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 syringe tissue sieve for producing viable, single cell suspensions includes a syringe barrel having a lumen between a proximal end and a distal end thereof, a wire mesh screen disposed within the lumen of the syringe barrel, the wire mesh screen being oriented perpendicular to the axial direction of the lumen, and a plunger moveable within the lumen of the syringe barrel. In an alternative embodiment, the wire mesh screen is located in a collar assembly which can be loaded into off-the-shelf syringes.

Abstract: A chemical reaction circuit for cell-free protein synthesis characterized by, as a chemical reaction circuit for synthesizing a protein, having at least one reagent tank for storing a reagent for the protein synthesis and/or a reagent for detecting a product, a unidirectional valve for preventing the reverse-flow of the reagent(s), and a reaction tank connected to the reagent tank(s) via the unidirectional valve. This circuit is usable as a micro reactor whereby cell-free protein synthesis can be carried out.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing cell population of the same chronological age. Cells of a predetermined age are collected onto an array of surfaces. The collected cells are retained on the said surface during their continuous cultivation and kept from mixing with their descendants by means of flushing away their offspring. Sampling of surface from the array at desired time gives cell populations of desired cell age for examination, assay and other different uses.

Abstract: A perfusion incubator having an incubation well assembly is provided. A peristaltic pump may supply medium from a medium supply and pass it through a medium conditioning unit before supplying the medium to the incubation well assembly. Each well assembly may have an upper portion and a lower portion, a medium inlet and a medium outlet. The medium inlet may be positioned at a mid point in the well and the medium outlet is positioned above the medium inlet. An embryo may reside in the lower portion of the well. The well assembly may be formed from a permeable material through which a gas, such as carbon dioxide and/or oxygen, can diffuse.

Abstract: Featured is a long-term cell culture system being configured and arranged so as to be capable of monitoring the dynamic processes that occur during proliferation and differentiation of stem cells such as central nervous system (CNS) stem cells/embryonic stem cells. In particular aspects, the system allows monitoring of such dynamic processes continually and to focally manipulate the cells by focal application of growth factors such as BMP, CNTF and other growth factors. Preferred systems are capable of electrical recording from the cells.

Abstract: A device, a kit and a method for the hybridization reactions between biomolecules are disclosed. The invention relates to a hybridization chamber including a generally planar substrate which includes a specimen area containing at least one biomolecule. The hybridization chamber also includes a frame surrounding at least a portion of the specimen area. The frame defines walls of a well for holding a fluid when the frame is in contact with the substrate. The frame includes a connector adapted to connect to tubing for supplying fluids to the well. Tubing connected to the connectors may be used to supply wash fluid and hybridization fluid, and waste tubing may be connected to a second connector for removing waste material from the well.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making array hybridization chambers with uniform sample volumes. The apparatus employs a spacer to define a hybridization chamber of uniform volume between a slide, substrate, and gasket after the slide, substrate, spacer and gasket have been contacted. The spacer is non deformable or partially deformable and will only allow the adjacent gasket to a similar height or volume. Methods of making the hybridization apparatus and chambers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A nanotube mat is provided with an array of conduits to support, direct growth, select or interface one or more biological cells or cell processes. The carbon nanotube mat provides mechanical stability, is biocompatible, will support cell growth, can desirably be derivatized with growth factors, molecules, nutrients, inhibitory factors, ligands, transduction molecules or morphogenic factors, and would allow the formation of conduits to guide cells and cell extensions to be hosted or grown. The conduits could take any size or shape to support, direct growth, select or interface one or more cells or processes. In general the conduits could be channels, discontinuous channels, tapered channels or walls. The nanotube mat could be used to interface biological cells with other cells, tissue or structures that have electrical, mechanical, magnetic means, or optical means. The nanotube mat could also incorporate chemicals, analytes, drugs, lips, carbohydrates, secretory products or the like.

Abstract: A bioreactor with a reaction container (1, 1a, 1b, 1c) for a substance (C) to be acted upon with a medium has a pump (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) for conveying the medium. The pump is designed as an expendable pump or, respectively, parts (53d, 54d, 55d) of the pump are designed as expendable parts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for DNA hybridization is provided. The apparatus and method work in conjunction with a substrate comprising an upper surface having probes. The apparatus may comprise a material which abuts the substrate, with at least a portion of the material being pliable. The material and the substrate form a plurality of chambers, each chamber having a bottom including at least a portion of the upper surface, at least one sidewall, and an opening. The apparatus further comprises a mechanism for closing the openings of the chambers, thereby sealing the chambers.

