Apparatus and method for sterilizing, seeding, culturing, storing, shipping and testing replacement cartilage tissue constructs

A method for seeding and culturing tissue in a chamber defined by at least one wall, comprising:

• disposing within the chamber a porous substrate configured and dimensioned to seal with the chamber, said substrate designed to facilitate three-dimensional tissue growth on said substrate and comprising a three-dimensional framework having interstitial spaces bridgeable by cells;
• exposing the substrate in the chamber to a flow of fluid media for seeding and culturing;
• and
• alternatingly creating a pressure differential across the substrate during seeding and culturing to force substantially all flow of the fluid media within the chamber through the substrate and facilitate exposure of the substrate to the fluid media.

An apparatus for growing tissue, comprising:

• at least one wall defining a seeding and culturing chamber;
• a porous substrate disposed within said chamber configured and dimensioned to seal with the chamber such that the substrate divides the chamber into a first and a second portion, said substrate designed to facilitate three-dimensional tissue growth on said substrate and comprising a three-dimensional framework having interstitial spaces bridgeable by cells;
• means for alternatingly creating a high and a low pressure within the first portion relative to the second portion to create alternating flow of fluid media through said porous substrate between said portions;
• a support structure located within said chamber supporting the substrate and sealing with the chamber to direct substantially all fluid flow between said portions through the porous substrate.

An apparatus for seeding and culturing a porous prosthesis within fluid media, comprising:

• at least one wall defining a chamber for seeding and culturing the prosthesis, said chamber including a first and a second port for flow of the fluid media therethrough, wherein said first port of said chamber is larger in diameter than said second port for creating a pressure drop at said second port when fluid media flows through said chamber from said first port to said second port;
• a support structure located within said chamber configured and dimensioned to support the prosthesis such that the prosthesis seals with the chamber to direct substantially all fluid flow within the chamber through the prosthesis;
• a unidirectional pump in fluid communication with the chamber for alternatingly creating a high and low pressure within the chamber acting on the prosthesis;
• and
• a supply of fluid media in communication with the pump.