Sampling apparatus for cell culture bed and related methods

Abstract

An apparatus for sampling a cell culture includes a sampler for connecting to a bioreactor with a fixed bed including the cell culture. A releasably attached sample portion for positioning within or adjacent the fixed bed includes a substrate on which cells may be grown and then removed from the bioreactor to provide an indication of cell growth. A kit for sampling a cell culture bed of a bioreactor includes the sampler for sampling the cell culture bed with the releasably attached sample portion, along with a container adapted to detach the sample portion from the sampler. A method of obtaining a sample of a cell culture in a bed within a bioreactor includes positioning a sampler positioned at least partially in or adjacent to the bed to promote the growth of cells on a releasably attached portion of the sampler, withdrawing the sampler from the bioreactor, and detaching the portion of the sampler.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.