University of Michigan

The Charlotte-mecklenburg Hospital Authority

Charlotte-mecklenburg Hospital

Sertoli Technologies, Inc.

Craig Reed Halberstadt

Karen J L Burg

Walter Dalton Holder, Jr

David J Mooney

Alfred V Vasconcellos

Richard D Peindl

Jon A Rowley

Petra Eiselt

Ray V Rajotte

Shaun A Kirkpatrick

Paul Gores

Julia Yeh

Rachel Latvala

A Rees Midgley

Richelle Hemendinger

Greg Korbutt

Jannette Dufour

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for growing and maintaining cells. A three-dimensional matrix, such as a hydrogel material, is seeded with cells and placed in a bioreactor having two compartments. The matrix is supported between the two compartments by first and second porous materials, which engage opposing surfaces of the matrix. A first media stream having certain properties is propagated through the first compartment, where it contacts one surface of the matrix via the first porous material. A second media stream having different properties is propagated through the second compartment such that it contacts the opposite surface of the matrix via the second porous material. Through migration of each stream at least partially into the matrix, various controlled gradients may be established within the matrix, encouraging growth of the cells. Such gradients include osmotic pressure, oscillating osmotic pressure, hydrostatic pressure, oxygen tension, and/or nutrient gradients.

Bioreactor for cell growth and associated methods

The present invention provides a method of providing an individual with a biological factor or intermediate thereof which comprises introducing into the individual Sertoli cells genetically altered to produce the biological factor or intermediate thereof. The genetically altered Sertoli cells are administered in an amount effective to produce the desired effect. Aside from producing the biological factor or intermediate thereof, the engineered Sertoli cells also create an immunologically privileged site. Vectors comprising a promoter which functions in Sertoli cells operably linked to coding sequence for a desired biological factor are also provided as are Sertoli cells comprising such vectors. A pharmaceutical composition comprising Sertoli cells genetically altered to produce a biological factor is also provided.

Production of a biological factor and creation of an immunologically privileged environment using genetically altered Sertoli cells

A method of reconstructing tissue is provided. The method includes implanting an absorbable tissue expander having a fluid-tight or semipermeable envelope and having a bio-absorbable biocompatible shell defining a chamber. The envelope is inflatable upon infusion of a fluid into the chamber and deflatable upon removal of the fluid from the chamber. The tissue expander also has an injection port for the controlled inflation and deflation of the envelope after the device is implanted in a tissue. The method also may include a plurality of envelopes.

Absorbable tissue expander

This invention is directed to a new approach to form porous hydrogel materials by first creating gas pockets in the gel and then removing this gas. The removal of the gas creates a porous material, and the initial incorporation of sufficient gas allows one to create a material with an open, interconnected pore structure. Advantageous features of the resulting materials, in addition to their interconnected pore structure, may include that the pore structure is maintained over extended time periods and that the gels maintain a high mechanical integrity that allows seeding with cells and implantation without destruction or compression of the material.

Preparing porous hydrogel products

The invention relates to an absorbable implantable tissue expander device that can be used in surgeries as a gradually diminishing space filler. The absorbable tissue expander has a fluid-tight or semipermeable envelope having a bio-absorbable biocompatible shell defining a chamber. The envelope is inflatable upon infusion of a fluid into the chamber and deflatable upon removal of the fluid from the chamber. The tissue expander also enables the controlled inflation and deflation of the envelope after the device is implanted in a tissue.

A system for continuous perfusion culturing of anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent mammalian cell lines, inter alia, wherein in vivo capillary bed conditions are simulated by providing a bioreactor having a growth chamber wherein the cells are grown between a multitubular array comprising at least three functionally separate, inert non-degradable and structurally strong tubes or sets of tubes. A constant nutrient gradient is maintained along the entire length of the tubes by perfusing medium through the tubes at a flow rate which is sufficient to expose all areas of the chamber to fresh medium by convective forces rather than diffusion. Oxygen transfer and removal of toxic wastes is improved by the invention herein. In a preferred embodiment, porous inert expanded Teflon tubes are employed having an inner diameter of approximately between 1 and 2 millimeters.

Bioreactor system

Growing community of inventors

Charlotte, NC, United States of America

Craig Reed Halberstadt