Method of reconstituting lyophilized cells

• US 5,425,951 A
• Filed: 05/31/1991
• Issued: 06/20/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cobe Cardiovascular Incorporated (LivaNova Plc)
• Original Assignee: Cryopharm Corp.
• Inventors: Goodrich, Raymond P. Jr., Williams, Christine M.
• Primary Examiner(s): SAUNDERS, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US07/708,147
• Time in Patent Office: 1,481 Days
• Field of Search: 435/2, 435/240.1, 424/533, 424/520, 424/529
• US Class Current: 424/520
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/02 Preservation of living parts
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/0205 Chemical aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/0221 Freeze-process protecting agents, i.e. substances protecting cells from effects of the physical process, e.g. cryoprotectants, osmolarity regulators like oncotic agents

Abstract

A process and medium are disclosed for the lyophilization of cells which comprises the use of solutions including monosaccharide hexoses and pentoses, and/or biocompatible amphipathic polymers to permit the reconstitution of viable cells.

Claims

1. A method of reconstituting lyophilized cells comprising the step of contacting said cells with an aqueous solution containing a carbohydrate in a concentration of at least one percent and a polymer having a molecular weight of from about 1K to about 360K in a concentration of up to about 20% by weight.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said polymer is amphipathic.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said polymer has a molecular weight in the range of about 5K to about 80K.

7. A method according to any one of claim 1 through 6 wherein said solution is from 20°

to about 40°

C.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said carbohydrate concentration is in the range of 1 to 30%.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said carbohydrate is a monosaccharide, disaccharide, or mixture thereof.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said carbohydrate is selected from the group consisting of glucose, mannose, trehalose and sucrose.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said carbohydrate comprises sucrose.

12. A method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 wherein said polymer comprises polyvinylpyrrol idone.

4. A method of reconstituting lyophilized cells comprising the step of contacting said cells with an aqueous solution containing a polymer having a molecular weight of from about 1K to about 360K in a concentration of up to about 20% by weight.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said polymer is amphipathic.

6. A method according to claim 4 wherein said polymer has a molecular weight in the range of about 5K to about 80K.