Patent ID: 8906688

Claim:
A cell expansion system comprising: a cell growth module comprising: a housing having first and second ends defining a longitudinal axis through the housing; a hollow fiber membrane comprising a plurality of hollow fibers having interior and exterior surfaces, the plurality of hollow fibers being disposed within the housing; the hollow fiber membrane being held in place within the housing by connective material at the first and second ends of the housing; each of the plurality of fibers of the hollow fiber membrane further comprising an interior surface comprising a cell adhesion surface on to which cells adhere and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface is hydrophilic and the exterior surface is hydrophobic; at least two ports in the housing defining a first fluid flow path through the interior of the fibers; at least two ports in the housing defining a second fluid flow path along the exterior of the fibers, wherein the first and second fluid flow paths are separate and distinct from each other; wherein the first fluid flow path contains cells and at least a liquid and the second fluid flow path contains at least a gas; wherein the gas contained in the second fluid flow path diffuses through the plurality of hollow fibers into the first fluid path while the liquid contained in the first fluid flow path stays within the first fluid path; a first container fluidly associated with the first fluid flow path to contain a fluid comprising at least a liquid; a fluid flow controller operably associated with the first fluid flow path; a second fluid flow controller operably associated with the first fluid flow path to circulate the at least liquid in the first fluid flow path; a second container fluidly associated with the first fluid flow path for containing at least liquid removed from the first fluid flow path; and a third fluid flow controller for flowing a fluid containing at least gas into the second fluid flow path.