Unitary 3D culture device

Abstract

A continuous device for culturing mammalian cells in a three-dimensional structure for the transplantation or implantation in vivo is described. The culturing device comprises (a) a scaffold formed by a matrix of interconnected growth surfaces spaced at regular intervals and (b) a fluid distribution means at the inlet and the exit of the growth areas. The device is particularly useful for culturing bone cells for dental implants or bone reconstruction.

Claims

1. A 3D lattice-shaped scaffold for tissue growth, the scaffold comprising: a 3D matrix of interconnected growth surfaces all uniformly spaced at regular and repetitive intervals, the interconnected growth surfaces provided by a first set of elongated three-dimensional structures extending in a first direction, a second set of elongated three-dimensional structures extending in a second direction different from the first direction, and a third set of set of elongated three-dimensional structures extending in a third direction different from the first direction and second direction; and a plurality of interconnected open spaces defined by the interconnected growth surfaces, the plurality of interconnected open spaces all being uniformly spaced at regular and repetitive intervals thereby allowing fluid to flow through the plurality of interconnected open spaces; wherein the uniform spacing of the interconnected open spaces provide an optimized fluid flow distribution through the scaffold; and wherein the elongated three-dimensional structures comprise fibers.

2. The 3D scaffold according to claim 1, wherein the interconnected fibers have one of the following shapes: cylindrical shape, rectangular shape, and hexagonal shape.

3. The 3D scaffold according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional structures comprise solid cylindrical structures.

4. The 3D scaffold according to claim 1, wherein the interconnected growth surfaces are textured.

5. The 3D scaffold according to claim 1, wherein the interconnected growth surfaces are spaced at regular intervals from 0.7 mm to 3 mm.

6. The 3D scaffold according to claim 5, wherein the interconnected growth surfaces are spaced from 0.9 mm to 2 mm.

7. The 3D scaffold of claim 1, wherein the interconnected growth surfaces are of a biocompatible material.

8. The 3D scaffold according to claim 7, wherein the scaffold comprises 2D layers of the biocompatible material assembled onto each other thereby providing the interconnected growth surfaces.

9. The 3D scaffold according to claim 5, wherein the biocompatible material includes at least one of the following: polycaprolacton, polyethylene oxideterephthalate, polyamide, poly-L-lactic acid, polyglycolic acid, collagen, fibronectin, and hydroxyapatite.

10. The 3D scaffold according to claim 1, wherein the elongated three-dimensional structures of each set are parallel to each other.

11. The scaffold according to claim 1, wherein the first set of structures, the second set of structures and the third set of structure intersect with each other thereby providing each side of the scaffold with at least one edge of continuous material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 One embodiment of the scaffold

(2) FIG. 2 One embodiment of a flow distribution device

(3) FIG. 3 One embodiment of scaffold between two flow distribution devices

(4) FIG. 4 System flow chart

(5) FIG. 5 CFD Flow analysis

(6) FIG. 6 Photographic Flow analysis

(7) FIG. 7 Microphotograph of the sample PD

(8) FIG. 8 Microphotograph of the sample PDC

(9) FIG. 9 Photographs of samples HA, PD and PDC

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(10) FIG. 1 is one embodiment of the scaffold. Scaffold (1) is formed by the interconnection of a matrix of cylindrical (3) structures. The scaffold (1) is formed around the central support (2).

(11) FIG. 2 is one embodiment of the fluid distribution device (5). In this device, the fluid is presented to the device (5) at a common conduit (6) which is connected to the distribution conduits (7). A support means (8) is shown to connect with the central support (2) of the scaffold (1).

(12) FIG. 3 depicts a scaffold (1) positioned between two of the distribution devices (5). In this embodiment the fluid is delivered to the inlet common conduit (6) and further distribute to distribution conduits (7) and then is distributed through and around the open structures (4) of scaffold (1). The fluid is then collected and presented to common conduits (7), located in the outlet device (5B) where it is collected and presented to the common conduit (6) of the distribution device (5B).

(13) FIG. 4 is an outline view of the culture device (10) connected to a central circulation system (9). When the culture device (10) is connected to system (9), it is positioned to receive a continuous flow of nutrients and dissolved gasses provided by pump (12). A central circulation loop is created by connecting the outlet of pump (12) with the inlet of the culture device (10). The outlet of the culture device (10) is connected with the inlet of pump (12) through the fluid reservoir (13). In constant communication with the fluid in the system (12) are a variety of sensors (11). The sensors (11) are connected with a control means (20) that monitors and controls the conditions of system (12). Additional pumps (14, 15) are provided to supply metered delivery of fresh nutrients to the system, and waste materials from the system.

(14) FIG. 5 illustrates an example of Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis, where the distribution of flow is throughout the structure.

(15) FIG. 6 is a photographic flow analysis.

(16) FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 illustrate the growth of cells and the absence of inflammatory process for the sample PD and the sample PDC respectively. Microphotographs are 20 of magnification and the cutis are on the top of the microphotographs.

(17) FIG. 9 illustrates the areas of application and analysis of the samples HA, PD and PDC for the cells growth experiments on mice. The external analysis of the samples does not reveal any fibrotic reaction or inflammation process.