Ex vivo generated tissue system
Inventors
Noll, Lee • Hampson, Brian • Goltry, Kristin • Snabes, Samantha
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-7682822-B2
Publication Date
2010-03-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to methods of generating an ex vivo tissue-like system in a bioreactor system capable of supporting continuous production of, and output of cells and tissues and an ex vivo tissue system made therefrom.
Core Innovation
The invention features a bioreactor comprising a cell-supporting matrix material positioned between first and second liquid chambers. The matrix receives cells transferred from the first chamber, potentially through a seed port, while fluid flows tangentially along the matrix surfaces in each chamber to exchange nutrients and metabolic products. Operably linked first and second gassing chambers separated by gas-permeable membranes permit gas to dissolve in the chamber fluids and diffuse to oxygen-consuming cells residing in the matrix.
The bioreactor supports cellular organization into tissue-like structures, continuous cell harvest, and long-term cell culture. Documented observations include matrix infiltration and tissue-like bone-marrow organization, wherein fluid cross-flow correlates with increased harvested cell output and altered cell populations. The background problem being solved is not explicitly described in the provided text.
Claims Coverage
The relevant patent claim coverage includes one independent claim, claim 1, encompassing two main inventive features.
Cell-receiving matrix with tangential fluid flow
A matrix material is positioned between first and second liquid chambers and is configured to receive cells transferred from the first chamber. Each liquid chamber flows fluid tangentially to a surface of the matrix, providing an exchange of nutrients and metabolic products with cells received by the matrix.
Gas delivery through linked gassing chambers and membranes
First and second gassing chambers are operably linked to the liquid chambers and separated by gas-permeable membranes. Gas flows through the membranes, dissolves in the chamber fluids, and diffuses through them to oxygen-consuming cells in the matrix.
The independent claim covers a cell-receiving matrix positioned between two liquid chambers, tangential fluid flow across matrix surfaces, and gas delivery via linked gassing chambers and gas-permeable membranes.
Stated Advantages
The reactor supports cell organization into tissue-like structures and long-term culture.
The described system supports continuous cell harvest, with cross-flow associated with increased harvested cell output and altered cell populations.
Tangential fluid flow provides efficient exchange of nutrients and metabolic products with cells in the matrix.
Gas dissolves in the chamber fluids and diffuses directly to oxygen-consuming cells in the matrix.
Documented Applications
Hematopoietic cell culture, including long-term culture and harvest.
Bone-marrow mononuclear cell culture with tissue-like bone-marrow organization in the matrix.
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