The present disclosure relates to apparatuses, systems and methods for culturing cells. In particular, devices and methods are provided for generation and culture of 3d cell aggregates.

The devices, methods, and compositions disclosed herein accomplish robust cell encapsulation in polymer microparticles using a vertically oriented microfluidic device. A hydrophilic polymer precursor solution is flowed into a first inlet channel, which extends inward from an upper surface of the device housing. A hydrophobic fluid is flowed into a second inlet channel, which extends inward from a lower surface of the device housing. The two inlet channels meet at a junction, and an outlet channel extends away from the two inlet channels. When the two inwardly flowing streams meet at the junction, the polymer precursor solution disperses into the hydrophobic fluid. The dispersed precursor droplets are photopolymerized into microparticles as they travel through the outlet channel. The resulting microparticles are highly uniform, and are larger than conventionally formed microparticles. Cells of varying types can be encapsulated with high viability and spatial uniformity.

Cell culture apparatus for emulating gastrointestinal tract conditions and comprising at least two adjacent, microfluidic, cell cultivation channels separated by a permeable or semipermeable membrane, a first channel carrying gastrointestinal tract epithelial cells or tissues and a second channel carrying luminal and preferably mucosal microbiota, and wherein said second channel comprises one or more dwell chambers capable of providing a location for unattached luminal flora to reside away from any direct flow in said second channel, permits modelling of multiple sections of the gastrointestinal tract and control of retention times.

The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for inserting and using dermal interstitial sensors in, for example, an analyte monitoring system, and for injecting active pharmaceutical ingredients, a bio-artificial organ device, and detection of a protein biomarker.

A means capable of simply and efficiently concentrating a cell suspension. A concentrator has a culture vessel having a first port and a second port, a server bag having a port, a case having a hollow fiber bundle in the internal space, a filtering device having an inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port, a collection vessel having a port, a liquid supply circuit connected to the first port, the inlet port, and the server bag's port so that flow passages are switchable, a liquid discharge circuit connected to the second port, the first outlet port, the second outlet port, and the collection vessel's port so that flow passages are switchable, a liquid supply mechanism having a switching mechanism, a supply pump, and a discharge pump, and a rotation mechanism rotating the filtering device.

The present disclosure relates to apparatuses, systems and methods for culturing cells. In particular, devices and methods are provided for generation and culture of 3d cell aggregates.

The devices, methods, and compositions disclosed herein accomplish robust cell encapsulation in polymer microparticles using a vertically oriented microfluidic device. A hydrophilic polymer precursor solution is flowed into a first inlet channel, which extends inward from an upper surface of the device housing. A hydrophobic fluid is flowed into a second inlet channel, which extends inward from a lower surface of the device housing. The two inlet channels meet at a junction, and an outlet channel extends away from the two inlet channels. When the two inwardly flowing streams meet at the junction, the polymer precursor solution disperses into the hydrophobic fluid. The dispersed precursor droplets are photopolymerized into microparticles as they travel through the outlet channel. The resulting microparticles are highly uniform, and are larger than conventionally formed microparticles. Cells of varying types can be encapsulated with high viability and spatial uniformity.

Cell culture apparatus for emulating gastrointestinal tract conditions and comprising at least two adjacent, microfluidic, cell cultivation channels separated by a permeable or semipermeable membrane, a first channel carrying gastrointestinal tract epithelial cells or tissues and a second channel carrying luminal and preferably mucosal microbiota, and wherein said second channel comprises one or more dwell chambers capable of providing a location for unattached luminal flora to reside away from any direct flow in said second channel, permits modelling of multiple sections of the gastrointestinal tract and control of retention times.

A means capable of simply and efficiently concentrating a cell suspension. A concentrator has a culture vessel having a first port and a second port, a server bag having a port, a case having a hollow fiber bundle in the internal space, a filtering device having an inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port, a collection vessel having a port, a liquid supply circuit connected to the first port, the inlet port, and the server bag's port so that flow passages are switchable, a liquid discharge circuit connected to the second port, the first outlet port, the second outlet port, and the collection vessel's port so that flow passages are switchable, a liquid supply mechanism having a switching mechanism, a supply pump, and a discharge pump, and a rotation mechanism rotating the filtering device.

The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for inserting and using dermal interstitial sensors in, for example, an analyte monitoring system, and for injecting active pharmaceutical ingredients, a bio-artificial organ device, and detection of a protein biomarker.