Microcavity container transport device and system

Abstract

A microcavity container transport device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a microcavity container transport device may include a base; the base may include a cavity that may accommodate a microcavity cell culture vessel. The base may also include a plurality of sidewalls defining a cavity, each sidewall may include a bottom wall. The microcavity container transport device may also include an arm including a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the arm may be connected to the base and the arm may extend upward and toward the center of the base such that the distal end of the arm is above the center of the base.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 357,308, filed on June 30, 2022, the contents of which are based upon and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Background Art Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to three-dimensional (3D) cell culture, and in particular to devices for transporting 3D microcavity cell culture vessels. Background Art

[0005] Cell culture experts need to move 3D micro-chamber containers (such as plates and flasks) to and from incubators, cell culture hoods, microscopes, and other laboratory equipment. Due to the huge number of cells in 3D culture and the small features of the cell culture containers, it is very difficult to transport such micro-chamber plates and flasks without causing medium movement in the container. Such medium movement in the micro-chamber culture container can cause spheroid displacement, where the spheroids cultured in the micro-chamber container are displaced from the corresponding holes or cavities. Ultimately, the displacement or displacement can lead to a loss of uniformity, where there is more than one spheroid in each micro-chamber, or lead to spheroid loss.

[0006] Therefore, a device is needed to transport microcavity containers with minimal sphere displacement. Summary of the invention

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a microchamber container transport device comprises: a base comprising: a cavity, wherein the cavity is configured to accommodate a microchamber cell culture container; and a plurality of side walls defining the cavity, each side wall comprising a bottom wall; and an arm comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the arm is connected to the base and the arm extends upward and toward the center of the base so that the distal end of the arm is located above the center of the base.

[0008] A second aspect includes the device of the first aspect, wherein the plurality of side walls form a boundary of the base, and the bottom wall extends a distance inwardly from the boundary.

[0009] A third aspect includes the device of the first or second aspect, wherein the bottom wall is substantially perpendicular to the plurality of side walls.

[0010] A fourth aspect includes the device of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the chamber is configured to accommodate a plurality of microchamber cell culture vessels.

[0011] A fifth aspect includes the device of any of the preceding aspects, the base further comprising an adapter removably positioned within the cavity, wherein the adapter narrows the cross-sectional area of ​​the cavity.

[0012] A sixth aspect includes the device of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the base further comprises a plurality of supports disposed on any one of the plurality of side walls or bottom walls.

[0013] The seventh aspect includes the device of the sixth aspect, wherein each of the plurality of supports forms an "L" shape, with one edge disposed on the side wall and one edge disposed on the bottom wall.

[0014] An eighth aspect includes the device of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the distal end of the arm includes an eyelet extending through the arm.

[0015] A ninth aspect includes the device of the eighth aspect, wherein the eyelet is located in the arm such that the eyelet is located over the center of the base.

[0016] A tenth aspect includes the device of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the combined weight of the base and the arm is greater than or equal to 2.5 pounds.

[0017] The eleventh aspect includes a microchamber container transport device comprising: a base comprising a plurality of cavities, wherein each of the plurality of cavities is configured to accommodate a microchamber cell culture container; and an arm comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the arm is connected to the center of the base and the arm extends substantially perpendicular to the base.

[0018] A twelfth aspect includes the device of the eleventh aspect, wherein the plurality of cavities includes two or four cavities.

[0019] A thirteenth aspect includes the device of the eleventh aspect or the twelfth aspect, wherein each of the plurality of chambers is configured to accommodate a plurality of micro-chamber cell culture containers.

[0020] A fourteenth aspect includes the device of any one of aspects eleven to thirteen, wherein the microcavity cell culture container includes a microcavity flask or a microcavity plate.

[0021] A fifteenth aspect includes the apparatus of aspect fourteen, wherein the base further comprises an adapter removably positionable in one of the plurality of cavities, wherein the adapter narrows a cross-sectional area of ​​one of the plurality of cavities.

[0022] A sixteenth aspect includes the device of any of aspects eleven to fifteen, wherein the combined weight of the base and the arm is greater than or equal to 2.5 pounds.

