DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ENGINEERING LIVING TISSUES

摘要

A device for assembling aggregations of adherent cells includes a gripper moveable within an assembly vessel that fixes aggregations of adherent cells at a membrane of the gripper and, by movement of the gripper, assembles aggregations of cells on a separate membrane within the vessel, thereby creating a three-dimensional assembly of aggregations of cells that fuse and can be employed in surgical procedures as a unitary tissue of adherent cells. The aggregations of cells, as assembled, can assume three-dimensional configurations distinct from any one of the component aggregations of cells assembled.

主权项

1. A device for assembling aggregations of adherent cells, comprising:
a) an assembly vessel; b) a gripper moveable within the assembly vessel, the gripper including,
i) a gripper housing defining a gripper chamber and at least two openings,ii) a gripper membrane over one of the openings,iii) a conduit extending from another of the openings of the gripper, andiv) a support at the gripper housing that controls the position of the gripper within the vessel; c) a perfusate source in fluid communication with the conduit extending from the gripper housing; and d) a build support fixed within the assembly vessel, the build support including,
i) a build housing defining a build chamber and at least two openings,ii) a build membrane over one of the openings,iii) a conduit extending from another of the openings of the build housing to the perfusate source.