US 11,859,214 B1
Automated system for simulating the human lower gastrointestinal tract
Laurel A Doherty, Waltham, MA (US); Jason W Soares, Norfolk, MA (US); Steven Arcidiacono, Bellingham, MA (US); and Sarah Pearce, Dedham, MA (US)
Assigned to The Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Army, Washington, DC (US)
Filed by U.S. Government as Represented by the Secretary of the Army, Natick, MA (US)
Filed on Aug. 15, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/541,469.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/719,159, filed on Aug. 17, 2018.
Int. Cl. C12M 1/00 (2006.01); C12M 3/06 (2006.01); C12N 5/071 (2010.01); C12M 3/00 (2006.01); C12M 1/40 (2006.01); C12M 1/36 (2006.01); C12M 1/34 (2006.01); G01N 33/50 (2006.01); C12M 1/02 (2006.01)
CPC C12N 5/0697 (2013.01) [C12M 21/08 (2013.01); C12M 21/18 (2013.01); C12M 23/58 (2013.01); C12M 29/00 (2013.01); C12M 41/18 (2013.01); C12M 41/26 (2013.01); C12M 41/48 (2013.01); G01N 33/5088 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An in vitro model of an in vivo gastrointestinal tract, comprising:
an in vitro model of an in vivo small intestine including a first plurality of fermentation vessels, comprising:
an in vitro duodenum model including at least one fermentation vessel having bile acids, sodium bicarbonate and duodenal enzyme disposed therein;
an in vitro jejunum model including at least one fermentation vessel of the first plurality of fermentation vessels having jejunum diluent, growth medium and a of a mixture of aerobic and aerotolerant microorganisms disposed therein; and
an in vitro ileum model including at least one fermentation vessel of the first plurality of fermentation vessels having ileum diluent, growth medium and a mock community of a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms disposed therein;
an in vitro model of an in vivo large intestine including a second plurality of fermentation vessels, comprising:
an in vitro ascending portion model including at least one fermentation vessel of the second plurality of fermentation vessels having growth medium and a mock community of anerobic microorganisms disposed therein at a pH of about 5.5;
an in vitro transverse portion model including at least one fermentation vessel of the second plurality of fermentation vessels having growth medium and a mock community of anerobic microorganisms disposed therein at a pH of about 6.2;
an in vitro descending portion model including at least one fermentation vessel of the second plurality of fermentation vessels having growth medium and a mock community of anerobic microorganisms disposed therein at a pH of about 6.8; and
a first membrane unit in fluid communication with the at least one fermentation vessel of the in vitro jejunum model and a second membrane unit in fluid communication with the at least one fermentation vessel of the in vitro ileum model, the first and second membrane units configured to extract nutrients from the respective contents of the at least one fermentation vessel of the in vitro jejunum model and the at least one fermentation vessel of the in vitro ileum model that pass there through,
wherein the first and second plurality of fermentation vessels are in fluid communication.