# US 2014/0193895 A1 · Automated tissue engineering system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0193895 A1 - Document ID: US20140193895A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/906,698 - Filed: 2013-05-31 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2005-09-29 - Assignees: Octane Biotech Inc. - Applicants: Octane Biotech Inc. - Inventors: Timothy J.N. Smith; Sydney M. Pugh; Martin R. Pecaric; Rupert Hagg; Roberto Tommasini; Yves Larcher; Lowell D. Misener - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140193895A1 ## CPC - C12M 21/08: {for producing artificial tissue or for ex-vivo cultivation of tissue (prostheses A61F2/00, grafts A61L27/00)} - C12M 23/28: {disposable or single use} - C12M 23/42: {Integrated assemblies, e.g. cassettes or cartridges} - C12M 23/52: {Mobile; Means for transporting the apparatus (transportable laboratories B01L1/52)} - C12M 25/14: {Scaffolds; Matrices (in general C12N5/0068)} - C12M 25/16: {Particles; Beads; Granular material; Encapsulation (chemical or physical processes conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles B01J8/00)} - C12M 29/00: {Means for introduction, extraction or recirculation of materials, e.g. pumps (pumps per se F04B)} - C12M 29/04: {Filters; Permeable or porous membranes or plates, e.g. dialysis} - C12M 41/46: {of cellular or enzymatic activity or functionality, e.g. cell viability} - C12M 41/48: {Automatic or computerized control (automatic analysis G01N35/00)} - C12M 45/09: {by enzymatic treatment} - C12M 47/06: {Hydrolysis; Cell lysis; Extraction of intracellular or cell wall material (lysis of microorganisms C12N1/06; extracting or separating nucleic acids from biological samples C12N15/1003)} - C12M 47/12: {Purification (C12M47/04 takes precedence)} - C12N 5/0068: {General culture methods using substrates (for specific animal cell type C12N5/06)} - C12N 5/0618: {Cells of the nervous system} - C12N 5/0654: {Osteocytes, Osteoblasts, Odontocytes; Bones, Teeth} - C12N 5/0655: {Chondrocytes; Cartilage} - C12N 2509/00: Methods for the dissociation of cells, e.g. specific use of enzymes - 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} - C12N: MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q1/00) ## Abstract The invention provides systems, modules, bioreactor and methods for the automated culture, proliferation, differentiation, production and maintenance of tissue engineered products. In one aspect is an automated tissue engineering system comprising a housing, at least one bioreactor supported by the housing, the bioreactor facilitating physiological cellular functions and/or the generation of one or more tissue constructs from cell and/or tissue sources. A fluid containment system is supported by the housing and is in fluid communication with the bioreactor. One or more sensors are associated with one or more of the housing, bioreactor or fluid containment system for monitoring parameters related to the physiological cellular functions and/or generation of tissue constructs; and a microprocessor linked to one or more of the sensors. The systems, methods and products of the invention find use in various clinical and laboratory settings. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A portable tissue and/or cell culture engineering module, the module comprising; at least one bioreactor, said bioreactor facilitating cell culture and/or tissue engineering functions; a fluid containment system in fluid communication with said bioreactor; and one or more sensors for monitoring parameters related to said cell culture and/or tissue engineering functions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The module of claim 1, wherein said bioreactor comprises: a bioreactor housing having one or more ports for media flow; and at least one chamber defined within said bioreactor housing for receiving at least one of said cells and/or tissues and facilitating said cell culture and/or tissue engineering functions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The module of claim 2, wherein said chamber houses one or more substrates and/or scaffolds. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The module of claim 2, wherein two or more chambers are provided operably connected within said bioreactor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The module of claim 1, wherein two or more bioreactors are operably connected. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The module of claim 4, wherein at least one of said two or more chambers, and said bioreactors are independently operable and/or co-operatively operable. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The module of claim 6, wherein said module comprises a first bioreactor, a second bioreactor and a third bioreactor, said first bioreactor containing a tissue digestion chamber, said second bioreactor containing a culture/proliferation chamber, said third bioreactor containing a differentiation/tissue formation chamber, and wherein said first, second and third bioreactors are operatively connected. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The module of claim 4, wherein said chambers and/or bioreactors are operably connected to provide for the exchange of fluids, cells and/or tissues between said chambers and/or bioreactors. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The module of claim 2, wherein said chamber contains a plurality of zones to contain a plurality of substrates and scaffolds. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The module of claim 1, wherein a plurality of fluid flow control valves are provided in operable connection with fluid containment system to control the flow of fluid with said fluid containment system and said bioreactor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The module of claim 10, wherein said module additionally comprises one or more pump units in connection with said fluid containment system for the pumping of fluid throughout said fluid containment system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The module of claim 1, wherein said tissue engineering module additionally comprises a heating and mixing chamber to heat and mix fluids flowing to said bioreactor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The module of claim 1, wherein one or more gas exchange membranes are provided within one of or between said fluid containment system and bioreactor, said gas exchange membranes permitting the transfer of gaseous products into or out of fluid flowing to or resident in said bioreactor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The module of claim 1, wherein said module additionally comprises a thermoelectric element in operable connection with said bioreactor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The module of claim 1, wherein said module additionally comprises one or more microprocessors in operable connection with said sensors. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The module of claim 1, wherein said module additionally comprises one or more access ports, said access ports being operatively linked with at least one of said bioreactor and said fluid containment system, said access ports providing for sterile loading or removal of cells, fluids, cell and tissue culture media, growth factors, pharmaceutical agents, quality control reagents, quality control samples and/or other materials. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The module of claim 1, wherein said bioreactor is integrally mounted or detachable. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The module of claim 1, wherein a camera is provided for visual inspection within said bioreactor. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The module of claim 1, wherein said module additionally comprises an identifying element for identification and tracking in a clinical or experimental environment for correct patient identification and/or clinical billing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The module of claim 19, configured for patient personalized tissue and/or cell culture. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The module of claim 1, wherein said module is sterilizable before use and disposable after use.