Abstract: A chemostat is described that includes a growth chamber having a plurality of compartments. Each of the compartments may be fluidly isolated from the rest of the growth chamber by one or more actuatable valves. The chemostat may also include a nutrient supply-line to supply growth medium to the growth chamber, and an output port to remove fluids from the growth chamber. Also, a method of preventing biofilm formation in a growth chamber of a chemostat is described. The method may include the steps of adding a lysis agent to a isolated portion of the growth chamber, and reuniting the isolated portion with the rest of the growth chamber.

Abstract: A bioreactor and bioreactor system are suitable for the growth of materials from algae. More specifically, the system preferred embodiments use concentrated sunlight in a solo- or co-generation system to produce algae and products therefrom as well as solar thermal energy.

Abstract: A high-throughput device is structured to perform a continuous-flow reaction, e.g., a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) requiring repetitive temperature control in a timely fashion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an Apparatus for the growth of artificial organic items, particularly human or animal skin. The growth of skin is possible if a slowly stretched piece of skin or skin substitute is in contact with the nutrient fluid only on its inner side, and in contact with a gas, especially with air, on its outer side.

Abstract: A method of yielding a functional human hybrid coronary bypass graft is provided. The method includes conditioning a hybrid synthetic tubular structure having stem cells and/or endothelial cells on at least one surface to yield the functional human hybrid coronary bypass graft. Specifically, the method includes placing the hybrid synthetic tubular structure in a system capable of producing three dimensional dynamic conditions for a sufficient time to yield said functional human hybrid coronary bypass graft.

Abstract: A method of yielding a functional human hybrid hemodialysis access graft is provided. The method includes conditioning a hybrid synthetic tubular structure having stem cells and/or endothelial cells on at least one surface to yield the functional human hybrid hemodialysis access graft. Specifically, the method includes placing the hybrid synthetic tubular structure in a system capable of producing three dimensional dynamic conditions for a sufficient time to yield said functional human hybrid hemodialysis access graft.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a bioreactor chamber assembly comprising: a bioreactor chamber comprising first and second portions arranged to be coupled to one another thereby to provide a liquid-tight seal therebetween; a pair of clamp members; and a pair of resilient loop elements, wherein the clamp members are arranged to sandwich the chamber between the clamp members and the loop elements are arranged to apply a force between the clamp members to urge the first and second portions together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bioreactor (1) for cell and tissue culture for the mechanical stimulation and for perfusion of tissue or cell cultures, comprising an upper part (3) and a lower part (4) which is connected to said upper part (4) and which comprises a tissue culture chamber (8), wherein at least one distributor plate (12) is arranged in the tissue culture chamber (8), and a method for cultivating cells and tissues in the bioreactor (1).

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of cell bioreactors, and specifically in the field of disposable bioreactors.

Abstract: Method and device that increases the rate of reproduction (through increased speed of reproduction and/or increased reproductive yield) of living cells in suspension or of any culturable organisms through the process of natural selection, said device comprising: a) a flexible, sterile tube (7) containing culture medium, b) a system of movable gates (clamps) (3, 4, 5) that divide the tube (97) into separate regions containing spent culture (downstream region), growing culture (growth chamber), and fresh growth medium (upstream region), c) a means of moving the gates and the tubing (13) such that a portion of the growth chamber and the associated culture can be clamped off and separated from the growth chamber, and such that a portion of fresh tubing containing unused medium can be joined with a portion of the culture and associated medium already present in the growth chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for retaining and recirculating cells in a vessel through which flow passes continuously or batchwise. In addition, the invention relates to a method of producing a device by which cells can be retained and recirculated in a vessel through which flow passes continuously or batchwise.

Abstract: A device for supplying cell culture modules with nutrients has an arrangement of channels, pumps and valves in or on a plate. The valves may be pinch valves operated by deforming an elastic section of a conduit and the pump may be a pinch valve pump. The channels may be defined, at least in part, by the plate. The pumps, channels and valves may be located within the thickness of the plate. The device may be used to supply nutrients to cell culture modules according to a perfusion operation, a re-circulation operation and/or a combination of both.

