# US 10,246,676 B2 · Cell stimulation apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,676 B2 - Document ID: US10246676B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/414,031 - Filed: 2017-01-24 - Published: 2018-04-26 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2016-10-20 - Assignees: Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei University - Applicants: Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei University - Inventors: Tae Yoon Lee; Hee Tak Han; Jung Mok Seo; Se Ra Shin; Hyun Chul Kim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246676B2 ## CPC - C12M 33/04: {by injection or suction, e.g. using pipettes, syringes, needles (pipettes in general B01L3/02)} - C12M 23/12: {Well or multiwell plates (C12M25/04 takes precedence)} - C12M 23/26: {flexible (flexible containers for laboratory use B01L3/505)} - C12M 35/04: {Mechanical means, e.g. sonic waves, stretching forces, pressure or shear stimuli} - C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS} ## Abstract Disclosed is a cell stimulation apparatus. In particular, a cell stimulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cell containment part in which at least one cell containment groove containing cells is formed; and a pressure control part that supports the cell containment part and transforms the at least one cell containment groove by applying pressure to the cell containment part, wherein a bottom of the at least one cell containment groove is made of a flexible material. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cell stimulation apparatus, comprising: a cell containment part in which a plurality of cell containment grooves containing cells are formed; and a pressure control part that supports the cell containment part and transforms the plurality of cell containment grooves by applying pressure to the cell containment part, wherein a bottom of the cell containment part is made of a flexible material, wherein a plurality of protrusions are formed in the plurality of cell containment grooves, wherein the pressure control part comprises: a stage which supports the cell containment part and includes air holes through which air enters and exits; a pump that applies vacuum pressure to the cell containment part in a vertical direction; and a control part that controls driving of the pump, wherein a plurality of air suction pipes are provided to the stage, wherein the plurality of air suction pipes are disposed at positions corresponding to the plurality of cell containment grooves, and wherein air suction pipes among the plurality of air suction pipes disposed in a same row or a same column of a plurality of rows and columns formed by the plurality of cell containment grooves are controlled independently from the other air suction pipes among the plurality of air suction pipes. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cell stimulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the cell containment part is made of a stretchable polymer material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cell stimulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cell containment grooves are formed in a lattice shape in the plurality of rows and columns on the cell containment part, and the pressure control part independently controls pressure applied to each of the plurality of cell containment grooves. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cell stimulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holes are formed at an upper part of the stage and correspond to the plurality of cell containment grooves. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cell stimulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein cell containment grooves included in an identical row among rows formed by the plurality of cell containment grooves are stretched together, and each row formed by cell containment grooves of the plurality of cell containment grooves is separately controlled, the stage comprises a communication pipe communicating between the air suction pipes, and the communication pipe comprises valves for controlling entry and exit of air which is sucked through the air suction pipes by driving of the pump. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The cell stimulation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the valves control flow of air such that air is sucked only through air suction pipes disposed at a desired row among the air suction pipes. ### Claim 7 A cell stimulation apparatus, comprising: a cell containment part in which a plurality of cell containment grooves containing cells are formed; a protrusion part that is formed, in a concave and convex shape, on inner circumferential surfaces of the plurality of cell containment grooves; and a pressure control part that supports the cell containment part and controls intensity of mechanical stimulation applied to cells by applying pressure to the cell containment part, wherein a bottom of the cell containment part is made of a flexible material, wherein the pressure control part comprises: a stage which supports the cell containment part and includes air holes through which air enters and exits; a pump that applies vacuum pressure to the cell containment part in a vertical direction; and a control part that controls driving of the pump, wherein a plurality of air suction pipes are provided to the stage, wherein the plurality of air suction pipes are disposed at positions corresponding to the plurality of cell containment grooves, and wherein air suction pipes among the plurality of air suction pipes disposed in a same row or a same column of plurality of rows and columns formed b the plurality of cell containment grooves are independently controlled from the other air suction pipes of the plurality of air suction pipes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The cell stimulation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the bottom and the protrusion part are made of a stretchable polymer material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The cell stimulation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein cell containment grooves included in an identical row among rows formed by the plurality of cell containment grooves are stretched together, and each row formed by cell containment grooves of the plurality of cell containment grooves is separately controlled, the stage comprises a communication pipe communicating between the air suction pipes that are disposed per row formed by the cell containment grooves, and the communication pipe comprises valves for controlling entry and exit of air which is sucked through the air suction pipes by driving of the pump. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The cell stimulation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the valves control flow of air such that air is sucked only through air suction pipes disposed at a desired row among the air suction pipes.