Patent ID: 6238908
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
Classification: C12M

Abstract:
Apparatus for ex vivo maintaining and growing biological cells, comprising:a portable cell growth cassette that includesa casing a defines a cell growth chamber configured to carry a quantity of biological cells and a growth medium,a media container configured to carry a growth medium, anda waste container configured to carry media discharged from the growth chamber,wherein the cell growth chamber, the media container, and the waste container are connected together to form a sterile system that is closed to the external environment;a first instrument, separate from the portable cell growth cassette, that includes a mechanical interface to which the cassette can be removably coupled, the first instrument thereupon controllably conditioning the cassette during a first stage of its ex vivo maintenance and growth of biological cells, without exposing the closed, sterile system to the external environment wherein such controllable conditioning includes controllably transporting growth media through the cell growth chamber; anda second instrument, separate from the portable cell growth cassette, that includes a mechanical interface to which the cassette can be removably coupled, the second instrument thereupon controllably conditioning the cassette during a second stage of its ax vivo maintenance and growth of biological cells, without exposing the closed, sterile system to the external environment wherein such controllable conditioning includes controllably transporting growth media through the cell growth chamber.