# US 9,040,290 B2 · Multilayered cell culture apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,040,290 B2 - Document ID: US9040290B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/075,446 - Filed: 2013-11-08 - Published: 2014-03-06 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2005-07-26 - Assignees: Corning Incorporated - Applicants: Corning Incorporated - Inventors: Gregory Roger Martin; Allison Jean Tanner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9040290B2 ## CPC - C12M 23/08: {Flask, bottle or test tube} - C12M 23/04: {Flat or tray type, drawers (C12M23/10, C12M23/12, C12M23/16 take precedence)} - C12M 23/24: {Gas permeable parts} - C12M 23/34: {Internal compartments or partitions} - C12M 23/38: {Caps; Covers; Plugs; Pouring means} - C12M 23/58: {Reaction vessels connected in series or in parallel (combinations of bioreactors with other apparatus, C12M43/00)} - C12M 25/02: {Membranes; Filters (filters or filtration in general B01D24/00-B01D41/00)} - C12M 25/04: {in combination with well or multiwell plates, i.e. culture inserts} - C12M 25/06: {Plates; Walls; Drawers; Multilayer plates} - C12M 29/04: {Filters; Permeable or porous membranes or plates, e.g. dialysis} - C12M 41/00: {Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation (controlling or regulating chemical, physical or physicochemical processes B01J19/0006; heating or cooling apparatus for laboratory use B01L7/00; electro optical investigation of individual particles, flow cytometers G01N15/14; automatic analysis G01N35/00; controlling or regulating in general G06N)} - C12N 5/0602: {Vertebrate cells} - 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} - C12N: MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q1/00) ## Abstract A multilayered cell culture apparatus for the culturing of cells is disclosed. The cell culture apparatus is defined as an integral structure having a plurality of cell culture chambers in combination with tracheal space(s). The body of the apparatus has imparted therein gas permeable membranes in combination with tracheal spaces that will allow the free flow of gases between the cell culture chambers and the external environment. The flask body also includes an aperture that will allow access to the cell growth chambers by means of a needle or cannula. The size of the apparatus, and location of an optional neck and cap section, allows for its manipulation by standard automated assay equipment, further making the apparatus ideal for high throughput applications. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cell growth apparatus comprising: a plurality of cell growth chambers, each having a gas permeable, liquid impermeable membrane, an opposing surface, and at least one side wall connected to at least one of the gas permeable, liquid impermeable membrane and the opposing surface; at least two tracheal spaces, each tracheal space in communication with at least one gas permeable, liquid impermeable membrane of at least one cell growth chamber; wherein the at least two tracheal spaces comprises peripheral supports on a peripheral edge of the tracheal space; wherein the supports on the peripheral edge of the tracheal space are spaced apart to create a plurality of gaps to allow gasses to flow from an external environment into the tracheal space through the plurality of gaps between peripheral supports. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cell growth apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid access to the plurality of cell culture chambers is arranged in parallel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cell growth apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cell growth chambers are arranged in staggered configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The cell growth apparatus of claim 3 wherein the fluid access to the plurality of cell culture chambers is arranged in series. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cell growth apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a fluid flow restrictor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The cell growth apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a fluid flow restrictor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method of using the cell growth apparatus of claim 1 comprising: introducing cells into the apparatus through the entry portal; incubating the cells in the apparatus. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 further comprising introducing media into the apparatus through the entry portal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising introducing reagents into the apparatus through the entry portal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising exchanging media in the apparatus by introducing a volume of media into the entry portal and removing a volume of media from the exit portal wherein the volume of media is about the volume of media contained by the apparatus. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising exchanging media and regents in the apparatus by introducing a volume of media and reagents into the entry portal and removing a volume of media and reagents from the exit portal wherein the volume of media and reagents is about the volume of media and reagents contained by the apparatus. ### Claim 12 (depends on 4) A method of using the cell growth apparatus of claim 4 comprising: introducing cells into the apparatus through the entry portal; incubating the cells in the apparatus. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising introducing media into the apparatus through the entry portal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 further comprising introducing reagents into the apparatus through the entry portal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 further comprising exchanging media in the apparatus by introducing a volume of media into the entry portal and removing a volume of media from the exit portal wherein the volume of media is about the volume of media contained by the apparatus. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 further comprising exchanging media and regents in the apparatus by introducing a volume of media and reagents into the entry portal and removing a volume of media and reagents from the exit portal wherein the volume of media and reagents is about the volume of media and reagents contained by the apparatus.