Apparatus and method for co-culturing of cells

• US 7,022,518 B1
• Filed: 01/31/2005
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Glen Feye
• Original Assignee: Glen Feye
• Inventors: Feye, Glen
• Primary Examiner(s): KETTER, JAMES S
• Application Number:
  US11/045,334
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 435/297.1
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/08 Flask, bottle or test tube
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 25/02 Membranes; Filters filters or filtration in general B01D24/00-B01D41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 25/14 Scaffolds; Matrices in general C12N5/0068
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 27/12 Roller bottles; Roller tubes
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 35/08 Chemical, biochemical or biological means, e.g. plasma jet, co-culture

Abstract

A co-culture apparatus and method for, among other things, converting a progenitor cell line into a target cell line. The apparatus comprises an exterior receptacle, a removable cartridge that fits into the exterior receptacle, and a closure member to seal the apparatus. The invention is also directed to a method for transforming a progenitor cell line into a target cell line. In one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the steps of: establishing a progenitor cell line; establishing a support cell line; co-culturing said progenitor and support cell lines; establishing a transformation cell line; and co-culturing said progenitor and transformation cell lines, wherein the transformation cell line supports the transformation of the progenitor cell line into a target cell line.

Claims

1. A co-culture apparatus comprising in combination:

an exterior receptacle, said exterior receptacle having first and second opposite ends, a first sidewall, said first sidewall having a general cylindrical appearance, said opposite ends and said first sidewall define an internal first chamber, said first sidewall having an internal surface, said second end includes a cartridge-mounting member that faces upward into said first chamber, said first end having an aperture therein, said aperture having an aperture diameter;

a cartridge which fits into said first chamber, said cartridge having first and second opposite ends and a second sidewall between said opposite ends of said cartridge, said cartridge defining a second internal chamber, said second sidewall having an internal surface, wherein said second end of said cartridge mates with said cartridge mounting member, said cartridge having an overall diameter that is less than said aperture diameter, said second sidewall having at least a portion formed from a microporous material;

a sleeve, wherein said sleeve fits inside said first chamber and surrounds said cartridge, wherein said sleeve is attached to said second end of said exterior receptacle; and

a closure member that fits over said aperture of said exterior receptacle.

2. The co-culture apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first end of said exterior receptacle includes a neck, and one end of said cartridge rests inside said neck.

3. The co-culture apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sleeve is coated with an extracellular matrix component to improve cell adhesion properties of said sleeve.

4. The co-culture apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sleeve is coated with an extracellular matrix component selected from the group consisting of collagen and fibronectin.

5. The co-culture apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sleeve is attached to said second end of said exterior receptacle by means of a sleeve holding member.

6. The co-culture apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cartridge comprises a column of perforated polymer with a covering of said microporous material to provide said second sidewall.

7. The co-culture apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cartridge comprises a column of perforated polymer with a covering of said microporous material to provide said second sidewall, said second sidewall is secured to said column of perforated polymer by means of top and bottom caps.

8. The co-culture apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cartridge comprises a column of oxygen gas plasma treated polystyrene with a covering of said microporous material to provide said second sidewall, said second sidewall is secured to said column of perforated polymer by means of top and bottom caps.

9. A co-culture apparatus comprising in combination:

an exterior receptacle, said exterior receptacle having first and second opposite ends and a first sidewall, said first sidewall having a general cylindrical appearance, said opposite ends and said first sidewall defining an internal first chamber, said first sidewall having an internal surface, said second end including a cartridge-mounting member that faces upward into said first chamber, said first end having an aperture therein, said aperture having an aperture diameter;

a cartridge which fits into said first chamber, said cartridge having first and second opposite ends and a second sidewall between said opposite ends of said cartridge, said cartridge defining a second internal chamber, said second sidewall having an internal surface, wherein said second end of said cartridge mates with said cartridge mounting member, said cartridge having an overall diameter that is less than said aperture diameter, said second sidewall having at least a portion formed from a microporous material, wherein hollow fibers are located inside said cartridge; and

a closure member that fits over said aperture of said exterior receptacle.

10. A co-culture apparatus comprising in combination:

an exterior receptacle, said exterior receptacle having first and second opposite ends and a first sidewall, said first sidewall having a general cylindrical appearance, said opposite ends and said first sidewall define an internal first chamber, said first sidewall having an internal surface, said second end including a cartridge-mounting member that faces upward into said first chamber, said first end having an aperture therein, said aperture having an aperture diameter;

a cartridge which fits into said first chamber, said cartridge having first and second opposite ends and a second sidewall between said opposite ends of said cartridge, said cartridge defining a second internal chamber, said second sidewall having an internal surface, wherein said second end of said cartridge mates with said cartridge mounting member, said cartridge having an overall diameter that is less than said aperture diameter, said second sidewall having at least a portion formed from a microporous material, wherein hollow fibers are located inside said cartridge;

a sleeve, wherein said sleeve fits inside said first chamber and surrounds said cartridge, wherein said sleeve is attached to said second end of said exterior receptacle; and

a closure member that fits over said aperture of said exterior receptacle.