Including Semipermeable Membrane Or Filter Patents (Class 435/297.1)
  • Patent number: 11959056
    Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to a cell culture apparatus and a cell culture method. One aspect of the disclosure provides a perfusion cell culture bag comprising one or more polymer films, having edges bonded together to form edges around an undivided interior compartment of the bag; first and second ports each formed in an exterior surface of the bag; first and second liquid-permeable tubes each extending into and in fluid communication with the interior compartment of the bag and operatively coupled to a respective port; and a third port formed in an exterior surface of the bag, the third port being in fluid communication with the interior compartment of the bag; wherein the first tube comprises a first inner support structure defining a central lumen of the tube and a first outer filter layer surrounding the first inner support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Pleydon, Natasha Anna Boghosian, Jacob Andrews, Phillippe Jean Broussard
  • Patent number: 11952564
    Abstract: A bioreactor includes a base and a lid. The base includes two opposing curved or convoluted surfaces, two opposing flat surfaces, a window disposed on one of the flat surfaces, the window having a higher degree of transparency compared to other portions of the base, wherein images or videos of cells are captured through the window by non-invasive ISM device, and a rounded bottom. The lid is attachable to the base. The lid includes a shaft and a semipermeable membrane attached to the shaft, the semipermeable membrane being permeable to oxygen but impermeable to viruses and bacteria. The PAT-based online analysis directs the adaptive manipulations of bioreactor towards efficient, automated, and GMP-compliant clinical protocols of cell culture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Shanghai Longevity Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tian Xia, Ke Ma
  • Patent number: 11884911
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for culturing cells in a cell culture container having a base section, a top section arranged in parallel with the top section and a wall element arranged between the top section and the base section and defining an internal lumen of the container, in which the wall element of the container is compressible with respect to the top and bottom section, and in which the top section of the container has an optionally sealable inlet, in which the container is composed of a flexible material, comprising culturing cells in a culture medium in the cell culture container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Oribiotech Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Mason, Farlan Veraitch
  • Patent number: 11827873
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: UNIVERCELLS TECHNOLOGIES S.A.
    Inventors: José Castillo, Bastien Mairesse, Quentin Vanwalleghem
  • Patent number: 11788048
    Abstract: The present set of embodiments relate to a system, method, and apparatus for culturing cells within a cell culture vessel having a mixing element. The cell culture system includes a flexible portion and a mixing element disposed therein. The mixing element includes a suspended foldable portion. The system is configured to reduce shear stress on cells without compromising mixing efficiency. This reduction is accomplished by using a mixing element having a large surface area allowing for reduced rotational speeds. The system is collapsible for ease of transport and disposal. The flexible portion collapses and the foldable portion folds to minimize the volume of the system while not in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Stephan Kaiser
  • Patent number: 11624049
    Abstract: Provided is a cell suspension culturing apparatus suitable for large-scale culture of cells, the cell culturing apparatus comprising a culture solution aspirator having a double-tube structure comprising an outer tube and an inner tube inserted in a lumen of the outer tube, and a suspension culture vessel, wherein in the culture solution aspirator, the outer tube comprises a filter through which a culture solution is passed, the inner tube comprises a suction port for the culture solution passed through the filter, and an air hole which communicates the lumen of the outer tube with the outside is disposed distally in a direction of insertion of the outer tube into the suspension culture vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Orizuru Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Junji Yamaura, Shinobu Kuwae, Taro Toyoda, Shuhei Konagaya
  • Patent number: 11608483
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved devices for co-culture of cells. The devices include inserts having invertible wells that can be lowered into a well of any standard cell culture plate. A first population of cells can be cultured in the invertible wells of the inserts and a second population of cells can be cultured in the wells of a cell culture plate. Once the first population of cells attach to the invertible wells, the inserts are flipped over and placed into the wells of the cell culture plate to co-culture with the second population of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: University of Maryland, Baltimore
    Inventors: Bryan Mackowiak, Hongbing Wang, Linhao Li
  • Patent number: 11492580
    Abstract: Described herein is a beads-free bioprocessor as an automated and cost-effective T cell processing and manufacturing platform. T cells are a core component in CAR T cell therapies for cancer treatment, but are difficult to manufacture to scale in clinically relevant quantities. The 3D bioprocessor provides an alternative device that is scalable, beads-free, easy-to-use, and cost-effective for using CAR T cell therapy in cancer immunotherapy. Besides CAR T cell application, this platform technology has potential for many other applications such as cancer cell isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: Southwest Research Institute, The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Jian Ling, Kreg A. Zimmern, Michael C. Milone
  • Patent number: 11485947
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hollow fiber filter arrangement and a bioreactor system comprising such a hollow fiber filter arrangement. The hollow fiber filter arrangement comprising: an inlet for receiving a sample to be filtered in the hollow fiber filter arrangement; an outlet for delivering of the filtered sample out from the hollow fiber filter arrangement; a bundle of elongate hollow fibers connected at a first end to the inlet and connected at an opposite second end to the outlet; and an outer housing enclosing the bundle, wherein a filtrate/waste collection space is provided between the outer housing and the at least one elongated hollow fiber, and wherein the outer housing is made from a flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Global Life Sciences Solutions USA LLC
    Inventor: Yasser Ali
  • Patent number: 11484842
    Abstract: A method of obtaining a compound may include adding a substrate to a medium in a reactor, and reacting the substrate in the reactor to form the compound. A first stream is separated from the reaction liquid through a first membrane. A second stream is separated from the reaction liquid through a second membrane. The first membrane is a filtration membrane and the second membrane is configured for liquid-gas or liquid-liquid extraction The first membrane and the second membrane are at least partially immersed in the medium and are moved relative to the reactor during the separation steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: VITO NV
    Inventors: Wouter Van Hecke, Helmut Elslander, Karolien Vanbroekhoven, Helene De Wever, Herman Beckers
  • Patent number: 11459536
    Abstract: A bioreactor includes a base and a lid. The base includes two opposing curved or convoluted surfaces, two opposing flat surfaces, a window disposed on one of the flat surfaces, the window having a higher degree of transparency compared to other portions of the base, wherein images or videos of cells are captured through the window by non-invasive ISM device, and a rounded bottom. The lid is attachable to the base. The lid includes a shaft and a semipermeable membrane attached to the shaft, the semipermeable membrane being permeable to oxygen but impermeable to viruses and bacteria. The PAT-based online analysis directs the adaptive manipulations of bioreactor towards efficient, automated, and GMP-compliant clinical protocols of cell culture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Shanghai Longevity Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tian Xia, Ke Ma
  • Patent number: 11390843
    Abstract: Anaerobic digestion apparatus comprises a first chamber for retaining organic matter before and/or during anaerobic digestion and a second chamber for retaining organic matter during anaerobic digestion. The anaerobic digestion apparatus is configured to refrigerate or heat the first chamber to suppress methanogenesis in the first chamber. The anaerobic digestion apparatus comprises a controller programmed to regulate the anaerobic digestion process and to thereby reduce system perturbations. The flow of organic matter to the second chamber where methanogenesis is regulated. There is disclosed an inoculum for anaerobic digestion comprising Acetobacterium woodii and Methanosaeta concilii.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventor: Ifeyinwa Rita Kanu
  • Patent number: 11344827
