Queen's University at Kingston

Millenium Biologix Inc.

Westaim Technologies

Timothy J Smith

Sydney M Pugh

Alois J Van Eyken

Robert Edward Burrell

Aron M Rosenfeld

Charles A Mulvenna

The present invention describes a multi-well bone cell culture device for use in the quantitative and/or qualitative assessment of bone cell activity, the device comprising a flat base having a sintered film of calcium phosphate entities on one side and an open-ended multi chamber unit positioned on top of the film which by a sealing means is sealed to the film coated base forming individual containment wells. The device is useful in the analysis of bone cell function, for the screening and determination of bone cell disease, and the development of drugs to alter bone cell activity.

Multi-well bone culture device for use in assessment of bone cell

An improved process for producing a thin film of calcium phosphate entities to support bone cell activity thereon. The material to be sintered is prepared by combining a solution of ammonium phosphate with a solution of calcium nitrate to form a sol-gel containing hydroxyapatite. A film of the sol gel is applied to at least one side of the substrate and the film coated on the substrate is sintered to form a solid film of calcium phosphate entities. The improvement in the process comprising sintering the film at temperatures selected from a range of temperatures which optimize a composition of calcium phosphate entities in the film. The sintering step converts hydroxyapatite to .alpha.-tricalcium phosphate where extent of such conversion is temperature dependent. The optimized composition comprises a ratio of hydroxyapatite to .alpha.-tricalcium phosphate in the range of 50:50 to 20:80. A sintering temperature is selected to provide these ratios. The sintering temperature is selected from a range of 920.degree. C. up to 1100.degree. C. where the higher the select temperature, the greater the amount of .alpha.-tricalcium phosphate in the ratio.

Sintering process for producing thin films of calcium phosphate entities

Actively sterile surfaces

A pulsed liquid injection device for injection of predetermined dosage volumes of medication at predetermined intervals of time over an extended period is described. A relatively large supply of medication is maintained in a bag under pressure, and metered portions thereof are released at time intervals by an electronically controlled metering device. The metering device includes a simple valve arrangement containing three flexible resilient elements arranged and controlled in such a way as to provide shut off of medication supply in the event of a malfunction, either electrical or mechanical.

Ambulatory infusion pump

A pulsed liquid injection device for injection of predetermined doses of medication at predetermined intervals of time is described. A bag containing medication is maintained under pressure and is connectable via a three way valve, operable by means of an electronic timing device, to a second pressurized metering container which is smaller than the bag containing the medication. The pressure in the bag is higher than that of the metering device and the metering container is always at a pressure required for injection. The timing device operates the valve at intervals to (a) charge the metering container from the bag and (b) inject the charge in the metering container into the patient. The valve includes a blanking device to eliminate the possibility of injecting the patient directly from the bag.

Growing community of inventors

Kingston, Canada

Timothy J Smith