Cellular entity maturation and transportation systems

Abstract

A device for transporting at least one cellular entity during culture or maturation, the device comprising a substrate having one or more wells, said one or more wells being adapted to hold a cellular entity in a fluid, lid means for preventing entry or exit of the cellular entity from the one or more wells and fluid transport means connecting the one or more wells to enable flow of fluid or diffusion of chemical species. The apparatus alternatively or in addition comprise a module for transporting a payload at a controlled temperature, the module comprising an outer housing, an outer thermally insulating region, an inner thermally insulating region, and a heat sinking region located between the inner and outer thermally insulating regions, the inner thermally insulating region defining a cavity for receiving a payload, and heating means.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for culturing cells, oocytes, embryos, mature eggs or other cellular structures in vitro. The invention also relates to devices for transporting cells, eggs, embryos, oocytes or other cellular structures or entities. Background technique [0002] Various devices and methods are known for maturing eggs and culturing embryos in vitro. In standard protocol, these processes are accomplished with conventional equipment such as pipettes for handling the eggs or embryos, and Petri dishes containing the eggs or embryos and maturation or culture medium. Eggs and embryos are usually cultured in an incubator under conditions of controlled temperature and gas atmosphere. They can be cultured alone or in groups, particularly for eggs, in the presence of other cells, such as cumulus cells. Maturing or culturing is usually carried out in droplets of medium in petri dishes covered with inert oil and with gas inle...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

These use simple devices but have several disadvantages: eggs and embryos are fragile and can be destroyed by pipettes; a certain amount of medium must be moved from one medium environment to another, especially important at the small volume of the droplets Yes, this makes it possible to transfer substances that are active in very low concentrations from the old medium to the new medium, unless subsequent washing steps are applied; the transfer process is slow and requires skilled personnel; and the transfer cannot be performed over long distances, so Cannot be performed while transporting or leaving a fully equipped laboratory unit

This results in limited shipping time, and the contents are therefore vulnerable to delays in shipping

In addition, currently commercially available devices are not well insulated and can maintain temperature by heating, but not by cooling the sample, so embryos and eggs can be easily damaged if exposed to high external temperatures for prolonged periods of time

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