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AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsDavid A. Wolf, Thomas J. Goodwin
Estimating the term…
The present invention provides systems for growing two or three dimensional mammalian cells within a culture medium facilitated by an electromagnetic field, and preferably, a time varying electromagnetic field. The cells and culture medium are contained within a fixed or rotating culture vessel, and the electromagnetic field is emitted from at least one electrode. In one embodiment, the electrode is spaced from the vessel. The invention further provides methods to promote neural tissue regeneration by means of culturing the neural cells in the claimed system. In one embodiment, neuronal cells are grown within longitudinally extending tissue strands extending axially along and within electrodes comprising electrically conductive channels or guides through which a time varying electrical current is conducted, the conductive channels being positioned within a culture medium.
A system for growing biological cells, comprising:
A system for growing biological cells in a two-dimensional array, wherein said cells exhibit accelerated growth, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Treatment of microorganisms or enzymes with electrical or wave energy
Means for supporting, enclosing or fixing the microorganisms, e.g. immunocoatings: scaffolds; Matrices
Means for application of stress for stimulating the growth of microorganisms or the generation of fermentation or metabolic products; Means for…:…
Microorganisms or enzymes
Term ended 2 Jun 2020 (estimated)
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the fields of biophysics, tissue regeneration, tissue culture, and neurobiology. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of an electromagnetic field, and preferably, a time varying electromagnetic field, for potentiation of or controlling the growth of biological cells and tissue, such as mammalian tissue. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of an electromagnetic field for controlling the growth of neural cells and tissues. The preferred embodiment utilizes two-dimensional conducting plate electrodes and may be applied to conventional, two dimensional tissue cultures or to three-dimensional cultures. Three dimensional cultures may be achieved in actual microgravity or by rotating wall vessel technology which simulates the physical conditions of microgravity, and in other, conventional three-dimensional matrix based cultures. The electromagnetic field, preferably a time varying electromagnetic field, is achieved in the vicinity of the electrode by passing, through the electrode, a time varying current.
2. Description of the Related Art
So that the matter in which the above-recited features, advantages and objects of the invention, as well as others which will become clear, are attained and can be understood in detail, more particular descriptions of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to certain embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. These drawings form a part of the specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and therefore are not to be considered limiting in their scope.
FIG. 1 shows a petri dish with cells in a concentrated bubble placed on the metal electrode in the center of the dish.
FIG. 2 shows normal human neuronal progenitor (NHNP) cells grown in conventional tissue culture procedures.
As used herein, the term “bioattractive material” shall refer to materials to which a cellular material will attach.
As used herein, the term “longitudinally orient” shall refer to orientation in an elongated cordlike fashion.
As used herein, the term “parallel channels” shall refer to electric channels which are designed to provide constant output to all the electrodes simultaneously.