[0023] The seventeenth aspect includes a microcavity container transport system, comprising: a microcavity cell culture container; and a microcavity container transport device, comprising: a base, comprising: a cavity, wherein the microcavity cell culture container is removably located in the cavity; and a plurality of side walls defining the cavity, each side wall comprising a bottom wall; and an arm comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the arm is connected to the base and the arm extends upward and toward the center of the base, wherein the arm comprises a plurality of holes extending through the arm near the distal end of the arm.

[0024] An eighteenth aspect includes the system of aspect seventeen, further comprising a flexible, compliant retention medium removably attached to at least one eyelet of the plurality of eyelets.

[0025] A nineteenth aspect includes the system of aspect eighteen, wherein the flexible, compliant retention medium extends through one of the plurality of eyelets.

[0026] A twentieth aspect includes the system of any one of aspects seventeen to nineteen, wherein the microchamber cell culture container comprises a microchamber flask or a microchamber plate.

[0027] These aspects, advantages and salient features and other aspects, advantages and salient features will be apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 According to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, a perspective view of a microcavity container transport device is schematically depicted;

[0029] Figure 2 According to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, a schematic diagram of Figure 1 A top view of a micro-cavity container transport device;

[0030] Figure 3 According to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, a schematic diagram of Figure 1 A side view of a micro-cavity container transport device;

[0031] Figure 4 According to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, a perspective view of a microcavity container transport device is schematically depicted;

[0032] Figure 5 According to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, a schematic diagram of Figure 4 A top view of a micro-cavity container transport device;

[0033] Figure 6According to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, a schematic diagram of Figure 4 A side view of a micro-cavity container transport device;

[0034] Figure 7 According to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, a perspective view of a microcavity container transport device is schematically depicted;

[0035] Figure 8 According to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, a schematic diagram of Figure 7 A top view of a micro-cavity container transport device;

[0036] Fig. 9 According to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, a schematic diagram of Figure 7 A side view of a micro-cavity container transport device;

[0037] Fig.10 According to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, a schematic diagram of Figure 1 A perspective view of a micro-chamber container transport device and a micro-chamber cell culture container;

[0038] Fig.11 According to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, a schematic diagram of Figure 4 A perspective view of a micro-chamber container transport device and a micro-chamber cell culture container;

[0039] Fig. 12A According to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, a schematic diagram of Figure 7 A perspective view of a microcavity container transport device and a microcavity flask in each cavity;

[0040] Fig. 12B According to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, a schematic diagram of Figure 7 A perspective view of a microcavity container transport device and a plurality of microcavity flasks in each cavity;

[0041] Fig.13A According to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, a schematic diagram of Figure 7 A perspective view of a micro-chamber container transport device and a micro-chamber plate in each chamber; and

[0042] Fig. 13B According to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, a schematic diagram of Figure 7 A perspective view of a micro-chamber container transport device and a plurality of micro-chamber plates in each chamber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] In the following description, in the several views shown in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same or corresponding parts. It should also be understood that, unless otherwise specified, terms such as "top", "bottom", "outward", "inward", etc. are terms for convenience and should not be regarded as restrictive terms. Unless otherwise specified, the listed numerical ranges include both the upper and lower limits of the range, as well as any sub-ranges between the upper and lower limits. Unless otherwise specified, the modifiers "one", "a kind" and their corresponding modifiers "the (said)" used herein mean "at least one (one / kind)" or "one (one / kind) or more (one / kind)". It should also be understood that the various features disclosed in the specification and the drawings can be used in any and all combinations.

[0044] As used herein, the term "center" refers to the centroid of a geometric figure or plane, which is substantially the centroid, such as within 2 inches, within 1.5 inches, within 1 inch, or even within 0.5 inches of the centroid of the geometric figure or plane.

[0045] The term "proximal end" refers to the end, portion, or end section of the arm that is intended to be closer to the base and further away from the lifting point as the operator moves the device.

