Systems and methods for mounting of material samples via a vacuum system and controlling fluid flow through a tube of the vacuum system are disclosed. In some examples, the vacuum system may be a castable and/or cold mounting vacuum system that facilitates mounting and/or encapsulation of material samples in epoxy resin under low, vacuum, and/or near vacuum pressure. In some examples, the vacuum system may comprise a flow control device configured to control epoxy flow through a dispensing tube that connects to a hollow vacuum chamber. In some examples, the vacuum chamber may have an opening defined by a rim sandwiched between upper and lower portions of a sealing ring. A movable lid may be configured to press down on the upper portion of the sealing ring when in a closed position, so as to seal the opening.

The invention describes a pinching device for controlling flows in elastic tube lines. The pinching device comprises two wheels, wherein the first wheel is designed as an eccentric wheel and is fastened eccentrically on a drive shaft and the second wheel is fixed in a predefined position relative to the eccentric wheel, wherein the position of the second wheel can be adjusted. The eccentric wheel can be rotated via the drive shaft about the eccentric axis of the eccentric wheel in the direction of the second wheel in order to pinch a tube positioned between the two wheels.

Systems and methods for mounting of material samples via a vacuum system and controlling fluid flow through a tube of the vacuum system are disclosed. In some examples, the vacuum system may be a castable and/or cold mounting vacuum system that facilitates mounting and/or encapsulation of material samples in epoxy resin under low, vacuum, and/or near vacuum pressure. In some examples, the vacuum system may comprise a flow control device configured to control epoxy flow through a dispensing tube that connects to a hollow vacuum chamber. In some examples, the vacuum chamber may have an opening defined by a rim sandwiched between upper and lower portions of a sealing ring. A movable lid may be configured to press down on the upper portion of the sealing ring when in a closed position, so as to seal the opening.

A dual latching microvalve is capable of a metastable state, wherein a one or more complete flow paths are open, before switching to another state that allows only an inlet or outlet valve to be open at any time on any fluid path. One valve mechanism uses a cam to alternately open and close two valves, with an external force applying pressure to move one valve arm onto a resting position on the cam, thereby opening the closed valve and provided an uninterrupted flow path through the dual latching microvalve. The metastable state provides, for example, a means to prime the pump before operation, such as pumping of insulin into a patient. When released from the metastable state, the dual latching microvalve operates in a fashion whereby opening of both valves simultaneously is prevented, thereby protecting the patient from injury.

A multi-tubing pinch valve assembly including a receiving space defined between a pinch protrusion and tubing contact body. The multi-tubing pinch valve assembly is moveable between a retracted state and an extended state. In the extended state, multiple tubes disposed in the receiving space are pinched, restricting flow therethrough. In the retracted state, multiple tubes are capable of being loaded into and/or out of the receiving space.

Disclosed herein is a cell harvesting instrument suitable for concentrating cells from a source suspension of cells and/or washing said cells, the instrument comprising: a housing for accommodating mechanical elements including at least one fluid pump, at least one valve; and a processing kit removably insertable into the housing, said kit including a generally flat frame having or supporting plural sealed fluid paths arranged in a generally flat plane and such that fluids in the paths do not contact said mechanical elements, wherein at least portions of the fluid paths comprise flexible tubes, the outer surfaces of which are manipulateable by the or each fluid pump, to provide fluid flow in one or more of the paths and/or by the or each valve to restrict fluid flow in one or more of the paths. In an embodiment, the kit comprises also a fluid processing reservoir and a filter suitable for separating cells from fluid in said paths. A transfer mechanism for moving and weighing the fluid processing reservoir is disclosed also.

The invention describes a pinching device for controlling flows in elastic tube lines. The pinching device comprises two wheels, wherein the first wheel is designed as an eccentric wheel and is fastened eccentrically on a drive shaft and the second wheel is fixed in a predefined position relative to the eccentric wheel, wherein the position of the second wheel can be adjusted. The eccentric wheel can be rotated via the drive shaft about the eccentric axis of the eccentric wheel in the direction of the second wheel in order to pinch a tube positioned between the two wheels.

A flexible dispensing apparatus for coupling to pressurized fluid containers is described. It includes a flexible tube and a handle assembly. The handle assembly houses a second end of the tube. The handle assembly has a first side connected to a second side, a slide trigger, a roller coupled to the bottom of the slide trigger with a dowel pin, a spray nozzle assembly, a magnet reservoir, and a magnet. The first side has an inclined ramp that runs along a length of the first side and extends into the second side above and beyond a seam that is formed by the connection of the two sides. The tube is within a channel in the handle assembly formed between the inclined ramp and the roller. When the roller is rolled toward the end of the ramp it pinches the flexible tube near the top of the inclined ramp.

A pinch clamp device for a flexible tube is disclosed, the pinch clamp device comprising a first part (2) and a second part (3) that are movable with respect to each other, wherein the first part (2) comprises a first conduit (5) for housing a flexible tube and the second part (3) comprises a second conduit (6) for housing the same flexible tube, wherein the first part (2) and the second part (3) are arranged in an interacting manner such that the pinch clamp device can be present in a first position or in a second position, wherein a flow of a fluid within a flexible tube arranged inside the first conduit (5) and the second conduit (6) is enabled in the first position, and wherein a flow of a fluid within a flexible tube arranged inside the first conduit (5) and the second conduit (6) is prevented in the second position. According to an aspect of the invention, the first part (2) and the second part (3) are designed axisymmetrically. Furthermore, a pinch clamp arrangement comprising such a pinch clamp device is disclosed. Additionally pump arrangement comprising a pump and such a pinch clamp arrangement is disclosed.

Flow through a sleeve is controlled with a housing. A removable frame is positioned within the housing. A removable, tubular rotational mechanism defines a hole for receiving the sleeve therein. A pair of arms are pivotally mounted on the rotational mechanism for squeezing the sleeve. An actuator drives the rotational mechanism to pivot the pair of arms to open and to close the sleeve.