# US 8,465,971 B2 · Method for controlling biological function with mechanical vibration and device therefor

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- Number: US 8,465,971 B2
- Document ID: US8465971B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/214,521
- Filed: 2008-06-18
- Published: 2009-01-08
- Granted: 2013-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2005-02-28
- Assignees: Tokyo Iken Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Akio Kishida; Tsutomu Furuzono; Kozo Miyazaki; Toru Masuzawa
- Inventors: Akio Kishida; Tsutomu Furuzono; Kozo Miyazaki; Toru Masuzawa
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465971B2

## CPC

- C12N 15/87: Introduction of foreign genetic material using processes not otherwise provided for, e.g. co-transformation
- C12M 35/04: {Mechanical means, e.g. sonic waves, stretching forces, pressure or shear stimuli}
- C12M 41/36: {of biomass, e.g. colony counters or by turbidity measurements (electrooptical investigation of individual particles G01N15/14, flow cytometers G01N15/1404)}
- C12N 1/00: Microorganisms; Compositions thereof (medicinal preparations containing material from protozoa, bacteria or viruses A61K35/66, from algae A61K36/02, from fungi A61K36/06; preparing medicinal bacterial antigen or antibody compositions, e.g. bacterial vaccines, A61K39/00); Processes of propagating, maintaining or preserving microorganisms or compositions thereof; Processes of preparing or isolating a composition containing a microorganism; Culture media therefor
- C12N 5/00: Undifferentiated human, animal or plant cells, e.g. cell lines; Tissues; Cultivation or maintenance thereof; Culture media therefor; (plant reproduction by tissue culture techniques A01H4/00)
- C12N 7/00: Viruses; Bacteriophages; Compositions thereof; Preparation or purification thereof (preparing medicinal viral antigen or antibody compositions, e.g. virus vaccines, A61K39/00)
- C12N 2527/00: Culture process characterised by the use of mechanical forces, e.g. strain, vibration
- C12N: MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q1/00)
- 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

Methods and apparatus for controlling biological functions with mechanical vibration are provided. Stimulation is applied to cells of one of an organism, bacteria or virus by mechanical vibration. The biological function comprises biological functions relating to cell growth. The biological functions relating to cell growth may include at least one of cell cultivation, cell proliferation, cell fusion, and cell differentiation.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Apparatus for controlling biological functions with mechanical vibration, comprising:
an airtight chamber;
means for generating mechanical vibration arranged in the airtight chamber, said means for generating mechanical vibration comprising:
a piezoelectric element for generating mechanical vibration in a horizontal direction; and
at least one of: (a) a plurality of vibration elements for generating mechanical vibration in a longitudinal direction; and (b) an array of transducers for generating mechanical vibration in the longitudinal direction;
a solid substrate arranged on the means for generating mechanical vibration and in contact with cells of one of an organism, bacteria or virus, said solid substrate adapted to transfer said mechanical vibration directly to said cells for stimulating said cells;
a temperature adjusting device for controlling temperature in the airtight chamber;
means for controlling the means for generating mechanical vibration to generate the mechanical vibration at an amplitude and a frequency conducive to stimulating biological functions relating to cell growth;
means for real-time monitoring and recording of said cell growth produced by the mechanical vibration;
wherein said biological functions relating to cell growth comprise at least one of cell cultivation, cell proliferation, cell fusion, and cell differentiation.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stimulation is applied by one of temporary, continuous or intermittent mechanical vibration.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stimulation is applied by the mechanical vibration, the amplitude of which is 100 μm or lower.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stimulation is applied by the mechanical vibration, the frequency of which is 100 MHz or lower.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the stimulation is applied by the mechanical vibration, the amplitude of which is 20 μm or lower and the frequency of which is in the range from 1 Hz to 10 MHz.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said functions relating to cell growth comprise more than one of cell cultivation, cell proliferation, cell fusion, and cell differentiation.