[0046] The term "distal end" refers to the end, portion, or end section of the arm that is intended to be closer to the lift point and further away from the base as the operator moves the device.

[0047] It should be noted that the terms "substantially" and "approximately" may be used herein to represent the degree of inherent uncertainty that may result from any quantitative comparison, evaluation, measurement, or other method of representation. These terms are also used herein to represent that a quantitative representation may vary from the stated referenced representation to a certain degree without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter of the discussion.

[0048] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0049] The microcavity container transport device and system described herein may include a base, which may include a cavity. The cavity may accommodate a microcavity cell culture container. The base of the microcavity container transport device may also include a plurality of side walls defining the cavity, each side wall including a bottom wall. It may also include an arm, the arm including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the arm is connected to the base and the arm extends upward and toward the center of the base, so that the distal end of the arm is located above the center of the base.

[0050] In some embodiments, the base may include a plurality of cavities such that each of the plurality of cavities may accommodate a microcavity cell culture container. The microcavity container transport device is particularly suitable for effectively transporting a microcavity cell culture container that accommodates a large number of cells in 3D culture without moving the spheroids contained in the microcavity cell culture container. The microcavity container transport device will be described in more detail herein with specific reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] In conventional transport methods, such as when an operator manually holds and carries a microcavity cell culture container, the liquid cell culture medium moves / sways around the microcavity cell culture container due to the horizontal acceleration of the microcavity cell culture container (e.g., a microcavity flask or a microcavity plate). A microcavity flask or a microcavity plate may include a microcavity that can accommodate a large number of spheres in the liquid cell culture medium. An operator may carry or transport a microcavity cell culture container. The movement of the operator causes the microcavity wall to push the liquid cell culture. Since the liquid cell culture has no fixed shape, the liquid cell culture stores its own potential energy. When the operator's movement stops, the potential energy of the liquid cell culture is converted into kinetic energy, resulting in an oscillation of the liquid cell culture. Such oscillations are undesirable for large arrays of spheres because the spheres may move out of their respective microcavities, thereby negatively affecting the health and consistency of the sphere population.

[0052] To mitigate the horizontal forces that dislodge the spheres from their respective microcavities, the devices and systems described herein transfer the forces to a flexible, compliant holding medium (e.g., a rope, cord, ribbon, or string) that acts as a pendulum. Thus, the devices and systems described herein improve the handling and transport of microcavity cell culture containers (e.g., large arrays of spheres in the microcavities of microcavity flasks and microcavity plates). The devices and systems employ spill prevention techniques to handle and transport microcavity cell culture containers, thereby keeping the spheres within their respective microcavities.

[0053] The devices and systems described herein provide the technical advantage of retaining spheroids in their respective microcavities during transport, which allows for consistency in cell growth and culture, with only one spheroid per microcavity. The devices and systems described herein may further lead to improvements in performance, yield, and consistency of 3D cell culture without the expected loss of spheroids in microcavity flasks and microcavity plates during transport due to the presence or absence of baffles within the microcavity flasks or microcavity plates. In addition, greater retention of spheroids in microcavity flasks and microcavity plates may result in cost savings in the number of spheroids generated per flask.

[0054] Figure 1-13BEmbodiments of a microcavity container transport device are depicted. The same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar components. In each embodiment of the microcavity container transport device described herein, the microcavity container transport device generally includes a base 130 and an arm 120 coupled to the base 130. In each embodiment, the base 130 generally defines a cavity 132 for accommodating and holding a microcavity cell culture container 102.

[0055] Reference now Figure 1 , which schematically depicts a perspective view of a microcavity container transport device 100. The microcavity container transport device 100 generally includes a base 130. The base 130 generally includes a plurality of side walls 135 that define a cavity 132. The cavity 132 can be configured to accommodate a microcavity cell culture container 102 (e.g., Figure 10-1 3). Each of the plurality of side walls 135 generally includes a bottom wall 133 to facilitate holding the microcavity cell culture container 102 within the cavity 132. The microcavity container transport device 100 also includes an arm 120. The arm 120 may include a proximal end 122 and a distal end 124.

