# US 2018/0023149 A1 · Method and apparatus for dynamically culturing a biological sample > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0023149 A1 - Document ID: US20180023149A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/550,819 - Filed: 2016-02-17 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2015-02-17 - Assignees: Genea IP Holdings Pty Limited - Applicants: Genea IP Holdings Pty Limited - Inventors: Eduardo VOM; Simon Jonathon SPENCE; Samuel Ross Garland LANYON - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180023149A1 ## CPC - C12Q 3/00: Condition responsive control processes (apparatus therefor C12M1/36; controlling or regulating in general G05) - C12M 21/06: {for in vitro fertilization} - C12M 41/12: {of temperature (controlling the temperature of chemical or physical processes B01J19/0013, heating or cooling apparatus for laboratory use B01L7/00)} - C12M 41/26: {of pH} - C12M 41/30: {of concentration} - C12M 41/32: {of substances in solution} - C12M 41/34: {of gas} - 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)} - C12Q: MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS (immunoassay G01N33/53); COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES - 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 The present invention relates to the field of culturing of biological samples and in one form provides feedback in a biological sample culturing system to improve the viability of biological samples wherein the feedback comprises one or a combination of: measuring and manipulating environmental parameters operatively associated with the biological sample culturing system, and; measuring and manipulating culturing media parameters operatively associated with the biological sample culturing system. In another form the invention provides control of the culturing of biological samples in a biological sample culturing system comprising the steps of: mixing individual culture media components in response to one of a predetermined user selection or a predetermined user profile; dispensing the mixed media components into a preselected culturing pod containing at least one biological sample; providing feedback for the mixing step by measuring one or a combination of environmental parameters and culturing media parameters of the at least one biological sample. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of providing feedback in a biological sample culturing system to improve the viability of biological samples wherein the feedback comprises one or a combination of: measuring and manipulating environmental parameters operatively associated with the biological sample culturing system, and; measuring and manipulating culturing media parameters operatively associated with the biological sample culturing system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of measuring and manipulating environmental parameters operatively associated with the biological sample culturing system comprises one or a combination of: altering a chambered environment for the biological sample in the culturing system by changing temperature and gas composition; providing individual discrete gas vessels to allow chamber gas manipulation; applying heat stress to improve sample development. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of measuring and manipulating culturing media parameters operatively associated with the biological sample culturing system comprises one or a combination of: manipulation of the media by mixing on board ingredients for a culturing dish of the culturing system; changing media around the biological sample via aspiration and/or dispensing; sensing the composition of the media to allow real time feedback; sensing of pH level of media and environment; changing media pH level; mixing and combining media components away from a sample's seated position; discrete dispensing of fluid into a mixing area to allow staging before dispensing into the sample's seated position; the use of NIRS to allow detection of sample media for supplementation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the media parameters comprise liquid or powder forms of: Buffer; Water; Amino acids; Salts; Sugars; Proteins. ### Claim 5 (canceled) ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the environmental parameters comprise one or a combination of: Temperature; Humidity; Gas composition pH level. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the biological sample comprises at least one of: an embryo; stem cells; oocytes; sperm. ### Claim 8 A biological sample culturing system adapted for operating with feedback control to improve the viability of samples, the system comprising one or a combination of: environmental parameter measuring apparatus for measuring environmental parameters operatively associated with the biological sample culturing system; environmental parameter manipulation apparatus for manipulating environmental parameters operatively associated with the biological sample culturing system in response to at least one output of the environmental parameter measuring apparatus; media parameter measuring apparatus for measuring culturing media parameters operatively associated with the biological sample culturing system; media parameter manipulation apparatus for manipulating culturing media parameters operatively associated with the biological sample culturing system in response to at least one output of the media parameter measuring apparatus. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the media parameters comprise liquid or powder forms of: Buffer; Water; Amino acids; Salts; Sugars; Proteins. ### Claim 10 (canceled) ### Claim 11 (depends on 8, 9, 10) A system as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10claim 8 wherein the environmental parameters comprise one or a combination of: Temperature; Humidity; Gas composition pH level. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the media parameter measuring apparatus comprises one of an Optical Spectroscopy device and NIRS. ### Claim 13 (canceled) ### Claim 14 A method of controlling the culturing of biological samples in a biological sample culturing system comprising the steps of: mixing individual culture media components in response to one of a predetermined user selection or a predetermined user profile; dispensing the mixed media components into a preselected culturing pod containing at least one biological sample; providing feedback for the mixing step by measuring one or a combination of environmental parameters and culturing media parameters of the at least one biological sample. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the media components comprise liquid or powder forms of one or a combination of Buffer; Water; Amino acids; Salts; Sugars; Proteins. ### Claim 16 (canceled) ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the environmental parameters comprise one or a combination of: Temperature; Humidity; Gas composition pH level. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the at least one biological sample comprises at least one of: an embryo; stem cells; oocytes; sperm an embryo. ### Claim 19 A biological sample culturing system adapted for operating with feedback control to improve the viability of samples, the system comprising: mixing apparatus for mixing individual culture media components in response to one of a predetermined user selection or a predetermined user profile; dispensing apparatus for dispensing the mixed media components into a preselected culturing pod containing at least one biological sample; feedback apparatus for providing feedback for the mixing step by measuring one or a combination of environmental parameters and culturing media parameters of the at least one biological sample. ### Claim 20 A biological sample culturing system adapted for interactive control to improve the viability of samples, the system comprising: sample handling apparatus for immersing a preselected culturing pod containing at least one biological sample with a generic base media; mixing apparatus for mixing individual culture media components in response to one of a predetermined user selection or a predetermined user profile; dispensing apparatus for dispensing the mixed media components into the preselected culturing pod containing the at least one biological sample; environmental control apparatus for adapting one or a combination of environmental parameters of the at least one biological sample in response to one of a predetermined user selection or a predetermined user profile. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) A system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the media components comprise liquid or powder forms of one or a combination of Buffer; Water; Amino acids; Salts; Sugars; Proteins. ### Claim 22 (canceled) ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) A system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the environmental parameters comprise one or a combination of: Temperature; Humidity; Gas composition pH level. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) A system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the feedback apparatus comprises one of an Optical Spectroscopy device and NIRS. ### Claim at position 25 25-27. (canceled)