Method of loading and distributing cells in a bioreactor of a cell expansion system
AssigneeTerumo BCT, Inc.
InventorBrian J. Nankervis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
One or more embodiments are described directed to a method and system for loading and distributing cells in a bioreactor of a cell expansion system. Accordingly, embodiments include methods and systems that may provide for adding a plurality of cells to a fluid within a bioreactor of the cell expansion system. A first percentage of the plurality of cells is allowed to settle in the bioreactor and a second percentage of the plurality of cells is allowed to settle outside of the bioreactor. The first percentage of cells is then expanded in the bioreactor. The second percentage of cells is wasted.
Claims8
A method of loading a plurality of cells in a cell expansion system, the method comprising:
- adding the plurality of cells to a fluid circulating at a first rate through a first fluid flow path and a bioreactor of the cell expansion system, wherein the first fluid flow path comprises opposing ends, a first opposing end associated with an inlet of the bioreactor and a second opposing end associated with an outlet of the bioreactor;
- maintaining the circulation rate of the fluid at the first rate for a predetermined period of time to uniformly distribute the plurality of cells;
- after the plurality of cells have been uniformly distributed:
- reducing the circulation rate of the fluid to a reduced rate that is less than the first rate;
- and
- allowing a predetermined period of time to pass so that a first percentage of the plurality of cells comprising less than or equal to about 80 percent of the plurality of cells settle in the bioreactor and a second percentage of the plurality of cells settle outside of the bioreactor in the first fluid flow path;
- expanding the first percentage of cells in the bioreactor;
- and
- wasting the second percentage of cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.