subchamber are configured to be connected to each other so that the at least one primary component is operatively coupled to at least one of the connection and the secondary component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Maggiore
  • Patent number: 11280708
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods for improved treatment of tissue, such as brain tissue. The improved treatment described herein can result in improved tissue penetration of various compounds and chemicals, such as stains and immunohistochemistry reagents. For example, provided herein is a pressurizing device that may include a chamber body having an opening in one of a top and a sidewall of the body, and may also include a chamber lid covering the opening and releasably coupled to the chamber body proximate the opening. The chamber lid and chamber body form an air-tight cavity. The pressurizing device may also have an inlet passing through one of the chamber body and the chamber lid and into the air-tight cavity. The device may also include a retainer coupled inside the air-tight cavity and configured to releasably couple to at least one tissue sample receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Dignity Health
    Inventors: Roberto Fiorelli, Gurpaul Singh Sidhu
  • Patent number: 11124755
    Abstract: A cell culture monitoring system includes measuring units housed in an incubator and each equipped with an indicator, the measuring units each measuring a state of cells in a culture container mounted therein; and an administration unit. The administration unit includes a receiver that receives, from each of the measuring units, a state of the cells measured, the state being associated with identification information of the measuring unit; an analyzer that analyzes the state of the cells and computes information indicating a culture state; a storage that stores, in association with each other, the information indicating the culture state and the identification information; a display that displays, in association with each other, the information indicating the culture state and an identification based on the identification information; and a controller that controls the indicators so that each of the indicators displays the identification corresponding to the identification displayed on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naohiro Ariga, Toshiyuki Hattori, Mina Kobayashi, Ayumu Sakurai
  • Patent number: 11072769
    Abstract: Digester (1) having an agitating device (10) and an agitating device (10) and a method for manufacturing an agitating device (10), the agitating device (10) comprising multiple agitator blades (21-29) which agitator blades (11-13) comprise a plurality of blade sections (21-29) angled relative to one another. The blade sections (21-29) of the agitator blade (11-13) are angled relative to one another such that the agitator blade gradient (11-13) decreases with the distance (30) from a central rotational axis (19) increasing to configure the agitator blade in a flow-optimized three-dimensional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: UTS BIOGASTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Czwaluk
  • Patent number: 11028356
    Abstract: Provided are cell culture apparatus and method. The cell culture apparatus comprises a culture column and a perfusion system, the culture column comprising a first and a second tube-connecting caps and a support for cells to attach and grow thereon. The first and the second tube-connecting caps are respectively provided with a perfusion inlet and a perfusion outlet; The perfusion system comprises a culture medium storage device, a perfusion tube and a perfusion pump. A complete and closed culture column is formed in the cell culture device after the cells are inoculated, and the culturing is completed by the perfusion system to avoid contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU JET BIO-FILTRATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jianhua Yuan, Huilun Li, Wenjiang Wang, Jialiang Su, Xiaolin Li, Yong Chen
  • Patent number: 10975345
    Abstract: A compact culture device capable of performing large-scale culture in an aseptic state. A culture device has a culture bag which has ports through which a liquid flows and enables cell culture, a bag holding portion having holding plates holding the culture bag and rotating shafts, a rotation mechanism supporting and rotating the rotating shaft, a liquid supply/discharge mechanism supplying and discharging a liquid to/from the culture bag, and a rotation control portion controlling the rotation of the rotation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventors: Masakatsu Takeuchi, Atsushi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 10894982
    Abstract: A method of preparing reagents includes inserting a cartridge into an instrument. The cartridge includes a plurality of reagent enclosures disposed in a cavity of the cartridge and exposing a port to an exterior of the cartridge. Each reagent enclosure includes a reagent container including a reagent and an internal cavity defining a compressible volume, an opening defined through the reagent container to the internal cavity. The method further includes connecting a plurality of fluid ports to the openings of the plurality of reagent enclosures; applying a solution through the fluid ports to at least partially fill the plurality of reagent enclosures; and cycling a pressure of the cavity, whereby for each of the reagent enclosures, during increasing pressure, the solution enters the internal cavity of the reagent container, combines with the reagent, and compresses the compressible volume, and during decreasing pressure, the compressible volume decreases and the reagent is ejected through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Schultz, Todd Roswech, Jon A. Hoshizaki, Albert L. Carrillo, James A. Ball
  • Patent number: 10844340
    Abstract: A liquid substrate tank for a biogas plant includes an interior fillable with a liquid substrate and a bottom wall defining the interior on the bottom and being particularly at least regionally flat. A trough-shaped recess extending over a partial region of the bottom wall is formed in the bottom wall, to which and/or into which recess an extraction line of an extraction device is guided. The extraction device has an open-loop and/or closed-loop control device actuating the extraction device for extracting a substrate/sand mixture accumulating in the recess during operation from the recess and thus from the interior through the extraction line. The extraction device has an accommodation and/or sedimentation tank, or separator, connected to the extraction line relative to flow for accommodating or separating the substrate/sand mixture extracted through the extraction line into substrate and sand phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignees: BTS BIOGAS SRL/GMBH
    Inventors: Jan Willeit, Michael Niederbacher
  • Patent number: 10830783
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sample analysis system comprising a cleaning liquid preparation apparatus that prepares a cleaning liquid, and a sample analyzer that comprises a measurement unit that measures a sample and a reservoir that stores the cleaning liquid prepared by the cleaning liquid preparation apparatus. The sample analyzer cleans at least a part of the measurement unit with the cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid preparation apparatus selectively executes a first supply mode to supply the cleaning liquid to the reservoir when a liquid amount in the reservoir reaches a first amount, and a second supply mode to supply the cleaning liquid to the reservoir when the liquid amount in the reservoir reaches a second amount less than the first amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryuki Takagi, Yuji Wakamiya
  • Patent number: 10793816
    Abstract: A dual chamber bioreactor for producing complex, multilayer tissue, organs, organ parts, and skin replacements has been developed. The bioreactor is modular and incorporates a removable tissue culture cassette. By rotating the dual chamber bioreactor along the horizontal axis, different populations of cells with different growth requirements can be cultured on the different surfaces of the tissue culture cassette that are exposed to different media reservoirs. Culturing different populations of cells on different surfaces of the tissue culture cassette enables the production of multilayer tissue and organs. The tissue culture cassette can contain one or more discrete tissue culture sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Paul M. Weinberger, Frederick A. Rueggeberg, Donald J. Mettenburg, Tanner Mobley
  • Patent number: 10774297
    Abstract: A control unit includes a first connector configured to connect a proportional pressure regulator to a positive pressure supply and a second connector configured to connect the proportional pressure regulator to a negative pressure supply. The control unit further includes at least one sensor configured to detect an amount of air flow (volume per unit of time), positive or negative, within an air flow line connected to an output of the proportional pressure regulator, and a third connector configured to connect the air flow line to an air side of a diaphragm. Additionally, the control unit includes a controller programmed to control at least an opening and closing function of the proportional pressure regulator to attain a desired amount of air flow (volume per unit of time), positive or negative, within the air flow line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: REPLIGEN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rudolf Pavlik
  • Patent number: 10711238
    Abstract: A method for promoting biological activity uses a filter system to increase cell production of a fed batch bioreactor. The filter system cycles bioreactor fluid through a hollow fiber tangential flow filter which separates metabolic wastes (as well as proteins) from cells produced in bioreactor and returned to fed batch bioreactor, improving cell production in the fed batch bioreactor. The filter system includes a disposable pump and filter, and a reusable control system. The pump is a low shear gamma stable pump gently cycling bioreactor fluid through the filter with minimal damage to the cells produced in the bioreactor. The pumphead and hollow fiber tangential flow filter are disposable. The pump motor is part of the control system and is reusable. The pumphead and filter are provided as an assembled and pre-sterilized unit allowing simple and quick attachment to the fed batch bioreactor, and simple and quick disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Repligen Corporation
    Inventor: David Serway
  • Patent number: 10583442
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for amplifying nucleic acids in micro-channels. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for performing a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a continuous-flow microfluidic system and to methods for monitoring real-time PCR in such systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Canon U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Kenton C. Hasson, Gregory A. Dale, Hiroshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 10479970
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container, in particular a fermenter for a biogas plant, wherein in the container a mixer is arranged that can be removed through an inspection opening provided in a container wall. A boom is provided for this purpose. Furthermore, the invention relates to a related method and a related use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Thürwächter GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Paul Thurwachter
  • Patent number: 10444223
    Abstract: A microclinical analyzer usable for analysis of one or more bio-objects, each bio-object including an organ or a group of cells includes a fluidic network having a plurality of fluidic switches, a plurality of fluidic paths in fluid communication with the plurality of fluidic switches, and one or more on-chip pumps coupled to corresponding fluidic paths; a sensor array coupled to the fluidic network; and a microcontroller for individually controlling the plurality of fluidic switches and the one or more on-chip pumps of the fluidic network as so to operably and selectively deliver an effluent of at least one bio-object to the sensor array for detecting properties of the effluent, or to a predetermined outlet destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: John P. Wikswo, David E. Cliffel, Dmitry A. Markov, John A. McLean, Lisa Joy McCawley, Phillip C. Samson, Ronald S. Reiserer, Frank Emmanuel Block, Jennifer Robin McKenzie
  • Patent number: 10421936
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for perfusing a cell with perfusion fluid are provided herein, wherein the gravitational forces acting on the cell to keep the cell at or near a retainer or a retaining position exceed the hydrodynamic forces acting on the cell to move it toward an outlet. Also provided, are methods for assaying cell products within the microfluidic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Carl L. G. Hansen, Veronique Lecault, James M. Piret, Anupam Singhal
  • Patent number: 10422766
    Abstract: A manufacturing device and a manufacturing method of a test strip. The manufacturing device includes a fluid push module, a fluid flow module and a fluid output module. The fluid push module includes an actuator and a transmission unit. The transmission unit has at least a fluid delivery member. The fluid flow module includes a reagent storage unit and a reagent delivery unit. The reagent storage unit has at least one reagent storage chamber. The reagent delivery unit has at least one drain chamber, at least one first infusion line, at least a second infusion line and a plurality of check valves. The fluid output module includes a plurality of reagent outlets and a reagent output unit, and one end of each of the reagent outlets is configured with an inner recess. The reagent output unit has a plurality of channels corresponding to the reagent outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Chao-Min Cheng
  • Patent number: 10316285
    Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic device, having at least one fluid compartment, an aerator, at least one connecting tube, and a peristaltic pump. The at least one fluid compartment has a base frame, a culture layer, and a flow layer. The culture layer has a base layer and an intermediate layer, and the intermediate layer has at least one opening formed through the intermediate layer to form at least one culture chamber. The flow layer has a top frame layer, a fluid layer, and a transparent layer. The top frame layer has two channels and a hollow. The fluid layer has at least one fluid chamber which communicates with the at least one culture chamber of the culture layer. The at least one connecting tube connects the two channels of the top frame layer of the fluid compartment, the aerator, and the peristaltic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventors: Wen-Hong Su, Pei-Chin Chuang
  • Patent number: 10286361
    Abstract: A filtration assembly including: i) a hyperfiltration assembly including: a high pressure vessel including a feed port, concentrate port and permeate port, and a plurality of serially arranged spiral wound hyperfiltration membrane modules; ii) a bioreactor assembly including: a plurality of spiral wound bioreactors each comprising a flat sheet having two opposing bio-growth surfaces and a feed spacer spirally wound about an axis (Y); and iii) a fluid flow pathway adapted for fluid connection with a fluid feed source and extending in a parallel flow pattern through the bioreactors, and subsequently into the feed port of the high pressure vessel, successively through the spiral wound hyperfiltration membrane modules in a serial flow pattern and out of the concentrate port and permeate port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Steven D. Jons, Jon E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10240121
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are bioreactor systems and methods of utilizing said systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: KIYATEC INC.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Gevaert, David E. Orr, Margaret Rebecca Widener
  • Patent number: 10233132
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing an organic or organo-mineral fertilizer includes —a main tank receiving water, —a reactor providing cavitation and magnetic field for activating water or for treating a biological suspension, —a mixing tank containing a preliminary shredder, —an injector receiving and saturating the suspension with air, —a fermenter receiving the obtained mixture and creating a volumetric liquid-air flow passed therethrough and fermented by biological humus. The suspension is filtered and passed into a clearing tank. At predetermined conditions, the apparatus carries out a method encompassing a preliminary treatment of water in a looped circuit by connecting the main tank with the reactor via a pump. The activated water is supplied to the mixing tank added with preliminary shredded humus. The circuit is reconnected to further treat the suspension, finally shred its particles, supply it to the fermenter, additionally mix it with humus, filter it and thereby obtain the fertilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventors: Oleksandr Galaka, Oleksandr Kozlovskyi, Yurii Matvienko
  • Patent number: 10220386
    Abstract: A fluidic device holder configured to orient a fluidic device. The device holder includes a support structure configured to receive a fluidic device. The support structure includes a base surface that faces in a direction along the Z-axis and is configured to have the fluidic device positioned thereon. The device holder also includes a plurality of reference surfaces facing in respective directions along an XY-plane. The device holder also includes an alignment assembly having an actuator and a movable locator arm that is operatively coupled to the actuator. The locator arm has an engagement end. The actuator moves the locator arm between retracted and biased positions to move the engagement end away from and toward the reference surfaces. The locator arm is configured to hold the fluidic device against the reference surfaces when the locator arm is in the biased position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: ILLUMINA, INC.
