Device for performing analysis on cell cultures

US7795012B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Micronas GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Mirko Lehmann · Glückstadt, DE
• Martin Brischwein · Birkenfeld, DE
• Werner Baumann · Bogen, DE
• Ralf Ehret · Merdingen, DE
• Ingo Freund · Endingen am Kaiserstuhl, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 7, 2007
• Grant date: Sep 14, 2010
• Expiry date: Aug 29, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12M33/04
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A device for investigating activities of cell cultures in a liquid culture medium includes a receptacle for the culture medium, and one or more sensors for measurement of cell culture activities. An opening for adding and removing liquid culture medium is provided. A separating element can be placed close to the receptacle bottom, forming a partial space with a small volume relative to the entire volume. A flow channel that communicates with the small volume and the reservoir and/or the sensors are placed in the small volume partial space. By adjustment of the separating element distance from the receptacle bottom, a microreaction volume exactly fitting the current requirements is obtained. For regeneration of the cell culture solution in the small volume partial space, the separating element can be elevated and depressed, or liquid can be injected into the small volume by the through-flow channel, providing convective mixing of fresh and spent medium.