Convective flow tissue assembly
First Claim
1. A tissue assembly system comprising:
- a bioreactor comprising a chamber with an interior volume, at least one inlet in communication with the interior volume, and at least one outlet in communication with the interior volume;
a mandrel comprising a porous surface that defines an interior volume, the mandrel being disposed within the chamber, and the interior volume of the mandrel communicating with the at least one outlet;
a culture media within the interior volume of the chamber; and
a suspension of cells within the interior volume of the chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides for an improved in vitro tissue assembly system and related methods that includes and uses a bioreactor, a porous mandrel disposed in the bioreactor, and components that provide for the circulation of culture media and cell suspensions within the bioreactor and through the porous mandrel. The circulation of the culture media and cell suspensions within the bioreactor produces a radial, convective flow and drag forces that result in the deposition of cells on the mandrel to form a tissue construct. Upon completion of the culture and tissue formation process, the tissue construct may be removed from the mandrel for subsequent in vivo use.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A tissue assembly system comprising:
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a bioreactor comprising a chamber with an interior volume, at least one inlet in communication with the interior volume, and at least one outlet in communication with the interior volume;
a mandrel comprising a porous surface that defines an interior volume, the mandrel being disposed within the chamber, and the interior volume of the mandrel communicating with the at least one outlet;
a culture media within the interior volume of the chamber; and
a suspension of cells within the interior volume of the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for making an engineered tissue construct, comprising the steps of:
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providing a chamber comprising an interior volume, at least one inlet, and at least one outlet;
providing a mandrel comprising a porous surface that defines an interior volume, the mandrel being disposed within the chamber, the interior volume of the mandrel communicating with the at least one outlet;
infusing culture media through the at least one inlet into the interior volume of the chamber;
infusing a suspension of cells into the interior volume of the chamber; and
aspirating culture media from the at least one outlet, wherein culture media passes from the interior volume of the chamber through the pores of the mandrel to the interior volume of the mandrel, and cells are deposited on the surface of the mandrel. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for making an engineered tissue construct, comprising the steps of:
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infusing a culture media into an interior volume of a chamber comprising the interior volume, an inlet, and an outlet;
infusing a suspension of cells into the interior volume of the chamber; and
aspirating culture media from the interior volume;
wherein a mandrel having an interior volume and a surface with a plurality of pores is located within the interior volume of the chamber, and culture media passes from the interior volume of the chamber through the pores of the mandrel to the interior volume of the mandrel and the cells are deposited on the surface of the mandrel. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification