Oxygen permeable membrane in fermenter for oxygen enrichment of broth

Claim 1

In a fermentation vessel for propagating animal cells in suspension cultures and monolayer cultures in which oxygen must be supplied to the cells in a liquid nutrient medium in the vessel for cell metabolism and multiplication, the improvement comprising a permeable membrane partially defining a chamber or volume in the fermentation vessel and made of a polymeric material on which the cells do not grow to a significant extent but through which oxygen can diffuse directly, without bubbling, into at least a 4 liter volume of the liquid nutrient medium containing the cells; the membrane being of a size and shape so that a sufficient amount of oxygen is diffused into the liquid so as to enable cell propagation; conduit means communicating with the chamber from outside the vessel for supplying oxygen to the chamber for diffusion through the membrane; and mechanical liquid-agitation means located within the fermentation vessel.

Claim 8

A method comprising growing animal cells in suspension cultures and monolayer cultures in a fermentation vessel containing at least a 4 liter volume of a liquid nutrient medium, and supplying the cells with oxygen through a permeable membrane partially defining a chamber or volume in the fermentation vessel and made of a polymeric material on which almost no cell growth takes place, so that the oxygen diffuses directly without bubbling into the liquid medium; the oxygen being supplied to the chamber from outside the vessel; and the membrane being of a size and shape so that a sufficient amount of oxygen is diffused into the liquid so as to enable cell propagation.

Claim 9

A method comprising growing animal cells in suspension cultures and monolayer cultures in a fermentation vessel containing at least a 4 liter volume of a liquid nutrient medium, and supplying the cells with oxygen through a permeable membrane partially defining a chamber or volume in the fermentation vessel and made of a polymeric material on which almost no cell growth takes place, so that the oxygen diffuses directly without bubbling into the liquid medium; the oxygen being supplied to the chamber from outside the vessel; and the membrane being of a size and shape so that a sufficient amount of oxygen is diffused into the liquid so as to enable cell propagation.