Patent ID: 7494802
Filing Date: 2009-02-24
Classification: A61F,A61L

Abstract:
1. A method of fastening a membrane to a culture insert comprising: a) contacting the membrane with the culture insert; b) positioning the membrane on the culture insert, thereby completely covering the culture insert with the membrane; c) placing a radially elastic band over the apex of a conical shaped expander having an apex, a base, and an outer surface of increasing diameter from the apex towards the base thereof, the base having a shoulder; d) placing the base of said expander in contact with a ring having a peripheral annular groove for receiving said band; e) urging said band in a direction from the apex of said expander over the outer surface of said expander towards the shoulder of the base of said expander, thereby causing said band to stretch and form a radially expanded state; f) urging said band over the shoulder of said expander and into the peripheral annular groove on the ring, thereby controllably releasing said band from said expander and attaching said band to the ring; g) contacting the ring having said band attached thereto with the membrane on the insert; and h) controllably releasing the band from the ring such that the band is translocated from the ring to the insert, thereby fastening the band over the membrane and fastening the membrane to the insert.