Cell growth matrix

Abstract

The invention provides a structured cell growth matrix or assembly comprising a one or more spacer layers and one or more cell immobilization layers. The invention further provides a bioreactor comprising said matrix or assembly.

1 . An apparatus for culturing cells, comprising:
 a bioreactor including a matrix assembly for growing cells in connection with a   cell medium flowing through the matrix assembly, the matrix assembly comprising at least two cell immobilization layers in direct contact.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the bioreactor having a fluid flow direction aligned with a major dimension of the matrix assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two cell immobilization layers comprise woven layers. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two cell immobilization layers comprise woven mesh layers. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including at least one non-woven layer. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for culturing cells, comprising:
 a bioreactor including a matrix assembly for growing cells in connection with a   cell medium flowing through the matrix assembly, the matrix assembly comprising at least one woven mesh layer and at least one non-woven layer.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the matrix assembly comprises a plurality of woven mesh layers. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of woven mesh layers comprise at least a first woven mesh layer in direct contact with at least a second woven mesh layer. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one non-woven layer is in contact with one of the first or second woven mesh layers. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for culturing cells, comprising:
 a bioreactor including a matrix assembly for growing cells in connection with a cell medium flowing through the matrix assembly, the matrix assembly comprising at least one woven mesh layer.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the matrix assembly comprises a plurality of woven mesh layers. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of woven mesh layers comprise at least two woven mesh layers in direct contact. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of woven mesh layers are arranged in a stacked configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further including a plurality of cell immobilization layers arranged in a stacked configuration with the plurality of woven mesh layers. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further including a plurality of cell immobilization layers each comprising a nonwoven material. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the bioreactor comprises a roller bottle. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the bioreactor is adapted for passing the cell medium in a vertical flow through the matrix assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the bioreactor is adapted to create the vertical flow through the matrix assembly from bottom to top. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the bioreactor is adapted to create the vertical flow through the matrix assembly from top to bottom. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the matrix assembly is spiral wound. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the matrix assembly is spiral wound about a core. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the matrix assembly is annular. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one woven mesh layer comprises openings having a shape selected from the group consisting of round, elliptical, square, or rectangular. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one woven mesh layer comprises openings having a size of between at least 0.05 mm and 5 mm. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , the bioreactor having a fluid flow direction along the at least one woven mesh layer. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further including at least one non-woven layer.