A bioprocess vessel includes a flexible bag or substantially rigid container that defines an interior volume and having a bottom surface, the bottom surface being open or containing an aperture therein for the passage of fluid. A pump is secured to the bottom surface of the flexible bag or substantially rigid container. In some embodiments is secured directly to the flexible bag or substantially rigid container. In other embodiments, the pump is secured indirectly the flexible bag or substantially rigid container using, for example, a port that extends through the aperture on the bottom surface. The port or flanged surface may also be integrated into the pump, which is secured to the vessel. An optional mixing adaptor may be provided inside the interior volume of the flexible bag or substantially rigid container and at least partially covers the inlet that leads to the pump.

A system and a method for monitoring and regulating the level of contents in a vessel is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system or the method use laser beams and photosensors to determine the level of the contents of the vessel.

Manufacturing techniques for fabricating a polymer or other substrate optimized for growing cells is described, which takes the form of a micro-thin bag with gas permeable sides. Sides of the bag can be held at a fixed distance from one another with a multitude of tiny micropillars or other spacers extending between them, keeping the bag at a predetermined thickness and preventing the bag from collapsing and the sides from sticking together. In other embodiments, the sides may be held apart by gas pressure alone. A 0.01 μm to 1000 μm parylene or other biocompatible coating over the bag outsides controls the permeability of the bag material and provides a bio-safe area for cell growth. An alternate configuration uses open-cell foam with skins coated with a biocompatible coating. Tubes going into multiple bags can be connected to a manifold that delivers gaseous oxygen or removes carbon dioxide and other waste gases. Multiple bags can be stacked together tightly, with o-ring spacers in between, and housed within a vessel to form a high-surface area, ultra-compact cell growing system. For cells growing on the bags, liquid nutrients can be fed by way of the tube spacers, and oxygen and waste gases permeated through the bag sides and transported within the bags.

The present invention relates to cell culture in bioreactors, such as flexible cellbag bioreactors. More closely the invention relates to a method and system for determining the cell density in a bioreactor culture and for controlling the perfusion rate of a suspension culture of cells in a bioreactor, comprising measuring the oxygen uptake of primary mononuclear cells in a non-static bioreactor.

A close-system cell isolation device includes a first culture bag, a second culture bag, immunomagnetic beads, and a connecting tube. The first culture bag and the second culture bag are closely connected with each other through the connecting tube. The first culture bag has the immunomagnetic beads and cells. When the first culture bag is forced by a magnetic force and an external force, the cells uncaptured by the immunomagnetic beads are moved from the first culture bag to the second culture bag through the connecting tube by the external force, and the cells captured by the immunomagnetic beads are retained in the first culture bag by the magnetic force. Accordingly, the cell isolation can be performed without contamination.

A series of multi-dimensional acoustic standing waves is set up inside a growth volume of a bioreactor. The acoustic standing waves are used to hold a cell culture in place as a nutrient fluid stream flows through the cell culture. The nutrient fluid stream dislodges some cells from the cell culture, which can then be recovered for cell therapy applications. The cell culture continues to expand and reproduce, permitting continuous recovery of cells from the bioreactor.

Modularized components assembled dispensing nozzle, including operating components in the category of a poppet valve assembly, an automatic shutoff device, a hand operating lever for providing a turn on or shutoff of the dispensing of fluid through the nozzle, and a connected spout that delivers fluid to the fill pipe and fuel tank for a vehicle or fluid accepting container. Each of the identified components having been redesigned for assembly in modularized form, such as a modular cartridge for the poppet valve, a modular cartridge for the automatic shutoff device, a modularized operating hand lever, and a spout and its gland and retaining nut that provide for high speed interconnection with the nozzle body, during assembly, or servicing. Each of these modularized components can be installed, during assembly of the manufactured nozzle, or can be replaced, out in the field, by a service person, as a modularized component or cartridge assembly.

A method for separating a biological suspension includes dispensing a liquid suspension comprised of cells or microorganisms from a bioreactor or fermenter into a sterile compartment of a first bag assembly, the first bag assembly including a collapsible bag having of one or more sheets of flexible film. The compartment of the first bag assembly is sealed closed. The first bag assembly, either with or without a manifold fluid coupled therewith, is then rotated, such as by using a centrifuge, so that the liquid suspension separates within the compartment into a pellet comprised of the cells or microorganisms and a liquid supernatant.

A pH sensor for a single-use container includes a plunger sleeve configured to couple to a flange of the single-use container. A plunger is axially movable within the plunger sleeve between a storage position and an operating position. A pH sensing element coupled to the plunger wherein the pH element is disposed within a storage chamber in the storage position and is configured to be exposed to an interior of the single-use container in the operating position. In one example, a temperature sensitive element is disposed within the pH sensor and configured to sense temperature proximate the pH sensing element. In another example, a lock member is coupled to the plunger, where the lock member has a locked position and an unlocked position, the lock member being configured to inhibit movement of the plunger when in the locked position. In yet another example, the plunger includes at least one filling channel that allows access to a reference fill chamber when the plunger is in a filling position.

One embodiment provides a device for processing at least one biological sample capable of containing at least one target microorganism within at least one container. The device having at least one displacement device for generating the displacement of the contents of the at least one container and at least one site for receiving the at least one container. Additionally, the at least one container can receive the at least one biological sample within the at least one container, the container being delimited by a wall fixed on a base. Further, the at least one displacement device may be movable with respect to the base, and the at least one container may include a flexible material which allows the at least one container to be compressed against said wall.