Patent ID: 10683476

Abstract:
A bioreactor system for preparing a cardiac organoid chamber and for subsequent testing thereof is described herein and shown in the exemplary drawing figures. The bioreactor system includes a first vessel having a hollow interior and an open top. A first cover is mated with the open top of the first vessel. The first cover has a first opening formed therein. The system further includes a cannula having a lumen that extends from an open first end to an open second end. The cannula is disposed within the first opening of the first cover such that a portion of the cannula lies below the first cover and for insertion into the hollow interior of the first vessel. A porous ring is coupled to the cannula at or proximate the open second end thereof. The system also includes a balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon at a distal end of a catheter shaft. The balloon catheter is adapted to pass through the lumen of the cannula when the balloon is in a deflated state. The balloon catheter is axially adjustable within the lumen to allow the balloon in an inflated state to be disposed adjacent: (1) the open second end of the cannula; and (2) the porous ring for preparing the cardiac organoid chamber about the inflated balloon and porous ring. The cannula and porous ring construction and combination allows for the balloon to be deflated and removed from the lumen of the cannula while the engineered cardiac organoid chamber remains attached to the porous ring. This permits the testing of organoid pump function, such as organoid pressure and volume characteristics, without having to transfer the engineered cardiac organoid from one tool (e.g., an incubation tool) to another tool (e.g., a functional testing apparatus).