Vessel, preferably spherical or oblate spherical for growing or culturing cells, cellular aggregates, tissues and organoids and methods for using same

Abstract

An improved culture vessel or bioreactor for growing cells, cellular aggregates, tissue particles or tissue “organoids” and methods for using same which includes a housing having at least one chamber defined by a curved wall symmetrical about an axis. The perfused version of the vessel has at least one inlet and at least one outlet and at least one filter in fluid communication with at least one of the inlets or outlets structured to pass culture media but retain cells, cellular aggregates or tissues within the culture chamber. The batch culture version of the vessel has at least part of the vessel wall made of a gas permeable material. The vessel housing is rotated about the horizontal or proximate horizontal axis to suspend the cells, in an unobstructed, three-dimensional or toroidal flow. The chamber has a substantially ellipsoid, oblate ellipsoid, spherical or oblate spherical shape and an unobstructed volume for growth of cells, cellular aggregates or tissues. The perfused version of the invention has a pump in fluid communication with an inlet or outlet to maintain a flow of oxygen and nutrient rich culture media through the vessel to sustain respiration and metabolism. A gas exchange device is used to maintain desired concentration of gases. Operational modes include either continuous perfusion flow or a batch culture. Methods are disclosed to produce biological products, cells and tissues and to filter waste materials and toxins from fluids (such as a liver assist device).