Abstract: A biological sample reaction chip, including: a plurality of reactors disposed on one plane; a reaction fluid distribution channel connected via a microchannel to each reactor and provided on the plane on which the plurality of reactors are disposed; and a reaction fluid movement stopping unit, which is connected to an end point of the reaction fluid distribution channel and is capable of controlling movement of a reaction fluid.

Abstract: A micro-reactor for analyzing a sample, comprises (1) a plate-shaped chip; (2) a plurality of regent storage sections each having a chamber to store respective agents; (3) a regent mixing section to mix plural regents fed from the plurality of regent storage sections so as to produce a mixed reagent; (4) a sample receiving section having an injection port through which a sample is injected from outside; and (5) a reacting section to mix and react the mixed regent fed from the reagent mixing section and the sample fed from the sample receiving section. The plurality of regent storage sections, the regent mixing section, the sample receiving section and the reacting section are incorporated in the chip and are connected through flow paths, and the regent mixing section includes a feed-out preventing mechanism to prevent an initially-mixed regent from being fed out to the reacting section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a feedback controlled bioculture platform for use as a precision cell biology research tool and for clinical cell growth and maintenance applications. The system provides individual closed-loop flowpath cartridges, with integrated, aseptic sampling and routing to collection vials or analysis systems. The system can operate in a standard laboratory or other incubator for provision of requisite gas and thermal environment. System cartridges are modular and can be operated independently or under a unified system controlling architecture, and provide for scale-up production of cell and cell products for research and clinical applications. Multiple replicates of the flowpath cartridges allow for individual, yet replicate cell culture growth and multiples of the experiment models that can be varied according to the experiment design, or modulated to desired cell development of cell culture end-points.

Abstract: The invention discloses an air-lift bioreactor, with internal recirculation, for producing sulfide-ore and minerals bioleaching solutions, with a phase-separating and solids-recirculation system without needing to impel the suspension containing the solids to the bioreactor by means of pumps, using diatomaceous earth and/or ferric precipitates as solid support to immobilize iron and sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms. Specifically speaking, the invention describes a bioreactor that continuously produces bioleaching solutions containing microorganisms for inoculation and irrigation of sulfide-ore heaps and dumps processed by bioleaching. The bioreactor is stirred pneumatically, and is generally made up of an air diffuser, a reaction zone, a de-gasification zone, a solids separation zone, a culture media inlet, and a bioleaching solution outlet.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cell culture vessel which is simple in structure and easy to handle, and is capable of preventing damage to the cells when separated, promoting transport of nutrients and excretion of effete matter, and elevating the culturing efficiency improving effect by the structural features. In order to attain the above object, there is provided a cell culture vessel including a culture section provided with a plurality of projections having an equivalent diameter smaller than the cells to be cultured and the culture section side walls enclosing the culture section, wherein the distance between an arbitrary position on the culture section/side wall boundary line and the nearest projection is smaller than the diameter of the cells to be cultured. The effect of the projections in the vessel given to the cultured cells is enhanced.

Abstract: A bioreactor for the production and/or cultivation of a human or animal blood vessel and/or a human or animal tissue contains at least one tubular base body having two front sides. The bioreactor further has a reclosable liquid-tight opening which is arranged on one front side, an inner space, a reactor wall, at least one inlet and at least one outlet for a liquid medium and a mounting for the construct to be introduced.

Abstract: An integrated collection and detection system is configured to monitor the ambient air for specific particles, such as toxins and pathogens. An air collector captures airborne particles and outputs a fluid sample including the captured particles in a fluid solution. The collection and detection system includes a control module configured to control the processing of the fluid sample such that detection of one or more types of particles is fully automated within the integrated system. The types of particles to be processed and detected include, but are not limited to, cells, bacteria, viruses, nucleic acids, toxins, and other pathogens. If one or more specific types of particles are detected, a system alarm is triggered. The system alarm triggers a local audio/visual alarm and/or is transmitted over a communications network to either a local or central monitoring location. More than one collection and detection system can be coupled to the network and monitored by the central monitoring location.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for culturing and conditioning cells on a sample. The apparatus includes a fluid delivery system that transmits gas to a first surface of a sample and transmits liquid to an opposite surface of the sample without transmitting liquid onto the first surface. Further, while culturing cells on the sample, the apparatus enables a constant or variable tension and shear stress applied to the sample. The apparatus may thus, for example, be used to culture cells on an external surface of a tissue construct with air and culture cells underneath the tissue construct with a cell growth media. The fluid delivery system may alternatively transmit liquid cell growth media underneath and on the sides of the tissue construct without flowing onto a designated external surface of the tissue construct.