    Abstract: A filter bag assembly includes a flexible bag bounding a compartment that is configured to hold a fluid. An inlet port and an outlet port are each secured to the flexible bag so as to communicate with the compartment. A porous filter sheet is disposed within the compartment of the flexible bag so that fluid entering the compartment through the inlet port must pass through the filter sheet before exiting the compartment through the outlet port. A first retention seal secures the porous filter sheet to a portion of the flexible bag within the compartment, the first retention seal having an outer perimeter edge that forms an annular continuous loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Charles R. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 11345762
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method capable of easily mixing any liquid containing a linking substance such as a divalent metal cation and the like with a liquid containing a particular compound at a high concentration, and capable of producing a liquid medium composition comprising fine structures dispersed therein, and a production device therefor and a kit therefor. The first liquid containing a particular compound is passed through a through-hole having a given cross-sectional area formed in a nozzle part at a given flow rate and injected into the second liquid at a given flow rate. By this simple operation, a structure in which the particular compound is bonded via the linking substance is formed, and the structure is preferably dispersed in a mixture of the both liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: NISSAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hisato Hayashi, Koichiro Saruhashi, Tatsuro Kanaki
  • Patent number: 11142735
    Abstract: To provide a cell treatment container, including: a first member having a flow path in which a cell suspension including a liquid and cells dispersed in the liquid flows through, the flow path formed on a surface of the first member; a second member arranged to face the surface of the first member; and a damming formed in one or both of the first member and the second member, in which the damming is provided with a protrusion part protruding from the first member into the flow path to form a gap for allowing the liquid in the cell suspension to pass through the gap and for damming up the cells in the cell suspension, and a pillar extending from the protrusion part at a first end and being joined to the second member at a second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Chikara Miyake, Masaki Kanai, Yoichi Fujiyama, Satoshi Kuramoto
  • Patent number: 11124736
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for obtaining a microbial oil comprising one or more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from one or more microbial cells by lysing the cells to form a lysed cell composition and then recovering the oil from the lysed cell composition. Further disclosed herein is microbial oil comprising one or more PUFAs that is recovered from microbial cells by at least one process described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Brock Triplett, Micah Needham, Nasrin Tabayehnejad, Ginger Shank, Kirt Lyvell Matthews, John Hogan, Mark Barker, Neil Leininger
  • Patent number: 11111468
    Abstract: Generation of energy and storage of energy for subsequent use is provided by electromethanogenesis of carbon dioxide into a fuel gas and the storage of the fuel gas for subsequent use. An electromethanogenic reactor includes an anode conductor and a cathode conductor wherein the cathode conductor includes submicron to micron scale pores. Electromethanogenesis microbes and/or enzymes are located in the micron scale pores of the cathode electrode conductor. Carbon dioxide is introduced into the electromethanogenic reactor and the electromethanogenesis microbes/enzymes and the carbon dioxide interact and produce a fuel gas. The fuel gas is stored for subsequent use, for example use in power generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer Marie Knipe, Sarah E. Baker, Marcus A. Worsley, Swetha Chandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 11078455
    Abstract: The present invention provides a culture vessel with which cells can be aseptically cultured and aseptically transferred to a place where the cells are to be used (such as an operating room) and from which the cells can be simply taken out. The present invention provides a closed culture vessel including an openable airtight vessel, and a cell culture member disposed in the airtight vessel and including a cell culture surface, in which the cell culture member is provided detachably from the airtight vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventor: Seiichi Yokoo
  • Patent number: 10982181
    Abstract: Devices and systems for cell culture that include one or more hollow fibers or channels integrated into a chamber are provided. The hollow fibers or channels and/or the chamber are seeded with one or more cell types. Methods of co-culturing two or more cell types in the devices are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Triad National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Pulak Nath, Jen-Huang Huang
