Patent US3993560A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3993560A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for monitoring cellular activities
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-02-27
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Granted: 1976-11-23
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Expires: 1995-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A method and means are provided for observing and recording by time lapse photography the growth of cells such as cancer cells outside the human body while nourishing the cells with human blood so that the situation simulates the actual cell growth within the body. The patient's blood is circulated through an extra corporeal chamber by an arteriovenous shunt, the tissue cells to be monitored being disposed in the chamber under a controlled environment. The chamber has transparent top and bottom covers so that the growing tissue may be properly illuminated by a light source and time lapse photographs taken.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard M. Halpern
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
An apparatus for monitoring cellular activities in tissue to be examined from a given patient including in combination: a. a closed sterile chamber for holding said tissue culture having transparent top and bottom covers so that the interior of the chamber can be viewed from above and below said chamber having an access opening for receiving said tissue culture; b. annular heating means surrounding said chamber in a manner so as not to interfere with observation of the interior of the chamber through said top and bottom covers and provide a controlled temperature in said chamber; c. inlet valve means adjacent to one edge of the top surface of the chamber for connection to said patient's artery and including a branch valve connecting means for introducing chemicals to blood entering said chamber; d. outlet valve means adjacent to another edge of the top surface of said chamber for connection to said patient's vein and including a branch valve connecting means for introducing other chemicls to the blood to neutralize the effect of said first mentioned chemicals prior to the blood returning to the patient; and e. filter means in the form of a bundle of hollow dialyzing fibers in said chamber connecting said inlet valve means to said outlet valve means, whereby said patient's blood may be continuously circulated through said filter means in said chamber to nourish cells in said tissue and remove metabolic waste products while visually monitoring cellular activities through said transparent covers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
246 words
An apparatus for monitoring cellular activities in tissue to be examined from a given patient including in combination: a. a closed sterile chamber for holding said tissue culture having transparent top and bottom covers so that the interior of the chamber can be viewed from above and below said chamber having an access opening for receiving said tissue culture; b. annular heating means surrounding said chamber in a manner so as not to interfere with observation of the interior of the chamber through said top and bottom covers and provide a controlled temperature in said chamber; c. inlet valve means adjacent to one edge of the top surface of the chamber for connection to said patient's artery and including a branch valve connecting means for introducing chemicals to blood entering said chamber; d. outlet valve means adjacent to another edge of the top surface of said chamber for connection to said patient's vein and including a branch valve connecting means for introducing other chemicls to the blood to neutralize the effect of said first mentioned chemicals prior to the blood returning to the patient; and e. filter means in the form of a bundle of hollow dialyzing fibers in said chamber connecting said inlet valve means to said outlet valve means, whereby said patient's blood may be continuously circulated through said filter means in said chamber to nourish cells in said tissue and remove metabolic waste products while visually monitoring cellular activities through said transparent covers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, including a light source positioned above said chamber and a time lapse photographic means positioned below said chamber for taking a succession of pictures of said tissue through said bottom transparent cover at fixed time intervals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-23 | 1980-05-24 | 1980-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-23 | 1984-05-24 | 1984-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-23 | 1988-05-24 | 1988-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |