Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Pharyx, Inc.

Emd Millipore Corporation

Erbi Biosystems, Inc.

Precisis Us, Inc.

Harry Lee

Kevin Shao-Kwan Lee

Klavs F Jensen

Rajeev J Ram

Richard J Cohen

Kevin Kidoo Lee

Wolfgang Daum

Allan Foreman

Jean Gotman

J Rajeev Ram

Andrew James Cole

S Kevin Lee

Methods of calibrating a pH sensor fixed within an enclosed vessel are disclosed. The methods include introducing a buffer into the enclosed vessel, introducing a gas mixture comprising COinto the enclosed vessel, measuring a pH signal of the solution, measuring a COconcentration of a headspace gas of the solution, and calculating a pH value with a buffer calibration curve. The methods include calculating a calibration parameter with a sensor calibration curve and calibrating the pH sensor with the calibration parameter. Reactor systems are also disclosed. The systems include an enclosed reactor, a pH sensor, a COsensor, a temperature control subsystem, and a controller. Methods of facilitating pH sensor calibration without sampling in a bioreactor system are also disclosed. The methods include providing a controller and providing instructions to operably connect the controller to the pH sensor and the COsensor.

Methods to automatically calibrate pH sensors without sampling

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for making multiple aseptic fluid interconnections in parallel with an integral clamping mechanism and elastomeric fluid sealing gasket to provide an initial fluid tight seal while removing sealing tape tabs and a final fluid tight seal after sealing tape tabs are removed. The clamping mechanism comprises a hinge coupling and a first set of snap-fit locks to maintain the initial fluid tight seal and a second set of snap-fit locks to maintain the final fluid tight seal.

Apparatus and methods for aseptic fluid interconnects

A microreactor with a reaction chamber comprising two sub-chambers with reconfigurable volumes, an input conduit with input valve, an un-filtered output conduit with first output valve, and a filtered output conduit with a second output valve is used to perform a method to control a different dilution rate for cells and molecules in continuous culture bioprocesses. In preferred embodiments flow control is achieved using the difference in volume of the two sub-chambers.

Methods and apparatus for independent control of product and reactant concentrations

Active devices such as pumps and mixers have been fabricated in plastic-PDMS hybrid devices. By utilizing functionalized bis-silane primers, bond strength between Polycarbonate or PMMA and PDMS improved in dry and aqueous environments. Plastic-primer-PDMS layers exposed to acid and base solutions at 70&#xb0; C. for 2 hours showed no signs of delamination at 30 psi for pH &#x2212;1 to 15 and 60 psi for pH 0 to 15. A peristaltic pump fabricated in polycarbonate achieved consistent flow rates up to peristaltic cycle frequencies of 10 Hz in water, 1OM HCl, and 1OM NaOH solutions.

Method of hydrolytically stable bonding of elastomers to substrates

The present invention features a medical device and methods for the prevention and/or treatment of neurological disorders via electrical stimulation. These device are minimally or non-invasive and are capable of detection of a neurological disorder and its subsequent prevention or treatment. Specifically, seizure control is among the targeted therapeutic areas. Components of the device include control electronics and electrodes; the latter are targeting electrodes located entirely outside the skull and can be constructed from ring type structures or virtually connected disc type arrays. Other sub-systems included in the medical device are a control system, a battery unit, and wires connecting these and other sub-systems.

Treatment of neurological disorders via electrical stimulation, and methods related thereto

The present invention provides apparatus and methods to operate microreactor devices through the controlled delivery of pressurized fluids. A heated reservoir, a heated manifold, and a heater for the microreactor device provides for the delivery of a pressurized gas while minimizing evaporation and condensation; and a fluid interface and pressure interlock provides for the delivery of aseptic fluids while minimizing contamination and fluid loss.

Apparatus and methods to operate a microreactor

In one embodiment, the present invention introduces integrated fluid injection and mixing devices to enable pH control in a miniature parallel integrated bioreactor array system. In another embodiment, the environmental conditions of the growth chamber is enabled through fluidic injections in a miniature parallel cell culture system. In still another embodiment, the present invention utilizes gas switches to control oxygen concentration within a miniature parallel integrated bioreactor array.

Parallel integrated bioreactor device and method

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for measuring the optical density of a fluid by measuring the light transmission through a reconfigurable optical path. The optical path is reconfigured by the deflection of an elastic membrane wherein the optical path length through the fluid is determined by the position of the membrane relative to a fixed surface. The optical density can be determined from two measurements with different optical path lengths through the fluid.

Apparatus and methods to measure optical density

Fluid injection port. An elastomeric injection nipple is supported within a compression fitting and the injection nipple includes a slit. A first via is provided that connects the slit in the nipple to a flow channel leading into a fluid reservoir. A venting channel is provided in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and also in fluid communication with a second via. When a pipette is inserted into the slit in the injection nipple, the nipple deforms allowing the second via to be in fluid communication with space on either side of the pipette tip whereby air can be discharged.

Fluid injection port

The present invention provides devices and methods for achieving mixing and gas exchange in chambers having a small volume. According to the invention a chamber includes one or more walls that are made of a gas-permeable material and that include multiple portions that are selectively deflectable into the interior of the chamber. The deflectable portions are in communication with a hollow cavity or space that can be pressurized. Pressurization results in deflection of the deflectable portion into the chamber. Pressurization is achieved using a gas or fluid that contains a gas of interest such as oxygen. The portions are deflected in a sequence that results in peristaltic action that mixes and oxygenates the contents of the chamber. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the hollow cavities are an assembly of tubes that deflect into a plurality of chambers. A particular use for the invention is as a culture vessel for cells such as bacteria.

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Malden, MA, United States of America

Harry Lee