Disposable cell culture vessel

• US 20030008389A1
• Filed: 07/09/2001
• Published: 01/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wheaton Industries Inc. (DURAN Group Holding GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Alcan Packaging Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Incorporated
• Inventors: Carll, Kenneth B.
• Granted Patent: US 6,670,171 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/302.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/42 with pendulum stirrers, i.e. with stirrers suspended so as to oscillate about fixed points or axes
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/441 performing a rectilinear reciprocating movement
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/453 using supported or suspended stirring elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/513 Flexible receptacles, e.g. bags supported by rigid containers
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/14 Bags
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/28 disposable or single use
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 27/06 with horizontal or inclined stirrer shaft or axis

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved vessel for cell culture and methods for its use. The vessel of the present invention comprises a collapsible bag with an inner surface, an outer surface and a top periphery and a headplate having a circumferential edge wherein the top periphery of the bag is sealed to the edge of the headplate. The present invention also relates to an impeller for use with the vessel and a method for culturing cells.

Claims

1. A vessel for cell culture comprising:

a headplate having a circumferential edge; and

a collapsible bag with an inner surface, an outer surface and a top periphery, with said top periphery of said bag sealed to said edge of said headplate.

2. The vessel of claim 1 wherein said bag is comprised of polyethylene.

3. The vessel of claim 1 wherein said vessel is pre-sterilized.

4. The vessel of claim 1 wherein said headplate comprises at least one port.

5. The vessel of claim 1 further comprising an impeller having a flexible blade.

6. The vessel of claim 5 wherein said impeller is comprised of polyethylene.

7. The vessel of claim 5 wherein said impeller is comprised of a hollow flexible shaft having a top region and a bottom region, with said top region connected to said headplate.

8. The vessel of claim 7 wherein said flexible blade is connected to said bottom region of said shaft.

9. The vessel of claim 8 wherein said flexible blade is contiguous with said shaft.

10. The vessel of claim 7 wherein said shaft contains a magnet.

11. The vessel of claim 7 wherein said top region of said shaft comprises means for restricting movement of said shaft to a periodic pendulum-like rotation.

12. The vessel of claim 11 wherein said means comprises an o-ring.

14. The vessel of claim 13 wherein said headplate has a port for accessing said hollow flexible shaft of said impeller.

16. The impeller of claim 15 wherein said bottom region comprises two flexible blades.

17. The impeller of claim 15 wherein said hollow flexible shaft contains a magnet.

18. The impeller of claim 15 wherein said impeller is comprised of polyethylene.

19. The impeller of claim 17 wherein said magnet is removable.

13. A vessel for cell culture comprising:

a headplate;

a pre-sterilized collapsible bag sealed to said headplate;

an impeller comprising a hollow flexible shaft connected to said headplate;

two flexible blades attached to said impeller; and

a constriction device o-ring disposed on said flexible shaft.

15. An impeller comprising a hollow flexible shaft having a top region and a bottom region, said bottom region having a flexible blade.

20. A method of mixing a fluid comprising the steps of:

providing a vessel comprising a collapsible bag containing an impeller comprised of a hollow flexible shaft;

inserting a magnet into said hollow shaft of said impeller;

introducing an external magnetic source to interact with said magnet and cause said magnet and said hollow shaft to move; and

removing said magnet from said hollow shaft of said impeller.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising disposing of said vessel.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein said vessel further comprises a headplate and said hollow flexible shaft of said impeller further comprises a top region and a bottom region, wherein said top region is connected to said headplate.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of disposing of said vessel.

23. The method of culturing cells in a pre-sterilized vessel comprising a collapsible bag with a headplate and an impeller comprised of a hollow flexible shaft having a top region and a bottom region, wherein said top region is connected to said headplate and wherein said bottom region comprises a flexible blade comprising the steps of the method of:

inserting a magnet into said hollow shaft of said impeller;

introducing a cell line and media into said vessel;

allowing said cell line to proliferate;

removing said cell line and media from said vessel;

removing said magnet from said hollow shaft of said impeller; and

disposing of said vessel.

24. A method of culturing cells in a collapsible vessel containing an impeller having a hollow shaft, the method comprising the steps of:

inserting a magnet into said hollow shaft;

introducing an external magnetic source to interact with said magnet and cause said magnet and said hollow shaft to move; and

removing said magnet from said hollow shaft.