[0056] The cavity 132 may be defined by a plurality of side walls 135. The plurality of side walls 135 may form a boundary of the base 130. In addition, the base may also include a plurality of bottom walls 133. The bottom walls 133 may extend inwardly from the boundary of the base 130 (i.e., toward the center of the cavity 132) and may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the plurality of side walls 135. In an embodiment, the bottom walls 133 may extend inwardly from the boundary by 0.5 inches, 1 inch, 2 inches, 3 inches, 4 inches, or more.

[0057] The plurality of side walls 135 can be formed as one continuous side wall, such as when the plurality of side walls 135 include a single piece of material. In other embodiments, the plurality of side walls 135 can include two, three, four, or more pieces of material, such that when the plurality of side walls 135 are secured together, the plurality of side walls 135 form a boundary of the base 130. In such embodiments, the plurality of side walls 135 can be secured together by adhesives, screws, fasteners, or any other suitable method of securing the plurality of side walls 135 to each other.

[0058] Reference now Figure 2 , which schematically depicts a top view of the microcavity container transport device 100. The plurality of side walls 135 may include rounded corners. In other embodiments, the plurality of side walls 135 may include sharp corners such that the plurality of side walls 135 form right angles relative to each other. The plurality of side walls 135 may be formed of polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), polyetherimide (Ultem), polyoxymethylene (Derlin), or any other suitable heat-resistant material.

[0059] In addition, if Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in , the base 130 may include a plurality of supports 137. The plurality of supports 137 may be disposed on the plurality of side walls 135, on the bottom wall 133, or on the side walls 135 and the bottom wall 133. In an embodiment, the base 130 may include one, two, three, four, five, six or more supports 137 located on each of the plurality of side walls 135 and the plurality of bottom walls 133. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of supports 137 may form an "L" shape, with one edge disposed on the side wall 135 and one edge disposed on the bottom wall 133. The plurality of supports 137 may contact the microcavity cell culture container 102, so that when the microcavity cell culture container 102 is placed in the cavity 132, the microcavity cell culture container 102 is lifted and does not contact the plurality of side walls 135 or the bottom wall 133; instead, the microcavity cell culture container 102 contacts the plurality of supports 137.

[0060] In some embodiments, the plurality of standoffs 137 can be integrally formed as part of the plurality of side walls 135 and the bottom wall 133. In other embodiments, the plurality of standoffs 137 can be secured to the plurality of side walls 135 and the bottom wall 133 by adhesives, screws, fasteners, or any other suitable method of securing the plurality of standoffs 137 to the plurality of side walls 135 and the bottom wall 133. The plurality of standoffs 137 can include the same or different material as the plurality of side walls 135.

[0061] like Figure 2 As shown, the open bottom of the cavity 132 can allow an operator to place the microcavity cell culture container 102 directly on a microscope (e.g., when removed from an incubator or cell culture hood), allowing the operator to visually assess the culture without removing the microcavity cell culture container 102 from the microcavity container transporter 100. The microcavity cell culture container 102 can be supported around the side walls 135, the bottom wall 133, or the boundaries of the plurality of supports 137, rather than directly supporting the microcavity cell culture container 102 on the bottom of the microcavity cell culture container 102. This can ensure that the microcavity cell culture container 102 remains level when the microcavity cell culture container 102 is placed on a surface.

[0062] like Figure 3In the schematic side view of the microcavity cell transport device 100, the base 130 may include feet 150 extending downwardly from the base 130, so that the feet 150 can offset the base 130 from a flat surface; therefore, when the feet 150 are included, the base 130 is not in direct contact with the surface on which the microcavity container transport device 100 is placed. This prevents the microcavity cell culture container 102 from contacting the flat surface, further ensuring that the liquid cell culture medium and therefore the spheroids contained therein, will not overflow / displace from the microcavity during transportation of the microcavity cell culture container 102.

