Rotating suspension culture devices that allow direct microscopy, in situ assays, and automation are disclosed. According to an aspect, a suspension culture device includes a rotatable base having an exterior surface that engages at one or more rollers for rotation of the base about an axis when the at least one roller is turning. The device includes first and second end components attached to the base along the axis. The base and the first and second end components define an interior space for holding liquid. A portion of at least one of the end components is made of a material that is at least partially transparent for viewing into the interior space from outside the base. Further, the device includes ports that each permit fluid communication between the interior space and outside the base.

The disclosed invention provides a cartridge, method and cartridge processing systems for molecular tests that include extracting one or more biological materials from a tissue. The cartridge includes a base having a receptacle inside the base, a lid placed over the receptacle, and a gasket in the base. The base includes a transparent window placed under the receptacle, and the receptacle contains a slide on which the tissue is disposed. A film is disposed on an inner surface of the lid, and the film is suitable to extract the one or more biological materials from the tissue. The gasket surrounds the slide, and the lid creates a sealed chamber around the gasket that encloses the slide, and vacuum suction is applied through a port of the base to press the film against the tissue on the slide.

Embodiments relate to systems and methods for increasing the cell growth surface within the roller tubes used as reaction vessels in a cell culture system by using a rotating platform or cage-like structure with a center of rotation of each of roller tubes being held therein being coaxial with the circumferential distribution of the plurality of roller tubes held in the platform. Each of the roller tubes has a superellipse or squircle cross-sectional shape to further increase the cell growth surface within the roller tubes. Additional improvements include use of a removable cell adherence liner, a cell perfusion system, a cell culture monitoring system, and a gas circulation system.

A sampler for use with a bioreactor for growing a cell culture is disclosed. In one embodiment, the bioreactor includes a structured fixed bed including a removable sample portion for recovering a sample of cells from the cell culture. Related apparatuses and methods are also disclosed.

An apparatus for processing cells is disclosed. In one embodiment, a fixed bed reactor is provided for the cells, the fixed bed reactor including a portion movable from a first position corresponding to a packed condition of the fixed bed to a second position corresponding to a depacked condition of the fixed bed. Movement of the partition facilitates harvesting of the cells there from. Related apparatus, kits, methods, and systems are also disclosed.

Cell seeding devices and methods for utilization of the devices are described. The devices include a rolling needle support that carries a plurality of channeled needles thereon. Upon rolling the support over the surface of a scaffold, the needles penetrate the scaffold surface and deliver cells to the interior of the scaffold. The devices can deliver cells to a scaffold at a high density with high cellular retention and survival.

A sampler for use with a bioreactor for growing a cell culture is disclosed. In one embodiment, the bioreactor includes a structured fixed bed including a removable sample portion for recovering a sample of cells from the cell culture. Related apparatuses and methods are also disclosed.

A sampler for use with a bioreactor for growing a cell culture is disclosed. In one embodiment, the bioreactor includes a structured fixed bed including a removable sample portion for recovering a sample of cells from the cell culture. Related apparatuses and methods are also disclosed.

A recipient for cell cultivation having an inner compartment adapted for cell growth, in one embodiment, an outer tubular wall extends in a longitudinal direction and delimits an outer boundary of the inner compartment in a radial direction. First and second ends delimit the inner compartment at the first respectively the second outer end of the outer tubular wall. A fixed packing in the inner compartment comprises a packing, such as a fiber matrix. Additional embodiments and related methods are also disclosed.

A rotating bioreactor. A bioreactor base has a cover support section positioned within the base. Air holes extend through the base and connect to the cover support section. An air permeable membrane is positioned on top of the cover support section and covers the air holes. A base cover has a chamber tube extending through the base cover. The base cover is inserted onto the base and is supported by the cover support section. A sealing mechanism is positioned between the base cover and membrane. A septum is attached to the base cover. A cell containment chamber is formed within the rotating bioreactor and is bordered by the membrane, the sealing mechanism, the chamber tube and the septum. The cell containment chamber is air permeable but water and fluid impermeable.