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Case Study

Wilson Wolf G-Rex® Gas Permeable Cell Culture Device Molded And Assembled By Minnesota Rubber And Plastics

Convection Process Provides Medical Device Advantages Not Previously Possible

Wilson Wolf created a paradigm shift with its cell culture design disrupting age-old beliefs regarding cell production. Minnesota Rubber and Plastics (MR&P) facilitated the unique design with an efficient, high quality molded, assembled and packaged G-Rex branded product ready for the medical marketplace.

The ideal G-Rex final product assembly design was accomplished through DFM (Design For Manufacturing) collaboration with the Wilson Wolf engineers and MR&P engineers. And together, the group effort eliminated several components, and improved the overall design and final product cost. The G-Rex 100 Series set the stage for a complete line cell culture products.

Key to the G-Rex gas permeable cell culture process is the gas permeable membrane molded by Minnesota Rubber and Plastics.
In the device, the gas permeable membrane provides convection nutrient transport (not diffusion) generating the most cell cultures in the least amount of space. Convection is the key to achieving maximum cell growth with uninterrupted access to nutrients. When compared to age-old diffusion processes, Wilson Wolfs design provides the easiest and fastest way to generate the most cells in the least amount of space. It can turn 300 million cells into 100 billion cells in just 11 days. G-Rex is a patented FDA registered Class 1 medical device.

The G-Rex gas permeable membrane is contained in a 4 component thermoplastic assembly consisting of an incubator shelf, a high nutrient capacity bottle, supported by a ring at the base and a cap at the top. All molding, assembly and packaging operations are done in Minnesota Rubber and Plastics ISO 13485 Class 7 and 8 clean rooms.

Explaining its operation, Wilson Wolf officials described G-Rex process begins by adding cells and a large volume of media into the device. The incubator is set in Oxygen from ambient air and CO2 from the media is exchanged through the Gas Permeable Membrane. Cells obtain oxygen and nutrients on demand (no need for media exchange, shaking or rolling). The cultured cells are collected by withdrawing 90 percent of the media volume and removing the cells.

According to Wilson Wolf officials, the G-Rex proprietary yet straight-forward technology leads to powerful therapies. The product is now available to the medical community in multiple sizes and packaged quantities.

Since 1945, Minnesota Rubber and Plastics has built a worldwide reputation as a leader in advanced technologies.

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It is a global solutions provider in the development and launch of complex products, from high-tolerance medical components and assemblies to final sterile packaged devices for the most demanding applications using medical-grade elastomers, and thermoplastics.

The company’s reputation is founded on its unique science-based approach that has made it a preferred manufacturing partner for industry leaders in North America, Europe, and Asia. It is well known for its ability to provide cost-effective solutions to technically demanding applications.

Minnesota Rubber and Plastics’ experience in advanced material formulation enables it to be compliant with FDA, EC 1935/2004, NSF 61, and NSF 51, plus ISO 10993 and ISO 13485, to meet your unique product requirements. Its 70-year-plus history in the design and manufacture of complex devices makes it the preferred partner for industry leaders throughout the world.