  • Patent number: 10801003
    Abstract: A single-use bioreactor is provided. The single-use bioreactor may include a bioprocess container, a shell, at least one agitator, at least one sparger, at least one gas filter inlet port for the sparger(s) and headspace overlay, at least one fill port, at least one harvest port, at least one sample port, and at least one probe. In examples, at least one controller may monitor and control one or more parameters associated with the single-use bioreactor A method to cultivate and propagate mammalian cells is also provided. The method may include cultivating under suitable conditions and in a suitable culture medium in a first single-use bioreactor, transferring the medium containing the cells obtained by propagation from the at least one mammalian cell is into a second single-use bioreactor, transferring the medium containing the cells obtained by propagation from the at least one mammalian cell is into a third single-use bioreactor, and cultivating the cells in the third bioreactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: LONZA LTD
    Inventors: Colin Mark Jaques, Mohsan Waseem Khan, Rita D'Ornelas P. De Barros Costa, Anthony Beaney, David Valentine
  • Patent number: 10787685
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reaction mixture and a method of producing at least one higher alcohol comprising a reaction mixture comprising a mixed culture of a first and a second microorganism in an aqueous medium comprising carbon monoxide gas, wherein the first microorganism is an acetogenic microorganism capable of converting a carbon source to acetate and/or ethanol; and the second microorganism is selected from the group consisting of Clostridium kluyveri, and C. Carboxidivorans capable of converting the acetate and/or ethanol to form an acid; wherein the first microorganism is further capable of converting the acid to the corresponding higher alcohol and the higher alcohol comprises at least 6 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Evonik Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Haas, Thomas Buelter, Martin Demler
  • Patent number: 10656031
    Abstract: A device includes a chamber having an interior surface formed from a material that reflects infrared energy. A tank is disposed within the chamber. A bottom wall of the tank is spaced apart from a bottom wall of the chamber, and side walls of the tank are spaced apart from side walls of the chamber. A conduit is formed between the bottom wall of the tank and the bottom wall of the chamber and between the side walls of the tank and the side walls of the chamber. A fan or pump moves air into the conduit past the bottom and side walls of the tank to cool a fluid disposed within the tank. A processor controls a speed at which a motor of the fan or pump rotates based on input received from one or more temperature sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Farley, Michael W. Hirst
  • Patent number: 10619128
    Abstract: A container (1) has a flexible wall (2) and at least one emptying tube (4, 4?, 4?) that projects through a wall aperture (7) into the container interior (3) surrounded by the flexible wall (2). The free end (12) of the emptying tube has an emptying opening (13) that can be set in position vertically to different emptying heights (14). The container (1) is distinguished in that an adapter piece (8), in which the emptying tube (4, 4?, 4?) is held in a longitudinally displaceable manner, is arranged in the wall aperture and in that a portion of the emptying tube (4, 4?, 4?) is surrounded by a flexible sheath (5) that is connected at a first end (11) to the emptying tube (4, 4?, 4?) and at its second end (10), which is remote from the first end (11), to the wall (2) or the adapter piece (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: SARTORIUS STEDIM BIOTECH GMBH
    Inventors: Bernward Husemann, Gerhard Greller, Wolfgang Kahlert, Heinz-Ruediger Keitel, Davy de Wilde
  • Patent number: 10518263
    Abstract: A circuit with electrical interconnect for external electronic connection and sensor(s) on a die are combined with a laminated manifold to deliver a liquid reagent over an active surface of the sensor(s). The laminated manifold includes fluidic channel(s), an interface between the die and the fluidic channel(s) being sealed. Also disclosed is a method, the method including assembling a laminated manifold including fluidic channel(s), attaching sensor(s) on a die to a circuit, the circuit including an electrical interconnect, and attaching a planarization layer to the circuit, the planarization layer including a cut out for the die. The method further includes placing sealing adhesive at sides of the die, attaching the laminated manifold to the circuit, and sealing an interface between the die and fluidic channel(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: ILLUMINA, INC.
