# US 9,752,139 B2 · Magnetic three-dimensional cell culture apparatus and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,752,139 B2 - Document ID: US9752139B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/096,791 - Filed: 2013-12-04 - Published: 2014-03-27 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2003-06-30 - Assignees: University of South Florida - Applicants: University of South Florida - Inventors: Jeanne L. Becker; Susan B. Coffin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752139B2 ## CPC - C12N 13/00: Treatment of microorganisms or enzymes with electrical or wave energy, e.g. magnetism, sonic waves - B82Y 25/00: Nanomagnetism, e.g. magnetoimpedance, anisotropic magnetoresistance, giant magnetoresistance or tunneling magnetoresistance - C12M 23/24: {Gas permeable parts} - C12M 23/50: {Means for positioning or orientating the apparatus (C12M41/08 takes precedence)} - C12M 25/16: {Particles; Beads; Granular material; Encapsulation (chemical or physical processes conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles B01J8/00)} - C12N 5/0062: {General methods for three-dimensional culture} - H01F 1/0045: {Zero dimensional, e.g. nanoparticles, soft nanoparticles for medical/biological use (preparation of fullerenes in general C01B32/15)} - H01F 7/0273: {Magnetic circuits with PM for magnetic field generation} - C12N: MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q1/00) - B82Y: SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES - 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} - H01F: MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES ## Abstract A culture apparatus and method for growing cells and tissue in a three-dimensional configuration harnesses magnetic, paramagnetic, ferromagnetic and diamagnetic forces. The cells or tissue are grown with magnetized core particles and are suspended via magnetic forces in a native, non-restricted, three-dimensional configuration while being maintained in a normal gravity (1 g) growth environment in the absence of rotational alteration of the gravity vector. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: a cell culture chamber; a plurality of magnetized core particles contained within the cell culture chamber; a magnet operatively coupled to the cell culture chamber, wherein the magnet is configured to be selectively moved between at least a first position and a second position relative to the cell culture chamber, and wherein movement of the magnet between the first position and the second position relative to the cell culture chamber changes a strength of the magnetic field present within the cell culture chamber to control levitation of the plurality of magnetized core particles located within the cell culture chamber, wherein the magnet is capable of movement during a cell culture process; and a first diamagnet and a second diamagnet, wherein the cell culture chamber is positioned between a first diamagnet and a second diamagnet such that the plurality of magnetized core particles are levitated between the first diamagnet and the second diamagnet. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cell culture chamber contains a cell culture medium. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said cell culture chamber includes biological cells to be cultivated. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cell culture chamber is formed of a gas permeable material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an inlet port formed in said cell culture chamber at a first end of said cell culture chamber; and an outlet port formed in said cell culture chamber at a second end of said cell culture chamber, said second end being spaced apart from said first end. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said magnetized core particles are coated with a cellular adhesive material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said magnetized core particles are coated with a collagen component. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said magnetized core particles are coated with a matrix component. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said matrix component is non-biodegradable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said matrix component is biodegradable. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said magnetized core particles are adapted to form a predetermined cellular construction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said predetermined cellular construction is mammalian skin. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said predetermined cellular construction is a mammalian organ. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said predetermined cellular construction is mammalian tissue. ### Claim 15 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a plurality of cells are adhered to and growing on said magnetized core particles in a three-dimensional configuration. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a strength of said magnet is one to two tesla. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a field strength inside said cell culture chamber is less than 60 gauss. ### Claim 18 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said magnetized core particles are ferromagnetic. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first diamagnet and the second diamagnet are opposing portions of a “U”-shaped diamagnet. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first diamagnet and the second diamagnet are opposing portions of a toroidal diamagnet. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnet applies a magnetic force to levitate the plurality of magnetized core particles in the first position. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnet applies a magnetic force to draw the plurality of magnetized core particles to one side of the cell culture chamber in the second position. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnet is disposed in abutting relation to the first diamagnet. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an opening to the cell culture chamber consisting of an inlet port formed in said cell culture chamber.