Modular Bioreactor
The present disclosure relates to use of systems for culturing, incubating, and/or expanding adherent cells.
1 . A cell culture apparatus, comprising: (a) a central medium container, said central medium container comprising a cell culture medium, wherein said central medium container does not contain cells; and (b) a plurality of 3-D culture vessels, wherein each of said 3-D culture vessels comprises cell carriers, comprising a 3-D matrix; wherein said central medium container is operably connected to said culture vessels via medium conduits that direct said medium from said central medium container through said 3-D matrix of said culture vessels in a parallel configuration.
2 . The cell culture apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said a 3-D matrix is a fibrous matrix.
3 . The cell culture apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said fibrous matrix is a synthetic matrix.
4 . The cell culture apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said culture vessels comprise living cells.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said culture vessels are further operably connected to a means of measuring viability of said living cells.
6 . The cell culture apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said central medium container comprises a means of monitoring and controlling pH of said medium.
7 . The cell culture apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said central medium container comprises a means of monitoring and controlling dissolved oxygen concentration.
8 . The cell culture apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said central medium container comprises a means of collecting data on conditions within said central medium container.
9 . The cell culture apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said cell culture apparatus comprises a means of collecting data on transfer of fluid into and/or out of each of said culture vessels.
10 . The cell culture apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said cell culture apparatus comprises a means of controlling a flow rate of fluid material transferred into each of said culture vessels.
11 . The cell culture apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said cell culture apparatus is aseptic.
12 . The cell culture apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said cells are adherent stromal cells.
13 . The cell culture apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said adherent stromal cells are placenta-derived.
14 . The cell culture apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said adherent stromal cells are derived from adipose tissue or bone marrow.