    Inventors: Erik Williamson, Bryan Crane, Patrick Leung, Drew Verkade, Mark T. Reed
  • Patent number: 10195610
    Abstract: Cartridge-based thermocyclers can include cartridges that are configured to move a fluid between distinct chambers. In some cases, the cartridge-based thermocyclers can be used for thermocycling a sample fluid comprising a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) target to perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Individual chambers can be heated, cooled, and/or compressed to mix fluid within the chamber or to propel fluid in the chamber into another chamber. The cartridges can have a laminate construction. The cartridges can be configured to enable multiplexed thermocycling and/or detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Click Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Hamilton R. Tang, Adam De La Zerda, Kenneth I. Li, Kevin M. Limtao, Alan D. Baldwin, Gregory C. Loney
  • Patent number: 10190088
    Abstract: A system for culturing a photosynthetic organism such as a microalga has a liquid storage vessel for storing a liquid that absorbs more light in a short-wavelength range than light in a long-wavelength range, a culture vessel for storing a culture solution containing a photosynthetic organism to be cultured and disposed in the liquid storage vessel, a light quantity measuring unit for measuring the quantity of light that the culture vessel receives and a liquid depth controlling unit for controlling the liquid depth from the surface of the light-absorbing solution to the culture vessel based on the measurement result of the light quantity measuring unit. The light quantity measuring unit measures quantities of light which the culture vessel receives separately for different wavelength ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihito Kuno, Hiroko Tada
  • Patent number: 10155923
    Abstract: A microorganism culture device and a method of using the device. The device includes an open chamber, wherein microorganisms are likely to be deposited within a liquid for subsequent study. The open chamber simplifies the deposition of the microorganisms. The chamber is further provided with retention features, whereby microorganisms can be retained therein. In addition, the device includes an overflow area, wherein capillary structures are configured to retain excess liquid overflowing from the open chamber, e.g. when covering the device with a cover. As such, it allows for confining microorganism in the chamber, while excess fluid is captured externally, e.g. to seal the device with a cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Emmanuel Delamarche, Robert Lovchik
  • Patent number: 10150115
    Abstract: A closed system for rehydrating powder and delivering the rehydrated powder to a reactor, may include a liquid reservoir for containing liquid; a syringe configured to contain powder to be rehydrated; a reactor; a controller for controlling operation of the syringe; and a conduit fluidically linking the liquid reservoir to a port of the syringe, fluidically linking the port to the reactor. The controller is configured to operate the syringe so as to draw liquid from the liquid reservoir into the syringe and rehydrate the powder, or to drive the rehydrated powder into the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: SpacePharma SA
    Inventors: Molly K. Mulligan, Alexander Pekin, Yair Glick, Ira Naot, Yair Feuchtwanger
  • Patent number: 10078075
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an integrated bio-object microfluidics chip includes a fluidic network having a plurality of inlets for providing a plurality of fluids, a plurality of outlets, a bio-object chamber for accommodating at least one bio-object, a plurality of fluidic switches, and one or more pumps, coupled to each other such that at least one fluidic switch operably and selectively receives one fluid from a corresponding inlet and routes the received fluid, through the one or more pumps, to the bio-object chamber so as to perfuse the at least one bio-object therein, and one of the downstream fluidic switches selectively delivers an effluent of the at least one bio-object responsive to the perfusion to a predetermined outlet destination, or to the at least one fluidic switch for recirculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: John P. Wikswo, David E. Cliffel, Dmitry A. Markov, John A. McLean, Lisa Joy McCawley, Phillip C. Samson, Ronald S. Reiserer, Frank Emmanuel Block, Jennifer Robin McKenzie
  • Patent number: 10023832
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system of fluidic valves and pumps and associated fluidic channels integratable into a bio-object microfluidics module. The module includes input and output buses; upstream and downstream interconnection bus control valves (CVs) coupled to the input and output buses, respectively. It may include arterial, venous, wash and waste bus lines, each connecting between the upstream and downstream interconnection bus CVs. It may also include an input CV connecting to the arterial bus line, upstream interconnection bus CV, bio-object and inlets, and an output CV connecting to the bio-object, input CV, downstream interconnection bus CV and outlets; and a pump connecting between the input CV and bio-object. The system can be arranged to provide MicroFormulator functionality enabling precise mixtures of drugs, chemicals, or biochemicals to be delivered in a time-dependent fashion to biological entities housed in individual wells or chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: John P. Wikswo, Dmitry A. Markov, Philip C. Samson, Frank E. Block, III, David K. Schaffer, Ronald S. Reiserer