Abstract: Disclosed are portable, disposable, centimeter-scale, integrated diagnostics incubators for use in biological culturing. An exemplary incubator comprises an optically accessible enclosure having a plurality of fluidic ports. A heating element is disposed within the enclosure that is coupled to an external heater controller. An autoclavable microfluidic perfusion chamber is disposed within the enclosure that comprises a cell culture life support chamber, an inlet port disposed in the perfusion chamber, a collection chamber in communication with the culture chamber, an outlet port coupled to the collection pool, and a perfusing substrate. An optically transparent, gas permeable membrane is attachable to the top of the perfusion chamber. The incubators have optical accessibility, forced flow fluidic control, temperature control, are portable and modular, and are inexpensively manufactured. The incubators permit in-the-field drug testing and culturing of biological tissues.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bioreactor, especially a plug flow bioreactor, including an agitator running along a longitudinal axis for thoroughly mixing a dry solid biomass that is to be outgassed in a fermentation chamber. In said bioreactor, an agitator shaft is mounted exclusively in two opposite end walls of the fermentation chamber while at least one free end of the agitator is connected to a drive unit outside the fermentation chamber.

Abstract: An alga microbe photosynthetic reaction system is used to circularly cultivate alga microbes and a culture medium infused in the system. The system comprises a photosynthetic reaction unit, a communicating unit, a pressure liquid infusion unit, an injection and oxygen discharging device, and a regulation area. The photosynthetic reaction unit is a light permeable pipeline. The injection and oxygen discharging device is assembled with an oxygen discharge can and a liquid collection can. By the connection and the functioning of the photosynthetic reaction unit, the communicating unit, the pressure liquid infusion unit, the injection and oxygen discharging device, and the regulation area, the alga microbe culture solution can circularly cultivate good quality algae in the system. The system further comprises a heating unit, a watering unit, and a light complement unit to control the ambient temperature and the light source to suit all kinds of algae.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a chamber insert capable of being received by a sample chamber of a conditioning system. The received chamber insert reduces the volume of the sample chamber and defines a cavity that substantially surrounds a sample holder located in the sample chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is an anaerobic reactor and preferably a vertically oriented plug flow anaerobic reactor for producing methane from various organic materials. The organic materials preferably have a high organic content. The reactor includes cutting members for cutting bridged or agglomerated material within the reactor. The present invention also includes a process for producing methane from an organic feed stock by continuously charging an organic material into the top portion of a vertically oriented vessel and rotating one or more cutting members at a sufficiently slow rate so that the cutting members cut through bridged or agglomerated material but do not substantially mix contents within the reactor, anaerobically digesting the organic material under mesophilic or thermophilic conditions to produce methane while allowing the organic material to propagate downward through the vessel in a plug flow-like manner and collecting methane gas produced from the anaerobic digestion of the organic material.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and device is described for reconstituting a bone sample with a biological fluid, such as concentrated plasma or saline solutions, for example, prior to surgical implantation into a patient. In particular, the invention comprises, in certain aspects, a container in which a bone sample may be reconstituted with the desired fluid by applying a vacuum within the container, thereby driving the fluid into the bone for complete, or near complete, permeation of the fluid into the interstices of the bone sample prior to surgical implantation.

Abstract: A micro device for cell culture is disclosed, which cooperates with a fluid and includes: a top plate having an inlet port; a orifice plate having a plurality of orifices; a culture plate having a plurality of culture wells and a plurality of injection ports; and a bottom plate having at least one collecting well and at least one collecting flow channel, wherein, the culture plate is placed between the orifice plate and the bottom plate. The collecting flow channel connects to all regulating orifices in the culture wells and guides the fluid from the culture wells, then receives the fluid in the collecting well. The fluid flows into the orifice plate from the inlet port of the top plate, and then diversifies into the culture plate, then arrives at each culture well by way of the injection ports, and finally collects in the collecting well of the bottom plate.

