Cell seeding device and method

Abstract

Described is a device comprising an anchor, a tray including a well adapted to receive the anchor, and a cover adapted to engage the tray and cover the well. The device may be used to form a membrane-cell matrix having a substantially uniform distribution of the cells on the membrane in at least two dimensions.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A device comprising:
 an anchor including at least one first sidewall enclosing a space having X, Y, and Z dimensions;   a tray including a well adapted to receive the anchor, the well having at least one second sidewall and a base having X and Y dimensions; and   a cover adapted to engage the tray,   wherein the X and Y dimensions of the space are approximately equal to the X and Y dimensions of the base such that when the anchor is in the well, at least one of the at least one first sidewall and at least one of the at least one second sidewall are in direct contact.   
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein the sidewalls are perpendicular to the top surface. 
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein the sidewalls are perpendicular to the base. 
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein the sidewalls are about 1.2 inches from the base to the top surface. 
     
     
         25 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein the sidewalls are about 1.28 inches from the base to the top surface. 
     
     
         26 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein base dimension X is about 2.0 inches. 
     
     
         27 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein base dimension Y is about 1.6 inches. 
     
     
         28 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein the well is at least partially transparent and the anchor is at least partially colored. 
     
     
         29 . A method of generating a membrane-cell matrix having a substantially uniform distribution of the cells on the membrane in at least two dimensions comprising:
 providing the device of claim  1 ;   placing a membrane in the well;   placing the anchor in the well at least partially in contact with the membrane; and filling the well at least partially with a medium containing cells.   
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , further comprising:
 removing the anchor from the well; and   removing the membrane-cell matrix.   
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 21 , further comprising a membrane, wherein the membrane is in the well or adjacent to a base of the well. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the membrane comprises a substantially uniform distribution of cells. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 21 , further comprising a membrane, wherein the anchor is on top of the membrane. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the membrane comprises a substantially uniform distribution of cells. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 21 , further comprising a membrane, wherein the membrane is in the well or adjacent to a base of the well and wherein the anchor is on top of the membrane such that a mixture comprising cells is confined within a volume bounded by the sidewalls of the anchor and the membrane. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein confining the mixture comprising cells promotes uniform cell distribution over the membrane.