A cell monitoring plate comprises a flat surface on which multiple cell culturing vessels may be stacked. The flats surface has multiple optical imaging systems embedded therein to fully image a cell culture vessels stacked on the plate. Each one of the multiple optical imaging systems provides both illumination and imaging through a single aperture in the surface of the monitoring plate.

There is provided a cell detaching apparatus for detaching cells from a base material by applying an ultrasonic vibration via an acoustic matching liquid, with reduced variations of the vibration transmitted to the cells during application of the ultrasonic vibration. A cell detaching apparatus for detaching cells placed on a base material floating on an acoustic matching liquid, from the base material includes a holding unit configured to hold the acoustic matching liquid, a detaching unit configured to detach the cells from the base material by applying an ultrasonic vibration to the cells through the acoustic matching liquid, and a control unit configured to perform control to maintain a constant height of a fluid level of the acoustic matching liquid held by the holding unit with respect to the base material.

A culture device and a culture method by which a substance to be cultured can be three-dimensionally cultured, and the substance thus cultured can be removed as an integrated product with multiple tubes; and a cultured organ produced by the culture method. The culture device comprises a sealed container (2) which contains the substance to be cultured (A) and is disassembled after the culture is completed; multiple ducts (3, 4, 5) arranged in the sealed container (2) and having a plurality of micropores formed on the outer peripheral surface; a culture medium-feeding device (6, 7) for feeding/circulating the culture medium (B) to at least one duct (3 or 5); an excretory device (8) connected to at least one duct (4) for excreting the waste product (C)permeating into the duct (4) through the micropores of the duct (4) from the substance to be cultured to the outside of the sealed container.

A cell monitoring plate comprises a flat surface on which multiple cell culturing vessels may be stacked. The flats surface has multiple optical imaging systems embedded therein to fully image a cell culture vessels stacked on the plate. Each one of the multiple optical imaging systems provides both illumination and imaging through a single aperture in the surface of the monitoring plate.

A perfusion device for printing a 3D construct with internal channels is disclosed. The device comprises a housing with an internal chamber, the chamber configured to hold the construct, and having a bottom plate configured to support the construct, the chamber comprising at least one inlet or outlet configured to introduce a liquid from outside the chamber into the chamber or vice versa. The at least one inlet or outlet comprises an connector adapted to connect or align the one or more internal channels within the 3D construct to the inlet or outlet when the 3D construct is present in the chamber. Further a method for printing a 3D construct with at least one internal channel is disclosed.

A microfluidic device comprising a microfluidic network is described. The device comprises a base, a microfluidic channel and a cover, and the base comprises a diaphragm forming at least part of an inner surface of the microfluidic channel. The device finds use in methods for assessing mechanical strain induced in or by cells, such methods also being described.

The present invention relates to a cell culture device (1) for use with an optical microscope (40), comprising a housing (10) that is configured to be placed onto a stage of an optical microscope (40) in front of an objective (41) of the microscope (40), the housing (10) enclosing an internal space (11) of the housing (10), a removable flow chamber (2) enclosing an internal space (20) for accommodating a cell culture (CC) comprising living biological cells, a heater (3) arranged in the internal space (11) of the housing (10) for heating said fluid medium (M) to be guided through the flow chamber (2), a first flow path (P1) arranged in the internal space (11) of the housing (10) for guiding said fluid medium (M) towards the flow chamber (2) via said heater (3), and a second flow path (P2) arranged in the internal space (11) of the housing (2) for guiding said fluid medium (M) away from the flow chamber (2), and a pump (4) for pumping said fluid medium (M) through the first flow path (P1) into the internal space (20) of the flow chamber (2) and through the second flow path (P2) out of the internal space (20) of the flow chamber (2) when the flow chamber (2) is inserted into the internal space (11) of the housing (10).

A thin-walled microplate suitable for use in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique comprising a plurality of thin-walled tubes or wells arranged in a fixed array, each well having an upper portion with an open top and a lower, frustoconical portion having a substantially flat bottom.

The invention provides a device for growing cells—referred to as a cassette. The cell culturing device includes a housing that contains a lid having an optically clear window; a fluid distribution channel; a sample injection port fluidically connected to the fluid distribution channel; a base housing a porous media pad; and a media injection port fluidically connected to the media pad. The lid mates to the base to form a sterile seal; the fluid distribution channel is disposed over the media pad, which is viewable through the optical window; and sample fluid introduced into the fluid distribution channel is distributed evenly to the media pad, e.g., via a plurality of channels. The invention also provides kits that include cassettes of the invention and a tube set.

A supporting device for an image capturing device on a bioreactor, a bioreactor, and a method of use are provided. The supporting device for an image capturing device includes a window and a holder. The window has a transparent element that is transparent to electromagnetic radiation. The holder is configured to hold the image capturing device. The supporting device is held at least partially in a through-opening of a feedthrough of a container for holding fluid media containing biological material. The window seals the through-opening.