Method and apparatus for holding cells

An apparatus for managing cells comprising:

• a housing having a biochamber and at least a first well in the biochamber in which the cells are disposed;
• and
• a robotic mechanism having a robotic arm for automatically dispensing and aspirating media to and from the first well, said robotic mechanism in contact with the biochamber.

A method for incubating and determining the state of cells comprising the steps of:

• incubating the cells in a dynamically controlled closed environment which is maintained in a desired condition and in which each individual cell can be examined while the cells remain in place in a location in which they are grown relative to the biochamber and while the environment is dynamically controlled and maintained in the desired condition;
• and
• determining automatically with a determining mechanism the state of each individual cell over time while each cell remains in place in the location in which it is grown relative to the biochamber and while the environment is dynamically controlled and maintained in the desired condition.

An apparatus for incubating and determining the state of individual cells within a plurality of cells comprising:

• a mechanism for incubating cells, said incubating mechanism having a housing having a biochamber, said biochamber being a dynamically controlled closed environment in which the cells are grown, which is maintained in a desired condition and in which each individual cell can be examined while the cells remain in place in a location in which they are grown relative to the biochamber and while the environment is dynamically controlled and maintained in the desired condition;
• and
• a mechanism for automatically determining the state of said individual cell over time while said cell remains in place in the location in which it is grown relative to the biochamber and while the environment is dynamically controlled and maintained in the desired condition, said determining mechanism in communication with the incubating mechanism, said determining mechanism includes an imaging mechanism which images said individual cell to determine its state.

An apparatus for incubating and determining the state of individual cells within a plurality of cells comprising:

• a mechanism for incubating cells, said incubating mechanism having a housing having a biochamber, said biochamber being a dynamically controlled closed environment in which the cells are grown, which is maintained in a desired condition and in which each individual cell can be examined while the cells remain in place in a location in which they are grown relative to the biochamber and while the environment is dynamically controlled and maintained in the desired condition, said incubating mechanism including a robotic mechanism for automatically dispensing and aspirating media about said individual cell in the biochamber;
• and
• a mechanism for automatically determining the state of said individual cell over time while said cell remains in place in the location in which it is grown relative to the biochamber and while the environment is dynamically controlled and maintained in the desired condition, said determining mechanism in communication with the incubating mechanism, said determining mechanism including a diagnostic mechanism in communication with the robotic mechanism for ascertaining the state of said individual cell.