Patent · US Expired

Processor apparatus for use in a system for maintaining and growing biological cells

US6096532A · kind A · utility

185Cited by
9References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 2, 1997
Grant dateAug 1, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 2, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC12M41/48
  • WIPO fieldBiotechnology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A processor apparatus is disclosed, for conditioning a portable cassette as part of a process in which biological cells contained within a sterilizable cell growth chamber of the cassette are maintained and grown ex vivo, without exposing the cells to the external environment. The processor apparatus includes a support configured to removably receive the portable cassette and to be movable in a controlled manner, and it further includes a flow control actuator engageable with a media flow path of the portable cassette, which communicates with the cell growth chamber. The processor apparatus further includes a controller that controls the flow control actuator and the support, such that a quantity of growth medium is selectively delivered to the cell growth chamber, such that the cassette is moved in a manner that properly distributes the biological cells throughout the chamber, and such that biological cells are harvested from the cell growth chamber, all without exposing the chamber and the media flow path to the external environment. The processor apparatus also may be configured to retrieve data from, and to store data to, an updatable memory device carried on the portable casse…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.