Abstract: A temperature controller for controlling temperature of a first structure having a first flat face comprises a second structure having a second flat face for planar contact with the first flat face, a pressure-applying means for pressing the first structure, a second supporting means for supporting the second structure to be capable of changing inclination of the second flat face, a first supporting means for supporting the first structure by contact with a portion of the first structure other than the first flat face, and a temperature-controlling means, wherein the first structure is supported by pressing the first structure by the pressure-applying means, and the second structure is brought into contact with the temperature-controlling means with interposition of the second supporting means.

Abstract: A droplet actuation system is provided including a droplet actuation device including a substrate that includes electrodes for conducting droplet operations; temperature control means for heating and/or cooling a region of the droplet actuation device and arranged such that a droplet can be transported on the electrodes to a region for heating; and a means for effecting a magnetic field in proximity to one or more of the electrodes sufficient to immobilize magnetically responsive beads in a droplet on the substrate during droplet operations. The system further includes a processor for controlling the electrodes and temperature control means, wherein the processor is programmed, and electrodes and magnetic field are arranged, to cause the electrodes to split a droplet including the magnetically responsive beads yielding a first daughter droplet which includes the magnetically responsive beads and a second daughter droplet without a substantial amount of the magnetically responsive beads.

Abstract: A device for investigating activities of cell cultures in a liquid culture medium includes a receptacle for the culture medium, and one or more sensors for measurement of cell culture activities. An opening for adding and removing liquid culture medium is provided. A separating element can be placed close to the receptacle bottom, forming a partial space with a small volume relative to the entire volume. A flow channel that communicates with the small volume and the reservoir and/or the sensors are placed in the small volume partial space. By adjustment of the separating element distance from the receptacle bottom, a microreaction volume exactly fitting the current requirements is obtained. For regeneration of the cell culture solution in the small volume partial space, the separating element can be elevated and depressed, or liquid can be injected into the small volume by the through-flow channel, providing convective mixing of fresh and spent medium.

Abstract: A bioreactor with substance injection capability. In one embodiment, the bioreactor includes a first substrate having a first surface, an opposite second surface and edges. The bioreactor further includes a second substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, defining a cavity with a bottom surface, where the bottom surface is located therebetween the first surface and the second surface. The first surface of the first substrate is received by the second surface of the second substrate to cover the cavity so as to form a chamber for receiving cells and a liquid medium. A port is formed in the second substrate between the bottom surface and the first surface of the second substrate. As formed, the port is in fluid communication with the chamber to allow a stream of substance to be introduced into the chamber. The stream of substance is controlled so as to provide a gradient, or a concentration gradient of the substance, to the chamber.

Abstract: Cover of a hybridization chamber with a peripheral frame with filling and ventilation holes extending from the upper face to the lower face of the frame, a peripheral shoulder outside the filling and ventilation holes on the lower face of the frame, a cover wall arranged within the frame, flush with its lower face and downwardly offset relative to its upper face and which substantially consists of at least one resilient plastics material.

Abstract: A bioreactor system comprising a multi-well platform including an array of bioreactor units. The bioreactor system comprises a perfusion unit and a fluid source unit fluidly interconnected by a pumping unit. The perfusion unit comprises a multi-well plate including a plurality of main chambers configured to house or contain a cell culture and in each bioreactor unit an independent cell study or experiment may be performed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for growing algae with improved photoefficiency. The system includes a bioreactor formed with a conduit for growing algae cells in a medium. Further, the system is provided with a paddle wheel for moving the medium through the conduit at a predetermined fluid flow velocity. In order to ensure that algae cells are efficiently converting light energy to chemical energy, a plurality of barriers is positioned in the fluid stream. Specifically, the barriers are separated by predetermined distances to create von Karman vortices in the medium. As a result, algae cells are sequentially flowed to the surface of the fluid stream to receive light energy for predetermined intervals of time.