[0063] Although this article specifically refers to Figure 1-3 To describe the base 130 of the microcavity container transport device 100, it should be understood that Figure 4-6 The base 100 of each of the microcavity container transport devices in 7-9 can be connected to Figure 1-3 The microcavity container transport device 100 in FIG. 1 is similarly constructed.

[0064] like Figure 3 As further shown in FIG. 1 , the arm 120 may include a proximal end 122 connected to the base 130. The proximal end 122 of the arm 120 may be removably connected or permanently connected to the base 130. In some embodiments, the base 130 may include a base extension 131 extending into the proximal end 122 of the arm 120, such that the base extension 131 of the base 130 is inserted into a cavity at the proximal end 122 of the arm 120, for example Figure 7 and Fig. 9 In other embodiments, the proximal end 122 of the arm 120 can be part of the base 130 or otherwise connected to the base 130.

[0065] In the embodiments described herein, the arm 120 may extend upwardly, away from the base 130. In embodiments, the arm 120 also extends toward the center of the base 130, such that the distal end 124 of the arm 120 is located above the center of the base 130, as shown in FIG. Figure 1-3 In other embodiments, the arm 120 extends upward from the center of the base 130, such as Figure 7-9In the embodiments described herein, the distal end 124 of the arm 120 is approximately located above the center of the base 130, so that when the microcavity cell culture container 102 is placed in the cavity 132 and the operator moves the microcavity container transport device 100, the microcavity container transport device 100 remains balanced. The distal end 124 of the arm 120 does not need to be located directly above the center of the base 130. For example, in an embodiment, the distal end 124 of the arm 120 may be located above the base 130 or located at or near the center of the base 130. With such a configuration, the microcavity container transport device 100 can still maintain balance when carrying the microcavity cell culture container 102. In other embodiments, the distal end 124 of the arm 120 is located above the center of gravity of the microcavity container transport device 100, which may or may not be located at the same position as the center of the base 130.

[0066] In the embodiments described herein, the distal end 124 of the arm 120 generally includes an eyelet 110 extending through the arm 120 such that the eyelet 110 is disposed above the center of the base 130 (or above the center of gravity of the microcavity container transporter 100). Although the eyelet 110 is depicted as being located at one end of the distal end 124, it is contemplated that the eyelet may be located anywhere on the arm 120 as long as the eyelet 110 is disposed above / near the center of the base 130. In embodiments, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown in , the eyelet 110 can be part of the distal end 124 of the arm 120. In yet other embodiments, the eyelet can be removably coupled to the arm 120. For example, the eyelet 110 can include an eyelet extension 111 extending into the distal end 124 of the arm 120, such that the eyelet extension 111 of the eyelet 110 is inserted into a cavity at the distal end 124 of the arm 120, for example Figure 7 and Fig. 9 as shown in .

[0067] The arm 120 may include a single eyelet 110 (e.g. Figure 1 ), or a plurality of holes 110 (as shown Figure 4 ). The eyelet 110 provides a point at which the flexible compliant retaining medium 160 can be removably attached to the arm 120 via the eyelet 110. In an embodiment, the eyelet 110 can be a closed circle, such as Figure 3 and Figure 5 In other embodiments, the eyelet 110 may include an eyelet opening 162 so that the flexible compliant retaining medium 160 can be removed from the eyelet 110 without having to be untied, such as Figure 7 and Fig. 9Instead, the flexible compliant retention medium 160 can be simply drawn through the eyelet opening 162 to be removed from the eyelet 110. In embodiments where there are multiple eyelets 110, the flexible compliant retention medium 160 can be removably attached to one or more of the multiple eyelets 110.

[0068] The flexible compliant retaining medium 160 may include a flexible rope, cord, ribbon or other compliant medium. The eyelet 110 may serve as a lifting point for lifting the microcavity container transport device 100, so that when the operator makes a sudden movement, the microcavity container transport device 100 may act as a pendulum to reduce the lateral force that causes the container disposed in the microcavity container transport device 100 to shake. One end of the flexible compliant retaining medium 160 may be wrapped around the eyelet 110, and the other end may be wrapped around the operator's fingers or palm to facilitate carrying the microcavity container transport device 100 without slipping. In other embodiments, the flexible compliant retaining medium 160 may be lifted by a machine / robot rather than manual operation. When the microcavity container transport device 100 reaches the desired position, the flexible compliant retaining medium 160 may be untied from the eyelet 110.

