Cell culture system
US7897390B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 18, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 1, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 6, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01F2215/0431
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention provides a novel apparatus to grow cells where the cultivation chamber (1) is partially filled with liquid cultivation medium and cells. Mixing and aeration is achieved by generating intermittently one single large gas bubble (6) at the bottom of the column bioreactor, the single large bubble width representing from 50 to 99% of the tank width, preferably from 60 to 99%, more preferably 98.5%. The culture medium flows out as a film between the large bubble and the inner wall of the bioreactor. This rising bubble allows mixing and aeration of the bulk. As the design of the invention is very simple, it is possible to manufacture it with flexible plastic material and use the apparatus as a disposable system. Moreover, such a mixing/aeration principle minimizes cell damages usually due to shear stress and small bubbles and allows easy and efficient scale-up from small scale to a larger one. Such a large-scale, efficient and disposable culture system can largely reduce production costs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.