Multi-Stage Support Assembly for High-Density Cell Culture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for mass culture of adherent cells are insufficient, limiting the ability to maintain high cell density per unit volume, whereas suspension cells are more advantageous for cell scale-up.
Innovation Solution
A cell culture apparatus with a housing and support assembly that includes multiple stages of supports spaced apart, allowing for increased culture area and efficient nutrient distribution, using a modular design with fastening bars and spacers to accommodate a large number of adherent cells, and incorporating features like stepped surfaces for smooth medium flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If suspension cell culture method is used, then cell scale-up is easier and cell density per unit volume is higher, but adherent cell mass culture capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D planar culture to 3D multi-stage stacked support structure. Multiple supports are arranged vertically at different heights within the culture vessel, creating three-dimensional cell culture space. This enables adherent cells to be cultured in multiple layers simultaneously, dramatically increasing the effective culture area and cell density per unit volume while maintaining the adherent cell culture mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The culture system is segmented into multiple independent supports stacked at different heights. Each support can hold adherent cells independently, and the supports are spaced to allow medium circulation. This segmentation enables mass culture of adherent cells by dividing the culture space into multiple functional zones, achieving scalability while maintaining cell-adherent growth conditions.
2Productivity
If multiple supports are stacked to increase culture area, then mass productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is designed as a universal module that can be stacked multiple times to create different culture capacities. Each support unit serves multiple functions: providing attachment surface for cells, maintaining structural integrity, enabling medium flow, and facilitating easy assembly/disassembly. This modular universality allows scaling productivity by simply adding more identical modules rather than designing complex custom structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly incorporates dynamic spacing between stacked supports, allowing adjustment of inter-support distances to optimize medium circulation and nutrient distribution. The modular design enables flexible configuration where supports can be added or removed based on culture requirements, making the system adaptable rather than fixed and complex.
3Quantity of substance
If supports are spaced apart to allow medium flow, then nutrient distribution improves, but dead space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spaced arrangement of multiple supports creates continuous flow paths for culture medium throughout the culture vessel. Medium can circulate freely between and around the supports, ensuring continuous nutrient supply and waste removal across all cell layers. This continuous useful action maximizes the productivity of the culture volume by eliminating stagnant zones and ensuring all supports receive adequate nutrition.
Data Source
AI summary
A cell culture apparatus is provided. A cell culture apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises: a housing having an internal space which is filled with a culture medium for cell culture; and a support assembly which is provided in a plate form having a predetermined area, comprises a plurality of supports provided in multiple stages at a certain distance apart from each other in one direction, and is inserted in the internal space in the state where the plurality of supports are coupled to each other via at least one fastening bar.