[0069] In embodiments, the arm 120 may be curved, formed at a right angle, or straight, such as Figure 1-3 , 4-6, and 7-9 respectively. Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 Schematically depicting a perspective view, a top view, and a side view of another embodiment of a microcavity container transport device 100, respectively. Figure 5 As shown, the arm 120 can form a right angle so that the portion of the arm 120 including the proximal end 122 of the arm 120 is substantially perpendicular to the base 130, while the portion of the arm 120 including the distal end 124 of the arm 120 is substantially parallel to the base 130. The length of the portion of the arm 120 including the proximal end 122 can be configured to have a sufficient length so that the cavity 132 can accommodate a plurality of microchamber cell culture containers 102 stacked on each other within the cavity 132.

[0070] In the embodiments described herein, the combined weight of the base 130 and the arm 120 may be greater than or equal to 1.0 pounds, greater than or equal to 1.5 pounds, greater than or equal to 2.0 pounds, greater than or equal to 2.5 pounds, greater than or equal to 3.0 pounds, or greater than or equal to 3.5 pounds. This can provide stability for the liquid cell culture medium and the spheroids contained therein when the operator moves the microcavity container transport device 100. In addition, when some of the liquid cell culture medium begins to move to one side of the microcavity cell culture container 102, the greater weight of the base 130 and the arm 120 can prevent the microcavity cell culture container 102 from tilting. Generally, in the embodiments described herein, the combined weight of the base 130 and the arm 120 is greater than 3 times the maximum load of the plurality of microcavity cell culture containers 102 and the liquid cell culture medium placed in the cavity 132, which can depend on the length of the arm 120 (discussed further herein).

[0071] Specifically, when the operator pauses the movement or moves suddenly, the liquid cell culture medium may move to one side of the microcavity cell culture container 102. When the combined weight of the base 130 and the arm 120 is less than or close to the weight of the liquid cell culture medium and the microcavity cell culture container 102, the microcavity container transport device 100 may tilt in the direction of the movement of the liquid cell culture medium. This may cause further movement of the liquid cell culture medium, thereby causing the liquid cell culture medium to overflow and the spheres to shift. On the other hand, when the combined weight of the base 130 and the arm 120 is large enough, the movement of the liquid cell culture medium does not cause the tilt of the microcavity container transport device 100, because the weight of the base 130 and the arm 120 can offset any weight change caused by the movement of the liquid cell culture medium.

[0072] In an embodiment, the microcavity cell culture container 102 may include a microcavity flask 104 or a microcavity plate 106, depicted in Figures 12 and 13, respectively. The microcavity flask 104 and the microcavity plate 106 may each contain a liquid cell culture medium and a spheroid. In an embodiment, the microcavity flask may generally include a 12K block spherical flask, or any other suitable flask. The microcavity flask 104 or the microcavity plate 106 may include a baffle located within the interior volume of the microcavity flask to prevent undesirable sloshing of the liquid cell culture medium. However, there are some challenges with baffles, such as wicking and forming a curved liquid surface, resulting in the loss of spheroids near the baffle feature. In view of the present disclosure, baffles may be unnecessary due to the reduction of sloshing through the microcavity container transport device 100.

