Bioreactors, systems, and methods for vascularizing tissue constructs
AssigneeUniversity of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.
InventorsCarlos C. Chang, James B. Hoying, Stuart K. Williams
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Abstract
A modular bioreactor is provided that includes an upper biochamber; a lower biochamber; and an intermediate biochamber that is positioned between the upper biochamber and the lower biochamber. Each biochamber of the bioreactor is in fluid communication with each other biochamber of the bioreactor and includes an interior wall, which defines a centrally-disposed cavity for each biochamber, and an inflow port and an outflow port that are in fluid communication with each centrally disposed cavity. Systems and methods for vascularizing a tissue construct are also provided.
Claims29
A modular bioreactor, comprising:
- an upper biochamber;
- a lower biochamber;
- and
- an intermediate biochamber positioned between the upper biochamber and the lower biochamber;
- wherein each biochamber has an interior wall defining a centrally-disposed cavity with an inflow port and an outflow port in fluid communication with each centrally disposed cavity, and wherein each biochamber is in fluid communication with each other.
A system for vascularizing a tissue construct, comprising:
- a bioreactor having an upper biochamber, a lower biochamber, and an intermediate biochamber positioned between the upper biochamber and the lower biochamber, each biochamber having a centrally-disposed cavity;
- a tissue construct positioned within the cavity of the intermediate biochamber;
- and
- a means for perfusing the bioreactor with a cell culture media, such that the tissue construct undergoes vascularization.
A method for vascularizing a tissue construct, comprising:
- providing a bioreactor having an upper biochamber, a lower biochamber, and an intermediate biochamber positioned between the upper biochamber and the lower biochamber, each biochamber having a centrally-disposed cavity;
- positioning a tissue construct within the cavity of the intermediate biochamber;
- and
- perfusing the upper biochamber and the lower biochamber with a cell culture media for a predetermined time period such that the tissue construct is indirectly perfused and undergoes vascularization.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.