BIOARTIFICIAL LIVER SYSTEM

• US 20080166808A1
• Filed: 11/21/2006
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mayo Foundation For Medical Education And Research (Mayo Clinic)
• Original Assignee: Mayo Foundation For Medical Education And Research (Mayo Clinic)
• Inventors: Nyberg, Scott L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,785,117 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/378
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3472 with treatment of the filtrate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3489 by biological cells, e.g. bioreactor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3623 Means for actively controlling temperature of blood
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/50 Specific extra tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/501 Permeate storage tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/02 Hollow fibre modules
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/031 Two or more types of hollow fibres within one bundle or within one potting or tube-sheet
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/067 Hepatocytes

Abstract

A bioartificial liver system is described that incorporates a cell reservoir and hepatocyte spheroids to both increase the number of and longevity of cells in the system. Additional methods are also described for forming spheroid aggregates from isolated hepatocytes.

Claims

1. A method of forming spheroid aggregates, said method comprising:

a) providing a reservoir having a plurality of hepatocytes in fluid; and

b) rocking said plurality of hepatocytes at a frequency and for a duration sufficient for spheroid aggregates to form.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said reservoir comprises 0.5×

10⁷ to 5×

10⁷ hepatocytes/mL of said fluid.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said hepatocytes are human hepatocytes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said reservoir comprises between about 500 mL to about 5000 mL of said fluid.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said reservoir comprises between about 1000 mL to about 3000 mL of said fluid.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said duration is from about 12 hours to about 24 hours.