[0073] The cross-sectional areas of various designs of the micro-chamber flask 104 and the micro-chamber plate 106 may be different. Therefore, the micro-chamber flask 104 and the micro-chamber plate 106 may not each be securely fitted within the sidewall 135 of the chamber 132. Figure 4 and Figure 5As schematically shown in FIG. 1 , the adapter 108 can be removably located in the cavity 132 to address the size differences between different micro-chamber flasks 104 and micro-chamber plates 106. The adapter 108 can adjust the cross-sectional area of ​​the cavity 132 to accommodate micro-chamber plates and / or micro-chamber containers of different designs or sizes. For example, when the adapter 108 is not in the cavity 132, the micro-chamber plate 106 of the first design can be assembled in the cavity 132, and when the adapter 108 is placed in the cavity 132, micro-chambers 104 of different designs can be assembled in the cavity 132. For example, the adapter 108 can narrow the cross-sectional area of ​​the cavity 132 or change the shape of the cavity 132 so that a culture dish or other container can be assembled in the cavity 132. In an embodiment, the adapter 108 can be made of polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), polyetherimide (Ultem), polyoxymethylene (Derlin), or any other suitable material. It should be understood that any embodiment of the micro-chamber container transporter 100 described herein may include a removable adapter 108 to facilitate accommodating micro-chamber plates and / or micro-chamber containers of different designs or sizes.

[0074] Reference now Figure 7 In an embodiment, the base 130 may include a plurality of cavities 132, such that each of the plurality of cavities 132 may accommodate a micro-chamber cell culture container 102. For example, Figure 7 An embodiment is depicted that includes two cavities in the base 130. However, it is contemplated that there may be three, four, five, six, or more cavities 132 in the base 130. Each of the plurality of cavities 132 may house one microchamber cell culture container 102. Fig. 12A and Fig.13A Each of the plurality of chambers 132 is depicted as housing a micro-chamber flask and a micro-chamber plate, respectively. In other embodiments, each of the plurality of chambers 132 may house a plurality of micro-chamber cell culture containers 102. For example, Fig. 12B and Fig. 13B Each of the plurality of chambers 132 is depicted as housing a plurality of micro-chamber flasks and a plurality of micro-chamber plates, respectively.

[0075] Each of the plurality of cavities 132 can accommodate the same number of microcavity cell culture containers 102, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. In other embodiments, each of the plurality of cavities 132 can accommodate a different number of microcavity cell culture containers 102. For example, one of the cavities 132 can accommodate one microcavity cell culture container 102, and another of the plurality of cavities 132 can accommodate two microcavity cell culture containers 102. As described above, the weight of the base 130 and the arm 120 can offset the uneven / moving weight of the microcavity cell culture container 102, so that the base 130 remains substantially level even when the number of microcavity cell culture containers 102 in the plurality of cavities 132 is an odd number.

[0076] As described herein, each of the plurality of chambers 132 may further include an adapter 108. The adapter 108 may allow the plurality of chambers to accommodate a micro-chamber flask (as shown in FIG. 12 ) or a micro-chamber plate (as shown in FIG. 13 ). In other embodiments, one of the plurality of chambers 132 may accommodate a micro-chamber plate while another of the plurality of chambers 132 may accommodate a micro-chamber flask by using the adapter 108.

[0077] When there are two or more cavities 132 in the base 130, the proximal end 122 of the arm 120 may be connected to the center of the base 130, and the arm 120 may extend substantially vertically from the base 130, such as Figure 7-9 As such, the eyelet at the distal end 124 of the arm 120 may be located above the center of the base 130 .

[0078] exist Figure 7-9 In the illustrated embodiment, the arm 120 may extend 6 inches, 8 inches, 1 foot, 2 feet, or more above the base 130. In some embodiments, the length of the arm 120 may be based on the maximum number of microcavity cell culture containers 102 that each cavity 132 of the microcavity container transporter 100 is allowed to carry. For example, if the thickness of the microcavity flask is 4 inches and the arm 120 extends 8 inches above the base 130, then each cavity 132 can only carry 2 microcavity flasks. Alternatively, if the thickness of the microcavity flask is 4 inches and the arm 120 extends 1 foot above the base 130, then each cavity 132 can carry 3 microcavity flasks. The same concept can be applied to the maximum number of microcavity plates that each cavity 132 is allowed to carry.

[0079] A micro-chamber container transport system 200 is also contemplated, such as Figure 10-1 3. In these embodiments, the microcavity container transport system 200 may include the microcavity cell culture container 102 and the microcavity container transport device 100 as described herein. The aforementioned features of the microcavity cell culture container 102 and the microcavity container transport device 100 may be combined together in any suitable manner.

