A device is provided, comprising a cell trap comprising a plurality of micro-chambers, each micro-chamber configured to hold a cell. The device can further comprise a manipulator array comprising a plurality of manipulators, each manipulator in spatial communication with a respective micro-chamber, wherein each manipulator comprises a needle, a stage, and an actuator, wherein the needle is mounted to the stage, and the actuator is operable to apply force to the stage in a direction to move the needle to penetrate a cell in the respective micro-chamber.

A transfer device designed to extract an amorphous or semi-solid structure, tissue, or construct from supporting media while maintaining the spatial integrity/organizational architecture thereof. The transfer device can include a controller, an actuator assembly, a plunger, and a needle. The controller can move the transfer device and the plunger independently.

The cell handling device includes a container having a section to store cells; a cell detection unit for detecting a cell stored in the section; a head device for conducting picking of cells, and transfer and release of the picked cells; a control unit; and a determination unit for making a determination of a cell state including at least one of the number, properties, and arrangement of the cells based on a detection result of the cell detection unit. The control unit causes the head device to execute, according to a state determination result obtained by the determination unit, one operation selected from among operation of picking all the cells stored in the section, operation of picking a part of the cells stored in the section, operation of picking a new cell and releasing the cell in the section, and operation of terminating processing of the section.

A cell transfer apparatus includes a controller that controls generation of a suction force and a discharge force at a plurality of heads and controls movement of a head unit. The controller executes a process for specifying first and second specimen heads to be used for transferring the first and second specimens, a process for specifying first and second specimen wells to be used for receiving the first and second specimens, a process for sequentially sucking the cell of the first specimen from the first dish by the first tip attached to the first specimen head and then the cell of the second specimen from the second dish by the second tip, and a process for discharging the cell of the first specimen from the first tip to the first specimen well and the cell of the second specimen from the second tip to the second specimen well.

Disclosed herein is an instrument that enables the in situ formation of architected planar biomaterials and tissues by translating a printer head along a deposition surface such as a patient having burn injuries. In handheld embodiments of the instrument, cell-laden biopolymer solutions are perfused through a moving microfabricated printer head and deposited onto a stationary planar surface or a wound. The printer head may be translated via a drive mechanism. A soft deformable roller mitigates further damage to the injured area of skin as it rolls over it and a gimbal mechanism to which the printer head is attached is in contact with the injured tissue but is configured so that the printer head while in contact with tissue, does not exert undue pressure on the would area.

A liquid is efficiently suctioned and discharged from and to a container formed by a plurality of aligned storing portions for storing the liquid, using a plurality of nozzles. Provided is a liquid suction/discharge device including a container support device for supporting a culture container formed by a plurality of aligned storing portions, and a nozzle support device for supporting a plurality of nozzles in a state in which distal ends of the nozzles are directed downward. The nozzle support device includes a nozzle support member that swingably supports the plurality of nozzles using prescribed parts as support points, and the liquid suction/discharge device further includes a nozzle inclination device for causing each of the nozzles to be inclined with respect to the nozzle support member.

A transfer device designed to extract an amorphous or semi-solid structure, tissue, or construct from supporting media while maintaining the spatial integrity/organizational architecture thereof. The transfer device can include a controller, an actuator assembly, a plunger, and a needle. The controller can move the transfer device and the plunger independently.

Disclosed herein is an instrument that enables the in situ formation of architected planar biomaterials and tissues by translating a printer head along a deposition surface such as a patient having burn injuries. In handheld embodiments of the instrument, cell-laden biopolymer solutions are perfused through a moving microfabricated printer head and deposited onto a stationary planar surface or a wound. The printer head may be translated via a drive mechanism. A soft deformable roller mitigates further damage to the injured area of skin as it rolls over it and a gimbal mechanism to which the printer head is attached is in contact with the injured tissue but is configured so that the printer head while in contact with tissue, does not exert undue pressure on the would area.

A sterile sampling apparatus includes a first to seventh flow paths, a sampling section, a first and second pumps, and a first to sixth opening/closing mechanism. The sampling section is disposed in the seventh flow path. The first pump is disposed in the sixth flow path. The second pump is disposed in the seventh flow path. The second flow path includes a first opening/closing mechanism. The third flow path includes a second opening/closing mechanism. The fourth flow path includes a third opening/closing mechanism. The first flow path includes a fourth opening/closing mechanism. The sixth flow path includes a fifth opening/closing mechanism. The seventh flow path includes a sixth opening/closing mechanism. The rate of the second pump is higher than that of the first pump.

An automated method for culturing stem cells using a robotic liquid handling system including a translatable bed and a movable multi-channel pipette. The method includes the steps of: locating a first multi-well cell culture plate and a multi-trough plate on the bed; placing a suspension of stem cells in at least one trough of the multi-trough plate; using the multi-channel pipette, transferring a portion of the suspension of stem cells to each well of the first multi-well cell culture plate such that at least two of the wells of the first multi-well cell culture plate have different densities of stem cells; selecting a well of the first multi-well cell culture plate having a desired density of stem cells; locating a second multi-well cell culture plate on the bed; and using the multi-channel pipette, transferring the cells of the selected well to a plurality of wells of the second multi-well cell culture plate.