Method and apparatus for anchorage and suspension cell culture

A method for the cultivation of cells comprising the steps of:

• placing a carrier within a basket, said basket positioned within a vessel;
• adding cells to said basket, said cells being immobilized on said carrier;
• introducing gas bubbles directly in said vessel to said basket, said vessel having a bottom and top portion;
• and
• circulating substantially bubble-free medium through the basket, said gas bubbles rise towards said top portion of said vessel and said bubble-free medium flows to the bottom of said vessel through said basket for providing bubble-free flow said circulating step being carried out with an agitator means, said basket including a hollow tube, said agitator means including tubulation means, said tubulation means having an inlet attached to said hollow tube and an outlet,
• wherein fluid flows from the bottom of said vessel through said hollow tube to said inlet and through said outlet of said tubulation means to the top of said vessel and returns to the bottom of said vessel through said basket.

An apparatus for use in cells cultivating comprising:

• a vessel having a closed bottom portion and side walls extending from said closed bottom portion;
• basket means having a top and a bottom portion with holes therethrough and side portions positioned between said top and bottom portions, said basket means positioned in said vessel;
• means for introducing gas bubbles into said vessel comprising a sprager;
• and
• means for circulating fluid through said basket means, said means for circulating fluid providing substantially bubble-free fluid to said basket means, said substantially bubble-free fluid flows from said top of said vessel to said bottom of said vessel through said basket means wherein said basket means includes:
• an upper and lower screen forming said top and said bottom portion of said basket means;
• and
• a base including a plurality of grooves, said upper screen being received in said one of said grooves,
• wherein alternating the placement of said upper screen in said grooves alters the volume within said basket means.

An apparatus for use in the cultivation of cells comprising:

• a vessel having an upper portion, a closed bottom portion and sidewalls extending from said closed bottom portion;
• a hollow tube positioned in said vessel having a lower open end;
• a basket including a top and a bottom portion with holes therethrough, said basket extending around said hollow tube to the sidewalls of said vessel;
• and,
• agitator means for fluid flow affixed to said hollow tube, said agitator means including tubulation means for fluid flow having an input opening coupled to said hollow tube and an exit opening,
• wherein fluid flows from said bottom of said vessel through said hollow tube to the top of said vessel and returns to the bottom portion of said vessel through said basket.

An apparatus for use in the cultivation of cells comprising:

• a vessel having an upper portion, a closed bottom portion and sidewalls extending from said closed bottom portion;
• a hollow tube positioned in said vessel having a lower open end;
• a basket including a top and a bottom portion with holes therethrough, said basket extending around said hollow tube toward the sidewalls of said vessel;
• means for introducing gas bubbles in said vessel;
• agitator means for driving fluid flow up said hollow tube;
• and,
• flow directing means attached to said hollow tube and having an input opening coupled to said hollow tube and an exit opening, said fluid being circulated by said agitator means for providing substantially bubble-free fluid to said basket,
• wherein gas bubbles rise toward said upper portion of said vessel and said substantially bubble-free fluid flows from said bottom portion of said vessel through said hollow tube to the top of said vessel and returns to the bottom portion of said vessel through said basket.

A method for the cultivation of cells comprising the steps of:

• placing a carrier within a basket, said basket positioned within a vessel;
• adding cells to said basket, said cells being immobilized on said carrier;
• introducing gas bubbles directly in said vessel to said basket, said vessel having a bottom and top portion;
• and,
• circulating substantially bubble-free medium through the basket, said gas bubbles rising toward said top of said vessel and bubble-free medium flowing to the bottom of said vessel through said basket for providing bubble-free flow, said circulating step being carried out with an agitator means for driving said medium through a hollow tube surrounded by said basket, flow directing means connected to said hollow tube, said flow directing means having an inlet attached to said hollow tube and an outlet,
• wherein fluid flows from the bottom of said vessel through said hollow tube to said inlet and through said outlet of said flow directing means to the top of said vessel and returns to the bottom of said vessel through said basket.