Frank B Cerra, Age 824522 Arden Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55424

5981211, Nov 9, 1999

Oct 7, 1996

8/726652

Frank Bernard Cerra - Edina MN
Scott Lyle Nyberg - St. Louis Park MN
Matthew Thomas Scholz - Woodbury MN
Russell A. Shatford - Minneapolis MN

Regents of the University of Minnesota - Minneapolis MN

C12P 100
C12M 300
C12N 500
C12N 1104

435 41

Methods of maintaining animal cells for product production, for supporting hepatocyte function and viability to treat a patient suffering from hepatic failure and for preserving tissue-specific function of mammalian cells are carried out with a bioreactor containing a feed and waste chamber and a cell chamber separated by a selectively permeable membrane. Within the cell chamber, a biocompatible contracted three-dimensional gel matrix entraps animal cells or genetic modifications thereof, and a liquid phase contains a concentrated solution of the cell product. The bioreactor uses only two chambers to achieve three distinct zones within the bioreactor. The bioreactor can be of either hollow fiber or flat-bed configuration. In the configuration using hollow fibers, the two fluid paths correspond to the cavity surrounding the hollow fibers (the extracapillary space), and to the lumens of the hollow fibers themselves. Both fluid paths have inlet and outlet ports.

5595909, Jan 21, 1997

Mar 31, 1995

8/414499

Frank B. Cerra - Edina MN

Regents of the University of Minnesota - Minneapolis MN

C12M 306

4352974

A filter device containing cell masses and single cells is described. The device contains porous hollow fibers and hepatocytes entrapped within a contracted gel matrix.

5605835, Feb 25, 1997

Jan 20, 1995

8/376095

Frank B. Cerra - Edina MN
Scott L. Nyberg - St. Louis Park MN
Matthew T. Scholz - Woodbury MN
Russell A. Shatford - Minneapolis MN

Regents of the University of Minnesota - Minneapolis MN

C12M 306

4352972

A bioreactor apparatus comprising two chambers, a feed and waste chamber and a cell chamber separated by a selectively permeable membrane. Within the cell chamber, a biocompatible three-dimensional matrix entraps animal cells or genetic modifications thereof. Due to the presence of this biocompatible matrix, the cell chamber generally has a gel phase, i. e. , the biocompatible matrix and cells, and a liquid phase containing a concentrated solution of the cell product to be harvested. Thus, the bioreactor of this invention uses only two chambers to achieve three distinct zones within the apparatus. A bioartificial liver is based on a bioreactor of the type having two fluid paths separated by a permeable medium. The bioreactor can be of either hollow fiber or flat-bed configuration. In the configuration using hollow fibers, the two fluid paths correspond to the cavity surrounding the hollow fibers (the extracapillary space), and to the lumens of the hollow fibers themselves.