Abstract: A plastic, disposable reactor (“PDR”) system is presented that will allow growth of microorganisms at various temperatures and pressures cost effectively. In this invention, the use of the system for aquaculture of algae is presented. The use of the reactor will allow carbon sequestration and significant production of a renewable energy source. The incorporation of recycled materials in various components of the plant also benefits the environment.

Abstract: A device for cell culture capable of automatically performing operations for cell culture over several days to several months while minimizing the risk of contamination. A new medicine can be supplied to an incubator means by using a medicine supply means or unnecessary wastewater can be discharged from the incubator means by using a wastewater discharge means without taking out the incubator means disposed in heat insulation box means from a heat insulation box, and the state of the cell culture can be observed with the incubator means formed in the heat insulation box means. Accordingly, the outside air does not enter directly into the incubator means during culturing, and the risk of contamination is completely eliminated. As a result, the culturing operations can be automatically performed over a long period.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices having active features such as valves, peristaltic pumps, and mixing portions are fabricated to have a thin elastomeric membrane over the active features. The active features are activated by a tactile actuator external to the membrane, for example, a commercial Braille display. The display may be computer controlled, for example by simple text editor software, to activate individual Braille protrusions or a plurality of protrusions to actuate the active portions of the microfluidic device. Integral devices can incorporate the tactile actuators in a single device, but still external to the membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for cultivating eukaryotic microorganisms, whereby a perforated support (14) having a first major surface (19) and a second major surface (22) which is substantially impermeable to eukaryotic microorganisms (20), is prepared and the microorganisms (20) are applied on the first major surface (19). A layer, containing an aqueous solution (18), passes over the second major surface (22). The aqueous solution (18) moves from the second major surface (22) to the first major surface (19) substantially by means of capillary forces. As a result, the first major surface (19) is supplied the aqueous solution (18) and the applied microorganisms (20) grow on the first major surface (19).

Abstract: A cell culture assembly and a method for culturing cells that provide mechanical stimulation to cells. The cell culture assembly can include a flow chamber positioned in a fluid path and a support comprising cells positioned within the flow chamber to expose the cells to the fluid path. The cell culture assembly can further include a means for producing a steady flow of fluid in the fluid path, and a means for producing an oscillatory flow of fluid in the fluid path simultaneously with producing the steady flow of fluid in the fluid path to mechanically stimulate the cells. The method can include transporting fluid in the fluid path at a substantially steady flow rate, and transporting fluid in the fluid path at a substantially oscillatory flow rate simultaneously with transporting fluid in the fluid path at a substantially steady flow rate.

Abstract: Provided is a hybridization system for hybridizing a biochip including: a chamber device including at least a hybridization chamber including a support for a biochip and a first cover having a sample inlet; an agitation device including: two air channels connected to ends of the hybridization chamber; two valves disposed in the air channels; an integrated air channel to which the two air channels are connected; and an air pump disposed in the integrated air channel; and a washing and drying device including: a flow channel connected to one of the two air channels through a branched valve; a flow pump disposed in the flow channel; and a buffer inlet disposed opposite the flow channel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cell culture tube, having in opposite end walls two respective eccentric openings which communicate with each other through an inner straight passage formed in the cell culture tube, in which the inner straight passage is tilted at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the cell culture tube to allow a culture medium to smoothly flow into and out of the inner passage through the openings. Also, provided is a multiple cell culture system using a plurality of the culture tubes.

Abstract: A disposable apparatus for cell expansion, having at least one bioreactor. The bioreactor has a cellular growth area and a supply area, the cellular growth area being separated from said supply area by a membrane. A fluid recirculation path in fluid communication with the cellular growth area allows for hermetically removing a sample containing cellular matter. This may comprise an elongated tube, or a plurality of parallel tube segments. The parallel tube segments have inflow ends and outflow ends, and the inflow ends are joined at a first common juncture and the outflow ends are joined at a second common juncture. The common junctures may comprise valves.

Abstract: A device for raising or cultivating cells in a container-like receptacle, comprises a base and at least one lid. The at least one lid is connected to the receptacle in a pressure-tight manner. The receptacle or the lid is provided with at least one connector drilling for the introduction and/or extraction of culture medium and/or oxygen.

