Jeffrey M Macdonald

US Patent:

6979308, Dec 27, 2005

Filed:

Jun 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/586981

Inventors:

Jeffrey M. MacDonald - Chapel Hill NC, US
Stephen P. Wolfe - Chapel Hill NC, US

Assignee:

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

A61M037/00
A61M031/00
C02F001/44
C12N005/08
C12M001/12

US Classification:

604 609, 604522, 21032189, 21032164, 210314, 4352971

Abstract:

A scaled-up multi-coaxial fiber bioreactor, and variations of this bioreactor. The device is characterized by a hollow housing and an array of from about 20 to about 400 modules of hollow fibers, where each module includes at least three coaxial semipermeable hollow fibers. The innermost fiber provides a boundary for an innermost compartment which is connected to inlet and outlet ports. Arranged coaxially around the central hollow fiber are several other hollow fibers with their respective compartments, each compartment defined by a respective annular space between adjacent fibers and each including inlet and outlet ports. An outermost compartment for permitting integral aeration is the space between the outer side of the outermost fibers and the inner side of the housing, and has inlet and outlet ports. The hollow housing has inlet and outlet manifolds and flow distributors for each of the compartments. In a preferred embodiment the bioreactor is used as an extracorporeal liver.

US Patent:

20040152149, Aug 5, 2004

Filed:

Oct 31, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/697870

Inventors:

Lola Reid - Chapel Hill NC, US
Bhupender Gupta - Cary NC, US
Jeffrey MacDonald - Chapel Hill NC, US

International Classification:

C12N005/00
C12M001/12

US Classification:

435/029000, 435/399000, 435/297400

Abstract:

A bioreactor for three-dimensional culture of liver cells is disclosed. The device is characterized by the use of textile vasculatures. A model and method for optimizing vasculature parameters is also disclosed. Liver acinar structure and physiological parameters are mimicked by sandwiching cells in the space between the two innermost woven textile hollow fibers, and creating radial flow of media from an outer compartment, through the cell mass compartment, and to an inner compartment. The theoretical optimum hydraulic permeability for the two innermost semi-permeable membranes is determined based on physiological hepatic sinusoidal blood flow and pressures. Experimental studies using a flow rate and pressure monitoring systems in conjunction with phase-contrast velocity-encoded MRI confirm theoretical results. Novel woven vascular tubes with optimum hydraulic permeability are disclosed for culturing hepatocytes in the multi-coaxial bioreactor.

US Patent:

20070238176, Oct 11, 2007

Filed:

Sep 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/226351

Inventors:

Jeffrey MacDonald - Chapel Hill NC, US
Stephen Wolfe - Chapel Hill NC, US

Assignee:

Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

C12N 5/00

US Classification:

435395000

Abstract:

A scaled-up multi-coaxial fiber bioreactor, and variations of this bioreactor. The device is characterized by a hollow housing and an array of from about 20 to about 400 modules of hollow fibers, where each module includes at least three coaxial semipermeable hollow fibers. The innermost fiber provides a boundary for an innermost compartment which is connected to inlet and outlet ports. Arranged coaxially around the central hollow fiber are several other hollow fibers with their respective compartments, each compartment defined by a respective annular space between adjacent fibers and each including inlet and outlet ports. An outermost compartment for permitting integral aeration is the space between the outer side of the outermost fibers and the inner side of the housing, and has inlet and outlet ports. The hollow housing has inlet and outlet manifolds and flow distributors for each of the compartments. In a preferred embodiment the bioreactor is used as an extracorporeal liver. Liver cells, are introduced into one or more annular compartments and media and aeration are provided in others. Plasma from an ailing patient is introduced into another compartment for biotransformation of blood-borne toxins and biosynthesis of proteins, lipids, and other metabolic products.

US Patent:

20080293133, Nov 27, 2008

Filed:

May 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/153170

Inventors:

Lola M. Reid - Chapel Hill NC, US
Bhupender S. Gupta - Cary NC, US
Jeffrey M. MacDonald - Chapel Hill NC, US

International Classification:

C12M 3/00
C12M 1/00

US Classification:

4352941, 4353071

Abstract:

A bioreactor for three-dimensional culture of liver cells is disclosed. The device is characterized by the use of textile vasculatures. A model and method for optimizing vasculature parameters is also disclosed. Liver acinar structure and physiological parameters are mimicked by sandwiching cells in the space between the two innermost woven textile hollow fibers, and creating radial flow of media from an outer compartment, through the cell mass compartment, and to an inner compartment. The theoretical optimum hydraulic permeability for the two innermost semi-permeable membranes is determined based on physiological hepatic sinusoidal blood flow and pressures. Experimental studies using a flow rate and pressure monitoring systems in conjunction with phase-contrast velocity-encoded MRI confirm theoretical results. Novel woven vascular tubes with optimum hydraulic permeability are disclosed for culturing hepatocytes in the multi-coaxial bioreactor.

US Patent:

20120156744, Jun 21, 2012

Filed:

Aug 4, 2010

Appl. No.:

13/388686

Inventors:

Jeffrey M. Macdonald - Chapel Hill NC, US
Andrey P. Tikunov - Chapel Hill NC, US

International Classification:

C12P 7/02
C12P 5/02
C12M 1/04

US Classification:

435155, 4352941, 435167

Abstract:

Provided herein is a multi-phase, gas-lift bioreactor device for digestion and production of biogas or biofuel from organic material, as well as methods of use thereof.