PURPOSE: To enable the cultivation of a large amount of cells at a high density, by carrying out the supply of fresh culture liquid and the discharge of used culture liquid continuously or semicontinuously in a suspension-type cell culture.
CONSTITUTION: The arrow shows the pipe connected to the liquid inlet and outlet connected to either of the change-over valves 12, 13, 14 and 15 in the culture vessel. The unit contains a capillary bundle composed of a number of hollow fibers. Both ends of the bundle are fixed by bonding layers, and a common inlet and outlet of the liquid is attached at one end. The other end is sealed. The unit is operated by repeating the supply of an aqueous liquid medium (e.g. fresh culture medium) and the discharge of used culture liquid alternately. Even if the wall membrane of the hollow fiber is blocked temporarily with a cell or other solid component, there occurs no permanent blocking of the tube, and the exchange of the culture liquid can be performed effectively.
SATOU SHIYUUICHI
MURAKAMI HIRONORI
HASEGAWA RIYOUZOU
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