[0080] It should now be understood that the microcavity container transport device and system described herein having a base and an arm extending toward the center of the base allows an operator to transport the microcavity container transport device with minimal movement of liquid cell culture medium or loss of spheroids. It should also be understood that the microcavity container transport device having multiple cavities can allow multiple microcavity cell culture containers to be transported simultaneously. These features make the microcavity container transport device and system very suitable for operators to transport multiple microcavity cell culture containers to and from incubators, cell culture hoods, microscopes, and other laboratory equipment.

[0081] Although typical embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes, the foregoing description should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present disclosure or the appended claims. Therefore, those skilled in the art may conceive of various improvements, modifications and alternative forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure or the appended claims.

Claims

1. A micro-cavity container transport device, comprising: A base, comprising: a chamber, wherein the chamber is configured to receive a microchamber cell culture vessel; and a plurality of side walls defining a cavity, each side wall including a bottom wall; and An arm includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the arm is connected to the base and the arm extends upward and toward the center of the base so that the distal end of the arm is located above the center of the base. 2 . The microcavity container transport device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of side walls form a boundary of the base, and the bottom wall extends a certain distance inward from the boundary.

3. The microcavity container transport device of claim 1, wherein the bottom wall is substantially perpendicular to the plurality of side walls. The micro-chamber container transport device according to claim 1 , wherein the chamber is configured to accommodate a plurality of micro-chamber cell culture containers.

5. The microcavity container transport device of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises an adapter removably positioned within the cavity, wherein the adapter narrows the cross-sectional area of ​​the cavity. 6 . The microcavity container transport device according to claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises a plurality of supports, and the plurality of supports are disposed on the plurality of side walls or the bottom wall.

7. The microcavity container transport device of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of supports forms an "L" shape, wherein one edge is disposed on the side wall and one edge is disposed on the bottom wall.

8. The microcavity container transport device of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the arm comprises an eyelet extending through the arm.

9. The microcavity container transport device of claim 8, wherein the hole is located in the arm such that the hole is disposed above the center of the base.

10. The microcavity container transport device of claim 1, wherein the combined weight of the base and the arm is greater than or equal to 2.5 pounds.

11. A microcavity container transport device, comprising: a base, the base comprising a plurality of cavities, wherein each of the plurality of cavities is configured to receive a micro-chamber cell culture container; and An arm includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the arm is connected to the center of the base and the arm extends substantially perpendicularly from the base. 12 . The microcavity container transporting device of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of cavities comprises two or four cavities.

13. The microcavity container transporting device of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of cavities is configured to accommodate a plurality of microcavity cell culture containers. 14 . The micro-chamber container transport device according to claim 11 , wherein the micro-chamber cell culture container comprises a micro-chamber flask or a micro-chamber plate.

15. The microcavity container transport device of claim 14, wherein the base further comprises an adapter removably positioned in one of the plurality of cavities, wherein the adapter narrows a cross-sectional area of ​​one of the plurality of cavities.

16. The microcavity container transport device of claim 11, wherein the combined weight of the base and the arm is greater than or equal to 2.5 pounds.

17. A micro-cavity container transport system, comprising: Micro-chamber cell culture vessels; and A micro-cavity container transport device, comprising: A base, comprising: a chamber, wherein the microchamber cell culture container is detachably located in the chamber; and a plurality of side walls defining a cavity, each side wall including a bottom wall; and An arm includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the arm is connected to the base and the arm extends upward and toward the center of the base, wherein the arm includes a plurality of eyelets extending through the arm near the distal end of the arm.

18. The microcavity container transport system of claim 17, further comprising a flexible, compliant retention medium removably attached to at least one of the plurality of apertures.

19. The microcavity container transport system of claim 18, wherein the flexible, compliant retention medium extends through one of the plurality of apertures.

20. The micro-chamber container transport system of claim 17, wherein the micro-chamber cell culture container comprises a micro-chamber flask or a micro-chamber plate.

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