Highly efficient gas permeable devices and methods for culturing cells

Abstract

This invention relates to methods and devices that improve cell culture efficiency. They include the use of gas permeable culture compartments that reduce the use of space while maintaining uniform culture conditions, and are more suitable for automated liquid handling. They include the integration of gas permeable materials into the traditional multiple shelf format to resolve the problem of non-uniform culture conditions. They include culture devices that use surfaces comprised of gas permeable, plasma charged silicone and can integrate traditional attachment surfaces, such as those comprised of traditional tissue culture treated polystyrene. They include culture devices that integrate gas permeable, liquid permeable membranes. A variety of benefits accrue, including more optimal culture conditions during scale up and more efficient use of inventory space, incubator space, and disposal space. Furthermore, labor and contamination risk are reduced.

1 . A cell growth apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of culture compartments, each having a gas permeable, liquid impermeable surface and an opposing surface; and   at least one gas space in communication with at least one gas permeable, liquid impermeable surface of at least one culture compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one gas space and said plurality of culture compartments are combined into at least one integral unit. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein each said culture compartment alternates with said gas space in successive orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , whereby said culture compartments are adjoined and are in communication with said gas space. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said gas spaces permit gaseous exchange between said gas permeable, liquid impermeable surface of said culture compartment and external atmosphere. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , said integral unit having at least one access port to each culture compartment. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one access port includes a neck. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a manifold to access said plurality of culture compartments. 
     
     
         9 . The cell growth apparatus of  claim 2 , whereby said culture compartments are capable of being completely filled with media for optimal cell-nutrient exchange. 
     
     
         10 . The cell growth apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said opposing surface is gas permeable, liquid impermeable. 
     
     
         11 . The cell growth apparatus of  claim 2 , whereby a uniformity of conditions for cellular growth includes a determined media volume per unit surface area. 
     
     
         12 . The cell growth apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein at least one culture compartment is offset from additional culture compartments for the purposes of microscopic observation. 
     
     
         13 . The cell growth apparatus of  claim 2 , whereby said integral unit comprises a plurality of integral culture compartments. 
     
     
         14 . The cell growth apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said plurality of culture compartments are interconnected in series. 
     
     
         15 . The cell growth apparatus according to  claim 2 , whereby said integral unit comprises one or more culture compartment supports. 
     
     
         16 . The cell growth apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said integral unit has a substantially rectangular footprint and a substantially uniform height. 
     
     
         17 . The cell growth apparatus according to  claim 16 , whereby wherein a neck and/or cap is located within said substantially rectangular footprint and does not exceed the height of said integral unit. 
     
     
         18 . The cell growth apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising projections rising from an exterior surface of the top wall and/or descending from and exterior surface of the bottom wall. 
     
     
         19 . A cell growth apparatus comprising:
 at least one culture compartment having a gas permeable, liquid impermeable surface and an opposing surface;   at least one gas space in communication with at least one gas permeable, liquid impermeable surface of the at least one culture compartment; and   wherein the at least one gas space is in communication with the external environment and confined by a gas space housing.   
     
     
         20 . A method of culturing cells in said apparatus according to  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 assembly of said gas permeable wall(s) into desired configuration,   introducing said cells and/or media into said culture compartment of said flask, and   incubating said flask.