Static oxygenator for suspension culture of animal cells

The apparatus according to claim, further comprising annular sparging means, arranged within said hollow annular space at the base of said concentric cylinders in said bottom portion, for sparging oxygen-containing gas upwardly into said hollow annular space and said continuation of sections of said hollow annular space.

A static apparatus for oxygenating a liquid, comprising a bottom portion comprising generally concentric vertically-oriented inner and outer hollow cylinders, the walls of which are composed of porous gas-permeable, liquid-permeable material, so as to provide between the cylindrical surfaces of said concentric cylinders a hollow annular space adapted to receive oxygen-containing gas and transfer at least a portion of said gas substantially bubble-free across said porous material to a liquid phase in contact with or in proximity to said cylindrical surface;

• and a top portion comprising non-contiguous vertical extensions of said generally concentric cylinders such that liquid overflow areas are defined at the base areas between said non-contiguous vertical extensions, and such that a continuation of sections of said hollow annular space exists between the vertically-extended surfaces of said concentric cylinders, and continuation of sections of said hollow annular space being adapted to receive oxygen-containing gas from said hollow annular space of said bottom portion and to release oxygen-containing gas across said porous material, above said overflow areas, said apparatus being adapted to be stationarily arranged in a suspension culture vessel and unassociated with means for rotating or vibrating said apparatus.