# US 2024/0200010 A1 · Fixed bed sampler and related methods

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- Number: US 2024/0200010 A1
- Document ID: US20240200010A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 18/592,690
- Filed: 2024-03-01
- Published: 2024-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2018-03-16
- Assignees: Univercells Technologies S.A.
- Applicants: Univercells Technologies SA
- Inventors: José Castillo; Bastien Mairesse; Alex Chatel; Sebastien Jean-Pierre Michel Rodriguez; Alexandre Vanhaver
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240200010A1

## CPC

- C12M 25/18: {Fixed or packed bed}
- C12M 23/46: {Means for fastening}
- C12M 25/02: {Membranes; Filters (filters or filtration in general B01D24/00-B01D41/00)}
- C12M 33/02: {by impregnation, e.g. using swabs or loops (fluid transport using swabs B01L3/5029)}
- C12M 33/18: {Rollers}
- 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

A sampler for use with a bioreactor for growing a cell culture is disclosed. In one embodiment, the bioreactor includes a structured fixed bed including a removable sample portion for recovering a sample of cells from the cell culture. Related apparatuses and methods are also disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for use with a cell culture system, comprising:
a structured fixed bed comprising a plurality of layers of material adjacent to each other; and
a removable sample portion for recovering a sample of cells from the cell culture system;
wherein the removable sample portion comprises a perforated or pre-cut portion of the structured fixed bed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of layers comprise cell immobilization layers.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of layers comprise at least one cell immobilization layer and at least one spacer layer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable sample portion comprises one or more fibers.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structured fixed bed and the removable sample portion comprise a woven material.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable sample portion comprises a sheet of material.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structured fixed bed comprises one or more receivers, markers, indentations, notches, openings, voids, indicators, or guides to indicate placement of the sample portion.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structured fixed bed comprises a plurality of removable sample portions.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of layers are stacked horizontally.

### Claim 10

An apparatus for use with a bioreactor for growing a cell culture, comprising:
a fixed bed comprising a plurality of layers of material adjacent to each other; and
a removable sample portion forming a portion of the fixed bed, the removable sample portion including perforations for detachment from a remainder of the fixed bed.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the fixed bed comprises a structured fixed bed.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the removable sample portion comprises a woven material.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the removable sample portion comprises a fiber.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the removable sample portion is located at a top of the fixed bed.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of layers are stacked horizontally.

### Claim 16

An apparatus for sampling a cell culture, comprising:
a bioreactor including a structured fixed bed including a plurality of layers of woven material;
a removable sample portion, wherein the removable sample portion forms a portion of at least one of the plurality of layers, and wherein the removable sample portion includes a pre-cut or perforated portion for detachment from a remainder of the structured fixed bed.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the plurality of layers are stacked horizontally.