  • Patent number: 9944900
    Abstract: A method for extracting stem cells from a non-embryonic stem cell source, including providing a non-embryonic stem cell source including stem cells; perfusing the non-embryonic stem cell source with a pulsatile flow of a perfusion solution to produce a perfusate including stem cells and a perfused non-embryonic stem cell source; and isolating the stem cells from the perfusate to produce isolated stem cells, is provided. Also provided is a non-embryonic stem cell line derived from a non-embryonic stem cell obtained using the pulsatile perfusion extraction method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: Fred Gage
  • Patent number: 9890353
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for removing media from a culture vessel that decreases disruption of the interface between the cellular material and media within the vessel such that aspiration and removal of cells or cell clusters along with the media is minimized. In addition, the media fluid turbulence is decreased so as to minimize the activation or disruption of cells and cell clusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Janssen Biotech, Inc.
    Inventors: Daina Laniauskas, Joseph Hammer
  • Patent number: 9763398
    Abstract: The cultivation, by optimized growth and harvesting of algae derived bio-mass may provide useful feedstock for various products and processes. The present invention provides an apparatus that allows for the optimized growth and harvesting of algae within a photo-bioreactor. The photo-bioreactor may include a channel and a propulsion unit for circulating an algae mixture through a channel while exposing the algae mixture to light to support photosynthesis and growth of the algae. A method is also provided for the optimizing the growth and harvesting of algae utilizing a number of different input streams. Further, a system including a programmable control assembly is provided for the growth and harvesting of algae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Inventor: Arthur Arnott Deane
  • Patent number: 9739699
    Abstract: A device for performing a cell study. The device comprises a plate having a plurality of wells, each configured for containing aqueous solution and having a well bottom with a plurality of picowells and a plurality of biosensors each configured for measuring at least one cell characteristic while being in contact with the aqueous solution in a respective the well. The position of each the biosensor in a respective the well is limited by at least one pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Seng Enterprises Ltd.
    Inventors: Mordechai Deutsch, Assaf Deutsch
  • Patent number: 9365418
    Abstract: A microfluidic device platform may include a valve manifold adapted to deliver a programmable pressure to a plurality of ports, a cell chamber having programmable environmental control, and a chip-to-world interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventor: Carlo Joseph Quinonez
  • Patent number: 9267892
    Abstract: The present invention, provides a flow cytometry apparatus for the detection of particles from a plurality of samples comprising: means for moving a plurality of samples comprising particles from a plurality of respective source wells into a fluid flow stream; means for introducing a separation gas between each of the plurality of samples in the fluid flow stream; and means for selectively analyzing each of the plurality of samples for the particles. The present invention also provides a flow cytometry method employing such an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Larry A. Sklar, Bruce Edwards, Frederick Kuckuck
  • Patent number: 9220258
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for tissue, such as an allograft, storage and preservation for extended periods of time at room temperature in a sterile tissue culture chamber. The invention further provides a process for maintaining the sterility of tissue using the apparatus as described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignees: The Curators of the University of Missouri, The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: James L. Cook, Clark T. Hung, Eric Lima, Aaron Stoker
  • Patent number: 9105435
    Abstract: This invention provides for the efficient positioning of a sample to be analyzed by using either magnetic or electro-mechanical fields to retain the sample in the ionization region. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sample is contacted with a sampler device, which is inserted into a chamber and accurately positioned using electro-mechanical devices. In an embodiment of the invention, the influence of an electro-mechanical field on the sampler device enables the sample to be positioned in the ionization region to be contacted by particles that result in ionization of the sample whereby rendering the resulting ions available for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: IONSENSE INC.