Abstract: A bioanalytic method replenishes depleted zones of a sample liquid in a shallow probe-array reaction cell under ultragravity centrifugal forces. The ultragravity overcomes viscous and surface-tension forces to permit replenishment despite a shallow reaction-cell depth of 25 microns. Thus, replenishment is achieved using {fraction (1/10)}th the sample volume normally used in probe-array systems that use mixing to facilitate binding reactions. For similar amounts of sample, the shallow cell takes advantage of a ten-times greater concentration to achieve much greater signal strengths in much shorter times. Thus, signal strengths that normally take 17 hours to achieve are achieved in about 60 minutes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cell culture device for inducing shear stress and/or strain on cells. The device includes a cell culture membrane and a flow pathway for moving fluid across cells growing on the membrane to apply shear stress on the cells. Another embodiment of the device includes a body having flow shafts into which slides are placed. Fluid flows through the flow shafts over the slides to apply shear stress to cells growing on the slides.

Abstract: The method for the holding in flotation of a substance such as a tissue part in a bioreactor (61) is characterized in that the substance (73) is acted upon with a fluid; and in that the flow of the fluid acts counter to gravity in such a manner that the substance (73) is held in flotation. The bioreactor (61) with a container (62) for a substance (73) which is to be acted upon with fluid comprises a first flow chamber (66a) to which a flowing fluid can be supplied, with the first flow chamber (66a) being designed in such a manner that the fluid which flows upwardly therein has a lower speed with increasing height.

Abstract: A perfusion incubator having a fluid conditioning unit (12), a well assembly (7) and a well assembly heating unit (14), a peristaltic pump (4) and a fluid collection unit (11). The well assembly has a number of wells (20, 21) each having a transparent lid (30) and a fluid inlet (26) and a fluid outlet (27). An illumination device (13) is under the well so that the cell being cultured in the well assembly can be observed by means of a microscope (15). Each fluid inlet (26) is positioned so as to allow a tangential entry of fluid to the well at a mid point in the well, and each fluid outlet (27) is above the fluid inlet with the cell to be cultured in a lower portion of the well so that flow of fluid in the well is formed into a vortex which tends to draw fluid from around the cell without direct flow over the embryo.

Abstract: A method is provided for closing a containment device that involves wetting at least a portion of a permeable polymeric membrane such as tubular membrane with a liquid such as a cell suspension or drug formulation the device is being filled with, and applying heat to at least a portion of a wetted thermoplastic polymer in association with the membrane to form a “wet seal” closure. The thermoplastic polymer melts at a lower temperature than the polymeric membrane and the melted polymer integrates with the membrane by flowing along surfaces and into available interstices of the membrane to form a cell-tight closure when the polymer cools below its melt temperature. The application of heat may be accompanied by slight pressure, and a heat sink may be applied to limit heat transfer beyond the closure region to the membrane.

Abstract: The invention provides a circulating type biochemical reaction apparatus for carrying out hybridization efficiently and uniformly having a plate-like member 5 having a channel 6 for circulating a sample solution, a flow-in port 7, a flow-out port 8, flow-rectifying protrusions 9 formed thereon, and a plate-like member having a hollow 3 formed thereon for holding a probe substrate 1 to be combined and fixed together to form a unit. The unit is disposed with an inclination from a horizontal plane, with the flow-in port 7 coming at a lower level than the flow-out port 8. The sample solution is fed through the flow-in port 7 to be poured into the channel and circulated. The circulation improves the reaction efficiency and thereby increases signal intensities and reduces reaction time. Furthermore, the reaction proceeds uniformly such that the signal intensity is also.

Abstract: The configurable microreactor network of the invention comprises a substrate in which a plurality of overpassing channels are arranged. Said channels are optionally interconnectable via connecting channel arrangements. Between said channels, microreactors are arranged which are connected with the channels. Here, too, channel-connecting arrangements are employed. Said channel-connecting arrangements comprise a plurality of connecting channels in which blocking elements can be positioned or inserted in any other way or activated. The arrangement and/or state of the blocking elements allows the highest possible integration density to be reached respectively for each of a series of specified degrees of (re-) configuration flexibility (the necessity of which depends on the application type).

