The invention relates to a device for monitoring the temperature of a cryogenically preserved biological sample. The device (10) comprises a sample container (1) having a receptacle space (2) for accommodating a biological sample (6). The device further comprises at least one chamber (11), the interior (12) of which is not fluidically connected to the receptacle space, and which is at least partially filled with an indicator substance (7) having a boiling point or sublimation temperature in a range from −10° C. to −140° C. The chamber (11) further has at least one opening via which the indicator substance (7) can escape from the interior (12) of the chamber (11) upon exceeding its boiling point or sublimation point. The invention further relates to a method for monitoring the temperature of a cryogenically preserved biological sample.

A single-use cell culturing apparatus and a culturing bag are provided, each of which can improve efficiency of stirring a culture solution and further reduce a possibility of leakage of the culture solution. The single-use cell culturing apparatus of the present invention includes a housing that accommodates the culturing bag which is flexible and can seal the culture solution inside thereof. The housing has, on an inner surface thereof, a curved convex-shaped protrusion provided at a portion of a contact face at which the housing is in contact with the culturing bag. The culturing bag of the present invention is accommodated in the housing of the single-use cell culturing apparatus; is flexible; and can seal the culture solution inside thereof. The culturing bag includes a concave portion having a shape corresponding to the curved convex protrusion disposed on a part of the housing.

Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus for positioning and securing an excised biological tissue specimen for imaging and analysis. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a sample bag defining an inner volume configured to receive a biological tissue sample, and a sealing member coupled to the sample bag. An imaging window is disposed and configured to be placed in contact with at least a portion of the biological tissue sample, and a positioning member is coupled to the imaging window and is configured to be disposed against the sealing member to substantially seal the inner volume. The positioning member includes a vacuum port disposed and configured to be aligned with a vacuum source to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag.

A compact culture device capable of performing large-scale culture in an aseptic state. A culture device has a culture bag which has ports through which a liquid flows and enables cell culture, a bag holding portion having holding plates holding the culture bag and rotating shafts, a rotation mechanism supporting and rotating the rotating shaft, a liquid supply/discharge mechanism supplying and discharging a liquid to/from the culture bag, and a rotation control portion controlling the rotation of the rotation mechanism. The rotation control portion brings the bag holding portion into a first position in parallel with the approximately horizontal direction according to a first information, brings the bag holding portion into a second position when a culture medium in the culture bag is caused to flow out of the port according to a second information, and brings the bag holding portion into a third position in parallel with the approximately vertical direction at least when a cell suspension in the culture bag is caused to flow out of the port according to a third information.

Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus for positioning and securing an excised biological tissue specimen for imaging and analysis. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a sample bag defining an inner volume configured to receive a biological tissue sample, and a sealing member coupled to the sample bag. An imaging window is disposed and configured to be placed in contact with at least a portion of the biological tissue sample, and a positioning member is coupled to the imaging window and is configured to be disposed against the sealing member to substantially seal the inner volume. The positioning member includes a vacuum port disposed and configured to be aligned with a vacuum source to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag.

Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus for positioning and securing an excised biological tissue specimen for imaging and analysis. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a sample bag defining an inner volume configured to receive a biological tissue sample, and a sealing member coupled to the sample bag. An imaging window is disposed and configured to be placed in contact with at least a portion of the biological tissue sample, and a positioning member is coupled to the imaging window and is configured to be disposed against the sealing member to substantially seal the inner volume. The positioning member includes a vacuum port disposed and configured to be aligned with a vacuum source to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag.

A method for mixing a biological suspension includes disposing a biological suspension within a compartment of a container, the biological suspension comprising cells or microorganisms suspended within a nutrient growth medium; and rotating a first drive line and laterally spaced apart second drive line within the compartment of the container so as to cause the drive lines to twist into a helical configuration and mix the biological suspension.

A system for performing a gas-liquid mass transfer includes a container bounding a compartment and having a top wall, a bottom wall, and an encircling sidewall extending therebetween. A tube has a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the tube being disposed within the compartment of the container. A nozzle is disposed within the compartment of the container and has at least one outlet, the nozzle being coupled with the tube so that a gas can be passed through the tube and out the at least one outlet of the nozzle. The nozzle is sufficiently buoyant so that when a fluid is disposed within the compartment of the container, the nozzle floats on the fluid.

A fluid mixing system includes a container bounding a compartment and extending between a first end and an opposing second end. An elongated first drive line and second drive line are disposed within the compartment of the container and are rotatable therein. At least one tie extends between the first drive line and the second drive line so as to maintain at least a portion of the first drive line and the second drive line at lateral spaced apart positions within the compartment. An impeller or other mixing element can be coupled to the drive lines.

A bioreactor vessel includes a body having upper and lowerends and a hollow interior cavity formed in the body, the interior cavity located between the upper and lower ends, the interior cavity being configured to receive biomaterials for processing. The interior cavity includes a lower boundary that is angled toward the lower end of the body such that the vessel may be tilted to allow biomaterials within the interior cavity to be extracted and. concentrated and/or washed without the need for a separate bioprocessing device.