US4259449A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of cultivating cells of animal and human tissues
Assignee: Chemap AG
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Filing: 1978-08-23
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Granted: 1981-03-31
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Expires: 1998-08-23
Abstract
Abstract A method of cultivating cells of animal and human tissues includes the steps of introducing the cells into a nutrient solution in which they tend to settle, and maintaining the cells in the solution in a suspended state so as to prevent their settling by introducing an oxygen-containing gas into the solution. An apparatus for carrying out the method includes a container for a nutrient solution, an arrangement for introducing the oxygen-containing gas into the container, and a guide arrangement in the container and operative for guiding the nutrient solution so that the latter performs a circulatory movement in the container when the oxygen-containing gas is introduced into the latter. The guide arrangement may be formed as a tubular member, as a substantially flat partition wall, or as an inner wall of a circumferentially complete tubular container.
Inventors
- 👤 Hermann Katinger
- 👤 Winfried Scheirer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 02:23
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12M; C12M29/00; C12M29/14; C12M23/00; C12M23/34; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/818
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A method of cultivating cells of animal and human tissues, comprising the steps of providing a container for accommodating a nutrient solution having a predetermined weight and having a tubular peripheral wall and a bottom wall provided with a plurality of openings; introducing the cells into the nutrient solution in which they tend to settle; providing a gas chamber accommodating an oxygen-containing gas at a pressure which is just somewhat greater than necessary to counteract the weight of said nutrient solution, the interior of said gas chamber being separated from the interior of said container by said bottom wall and communicating with the interior of said container through said openings of said bottom wall; and maintaining said cells in said nutrient solution in a suspended state so as to prevent their settling, by introducing an oxygen-containing gas from said gas chamber through said openings into said container and thereby into said nutrient solution at said pressure which is just sufficient to overcome the weight of said nutrient solution while simultaneously dividing the gas into separate bubbles so that said bubbels of said oxygen-containing gas pass in said nutrient solution, and a substantially uniform exchange of oxygen in said nutrient solution is attained, and thereby the cells are sufficiently supplied with oxygen, but at the same time, are not subjected to such agitation of said nutrient solution which could otherwise damage the cells.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
232 words
A method of cultivating cells of animal and human tissues, comprising the steps of providing a container for accommodating a nutrient solution having a predetermined weight and having a tubular peripheral wall and a bottom wall provided with a plurality of openings; introducing the cells into the nutrient solution in which they tend to settle; providing a gas chamber accommodating an oxygen-containing gas at a pressure which is just somewhat greater than necessary to counteract the weight of said nutrient solution, the interior of said gas chamber being separated from the interior of said container by said bottom wall and communicating with the interior of said container through said openings of said bottom wall; and maintaining said cells in said nutrient solution in a suspended state so as to prevent their settling, by introducing an oxygen-containing gas from said gas chamber through said openings into said container and thereby into said nutrient solution at said pressure which is just sufficient to overcome the weight of said nutrient solution while simultaneously dividing the gas into separate bubbles so that said bubbels of said oxygen-containing gas pass in said nutrient solution, and a substantially uniform exchange of oxygen in said nutrient solution is attained, and thereby the cells are sufficiently supplied with oxygen, but at the same time, are not subjected to such agitation of said nutrient solution which could otherwise damage the cells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said gas bubbles have a predetermined dimension so as to cause the movement of said nutrient solution in said container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined in claim 1; said second-mentioned introducing step includes introducing said oxygen-containing gas through said openings of said bottom wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said first-mentioned providing steps includes providing in said container a substantially uniform cross section so that said oxygen-containing gas passes through a body of nutrient solution having a substantially uniform cross section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said maintaining step includes a movement of said nutrient solution caused solely by said introducing of said oxygen-containing gas into said nutrient solution.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said bubbles have substantially equal dimensions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as defined in claim 1; and further comprising the step of heating said nutrient solution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said first-mentioned providing step includes providing a substantially closed container accommodating said nutrient solution.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-30 | 1984-09-29 | 1985-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-30 | 1988-09-29 | 1989-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-30 | 1992-09-29 | 1993-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |