A method for mixing a biological suspension includes disposing a biological suspension within a compartment of a container, the biological suspension comprising cells or microorganisms suspended within a nutrient growth medium; and rotating a first drive line and laterally spaced apart second drive line within the compartment of the container so as to cause the drive lines to twist into a helical configuration and mix the biological suspension.

Provided are a flow passage module which can achieve complete liquid substitution in a circulating flow passage with a simple structure, and a cell culture apparatus using said flow passage module. A flow passage module comprises: a flexible branching section which is provided with a first branching flow passage connected with an inflow passage for a fluid, a second branching flow passage connected with an outflow passage, a third branching flow passage connected with an entry-side end part of a circulating flow passage, and a fourth branching flow passage connected with an exit-side end part of the circulating flow passage, and which enables the branching flow passages to be communicated with each other; and a communication state switching part which has opening/closing members for closing and opening the desired branching flow passage from among the plurality of branching flow passages.

A single-use cell culturing apparatus and a culturing bag are provided, each of which can improve efficiency of stirring a culture solution and further reduce a possibility of leakage of the culture solution. The single-use cell culturing apparatus of the present invention includes a housing that accommodates the culturing bag which is flexible and can seal the culture solution inside thereof. The housing has, on an inner surface thereof, a curved convex-shaped protrusion provided at a portion of a contact face at which the housing is in contact with the culturing bag. The culturing bag of the present invention is accommodated in the housing of the single-use cell culturing apparatus; is flexible; and can seal the culture solution inside thereof. The culturing bag includes a concave portion having a shape corresponding to the curved convex protrusion disposed on a part of the housing.

A system for performing a gas-liquid mass transfer includes a container bounding a compartment and having a top wall, a bottom wall, and an encircling sidewall extending therebetween. A tube has a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the tube being disposed within the compartment of the container. A nozzle is disposed within the compartment of the container and has at least one outlet, the nozzle being coupled with the tube so that a gas can be passed through the tube and out the at least one outlet of the nozzle. The nozzle is sufficiently buoyant so that when a fluid is disposed within the compartment of the container, the nozzle floats on the fluid.

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. The rotation control portion brings the bag holding portion into a first position in parallel with the approximately horizontal direction according to a first information, brings the bag holding portion into a second position when a culture medium in the culture bag is caused to flow out of the port according to a second information, and brings the bag holding portion into a third position in parallel with the approximately vertical direction at least when a cell suspension in the culture bag is caused to flow out of the port according to a third information.

A device for culturing anaerobic microorganisms is provided. The device comprises a body comprising a waterproof base, a waterproof coversheet attached to the base, and a growth compartment disposed between the base and the coversheet. The growth compartment has a perimeter and an opening that provides liquid access to the growth compartment. A portion of the perimeter is defined by a waterproof seal. The portion includes >50% of the perimeter. A dry cold water-soluble gelling agent is adhered to the base in the growth compartment. A dry first oxygen-scavenging reagent is disposed in the growth compartment.

A fluid mixing system includes a collapsible container bounding a compartment and extending between a first end and an opposing second end. An elongated continuous drive line is at least partially disposed within the compartment of the container. A first portion of the drive line is laterally spaced apart from a second portion of the drive line, and the first portion of the drive line and the second portion of the drive line are rotatable within the compartment of the container.

A system for performing a gas-liquid mass transfer includes a container bounding a compartment and having a top wall, a bottom wall, and an encircling sidewall extending therebetween. A first opening is formed on the container so as to communicate with the compartment. A liquid is disposed within the compartment and having a top surface disposed below the first opening. A gas is blown through the first opening so that the gas passes over at least a portion of the top surface of the liquid, the gas producing turbulence on the top surface of the liquid that is sufficient to produce a mass transfer between the gas and the liquid. A mixing element is disposed within the compartment.

A bioreactor includes a flexible container and an impeller assembly having a hollow tube. The impeller assembly is coupled to the flexible container. At least one mixing element is removably disposed on the hollow tube. A drive shaft is adapted to engage the hollow tube of the impeller assembly and facilitate rotational movement of the hollow tube.

A fluid mixing system includes a flexible bag having an interior surface bounding a compartment. An elongated first tubular connector is disposed within the compartment of the flexible bag, the first tubular connector having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the first tubular connector being coupled with the flexible bag. An elongated second tubular connector is disposed within the compartment of the flexible bag, the second tubular connector being more rigid than the first tubular connector and having a first end coupled to the second end of the first tubular connector. A plurality of impeller are disposed on the elongated second tubular connector at spaced apart locations.