    Inventors: Darren Segale, Hai Tran, Paul Crivelli
  • Patent number: 10329525
    Abstract: There is the problem that a liquid culture medium fed by a pump has a high frequency of contact with a gas during movement in a tube, and the pH value of the liquid culture medium before and after feeding changes easily. In a liquid feeder and a cell culture apparatus provided therewith, a feed pipe 7 is connected with a gas bag 14, the liquid to be fed into the feed pipe 7 is fed so as to be sandwiched by a gas for suppressing the qualitative changes of the liquid. Furthermore, the gas bag is connected with a container 8 for holding a liquid, and holds the gas for suppressing qualitative changes of the liquid in a gas phase of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Kiyama, Guangbin Zhou, Takayuki Nozaki, Ryota Nakajima, Daisuke Suzuki, Yumiko Igarashi, Shizu Takeda, Taku Nakamura, Masakazu Sugaya, Koichi Terada
  • Patent number: 10190084
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to maintain pH within a range conducive for cell growth in a bicarbonate-containing cell culture system without the addition of base. The method relies on the gas transfer characteristics of the bioreactor system to modulate the CO2 transfer to and from the cell culture such that the pH of the cell culture can be maintained within a desired range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Genentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Dinesh Baskar, Jenny Hsiung, Woon-Lam Susan Leung, Inn H. Yuk
  • Patent number: 10016453
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide bio-reactor circuits for in vitro research applications. One embodiment provides a bio-reactor circuit comprising at least one bio-reactor and a pump fluidically coupled to the at-least-one bio-reactor. The bio-reactor comprises a housing having inlet and outlet ports and first and second chambers. The chambers are separated by a porous membrane with the first chamber providing a flow path for a fluid. The membrane includes a coating having a cell binding affinity for the attachment and proliferation of cells to cover the surface of the membrane. The second chamber provides a volume for maintaining the viability of cells disposed in the chamber. The cells can be selected to produce a biochemical compound. The membrane is configured to allow for diffusion of the compound from the second chamber into the flow path as well as allow for diffusion of gases, nutrients and other biochemical compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: INCUBE LABS, LLC
    Inventor: Mir Imran
  • Patent number: 9951305
    Abstract: The present invention provides a carrier device including a culture vessel and a flow channel, which have a closed structure, for supplying cell liquid or a culture medium into the flow channel; and a method of aseptically injecting liquid, such as the cell or the culture medium, into the culture vessel and the flow channel. The present invention provides a carrier jig 19 including a drive base 27, a culture vessel base 21 that holds a culture vessel 20, a culture medium base 32 that holds a cell bag 60 and the like for the culture medium and the cell, and a detachable flow channel 40, those of which are held by a lift 98 to be carried to a cell culture device. A part of the flow channel 40 and the cell bag 60 mounted on the carrier jig 19 are put into a clean space 78. The cell and the culture medium are supplied into the flow channel 40 by using the cell bag 60 and other bags in the clean space, and then, an injection port 89 is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toyoshige Kobayashi, Ryota Nakajima, Takayuki Nozaki, Shizu Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 9920295
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bioreactor apparatus, and methods of use, for the isolation of rare blood cells, including hematopoietic stem cells and megakaryocytes. The apparatus includes a soft substrate and an anti-contractility agent, thereby providing a soft microenvironment to cultured cells. The apparatus of the invention is permissive for the survival of non-dividing cells while dividing cells are eliminated. This unique property allows for the simple isolation of rare blood cells without the use of costly equipment and antibodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Dennis E. Discher, Jae-Won Shin
  • Patent number: 9885013
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for separating cells in fluid, comprising a first driving pump, a separation column, a detection column, a second driving pump, and several three-way valves and secondary driving pumps; one end of the separation column is connected with the first driving pump through a first three-way valve; the other end is connected with the second driving pump through a second three-way valve; the separation column includes at least five sub filtration columns in parallel; the sub filtration column comprises a fixing bracket and a track-etched membrane of polycarbonate or polyester material attached to the bottom of and the side surfaces all around the fixing bracket, wherein the pore diameter of the track-etched membrane is 5-25 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Hunan Cycle Filter Medical Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tao Liu
  • Patent number: 9828577
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring viscosity changes of a fluid stored in a volume are provided. The system includes a flexible chamber configured to receive and hold the fluid, a motion generator configured to induce a wave motion within the fluid, at least one sensor affixed at least in part to a portion of the flexible chamber and configured to measure at least a strain on a portion of the flexible chamber and generate an associated strain output. The strain output is effectuated by the wave motion of the fluid within the flexible chamber and correlates to a viscosity value of the fluid. A computer or controller is configured to receive the strain output from the sensor at a given time, compare the viscosity value associated with the strain output to a reference viscosity value, and determine whether to adjust the wave motion generated by the motion generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Heinz, Jimmie Beacham, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9758762
    Abstract: A method of culturing adherent cells from a placenta or adipose tissue is disclosed. The method comprises culturing the adherent cells from the placenta or adipose tissue under 3 dimensional (3D) culturing conditions which allow cell expansion, the conditions comprising perfusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Pluristem Ltd.
