Apparatus for the large scale growth and packaging of cell suspensions

Abstract

An apparatus for the large scale culturing and packaging of cell suspensions, three dimensional tissue, and other biological systems is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of flexible or semi-flexible treatment chambers comprising one or more individual culture pockets, a plurality of rigid spacers, an inlet fluid manifold, an outlet fluid manifold, a fluid reservoir, and a means for transporting fluid within the system. During treatment, liquid media is transported from the fluid reservoir to the inlet manifold, which will in turn evenly distribute the media to each of the connected treatment chambers and internal culture pockets. An outlet fluid manifold is also provided to ensure that each treatment chamber is evenly filled and to ensure that any air bubbles formed during treatment are removed from the treatment chambers. The treatment chambers are flexible or semi-flexible so as to provide for easy end-user handling during rinsing and application of the cultured transplants. Due to the flexibility of the treatment chambers, rigid spacers are also provided which ensure even fluid distribution within the chambers during treatment.