Bioreactor design and process for engineering tissue from cells

a cell culture and bioreactor technology, applied in the field of cell culture devices and processes, can solve the problems of insufficient selectiveness of kidney dialysis machines, inappropriate removal of biological components, and coma, and achieve the effects of enhancing the effective transfer of biosynthetic products, cost-effective commercial development, and easy adjustment of liver functional capacity

US20070238176A1Inactive Publication Date: 2007-10-11THE UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2007-10-11
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A scaled-up multi-coaxial fiber bioreactor, and variations of this bioreactor. The device is characterized by a hollow housing and an array of from about 20 to about 400 modules of hollow fibers, where each module includes at least three coaxial semipermeable hollow fibers. The innermost fiber provides a boundary for an innermost compartment which is connected to inlet and outlet ports. Arranged coaxially around the central hollow fiber are several other hollow fibers with their respective compartments, each compartment defined by a respective annular space between adjacent fibers and each including inlet and outlet ports. An outermost compartment for permitting integral aeration is the space between the outer side of the outermost fibers and the inner side of the housing, and has inlet and outlet ports. The hollow housing has inlet and outlet manifolds and flow distributors for each of the compartments. In a preferred embodiment the bioreactor is used as an extracorporeal liver. Liver cells, are introduced into one or more annular compartments and media and aeration are provided in others. Plasma from an ailing patient is introduced into another compartment for biotransformation of blood-borne toxins and biosynthesis of proteins, lipids, and other metabolic products.
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Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 137,594, filed Jun. 3, 1999, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] Government Interests: This invention was made with support under 1 F32 DK09713-01 awarded by the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases. The government has certain rights in the invention.1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates generally to devices and processes of making and using devices for cell culture. In particular, the present invention relates to devices and processes of making and using devices for growth or maintenance of eukaryotic cells. One embodiment of the invention performs functions of the human liver. 2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RECOGNITION OF THE PROBLEMS

[0004] Liver failure is classified into several major types, including acute liver failure, chronic liver disease, and multiorgan failure. The main etiologies of liver failure ar...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0080] 5.1 Definitions

[0081] Annular space. The radial distance separating two adjacent hollow fibers.

[0082] BAL. Bioartificial liver. Also, specific embodiments of the present invention: the scaled-up multi-coaxial hollow fiber bioreactor, the tight packed hollow fiber bioreactor or the serially-linked bioreactor with a complement of liver cells, nutrient medium, and gases.

[0083] Bioreactor module. Coaxially-arranged semipermeable hollow fibers. One module forms the core of the multi-coaxial hollow fiber bioreactor whereas the scaled-up multi-coaxial hollow fiber bioreactor comprises many modules.

[0084] Biotransformation. The metabolic detoxification of blood or plasma by tissues or cells.

[0085] Fourth compartment. The compartment, if present, in a bioreactor embodiment that is bounded by the outside of the third hollow fiber and the inside of the fourth, that is, adjacent, hollow fiber, and is connected to two ports, the fourth compartment inlet port and the fourth compartmen...