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 self contained biological indicator is disclosed having a housing and an ampule disposed within the housing, the ampule having a first dome, a second dome and a sidewall. A cap may be coupled to the housing. The cap may include a projection that may be coupled to the ampule by, e.g., a friction fit. An insert may be disposed within the housing. The insert may include a well within which at least a portion of the bottom dome of the ampule may be disposed. The insert may also include a ramp that is angled relative to the central longitudinal axis of the ampule. The second dome of the ampule may contact the ramp. The insert may also include an arm or finger that extends above the well and has a stress concentrator disposed thereon such that it is also disposed above the second dome of the ampule and adjacent to the sidewall of the ampule. In use, the SCBI generates therein a first reaction force between the second dome of the ampule and the ram having a component directed transverse to a central longitudinal axis of the ampule. The component of the first reaction force causes a second reaction force between the sidewall of the ampule and the stress concentrator. The second reaction force breaks the ampule.

A photobioreactor device for growing photosynthetic organisms, organisms that feed on photosynthetic organisms and hydroponics is disclosed. The device may include a lighting system integrated around the circumference of the device. In embodiments, a cap configured to seal the container has ports configured to permit passage of fluid out of or into a container without removing the cap. In some embodiments, organisms are grown in a disposable bag secured between the cap and the container.

The present disclosure provides a device that includes a base comprising a substrate having a first major surface, a pressure sensitive adhesive adhered to at least a portion of the first major surface, a polymeric cover film coupled to the substrate via the adhesive, a plurality of isolated closed compartments disposed between the substrate and the cover film, and an aqueous liquid disposed in two or more of the closed compartments. The cover film is a composite film comprising ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, a linear copolymer of ethylene and a higher alkene, and a tackifier. Each compartment of the plurality is defined by a seal that prevents liquid communication with at least one other compartment of the plurality. Methods of using the device for partitioning a sample, for analyzing a sample, and for culturing a microorganism are also provided.

A bioreactor apparatus includes a vessel establishing an interior space environmentally separable from an exterior space outside of the vessel, an agitation system including mixing means arranged in the interior space and drive means adapted to rotate the mixing means. The drive means includes a drive motor that is arranged in the interior space.

A microfluidic device is contemplated comprising an open-top cavity with structural anchors on the vertical wall surfaces that serve to prevent gel shrinkage-induced delamination, a porous membrane (optionally stretchable) positioned in the middle over a microfluidic channel(s). The device is particularly suited to the growth of cells mimicking dermal layers.

A bioreactor suitable for perfusion culture of three-dimensional tissues and cells which includes a reaction chamber, a reservoir and a peristaltic pump connected in turn via infusion tubes, wherein the reaction chamber comprises a cover body and a box body including side walls, a bottom wall, a cut-off device, an overflow plate, a screen frame, a static pressure tank, a drainage chute and a drainage trench. The cut-off device is a floodgate or a weir dam. An overflow port which cooperates with the drainage trench is provided, and the screen frame is fixed to two side walls of the box body. The invention can solve the problem of cell death easily caused by non-uniformity of the flow field and uneven transfer of nutrient in the existing perfusion culture, is suitable for three-dimensional culture of tissues and cells, and can improve quality of tissue engineering products.

Cell monitoring apparatus includes sensing chip and channel module. Sensing chip includes channel region, source and drain regions, and sensing film. The channel region includes first semiconductor material. The source and drain regions are disposed at opposite sides of the channel region, and include a second semiconductor material. Sensing film is disposed on the channel region at a sensing surface of the sensing chip. Channel module is disposed on the sensing surface of sensing chip. A microfluidic channel is formed between the sensing surface of the sensing chip and a proximal surface of the channel module. The microfluidic channel includes a culture chamber and a micro-well. The culture chamber is concave into the proximal surface of the channel module, and overlies the channel region. The micro-well is concave into a side of the culture chamber, and directly faces the sensing film.

Assemblies of a cap and a tube fixed to the cap are provided in which at least a portion of each assembly has a visual coding of color and/or indicia for use with one of different sizes of bottles at least in accordance with a height of the bottles from a closed bottom end to an open top end for engaging the cap of the assembly. In each assembly, the cap has a tube mounted to, or through, an aperture extending through the cap to extend a selected length enabling one end of the tube to reach or extend along at least a portion of an interior surface of the bottom end of any of the bottles of the height to which the assembly is coded for use therewith. Each of the caps has another tube or port to another aperture of the cap to provide an air vent.

Integrated methanogenic anaerobic reactor and membrane bioreactor, and method for eliminating organic matter and nitrogen in urban or industrial wastewater, preferably with COD concentrations between 150 and 5000 mg/L and where the eliminations of total nitrogen that occur are between 15 and 50 mg/L, at temperatures above 15° C. The wastewater treatment takes place thanks to three stages of treatment: methanogenic anaerobic stage, anoxic stage with biofilms and suspended biomass and aerobic filtration stage with biofilms and suspended biomass.