Abstract: An immunotherapy protocol in which leukocytes are cultured in the presence of interleukin-2 in a hollow fiber cartridge perfusion system for at least four days to achieve a harvest yield of at least 100% of leukocytes with respect to the number of cells initially present in the hollow cartridge, and where the leukocytes have a lytic activity at least equal to that of cells grown in a static culturing system and where the lytic activity of the cells following the culture period in the hollow fiber is at least equal to cells grown in a static culturing system.

Abstract: A method for culturing leukocytes includes the culturing of leukocytes in a hollow fiber cartridge perfusion system for at least four days to achieve a harvest yield of at least 100% of leukocytes, the leukocytes having a lytic activity at least equal to that of cells grown in a static culturing system.

Abstract: A pressure control system for a bioreactor of the type having a gas space and a cell culture space therein is supplied with a gas such as oxygen separately from the supply of liquid nutrient media. The pressures in the gas space and the pressure in the cell culture space are controlled so that a higher pressure is maintained in the cell culture space than in the gas space to prevent displacement of the liquid nutrient media.

Abstract: A process for improving mass transfer in a bioreactor having at least one semi-permeable membrane defining first and second chambers on opposite sides of the membrane provides for circulating a first media including nutrients and the like through the first chamber and for circulating a second media for cell culture through the second chamber of the bioreactor. The first and second media may be circulated through a plurality of bioreactors connected in parallel while balancing the flow in each reactor. The flow in the second circuit can be periodically reversed to provide increased cell culture.

Abstract: A compact, easily assembled cell culturing device comprising at least one envelope, the interior of which defines a cell culturing space wherein the envelope is spirally wrapped about an elongated core and which provides for optimal gas delivery and removal to and from the cell culturing space which is also separate from nutrient media delivery and removal whereby greater amounts of oxygen are provided to the cells at a faster rate to produce cells and/or cell products more economically and in higher yields.

Abstract: A method of culturing cells by providing a highly gassed media on a continuous basis to cells grown in a hollow fiber cartridge includes entraining the media with gas above the gas solubility level of the media. The media is then permitted to rest in a substantially quiescent state so that non-solubilized gas leaves the media. The media is then pressurized prior to delivery to the hollow fibers sufficiently so that the pressure drop and/or flow disturbance in the cell culturing device does not decrease the gas solubility level of the media below the media's gas saturation point.

Abstract: An improved cell culturing device includes a hollow fiber cartridge having a shell and a plurality of capillaries extending through the shell with at least some of the capillaries having selectively permeable walls. A cell culturing space is located between the shell and capillaries. The improvement includes a chamber containing a second medium supply fluidly connected to the cell culturing space. A pressurizing system pressurizes the medium within the chamber to a level higher than the level of medium flowing through the lumen of the capillaries. A valving mechanism alternatively and selectively restricts flow of medium between the chamber and the cell culturing space through first and second conduits such that circulation is effected in the cell culturing space.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for culturing cells includes a waste removal and product concentrating loop in which waste is removed from the medium and product produced by the cells is concentrated for harvesting. The apparatus includes a reservoir for retaining a supply of medium. The reservoir is in fluid communication with a cell culturing loop wherein medium flows from the reservoir to the cells and back to the reservoir. The medium waste removal and concentrating loop removes waste components produced by the cells and is in fluid communication with the reservoir such that medium is transferred from the reservoir to the waste removal and concentrating loop and back to the reservoir. The waste removal and concentrating loop includes a device having a semipermeable membrane. The medium flows along one side of the membrane for selective transfer of the waste components through the membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus for growing and maintaining microorganisms or cells within a culturing chamber simultaneously heats and gasses a nutrient solution being delivered through the culturing chamber. The apparatus includes a pump for pumping the nutrient solution from a nutrient source through gas-diffusable tubing to a heating and gassing block. From the heating and gassing block, the nutrient solution is transported through the tubing to the culturing chamber. A heating source preferably delivers water at a predetermined temperature to fluid passages of a retention well in which the culturing chamber is maintained, and through the heating and gassing block such that the retention well and the heating and gassing block are kept essentially at the same temperature. Gas from a gas source is presented to the tubing through the heating and gassing block for diffusion through the tubing into the nutrient solution.

Abstract: The present invention includes a cell culture apparatus for growing and maintaining living cells in vitro. The cell culture apparatus includes a shell being at least partially constructed of a flexible material. A plurality of capillaries are disposed within the shell, defining a cell culturing space between the capillaries and the shell wall. At least one of the capillaries has selectively permeable walls. The shell permits one end of the apparatus to be moved towards another end, spreading apart the capillaries.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which delivers a dosage of a chemical substance preferably to a biological tissue in such a controlled manner that the concentration affecting the biological tissue is known at each and every point in time. The apparatus includes a plurality of vessels with each vessel containing a different concentration of the chemical substance. A valve has a plurality of inlets and a single outlet wherein each inlet is connected to a corresponding vessel. The biological tissue is preferably held within a chamber for treatment with the chemical substance. A pump positioned preferably between the valve and the biological tissue provides a transport force for delivering the chemical substance to the tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus delivers a dosage of a chemical stimuli or drug in such a controlled manner that the concentration at the point of delivery is known at each and every point in time. The apparatus includes a plurality of vessels with each vessel containing a different concentration of the drug or chemical stimuli. A valve has a plurality of inlets and a single outlet wherein each inlet is connected to a corresponding vessel. An improved culture chamber is fluidly connected to the outlet of the valve and is used to develop the desired concentration. A first pump is positioned preferably between the valve and the chamber to provide a transport force for delivering the chemical stimuli or drug to the chamber. A suction tube is positioned proximate the top of the chamber and has a bottom open end which defines the level of liquid within the chamber. The suction tube thereby keeps the volume within the chamber constant. A second pump provides a transport force for removing excess liquid from the chamber.