Multi-reactor unit for dynamic cell culture
The present invention relates to a unit ( 1 ) comprising a microsystem ( 150 ) and at least one set of interface connections ( 16 ) for the microsystem ( 150 ); the microsystem ( 150 ) comprising a bottom plate ( 152 ) bearing the impression of at least one microstructured dynamic cell culture chamber ( 15 ), and a top plate ( 151 ), characterized in that the at least one microstructured chamber ( 15 ) is fluidically connected at inlet and/or at outlet by a set of connections ( 16 ) inserted removably into a hole in the upper plate ( 151 ). The present invention also relates to a dynamic cell culture system to this effect.
1. A box ( 1 ) comprising a microsystem ( 150 ), a multi-well plate ( 110 ), and at least one set of interface connectors ( 16 ), the microsystem ( 150 ) comprising a lower plate ( 152 ) bearing the impression of at least one microstructured chamber of dynamic cellular culture ( 15 ), and an upper plate ( 151 ),
wherein the at least one set of interface connectors ( 16 ) are fixed in holes ( 11 ) of the multi-well plate ( 110 ) at one end,
wherein the at least one microstructured chamber of dynamic cellular culture ( 15 ) is connected fluidically at an inlet and/or at an outlet by the at least one set of interface connectors ( 16 ) inserted detachably in holes of the upper plate ( 151 ) at the other end, and
wherein the holes of the upper plate ( 151 ) and the connectors ( 16 ) have matching diameters so as to provide a hermetic junction between the microsystem ( 150 ) and the connectors ( 16 ).
2. The box as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein said box further comprises at least one well ( 10 ), the hole ( 11 ) is the hole of the at least one well ( 10 ), and the microstructured chamber of dynamic cellular culture ( 15 ) is connected to said well ( 10 ) via one set of the at least one set of interface connectors ( 16 ).
3. The box as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the bottom of the well ( 10 ) is at an altitude higher than any point of the microstructured chamber of dynamic cellular culture ( 15 ).
4. The box as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the one set of interface connectors ( 16 ) is fixed to the hole ( 11 ) at the bottom of the well ( 10 ).
5. The box as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of said microstructured chamber of dynamic cellular culture ( 15 ) is connected to an inlet well ( 10 a ) and an outlet well ( 10 b ), and wherein said inlet well ( 10 a ) is perfused by a set of inlet connectors ( 16 ), and wherein said outlet well ( 10 b ) is perfused by a set of outlet connectors ( 16 ).
6. The box as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein said box comprises a lower casing ( 100 ) covered by a sealed hood ( 200 ) held by gripping means ( 20 ).
7. The box as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the lower casing ( 100 ) comprises the microsystem ( 150 ) and the multi-well plate ( 110 ).
8. The box as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the multi-well plate ( 110 ) is a disposable plate made of polystyrene.
9. The box as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the multi-well plate ( 110 ) is an autoclavable plate made of polycarbonate.
10. The box as claimed in claim 6 wherein the sealed hood ( 200 ) comprises sets of male connectors ( 204 ) perfusing the well ( 10 ) and sets of female inlet connectors ( 201 ).
11. The box as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein said box comprises a male connector ( 204 ) and a female connector ( 201 a ) per inlet well ( 10 a ) and a male connector ( 204 ) and two female connectors ( 201 b - c ) per outlet well ( 10 b ).
12. The box as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the microsystem ( 150 ) comprises polydimethylsiloxane.
13. The box as claimed in claim 2 wherein a membrane insert is arranged in at least one of the wells ( 10 ).
14. A dynamic cellular culture system, comprising
a box ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , and
at least one fluid circuit ( 300 ) comprising circulation piping ( 310 ) fitted with circulation means ( 320 ) and connected to at least one of said microstructured chamber of dynamic cellular culture ( 15 ).
15. The dynamic cellular culture system as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the circulation means ( 320 ) is a multichannel peristaltic pump.