Cell and tissue culture container

• US 10,077,420 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2014
• Issued: 09/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ocugen, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Histogenics Corporation (Ocugen, Inc.)
• Inventors: Blahut, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Prakash, Gautam
• Application Number:
  US14/558,080
• Publication Number:
  US 20160152945A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,386 Days
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/08 for producing artificial tissue or for ex-vivo cultivation of tissue prostheses A61F2/00, grafts A61L27/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/22 Transparent or translucent parts glassware for laboratory use B01L3/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/24 Gas permeable parts
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/34 Internal compartments or partitions
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/38 Caps; Covers; Plugs; Pouring means
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 25/14 Scaffolds; Matrices in general C12N5/0068
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 35/08 Chemical, biochemical or biological means, e.g. plasma jet, co-culture

Abstract

The invention generally relates to containers for cell and tissue culturing with multiple compartments in fluid communication with each other to provide a common culture environment in each of the compartments while maintaining physical separation of cells and tissue therein. The invention further relates to culture containers providing a sterile culture environment with detachably coupleable lids and open access to each compartment within a container.

Claims

1. A device for culturing a tissue comprising:

a container having a bottom wall coupled to a bottom edge of at least one side wall, and at least one interior wall coupled to the at least one side wall to define at least a first compartment and a second compartment within the container, wherein the at least one interior wall comprises a bottom edge that does not contact the bottom wall, leaving a gap between the bottom wall and the at least one interior wall, wherein the gap allows fluid to pass between the first and second compartments without allowing cells, tissues, or 3D scaffolds to pass therebetween; and

a lid comprising a gas permeable membrane, wherein the lid is detachably coupled to a top edge of the at least one side wall.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the device comprises polystyrene.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the device comprises a substantially transparent material.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the container comprises a circular bottom wall, a circular lid, and a single, curved sidewall coupled thereto to form a substantially cylindrical shape.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the circular bottom wall has a diameter of 7 inches or less.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the device comprises a rectangular bottom wall, a rectangular lid, and 4 side walls coupled thereto to form a substantially cuboid shape.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one side wall has a first height relative to the bottom wall that is substantially equal to a second height of the at least one interior wall relative to the bottom wall.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one side wall has a first height relative to the bottom wall that is substantially equal to a second height of the at least one interior wall relative to the bottom wall.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the gas permeable membrane comprises a 0.2 micron filter.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the lid and the container comprise interlocking tabs so that the lid is configured to be detachably coupled to the top edge of the at least one side wall by engaging the interlocking tabs.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the lid and the container comprise complementary threading configured so that the lid is configured to be screwed onto to the top edge of the at least one side wall.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the container comprises a first component comprising the bottom wall and the at least one side wall and a second component comprising the at least one interior wall.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the container is configured to hold at least 500 mL of fluid.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one side wall, the at least one interior wall, and the bottom wall define at least 7 compartments.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one side wall, the at least one interior wall, and the bottom wall define at least 11 compartments.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one interior wall is releasably coupled to the side wall, the device comprising:

a first component comprising the bottom wall and the at least one side wall; and

a second component comprising the at least one interior wall,

wherein the at least one side wall comprises a stop spaced from the bottom wall and wherein the stop is configured such that when the first and second components are combined, the stop prevents the bottom edge of the at least one interior wall from contacting a planar surface of the bottom wall.

17. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one interior wall comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), polycarbonate, styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA), cyclic olefin copolymers (COC), acrylic, acrylic-polyvinyl chloride alloys, polypropylene copolymers, polysulfone, and polymethylpentene.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the container is configured to hold at least 500 mL of fluid.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the at least one side wall, the at least one interior wall, and the bottom wall define at least 7 compartments.

20. A device for culturing a tissue comprising:

a container having a bottom wall coupled to a bottom edge of at least one side wall;

at least one interior wall coupled to the at least one side wall to define at least a first compartment and a second compartment within the container, wherein the at least one interior wall comprises a bottom edge that does not contact the bottom wall, thereby leaving a gap therebetween, wherein the gap allows fluid to pass between the first and second compartments and restricts movement of tissue between the first and second compartments, wherein the container holds at least 500 mL of fluid; and

a lid comprising a gas permeable membrane and configured to detachably couple to a top edge of the at least one side wall.