    Inventors: Moran Meiron, Amir Toren, Racheli Ofir, Nirit Drori-Carmi
  • Patent number: 9574168
    Abstract: A method for collecting cells that have been cultured by using a cell culture kit in which, at least, a culture container for cultivating cells, a cell collection container for collecting cells after cultivation and a waste liquid container for collecting a culture medium after cultivation are linked to one another through a conduit is provided. The method includes transferring a culture supernatant that has been cultured from the culture container to the waste liquid container, transferring a concentrated suspension of cells from the culture container to the cell collection container, returning part of the culture supernatant discharged in the waste liquid container to the culture container and allowing cells remaining in the culture container to be suspended in a suspension of cells, and transferring again a suspension of cells in which remaining cells are suspended from the culture container to the cell collection container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYO SEIKAN GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tanaka, Ryo Suenaga, Masahiro Kuninori, Kyohei Ota
  • Patent number: 9574166
    Abstract: A bioreactor or culture vessel for incubation of one or more cell cultures, tissue biopsies, cell clusters, tissue-like structures, “prototissues” or similar samples is described. The bioreactor comprises an incubation chamber, a liquid reservoir and conduction means separated from each other by semipermeable membranes. Specifically, the invention provides a humidity chamber design which simplifies the construction of the bioreactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: DRUGMODE APS
    Inventor: Stephen John Fey
  • Patent number: 9567565
    Abstract: An improved method of culturing cells for cell therapy applications that includes growing desired cells in the presence of antigen-presenting cells and/or feeder cells and with medium volume to surface area ratio of up to 1 ml/cm2 if the growth surface is not comprised of gas permeable material and up to 2 ml/cm2 if the growth surface is comprised of gas permeable material. The desired cells are at a surface density of less than 0.5×106 cells/cm2 at the onset of a production cycle, and the surface density of the desired cells plus the surface density of the antigen presenting cells and/or feeder cells are at least about 1.25×105 cells/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventors: Juan F. Vera, Cliona M. Rooney, Ann M. Leen, John R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9557320
    Abstract: Flow chambers are provided. In some embodiments, the flow chambers include an inner panel having at least one flow channel having an inlet/outlet opening on each end thereof formed therein, wherein the inlet/outlet openings are adapted to releasably receive a septum; one or more ports adapted to releasably receive a plug and for at least liquid communication with the at least one flow channel, and an outer frame that defines an outer portion of the at least one flow channel and that defines a perimeter of the flow chamber. In some embodiments, the flow chamber has overall dimensions of a standard multiwell plate and the at least one flow channel is located in a position that corresponds to a column location of the standard multiwell plate. Also provided are methods for producing the presently disclosed flow chambers and employing the same to assay biological features of cultured cells and/or tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventors: Kristina D. Rinker, Robert D. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 9441193
    Abstract: By maintaining the cell density during culture at an appropriate level and eliminating the procedure of transferring cells from a container to another container when a large amount of cells are cultured, damage on cells can be reduced, risk of contamination can be lowered, labor saving can be attained and automation can be attained. A cell culture apparatus including: a culture container 11 formed of a soft packing material and having an enclosure part 11-1 in which a culture medium and/or cells being cultured are enclosed is placed; a container table 12 on which the culture container 11 is placed; a roller 13 which is placed on the upper surface of the culture container 11 and divides the enclosure part 11-1 into two or more chambers; and a driving means 15 which relatively moves the roller 13 or the culture container 11, thereby to change the volume of the culture part 11-11 in the enclosure part 11-1 in which a culture medium or cells being cultured are enclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: TOYO SEIKAN GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tanaka, Yoichi Ishizaki, Ryo Suenaga, Yoriko Tokita, Masahito Kogure
  • Patent number: 9423351