Abstract: A chamber is arranged as follows to prevent deteriorating functions of pancreatic cells, namely, reducing secretory amount of insulin. The chamber for artificial organs comprises, a silicone rubber ring and two porous polymer membranes adhered to both side of the silicone ring so as to form a vessel. Pancreatic cells having functions capable of substituting for a pancreas which loses its functions and a cell culture scaffold are filled in the vessel. Spongy chitin is also filled in the vessel as a carrier of the pancreatic cells.

Abstract: A cell culture device for inducing shear stress and on substrate strain on cells. The device includes a cell culture membrane and a flow pathway for moving fluid across cells growing on the membrane to apply shear stress on the cells.

Abstract: A microfluidic system employs a microchannel and a gravity driven pump comprising horizontally oriented fluid supply reservoirs which supplies fluid to the microchannel at a substantially constant rate. The device is useful for numerous microfluidic applications, for example in the culture and/or treatment of biological systems under constant flow-induced stress, cell-size sorting, motile sperm sorting, or embryo culture.

Abstract: The invention relates to new flow-through cell culturing devices that include plates arranged in parallel and spaced to control the flow patterns and velocity of liquid medium flowing between the plates. The devices can also include gas-permeable, liquid impermeable membranes arranged between the plates. The devices can be used to culture cells, such as hepatocytes, at high levels of mass transport of nutrients, oxygen, and waste products, yet low levels of shear stress for extended periods of time and with high levels of cell function, e.g., in organ assist systems. The invention also includes new culturing plates for use in the devices, and methods of manufacturing these plates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for anaerobic treatment of organic wastes in a liquid filled vessel wherein particles of the waste are buoyed and form a floating bed in the liquid by the gasses generated by the anaerobic digestion of the wastes. The bed forms to an upper stratum of the least digested, least dense waste and a lower stratum of the most digested, most dense waste. Liquid from beneath the bed is continuously sprayed over the upper surface of the bed through a series of discharge ports which expands to bed downwardly. Each spraying period is followed by a quiescent period to allow the bed to reform. Over time the floating bed is moved from an inlet end to an outlet end of the vessel where the most digested waste is removed.

Abstract: A biological filter element includes a support element of generally ellipsoidal configuration. The support element has two opposite polar regions and includes a medial ring intermediate the two opposite polar regions and a plurality of arcuate ribs extending from the medial ring to each polar region. Adjacent arcuate ribs are angularly spaced to provide access to an interior space of the support element. A cohesive body of biologically active material surrounds the support element and penetrates the interior space of the support element.

Abstract: A sterilizable bio-reactor comprising a three-dimensional reactor culture assembly substantially equivalent to a bone marrow micro environment, an inert bio-compatible scaffolding material located on a base of the reactor culture assembly to provide a micro environment identical to the micro environment in human bone marrow, for cultivating stem cells in the scaffolding, forming part of a sterilizable bio-reactor device, and a process for the expansion of haemopoietic stem cells derived from Human Umbilical Cord Blood for therapeutic use, comprising growing haemopoietic stem cells in the bio-degradable non-toxic bio-compatible scaffold while providing necessary nutrition and gasses cultivating the stem cells in the scaffolding material to provide for the cell growth in the bio reactor, and supplying mobilizing oxygen and carbon dioxide to maintain gas tension for optimal expansion of the stem cells, and circulating media containing micro and macro nutrients and growth factors to establish gradients within the

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for synthesizing compounds on the surface of supports. The devices are flow devices, which include a housing comprising a housing chamber. The housing has an opening adapted for insertion of a support into the housing chamber. A sealing member is movably mounted in the housing chamber and adapted to engage the support to form a reagent chamber between a surface of the support and a surface of the sealing member. A mechanism is included for moving the sealing member within the housing chamber. The device has both an inlet and an outlet, which are both in fluid communication with the reagent chamber. In the methods of the invention a support is placed into a chamber of a device such as described above. The mechanism adapted to engage the support on a surface opposite the surface engaged by the sealing member is activated to urge the support toward the sealing member.

