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Publication Number
US-12467027-B2
Publication Date
2025-11-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention provides a structured cell growth matrix or assembly comprising a one or more spacer layers and one or more cell immobilization layers. The invention further provides a bioreactor comprising said matrix or assembly.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a structured high density cell growth matrix assembly and a bioreactor in connection with a cell medium flowing through the matrix assembly. The matrix assembly includes at least one woven mesh layer and a plurality of non-woven layers adapted for cell immobilization and fluid permeable. The non-woven layers define surfaces for cell growth while allowing flow through the matrix assembly.
In the matrix assembly, at least a first non-woven layer is in direct contact, over an entirety of said first non-woven layer, with at least a second non-woven layer, and at least two non-woven layers may have no structure therebetween. The invention also includes configurations where a spacer layer is positioned between pairs of the plurality of non-woven layers to form open, tortuous flow paths. This arrangement is described as promoting turbulence and tangential/axial flow along the layer surfaces.
The described matrix assembly and bioreactor aim to reduce preferential flow and plunger effects and to achieve minimal pressure drop. The structured layers are arranged in alternating stacked layers and can be formed into a spiral wound matrix or an annular/rolled configuration around a core. The bioreactor flow orientation is defined relative to the spacer layers, including axial top-to-bottom or bottom-to-top flow and tangential flow along a spiral path, to improve homogeneity and reproducibility while using reduced volume for a higher cell growth surface.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001 and clm-00014, each directed to an apparatus for culturing cells with a bioreactor and a specific matrix assembly arrangement involving woven mesh and non-woven, fluid-permeable cell immobilization layers. Across the independent claims, the inventive features focus on direct contact relationships among the non-woven layers, the presence of at least one woven mesh layer, and conditions on whether structures exist between non-woven layers.
Bioreactor matrix with woven mesh and non-woven immobilization layers
A bioreactor including a matrix assembly for growing cells in connection with a cell medium flowing through the matrix assembly, the matrix assembly comprising at least one woven mesh layer and a plurality of non-woven layers, each of the non-woven layers being adapted for cell immobilization and being fluid permeable.
Direct contact of first and second non-woven layers over entirety
The plurality of non-woven layers comprise at least a first non-woven layer in direct contact, over an entirety of said first non-woven layer, with at least a second non-woven layer.
Direct contact non-woven layers with no structure therebetween
At least a first non-woven layer in direct contact with at least a second non-woven layer, and wherein at least two of the non-woven layers have no structure therebetween.
No structure between at least two non-woven layers
At least two of the non-woven layers have no structure therebetween.
Together, the independent claims cover a cell culturing apparatus using a bioreactor with a matrix assembly that includes woven mesh and multiple fluid-permeable non-woven cell immobilization layers arranged so that non-woven layers are in direct contact, and in one independent claim at least two non-woven layers have no structure between them.
Stated Advantages
Improved homogeneity.
Higher cell growth surface in reduced volume.
Reduced preferential flow and reduced plunger effects.
Minimal pressure drop.
Reproducible bioreactor production.
Scalable fabrication.
Documented Applications
An apparatus for culturing cells using a bioreactor with a matrix assembly through which a cell medium flows.
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