    Abstract: An optical sensor holding device adapted to be integrated with a flexible bag, said device comprising a bag attachment part made from a material that can be welded to the flexible bag; a sensor attachment part made from a material to which an optical sensor spot can be attached, wherein the sensor attachment part is forced into an opening in the bag attachment part that is slightly smaller than the sensor attachment part such that the sensor attachment part is kept firmly in place and leakage is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences AB
    Inventors: Kine Barnfield Frej, Owe Salven
  • Patent number: 9395265
    Abstract: A system for testing a helmet includes a simulated skull comprising a cranial cavity; a brain surrogate disposed inside the cranial cavity; and a cell pack comprising at least one culture well suitable for three-dimensional growth of live neurons therein, the cell pack comprising a retaining plate having at least one opening exposing a portion of a flexible membrane containing the at least one cell culture well, the exposed membrane portion being substantially flush with an exterior surface of the retaining plate, wherein the brain surrogate is configured to closely surround the cell pack inside the simulated skull. Also disclosed is a method of using the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Thomas O'Shaughnessy, Ryan McCulloch, Amit Bagchi, Kirth Simmonds
  • Patent number: 9220731
    Abstract: A continuous device for culturing mammalian cells in a three-dimensional structure for the transplantation or implantation in vivo is described. The culturing device comprises (a) a scaffold formed by a matrix of interconnected growth surfaces spaced at regular intervals and (b) a fluid distribution means at the inlet and the exit of the growth areas. The device is particularly useful for culturing bone cells for dental implants or bone reconstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: VIVABIOCELL, S.P.A.
    Inventors: Eric Berry, Francesco Curcio
  • Patent number: 9162433
    Abstract: A flow passage device includes a first base body having a first hole and a second base body having a second hole connected to the first hole to form a flow passage. A first portion formed around the first hole has a specified shape for holding an adhesive. The second base body has a high-wettability surface around the second hole with a low-wettability surface disposed proximate the high-wettability surface, and at least part of the high-wettability surface has a shape matching at least part of the specified shape. The first and second base body are bonded to each other with the adhesive to form the flow passage by aligning the at least part of the first portion with the at least part of the high-wettability surface with positions of the first and the second holes aligned with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaya Ogura
  • Patent number: 9138496
    Abstract: There is disclosed a system for cleaning and disinfecting allograft material. In an embodiment, the system includes a sterile bag and a motorized paddle blender. The sterile bag having an outer wall configured to withstand blending forces, at least one paddle contact section, and an allograft retaining section separate from the at least one paddle contact section. The motorized paddle blender having at least one paddle configured to apply blending forces on the sterile bag on the at least one paddle contact area, a motorized portion to actuate the at least one paddle, and a door component configured to hold the sterile bag adjacent the at least one paddle. The at least one paddle and the allograft retaining section are configured to prevent the paddle from contacting the allograft material when the blending forces are applied on the sterile bag on the at least one paddle contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Allosource
    Inventor: Jan Zajdowicz
  • Patent number: 9057052
    Abstract: The present invention has its object to provide a material for separating stem cell and a filter for separating stem cell, each is capable of selectively separating and recovering, in a simple and easy manner, stem cells from body fluids or biological tissue-derived treated fluids, a method for separating and recovering stem cells, and stem cells obtained by such method. The present invention is a material for separating stem cell which has a density K of 1.0×104?K?1.0×106 and a fiber diameter of 3 to 40 ?m; a filter for separating stem cell which comprises the material for separating stem cell as packed in a container having a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port; a method of separating and recovering stem cells which comprises using the material for separating stem cell or the filter for separating stem cell; and a method of producing a multipotent cell fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Kobayashi, Kazuaki Yamamoto, Shinya Yoshida, Hideo Niwa, Naohiro Imai, Hirokazu Kurata, Yoshiaki Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20150147806