Abstract: A device for forming a low volume reaction chamber on a substrate such as a microarray slide and its method of use is disclosed. The reaction chamber forming device has an adhesive laminate design that permits it to be manufactured as a disposable device. A preferred embodiment of the device includes pneumatically actuatable mixing bladders, which can be inflated or deflated to produce deflection of a wall of the reaction chamber in and out with respect to the reaction chamber to generate movement and mixing of fluid within the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A U-shape and/or nozzle-U-loop fermentor has a U-part consisting of an essentially vertical downstream part (2), an essentially vertical upstream part (4), a U-shape bend part (3) which connects the lower ends of the downstream and upstream parts, an inline pump (12) placed in the U-part for circulation of fermentation liquid in the fermentor, a top part (5) which is placed above the upper end of the downstream part, gas supply members (7, 8, 9, 10) which are provided in the U-part with appending static-mechanical mixing members (13, 14, 15, 16, 17) for the comminution of the gases introduced into the fermentation liquid, and supply numbers for water and nutrient salts (18) and (19), respectively, and in connection with the supply members (7, 8, 9, 10, 18, 19) or in by-pass arrangements in connection therewith one (or more) ion sensor(s) or analyser(s) (20, 21, 22, 23) for sensing the concentration of at least one of the ion species phosphate, ammonium, nitrate and hydrogen ion, oxygen sensor(s) for sensing t

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for isothermal amplification of nucleic acids in a microfabricated substrate. Methods and compositions for the analysis of isothermally amplified nucleic acids in a microfabricated substrate are disclosed as well. The microfabricated substrates and isothermal amplification and detection methods provided are envisioned for use in various diagnostic methods, particularly those connected with diseases characterized by altered gene sequences or gene expression.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for isothermal amplification of nucleic acids in a microfabricated substrate. Methods and compositions for the analysis of isothermally amplified nucleic acids in a microfabricated substrate are disclosed as well. The microfabricated substrates and isothermal amplification and detection methods provided are envisioned for use in various diagnostic methods, particularly those connected with diseases characterized by altered gene sequences or gene expression.

Abstract: In the micro organism cultivation device of this invention, an implantable bio-artificial micro device, i.e., a cell apartment, is provided to cultivate cells or tissues. The cells or tissues to be cultivated include that secrete hormones such as islets of Langerhans. At both sides of the cell apartment, provided are microfluidic channels comprising dynamic micro-electric field array filters. The dynamic micro-electric field array filters comprise a plurality of electrodes distributed inside the microchannels. By periodically switching the polarity of the electrodes, microfluidic flows are generated in the microchannels. All inlet flows to the cell apartment are filtered by the immunoisolation of the micro-electric field array filters before entering into the cell apartment. The micro-electric field array filters provide a physical immune protection to the cells cultivated in the cell apartment against the immune system of the host.

Abstract: The method for the holding of a substance such as a tissue part in suspension in a bioreactor (61) is characterized in that the substance (73) is acted upon with a fluid; and in that the flow of the fluid acts counter to gravity in such a manner that the substance (73) is held in suspension. The bioreactor (61) with a container (62) for a substance (73) which is to be acted upon with fluid comprises a first flow chamber (66a) to which a flowing fluid can be supplied, with the first flow chamber (66a) being designed in such a manner that the fluid which flows upwardly therein has a lower speed with increasing height.

Abstract: A compact plant for the depuration of polluted air, in particular from odorous substances, comprising a unitary housing in which are placed, in sequence, a prescrubbing section, a filtering bed and a postscrubbing section, in the two scrubbing sections the air flowing counter currently with respect to the water sprayed by suitable nozzles and possibly added with suitable chemical additives, whereas the filtering bed, preferably consisting of particles of the kind described in EP-497214, is sprayed with water added with nutrient substances for the micro-organism present in the bed itself, the water being sprayed flowing co-currently with the air passing through the bed.

Abstract: The configurable microreactor network of the invention comprises a substrate in which a plurality of overpassing channels are arranged. Said channels are optionally interconnectable via connecting channel arrangements. Between said channels, microreactors are arranged which are connected with the channels. Here, too, channel-connecting arrangements are employed. Said channel-connecting arrangements comprise a plurality of connecting channels in which blocking elements can be positioned or inserted in any other way or activated. The arrangement and/or state of the blocking elements allows the highest possible integration density to be reached respectively for each of a series of specified degrees of (re-) configuration flexibility (the necessity of which depends on the application type).