Abstract: A description is given of a bioreactor (1), in particular for NMR spectroscopy, comprising a container (7) capable of containing a cell culture, a first inlet line (6) for the inward flow of a culture medium to the inside of the container and a second outlet line (9, 10) for the outward flow of the culture medium from the container (7). The first line (6), an inlet line, is connected to a spiral-shaped device (12) which has a form such that when the medium is made to flow inside the first line (6) and made to flow out of the second line (9; 10), hydrostatic thrust and hydrodynamic forces produce with respect to the cells a condition of simulated reduced gravity inside the container (7).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cell culture vessel which is simple in structure and easy to handle, and is capable of preventing damage to the cells when separated, promoting transport of nutrients and excretion of effete matter, and elevating the culturing efficiency improving effect by the structural features. In order to attain the above object, there is provided a cell culture vessel including a culture section provided with a plurality of projections having an equivalent diameter smaller than the cells to be cultured and the culture section side walls enclosing the culture section, wherein the distance between an arbitrary position on the culture section/side wall boundary line and the nearest projection is smaller than the diameter of the cells to be cultured. The effect of the projections in the vessel given to the cultured cells is enhanced.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for producing algae with high oil content. The system includes a chemostat formed with a conduit for growing algae, an input port for feeding a medium into the conduit, and an output port for passing an effluence from the conduit. Further, the chemostat includes a paddlewheel or other device that moves the medium around the conduit. Also, the system includes a plug flow reactor for receiving the effluence from the chemostat. In order to trigger high oil production in the algae, a modified nutrient mix is added to the effluence in the plug flow reactor. Specifically, the modified nutrient mix comprises a limited amount of a selected constituent to trigger oil production in the algae. Further, the system includes an algae separator for removing high oil content algae from the plug flow reactor.

Abstract: A modular bioreactor is provided that includes an upper biochamber; a lower biochamber; and an intermediate biochamber that is positioned between the upper biochamber and the lower biochamber. Each biochamber of the bioreactor is in fluid communication with each other biochamber of the bioreactor and includes an interior wall, which defines a centrally-disposed cavity for each biochamber, and an inflow port and an outflow port that are in fluid communication with each centrally disposed cavity. Systems and methods for vascularizing a tissue construct are also provided.

Abstract: A capture and purification apparatus is configured as a stand-alone apparatus or as part of a larger system. The capture and purification apparatus can be configured as a microfluidic cartridge that includes microfluidic circuitry and individually controlled valves. The microfluidic cartridge can be configured to function independently, or can be configured to be coupled to a separate instrument that provides the actuation to perform the capture and purification process. The capture and purification apparatus is configured as a volume-driven system that applies single-direction valves, a single fluid driving device, and fluid lines to control and discretely direct fluid flow within a full-loaded fluidic system. Such control enables various fluid sample processing techniques to be performed including, but not limited to, lysis, thermal cycling, and/or target analyte capture and purification, for example using a combination of ion-exchange chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC).

Abstract: A plug-flow operated, horizontal fermenter for anaerobic fermentation of biogenic waste includes a fermenter tank having an inlet and an outlet that is configured to be filled with a biomass material. The fermenter also includes an agitator having a shaft passing through the fermenter tank in its longitudinal direction, wherein the shaft is mounted in end regions of the fermenter tank and is designed as a closed, hollow shaft having an inner space filled with gas or air. A plurality of agitator arms are arranged on the shaft. The inner space of the shaft is monitored with respect to a gas or air pressure to ensure that a buoyancy of the shaft in the filled fermenter tank at least approximately compensates for a sagging of the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems (SLUDFUEL system) for producing biofuel and bioenergy products using, as starting raw material, municipal, industrial, and/or farm sewage sludge, including recalcitrant sludge containing high concentrations of heavy metals, and produced after waste treatment. In accordance with the invention, municipal, industrial, and farm sewage sludge, including recalcitrant sludge, can serve as a carbon source to support the metabolism of synthetic microorganisms to produce biofuels and bioenergy products.