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a transferable membrane having a nanometer scale dimension in thickness and pore size by non-solvent vapor-induced phase separation process, comprising spin-casting a polymer solution in a closed humid chamber and controlling the relative humidity (RH) of the chamber using at least one supersaturated salts solution whereby the density of the pores are controlled. Also provided is a TNT membrane prepared by the present method and its use. The present membrane can be advantageously used as co-culture platform facilitating versatile and controllable cell co-culture assays and further allowing the quantitative analysis of paracrine communications between cells for example between cancer cells and different types of stromal cells by providing an in vivo-like environment, which can offer more in-vivo-like results to identify key signaling molecules for therapeutic targets of a disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: SNU R&DB FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Kookheon CHAR, Jwa-Min NAM, Yeongseon JANG, Hyojin LEE
  • Publication number: 20150139855
    Abstract: An incubator includes filters in supply passages for supplying an environment-adjusting-medium. Divergent passages are connected to portions of the supply passages upstream from the filters. The divergent passages converge to a single supply/exhaust passage, which is provided with a pump. By driving the pump in a forward or reverse direction, decontamination gas is pumped from a culture space and discharged outside, and open air is introduced into the culture space. After sucking the contamination gas to adsorb it on the filter, open air is introduced so that the contamination gas is discharged into the culture space 6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Shibuya Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhito TANIMOTO
  • Patent number: 9034640
    Abstract: A system includes a first chamber configured to receive a hydrogel and a scaffold comprising a cell, wherein the hydrogel is in fluid communication with the scaffold, and wherein the hydrogel includes a plurality of unidirectional pores. The system also includes a second chamber configured to receive a first fluid and a second fluid, wherein the second chamber includes a wall that separates the first fluid from the second fluid. The system further includes a porous membrane configured to separate the first chamber from the second chamber. The wall is configured to move along the porous membrane as cellular extensions are projected into at least a portion of the plurality of unidirectional pores of the hydrogel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Marvi A. Matos, William B. Carlson, Ivan Vesely, Yansong Gu
  • Publication number: 20150133636
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved processes and systems for purification of biological molecules, where the processes can be performed in a continuous manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Alex Xenopoulos, Michael Phillips, Wilson Moya, Jad Jaber, Mikhail Kozlov, Ajish Potty, Matthew T. Stone, William Cataldo, Christopher Gillespie
  • Patent number: 9017997
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bioreactor for cultivating cells having a filter bag for separating culture fluid and cells, the filter medium of the filter bag having a degree of swelling of less than 1%. The bioreactor according to the invention is characterized by a high durability of the filter bag thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Eberhard Wuenn, Gerhard Greller, Thorsten Adams
  • Patent number: 9017998
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for culturing cells which may comprise two or more culture compartments and a pooling compartment, wherein each of said two or more culture compartments may be separated from the other culture compartments; each of said two or more culture compartments which may comprise a port for the addition or removal of medium; and the pooling compartment communicates with said two or more culture compartments. The present invention also relates to a stand for apparatus for culturing cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Plasticell Ltd.
    Inventors: Marina Tarunina, Yen Choo, Mylvaganam Jeyakumar, Martin Arthur Town, Diana Hernandez-Jaramillo, Christopher James Johnson
  • Patent number: 9005960
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a functionalized semi-permeable membrane composed of a porous biocompatible support pretreated so as to increase the surface energy thereof and characterized in that it includes at least two layers, each having a hydrophilic polymer and at least one biological active molecule, and to the use thereof in particular for producing a bioartificial organ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Association pour les Transferts de Technologie du Mans, Centre Europeen d'Etude du Diabete
    Inventors: Gilbert Legeay, Séverine Sigrist, Arnaud Coudreuse