A bioprocess system and a method for incubating, growing and harvesting cell cultures is described. Also disclosed is a bioprocess container that can be used with the system. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the bioprocess system includes bioprocess tubes and cell culture tubes having particular dimensions and being made from specific materials that allow the tubes to be welded together while preventing open connections and/or ruptures. In this manner, bioprocess containers can be connected and disconnected from a cell culture apparatus without having to perform the manipulation within a closed environment and without associated monitoring.

A method for performing a magnetic separation procedure that includes transporting a receptacle containing a fluid medium to a first location of a system, where the fluid medium contains both a sample material and a suspension of magnetically-responsive solid supports. At the first location, the fluid medium is exposed to a first magnetic field for a first dwell period, thereby isolating the solid supports within the receptacle, where no portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle at the first location. The receptacle is then transported from the first location to a second location of the system, where the fluid medium is exposed to a second magnetic field for a second dwell period. Following the second dwell period, at least a portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle. A suspension fluid is then dispensed into the receptacle, and the contents of the receptacle are agitated to suspend the solid supports within the suspension fluid.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a vial cap is configured for sealing attachment to a tube set and to a vial having a hollow interior configured for receiving and storing a liquid sample. The vial cap may comprise an axially extending cylindrical wall and a radially extending cap top disposed within the cylindrical wall, wherein the cap top has an upper surface and a lower surface. The vial cap may include at least two exterior tubes extending upwardly from the upper surface of the cap top, wherein each exterior tube defines a passageway configured to communicate with the tube set. The vial cap may further include at least two interior tubular structures extending downwardly from the lower surface of the cap top, wherein the at least two interior tubular structures each define a passageway configured to communicate with one of the exterior tubes and the hollow interior.

A method for performing a magnetic separation procedure that includes transporting a receptacle containing a fluid medium to a first location of a system, where the fluid medium contains both a sample material and a suspension of magnetically-responsive solid supports. At the first location, the fluid medium is exposed to a first magnetic field for a first dwell period, thereby isolating the solid supports within the receptacle, where no portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle at the first location. The receptacle is then transported from the first location to a second location of the system, where the fluid medium is exposed to a second magnetic field for a second dwell period. Following the second dwell period, at least a portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle. A suspension fluid is then dispensed into the receptacle, and the contents of the receptacle are agitated to suspend the solid supports within the suspension fluid.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a tube opening and closing device capable of opening and closing a lid of a tube and comprising a container, a lid coupled to the container so as to enable the container to be blocked, and a joint part for connecting the container and a first side of the lid comprises: a tube supporting rack having a plurality of openings formed on one surface thereof, wherein the containers of the tubes can be inserted into each of the plurality of openings; an opening and closing part positioned at an upper part of the tube supporting rack, rotating around a first rotary shaft and having a coupling groove in which a second side of the lid, which faces the first side of the tube, can be accommodated; and a driving part for rotating the opening and closing part, wherein the lid can be opened and closed with respect to the container through the rotation of the opening and closing part.

Provided herein, among other aspects, are methods and apparatuses for analyzing particles in a sample. In some aspects, the particles can be analytes, cells, nucleic acids, or proteins and contacted with a tag, partitioned into aliquots, detected by a ranking device, and isolated. The methods and apparatuses provided herein may include a microfluidic chip. In some aspects, the methods and apparatuses may be used to quantify rare particles in a sample, such as cancer cells and other rare cells for disease diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment.

A discoid sample holder (1), on which a device (2) for carrying out at least one processing step is formed. According to the invention, a slot (3), into which a sampling instrument (4) can be introduced, and a mechanism (5) for releasing a sample from the sampling instrument (4) arranged in the receptacle (3), is formed in the sample holder.

A collection device for collecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from a living biological sample is disclosed. The collection device comprises a housing defining an interior chamber and an inlet and outlet each fluidly communicating with the interior chamber. The housing is formed by an upper surface, a lower surface, and a substantially circular sidewall extending between the upper and lower surfaces. The interior chamber comprises a substantially cylindrical volume enclosed by the housing and configured to receive the living biological sample. The inlet and the outlet may extend through the upper surface and may be substantially diametrically opposed with respect to the circular sidewall. The collection device may be configured to pass fluid in a substantially laminar flow path through the inlet, across the interior chamber, and out of the outlet. At least a portion of the housing may comprise a substantially transparent material configured to transmit light therethrough.

A method for collecting and delivering biological samples to a destination, such as an analyzer are provided herein. In one example, a plurality of samples, each including particles, is obtained from respective wells of a sample source having a plurality of wells. The plurality of samples are introduced into a fluid flow stream contained within a conduit having an inner diameter and in communication with a destination. An inner surface of the conduit is coated with a hydrogel barrier substance, such as poly-HEMA. The fluid flow stream is guided through the conduit to a destination. In one example, the destination may be a flow cytometer. Methods of preparing a poly-HEMA solution and coating the inner surface of a conduit with poly-HEMA are also provided.

The invention relates to a discoid sample holder (1), on which a device (2) for carrying out at least one processing step is formed. According to the invention, a slot (3), into which a sampling instrument (4) can be introduced, and means (5) for releasing a sample from the sampling instrument (4) arranged in the receptacle (3), are formed in the sample holder.