Abstract: A process to remedy a polluted medium includes contacting a first medium containing a pollutant with a second medium containing a microorganism which is capable of decomposing the pollutant. A membrane permeable to the pollutant and impermeable to the microorganism is spaced between the first and second media. The first medium and the second medium may flow in opposite directions to each other.

Abstract: Devices and methods for carrying out a chemical or biochemical protocol are disclosed. In one embodiment, the chemical or biochemical protocol is performed by cycling at least one thermal transfer member between at least two temperatures while liquid samples on which the chemical or biochemical protocol is to be performed are continuously moving through at least one temperature regulated zone upon which the at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the device comprises a sample transport member that comprises liquid samples in sample receiving regions. The sample transport member moves the samples continuously through a temperature regulated zone which cycles between at least two temperatures while the liquid samples are moving through a temperature regulated zone on which at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the sample receiving regions comprise wells, hydrophillic films or hydrophillic filaments.

Abstract: A perfusion incubator having a fluid conditioning unit (12), a well assembly (7) and a well assembly heating unit (14), a peristaltic pump (4) and a fluid collection unit (11). The well assembly has a number of wells (20, 21) each having a transparent lid (30) and a fluid inlet (26) and a fluid outlet (27). An illumination device (13) is under the well so that the cell being cultured in the well assembly can be observed by means of a microscope (15). Each fluid inlet (26) is positioned so as to allow a tangential entry of fluid to the well at a mid point in the well, and each fluid outlet (27) is above the fluid inlet with the cell to be cultured in a lower portion of the well so that flow of fluid in the well is formed into a vortex which tends to draw fluid from around the cell without direct flow over the embryo.

Abstract: A culturing system and method particularly useful for producing cellular products such as viral pathogens of cells. It includes a mass transfer culture segment, stacked filter plates to adjust the medium composition, and a product removal and concentration segment. The mass transfer culture segment utilizes changed directional flow of the medium to maximize cell growth and production of product. The stacked filter plates allow addition of sterile fresh medium and removal of growth inhibitory substances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of multiple target nucleic acids and/or antigens such as hormones, antibodies, or nerve agents in a sample, involves presenting the sample to a plurality of reporter binding sites wherein each reporter binding site comprises two partially hybridized molecules. A first of the two hybridized molecules is bound to the binding site and is complementary to a target nucleic acid or antigen, and it will therefore hybridize to the target nucleic acid or antigen and cause the release of the second hybridized molecule into the sample. The second hybridized molecule comprises a reporter nucleic acid sequence, which uniquely identifies the target nucleic acid or antigen. Subsequent PCR amplification of the unique reporter nucleic acid sequence using labeled primers results in multiple labeled copies of the unique nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a diglyceride, which includes:

Abstract: Disclosed is a cell culture device for inducing shear stress and/or strain on cells. The device includes a cell culture membrane and a flow pathway for moving fluid across cells growing on the membrane to apply shear stress on the cells. Another embodiment of the device includes a body having flow shafts into which slides are placed. Fluid flows through the flow shafts over the slides to apply shear stress to cells growing on the slides.

Abstract: The present invention involves a simple, disposable, manual filtration and extraction device and method of use that provides a sample directly to an analytical method. The device is capable of providing a clarified liquid ready for analysis or disposal as appropriate for the specific analyte of interest, and is capable of capturing particulate materials and allowing for further extraction of those particles directly with the device. Once extracted, the device will deliver a liquid containing the analyte of interest to an analytical method. The filtration and extraction device includes a pliant body having an open top end and an internal wall defining an inner chamber. A sealing mechanism is adapted to seal the open top end of the body. A gradient filter assembly including at least one filter is supported by a support assembly carried by the body.

Abstract: The invention involves a method and apparatus for processing biological material, such as heart valves and vascular grafts.

Abstract: Bioreactor apparatus for culture of living matter in a liquid medium includes a plurality of tubes connected at one end to a primary manifold section and at their other end to a secondary manifold section such that a flow of liquid containing the living matter can be established within the manifolds and tubes. The flow of liquid medium in such manifolds and/or tubes is capable of control by at least one gas injection device in communication with the primary manifold section and at least one gas injection device in communication with the secondary manifold section. Such an arrangement provides finer control of the flow conditions in the tubes forming part of the bioreactor and of the environmental conditions for culture of the living matter. The arrangement can have a relative simplicity of design which also permits a reduction in the total number of tanks and/or control loops usually associated with bioreactor apparatus of this type.