CELL & TISSUE

Cell Culture Inserts

Ensure Ultra-Precise Membrane Parameters for Reproducible Cell Growth

Filtration solutions
cell culture inserts manufactured with a  Unique-Mem track-etched membranes and bonded directly to the insert
cell culture inserts manufactured with a  Unique-Mem track-etched membranes and bonded directly to the insert

Cell culturing is a key method used to isolate, analyze and grow human or animal cells under controlled conditions. While used in a variety of applications, cell culturing is heavily applied in biochemical, molecular, and physiological studies of metabolism and drug testing. Cell culturing helps understand how monoclonal antibodies, vaccines and therapeutic proteins interact with other chemicals for therapeutic studies. 

Our cell culture inserts can be manufactured with a variety of Unique-Mem® track-etched membranes and are bonded directly to the insert. The combination of the membrane sealing process with the Unique-Mem® membrane creates a strong bond between the plastic body and a perfectly smooth membrane surface, usable even for large inserts and in unique larger cell culture formats like rectangular or round versions with growth areas of up to 100 cm2 or even larger.  

Oxyphen track-etched membranes are a perfect fit for this application, given the highly controlled membrane performance parameters, the wide variability in membrane thickness and pore size to regulate the nutrient media transport to the cells that facilitates the correct growth. When combined with our membrane assembly processes, customers can choose from a variety of cell culture inserts based on either a standard hanging design for three well sizes (6-, 12- and 24-well inserts) or a customized design per customer-specific requirements. 

For cell culturing, applications such as co-culture, secretion, cytotoxicity studies and drug transport research, smaller pore sizes are recommended (~ 0.4µm – 1.0µm). Pore sizes from 3.0µm up to 8.0µm are suggested for chemotactic studies and/or migration, invasion. The thicknesses of the membranes range from 8 µm to 23 µm. More specific technical information is found below.  

  • Excellent cell attachment and growth
  • Best fluorescence imaging quality
  • High visibility of particles and cells
  • Backflushing allows reproducible sample recovery
  • 100% Free of PFOA: Compliant with (EC) 1907/2006 REACH / Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 POP 

Rane Material Pore Size Application
PET small 0.4 um Co-Culturing
Drug Transport Studies
Secretion
Basolateral Diffusion
Cytotoxicity studies
PET large 3.0 – 8.0um Cell invasion
Chemotactic
Transport of larger molecules (lipoproteins, viruses)
Trans-endothelial migration
smooth muscle migration
PC TBD Please talk to one our experts for PC as a material option. 

 

Membrane Material Opacity Application
PET Translucent Electron Microscope
TEER
PET Transparent Light Microscope
Electron Microscope


Membrane Material # of wells
PET Multiwell plates (48 / 96 well)
PET

Multiwell plates (48 / 96 well)

 

Cell culture inserts (6 / 12 / 24 well)

Air Flow Up to 800 l / (bar cm2 min) 
Pore Size 0.1µm to 10µm 
Pore Density 0.01M to 1,000M pores per cm2 
Thickness 8µm to 50µm 
Temperature Range – 40°C and 160°C (up to 200°C)​ 
Hydrophilic Treatments  Various hydrophilic treatments increase water flow rate and wetting abilities of the membrane 
Sterilization Procedures Stable against Gamma and X-ray 
Specification Unique-Mem® Track-Etched Membranes RoTrac® Track-Etched Membranes
Bandwidth (mm)
10, 13, 14.5, 20 & custom sizes
High Quality Raw Materials
PET – naturally slightly hydrophilic
PC – naturally slightly hydrophobic
PET-Membrane/ PET-Nonwoven –harder
PET-Membrane/ PP-Nonwoven – softer
Pore Size Ranges
0.1µm to 10µm
0.2µm to 3.0µm
Pore Density Ranges
105 to 109 pores per cm2
2×106 bis 3×108 pores per cm2
Thickness Ranges
8µm to 50µm
90µm to 220µm
Temperature Ranges
– 40°C and 160°C (for special application < 200°C)
– 40°C and 130°C (for special application < 160°C)
Air Flow Ranges
Up to 800 l / (bar cm2 min)
Up to 37 l / (bar cm2 min)
Hydrophilic Treatments
Various hydrophilic treatments increase water flow rate and wetting abilities of the membrane (example: PVP treatment)
Hydrophobic / Oleophobic Treatment:
Grade up to 7.5; AATCC TM 118
Salt spray resistance test2
According to IEC 60068-2-52, based on validation by the customer
Temperature resistance test1
In accordance with ISO 16750-4
Ice water shock test1&2
In accordance with ISO 16750-4
Climate resistance test
In accordance with ISO 16750-4
Chemical resistance test1
According LV124/ ISO 16750-5
IP Protection1
IP 64/65/66/67/68, according to DIN 40050

1 Testing in Progress

2 Based on Customer Validation

Related Resources

Viral Filtration Efficiency (VFE) Certificate

Final test report from Nelson Labs for Viral Filtration Efficiency (VFE) at an Increased Challenge Level. Also available is the Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) report.

Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) Certificate

Final test report from Nelson Labs for Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) at an Increased Challenge Level. Also available is the Viral Filtration Efficiency (VFE) report.

OxyDisc® Product Brochure

Learn more about OxyDisc® die-cut membrane discs that can be produced using either hydrophobic or hydrophilic membranes and easily handled and mounted using multiple assembly options to suit a variety of industries.

Register for our On-Demand Webinar

Delivering Precision & Control: An Introduction to Track-Etched Membrane Technology

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Membrane Technologies Available

Unique-Mem track-etched membranes

Technologies

Unique-Mem® Unlaminated Track-Etched Membranes

Unique-Mem® track-etched membranes, available as hydrophilic or hydrophobic, are characterized by cylindrical shaped pores penetrating the membrane in different angles. They have a smooth flat surface and well-defined flow rates.

RoTrack Track-etched Membrane

Technologies

RoTrac® Laminated Track-Etched Membranes

RoTrac® track-etched membranes are Unique-Mem® membranes that are supported with non-wovens (PP or PET) to create a more robust membrane. They are available as either hydrophilic or hydrophobic membranes.

Contact Us

Interested in speaking with one of our track-etched membrane experts?