Method of making enhanced cell growth surface

• US 8,497,126 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Issued: 07/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Inventors: Bryhan, Marie D., Gagnon, Paul E. Jr., Shen, Zhong-he, LaChance, Oliva V., Wang, Hongming
• Primary Examiner(s): HOBBS, MICHAEL L
• Application Number:
  US11/824,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20080003663A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,223 Days
• Field of Search: 264/405, 435/402, 435/287.1
• US Class Current: 435/402
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 59/14 by plasma treatment plasma tubes per se H01J
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 59/142 of profiled articles, e.g. hollow or tubular articles
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2533/30 Synthetic polymers thermoreactive polymers, e.g. PNIPAm, C12N2539/10
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0068 General culture methods using substrates for specific animal cell type C12N5/06

Abstract

A method of producing an improved cell growth surface and cell attachment surface. According to the present invention, a polymer article is molded at temperature in excess of 550° F. at the injection tip. After allowing the part to cool, a stream of plasma comprised of activated gaseous species generated by a microwave source is imparted on the article. This stream is directed at the surface of a polymer substrate in a controlled fashion such that the surface is imparted with attributes for cell adhesion superior to those of untreated polymer or polymer treated by other methods.

Claims

1. A method for creating a polymer article having a working surface upon which cells can be cultured comprising the steps of:

a) molding a polystyrene polymer article where the molding temperature at the injection tip is greater than 600°

F., and

b) subjecting said working surface of said article to a gaseous stream that has been energized by microwave energy.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the working surface includes at least a portion of a flask, a dish, a flat plate, a well plate, a bottle, a container, a pipette, a tube, a medical device, a filter device, a membrane, a slide, or a medical implant.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the working surface includes at least a portion of a flask, a roller bottle, or a multiwell plate.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the gaseous stream is activated argon, nitrogen, oxygen, nitrous oxide, ammonia, carbon dioxide, helium or hydrogen.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the gaseous stream is activated nitrous oxide.