    Inventor: Brian D Musselman
  • Patent number: 9052255
    Abstract: An autonomous monitoring system for monitoring for bioagents. A collector gathers the air, water, soil, or substance being monitored. A sample preparation means for preparing a sample is operatively connected to the collector. A detector for detecting the bioagents in the sample is operatively connected to the sample preparation means. One embodiment of the present invention includes confirmation means for confirming the bioagents in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Richard G. Langlois, Fred P. Milanovich, Billy W. Colston, Jr., Steve B. Brown, Don A. Masquelier, Raymond P. Mariella, Jr., Kodomudi Venkateswaran
  • Patent number: 9040284
    Abstract: Systems and methods of sample processing and temperature control are disclosed. The invention may especially relate to temperature control, and may in some embodiments be methods of temperature control of an automated sample processing system and methods of automated sample processing. Specifically, the present invention provides temperature control in relation to sample processing systems and methods of processing samples, and in some embodiments provides temperature control in relation to sample carriers and processing materials such as reagents. Corresponding systems and devices are disclosed, including sample processing systems (1), sample carrier temperature regulation systems (60), reagent temperature regulation systems, sample processing control systems, and temperature regulation devices, among other embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: DAKO DENMARK A/S
    Inventors: Kristopher Buchanan, Marc Key, John Favuzzi, Rosanne Welcher, Benno Guggenheimer, Robert Clark, Michael Barber, Bob Lathrop
  • Patent number: 9040672
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for reducing matrix effects in protein precipitated bioanalytical samples comprising: a support, and a sorbent associated with the support capable of binding matrix interfering agents present in the bioanalytical sample, wherein the device further comprises filtering means for removing precipitated protein particles. The filtering means is a size exclusion filter or a polymeric or inorganic monolith having a maximum pore size less than or equal to the diameter of the particles to be removed from the sample, and can be integral with the sorbent or associated with the sorbent. The sorbent is characterized by sufficient selectivity between the matrix interfering agents and analytes of interest to provide retention of the matrix interfering agents while providing elution of the analytes of interest (e.g., a reversed phase or a polar modified reversed phase).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Jones
  • Patent number: 9034636
    Abstract: A microfluidic hanging drop chip is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for culturing cells and forming cell aggregates in hanging drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignees: NATIONAL HEALTH RESEACH INSTITUTES, NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chia-Hsien Hsu, Chih-Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 9023613
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a sperm selecting system and the method thereof. The brief concept of the present invention is to generate a flow field by hydraulic pressure difference then utilize the property that the sperm swims against the flow field so as to difference the sperms by vitality thereof. One of the main features of the present invention is that the sperms be selected are initially set at the entrance of the flow field instead of the exit of the system. Furthermore, an activating design can be selectively added to the present invention so as to activate the sperm be affected by the process of freeze storing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventors: Fan-Gang Tseng, Jen-Kuei Wu, Peng-Chun Chen
  • Patent number: 9017993
    Abstract: An automated on-touch template bead preparation system is provided and includes a membrane-based emulsion generation subsystems, an emulsion PCR (ePCR) thermocycling plate and subsystem, and a continuous centrifugation emulsion breaking and templated bead collection subsystem. The emulsion generation subsystem provides uniformity in the preparation of an inverse emulsion and may be used to create large or small volume inverse emulsions rapidly and reproducibly. An emulsion-generating device is provided that can supply a continuous stream of an inverse emulsion to a thermocycling subsystem, in automated fashion. The ePCR subsystem can continuously thermocycle an inverse emulsion passed therethrough and includes static temperature zones and a consumable thermocycling plate. The continuous centrifugation subsystem can continuously break a thermally cycled inverse emulsion and collect template beads formed in the aqueous microreactor droplets of the inverse emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Schultz, John Nobile, Brian Reed, Prasanna Thwar, Todd Roswech
  • Publication number: 20150111272
    Abstract: An organic waste processing system and method for producing an organic waste slurry for the production of bio-gas, transportation fuels or chemical products, wherein the system and method produces an organic waste slurry having substantially ten to fifteen percent in total solids and high levels of COD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: James L. Denson, JR.
  • Patent number: 9012203
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for controlled encapsulation of particles of sub-millimetric dimensions, or clusters of such particles, the device comprising: a first duct for delivering a first liquid phase containing particles for encapsulating in suspension; a second duct for conveying a flow of a second liquid phase that is immiscible with said first liquid phase; the first duct opening out into the second duct and forming a fluidic junction therewith; at least one microfluidic duct for discharging the first liquid phase flowing in said first duct and provided with a mouth located upstream from said junction and liable to be obstructed, at least in part, by a particle in suspension, thereby causing pressure to rise in the first duct. The invention also provides a microfluidic system including such a device, and a method of encapsulation based on using such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Florence Rivera, Jean Berthier, Sophie Le Vot
  • Patent number: 8999046
    Abstract: A cell expansion system includes an air removal chamber to provide a bubble trap so that air and/or gas bubbles do not enter the bioreactor of the cell expansion system. The air removal chamber includes a pair of ports situated at the bottom of the air removal chamber. An entrance port allows fluid to enter the air removal chamber, and an exit port allows fluid to exit the air removal chamber. In one embodiment the air removal chamber forms an element of a premounted fluid conveyance assembly for use with a cell expansion machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. DiLorenzo, Edward Allan Stanton
  • Patent number: 8992961
    Abstract: This invention relates to stable non-aqueous single phase viscous vehicles and to formulations utilizing such vehicles. The formulations comprise at least one beneficial agent uniformly suspended in the vehicle. The formulation is capable of being stored at temperatures ranging from cold to body temperature for long periods of time. The formulations are capable of being uniformly delivered from drug delivery systems at an exit shear rate of between about 1 to 1×10?7 reciprocal second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Berry, Pamela J. Fereira, Houdin Dehnad, Anna Muchnik
  • Publication number: 20150079664
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to methods and systems for using an air removal chamber as a control for a process in a cell expansion system. The air removal chamber may be mounted on a fluid conveyance assembly for use with the system. Fluid is pumped into a fluid containment chamber of the air removal chamber, in which the level of fluid in the fluid containment chamber may be monitored through the use of one or more sensors. The sensors are capable of detecting air, a lack of fluid, fluid, and/or a gas/fluid interface, e.g., an air/fluid interface, at measuring positions within the air removal chamber. Protocols for use with the system may include one or more stop conditions. In an embodiment, the stopping of a process is automated based on the detection of air, a lack of fluid, and/or a gas/fluid interface in the air removal chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: TERUMO BCT, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas G. DILORENZO, Edward Allan STANTON, IV, Glen Delbert ANTWILER, Michael E. KINZIE, Brian J. NANKERVIS, Monique GIVENS, Casey V. MEDINA, Jon A. DODD
  • Publication number: 20150079663
    Abstract: A dispensing unit that sucks and discharges a blood specimen via a nozzle. A liquid level-measuring unit that measures the liquid level height. A serum volume-estimating unit that estimates the volume of the serum separated in the blood specimen, on the basis of the total blood volume, said total blood volume corresponding to the volume of the blood specimen and having been derived from the liquid level height, and a hematocrit value. A residual volume-estimating unit that calculates the volume of the serum remaining after suction, on the basis of the serum volume estimated by the serum volume-estimating unit and the volume of the serum that is going to be sucked by the dispensing unit. A controller that controls the suction procedure of the dispensing unit so that the estimated residual volume is not less than the desired volume of the serum to be left in the blood collection tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: HITACHI ALOKA MEDICAL, LTD.
    Inventors: Hitomi Katagi, Haruki Shimokawabe