US4963490A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Porous inorganic membrane support and method
Assignee: Rio Tinto Alcan International Ltd
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Filing: 1988-09-01
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Granted: 1990-10-16
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Expires: 2008-09-01
Abstract
Abstract A method of growing or maintaining mammalian cells comprises applying a culture of the cells to a surface of a porous inorganic membrane support. The support is preferably a transparent anodic aluminium oxide membrane. The support carrying cells (44) growing or being maintained thereon may comprise a short tube (30) and a disc (32) of the porous inorganic membrane, the disc being sealed round its periphery to the tube adjacent one end thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen J. Churchouse
- 👤 Elizabeth M. Scamans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:31
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12M; C12M23/00; C12M23/22; C12M25/00; C12M25/02; C12M25/04; C12N; C12N5/00; C12N5/0068; C12N2533/00; C12N2533/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
A method of growing or maintaining cells by means of a porous inorganic support, which comprises applying a culture of the cells to a surface of a porous inorganic membrane support and maintaining the cells under conditions to cause them to grow or be maintained on the support.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
48 words
A method of growing or maintaining cells by means of a porous inorganic support, which comprises applying a culture of the cells to a surface of a porous inorganic membrane support and maintaining the cells under conditions to cause them to grow or be maintained on the support.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane support is transparent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cells are mammalian cells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the membrane support is of alumina.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the alumina membrane is an anodic aluminium oxide membrane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A porous inorganic membrane support carrying cells growing or being maintained on the surface thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A porous inorganic membrane support carrying cells growing or being maintained on the surface thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A support as claimed in claim 6, formed by applying a culture of cells to a surface of a porous inorganic membrane support and maintaining the cells under conditions to cause them to grow or be maintained on the support.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A support as claimed in claim 6 comprising a short tube (30) and a disc (32) of the porous membrane, the disc being sealed round its periphery to the tube adjacent one end thereof, the living cells being maintained on the membrane within the tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus for growing cells comprising a porous inorganic membrane support (32) having a first face in contact with a first liquid medium (40) and a second face to which the growing cells (44) adhere in contact with a second liquid medium (42), wherein the first liquid medium is not in communication with the second liquid medium except through the porous support.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus for growing cells comprising a porous inorganic membrane support (32) having a first face in contact with a first liquid medium (40) and a second face to which the growing cells (44) adhere in contact with a second liquid medium (42), wherein the first liquid medium is not in communication with the second liquid medium except through the porous support.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second liquid medium is of different composition from the first liquid medium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US4446234A
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US4514499A
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US4608342A
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US4762619A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-10-15 | 1994-04-16 | 1994-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-15 | 1998-04-16 | 1998-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-15 | 2002-04-16 | 2002-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |