Provided herein are systems and methods for culturing, activating, transducing and expanding immune cells in shaker flasks with agitation.

Provided is a biomimetic chip device. The biomimetic chip device includes a body, a main channel arranged in the body and extending in one direction, a plurality of culture chambers spaced apart from each other on the main channel, a first reservoir arranged at one end of the main channel and storing a first fluid, and a second reservoir arranged at the other end of the main channel and storing the first fluid, wherein the body is tilted about a first axis perpendicular to the one direction to allow the first fluid to flow between the first reservoir and the second reservoir.

It is described an orbital incubator shaker, which comprises an incubator housing (1) defining an incubation chamber (2), and an orbital shaker (3) configured to shake a shaking table (4). The orbital shaker (3) comprises a rotary direct drive motor (7, 8, 9, 10) comprising a stator (7, 8) and a rotor (9, 10) comprising a rotor shaft (9), and an eccentric bearing unit (11, 12, 14) mounted on the rotor shaft (9). The stator (7, 8) is located outside the incubation chamber (2) and the rotor shaft (9) extends from a space (22) outside the incubation chamber (2) towards the incubation chamber (2).

Conducting oxidation in an inflatable bag bioreactor (or batch reactor more generally) provides an efficient, economical, and convenient reaction vessel. Rotating or rocking the inflatable bag bioreactor (or batch reactor more generally) during the reaction helps ensure continued exposure of the reaction mixture to the headspace gas in the vessel. The ability of the inflatable bag to expand or contract as the volume of the contents changes helps maintain consistent pressure and avoid the need to replenish the headspace gas.

According to the invention, there is provided a parallel bioreactor system, comprising: an oscillator for generating oscillating motion; a plurality of culture vessels mounted on the oscillator, wherein each culture vessel is provided with an inner cavity, the inner cavity comprises a cylindrical portion at the upper part and an inverted truncated conical bottom at the lower part, a cross section of the cylindrical portion is consistent with the cross section of the top of the inverted truncated conical bottom, and the bottom of the cylindrical portion is joined with the top of the inverted truncated conical bottom; disposable culture bags arranged in the inner cavities of the culture vessels and used for accommodating culture solution, wherein each disposable culture bag is provided with a multifunctional cover plate, and the multifunctional cover plate is connected to the top of the culture bag to seal the culture bag, and is provided with a plurality of connection holes leading to interior of the disposable culture bag; and a control system, wherein the control system controls the oscillating motion of the oscillator and parameters of the culture solution in the disposable culture bags.

It is described an orbital incubator shaker, which comprises an incubator housing (1) defining an incubation chamber (2), and an orbital shaker (3) configured to shake a shaking table (4). The orbital shaker (3) comprises a drive motor comprising a stator and a rotor (9), and an eccentric bearing mounted to the rotor (9). The orbital shaker (3) is fixed within the incubation chamber (2) or in a mobile version without fixing just being placed inside the incubation chamber (2). The orbital shaker (3) further comprises a bearing (16) configured to support the rotor (9) on a support structure. The rotor (9), the bearing (16) and the support structure are configured to seal the stator from the incubation chamber (2).

A microfluidic system, including: a container, an ultrasound transmitter assembly, and a phononic crystal plate. The container is configured to accommodate a solution containing microparticles. The ultrasound transmitter assembly is configured to transmit ultrasonic waves to the phononic crystal plate, where the ultrasonic waves have a frequency which is the same as a resonance frequency of the phononic crystal plate. The phononic crystal plate is placed in the solution, and configured to generate a local acoustic field on a surface of the phononic crystal plate under excitation of the ultrasonic waves, and induce an acoustic microstreaming vortex to generate an acoustic streaming shear stress on the microparticles. The phononic crystal plate defines therein cavities, the respective cavities are arranged periodically in the phononic crystal plate, and all the respective cavities are filled with gas.

A portable apparatus and method for transport and incubation of a medical sample in a blood culture flask includes a sealable container having a thermally insulated compartment for receiving the blood culture flask and a heater for heating the medical sample to a temperature suitable for pre-culturing of the sample. An agitator is provided for agitating the sample in the blood culture flask.

A composite sensor assembly for monitoring bio-processes which is suitable for use with a polymeric bioprocess vessel or with downstream equipment, and comprises: i) a port comprising a high surface tension thermoplastic having a hollow tubular portion and a base plate portion, the base plate being fusibly sealable to the bioreactor vessel at a hole in the wall thereof; ii) a generally opaque polymeric monitoring sensor assembly including electrical, and/or optical measurement components. The sensor assembly fits inside the bore of the hollow tubular portion of the port, and is adhesively retained therein.

A method for mixing a fluid includes: dispensing a first volume of a fluid into a flexible container, the flexible container being at least partially disposed within the chamber of a support housing; repeatedly moving the support housing and the flexible container contained therein so as to mix the first volume of fluid within the flexible container; adding further fluid into the flexible container after moving the support housing to form a second volume of fluid; and manipulating a mixing element within the flexible container so as to mix the second volume of fluid.