Composite sensor assemblies for single use bioreactors

Abstract

A composite sensor assembly for monitoring bio-processes which is suitable for use with a polymeric bioprocess vessel or with downstream equipment, and comprises:i) a port comprising a high surface tension thermoplastic having a hollow tubular portion and a base plate portion, the base plate portion being fusibly sealable to the bioreactor vessel at a hole in the wall thereof;ii) a generally opaque polymeric monitoring sensor assembly including electrical, and / or optical measurement components. The sensor assembly tits inside the bore of the hollow tubular portion of the port, and is adhesively retained therein.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) from co-pending, commonly assigned Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 465,849 filed Mar. 25, 2011 and Utility Application Ser. No. 13 / 134,157 filed May 31, 2011 the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by this reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The increasing popularity of single-use systems for bio-processing is apparent in the market place and can be readily understood by considering a typical biotech manufacturing facility. The infrastructure required to implement a facility using traditional glass / steel bioreactors, mixers, and purification systems is substantial, and the time and expense required to construct such bio-process systems can be immense. The requirement that both the equipment itself and also the ingress and egress tubing utilize inert materials such as 316L electro-polished stainless steel requires a large initial investment and the bioreactors, (i.e. bio-process ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a problem in the marketplace related to the difficulty of introducing sensors and monitoring equipment into bioreactor vessels made of polymeric materials. These materials require special consideration when introducing sensors as they can be affected by multiple different materials, which can lead to issues with the integrity of the vessel and the sensors themselves. The patent proposes a new solution to this problem by introducing a new port design that allows for the introduction of different types of sensing elements while also being re-configurable and validated quickly and efficiently. This new solution aims to improve the monitoring and control of bioprocesses using single-use bioreactor platforms.

Problems solved by technology

The infrastructure required to implement a facility using traditional glass / steel bioreactors, mixers, and purification systems is substantial, and the time and expense required to construct such bio-process systems can be immense.

The requirement that both the equipment itself and also the ingress and egress tubing utilize inert materials such as 316L electro-polished stainless steel requires a large initial investment and the bioreactors, (i.e. bio-process vessels) Mixers and down-stream processing equipment (e.g. chromatography skids, filtration systems) all have a considerable footprint.

While the rocker type single-use bioreactor bag has enjoyed some marketplace success, to date one major issue has been the lack of robust, single-use sensors that can be integrated into these rocker bags and preferably be radiation sterilized together with the bag.

One key issue affecting polymeric bioreactor vessels and other types of single-use equipment in both upstream and downstream applications in general has been the method by which to introduce sensors and ancillary monitoring equipment or assemblies that require multiple different materials (e.g.: mechanical assemblies).

While these port designs can generally provide an air and water tight seal between the port and introduced assemblies, a significant amount of time is required to qualify and test these assemblies (e.g.: validate them for cGMP use) and they cannot be simply and directly assembled when manufacturing single-use polymeric bioreactor vessels.

Additionally, there are circumstances where it is difficult to design a suitable port assembly to support the sensor assembly.

However, a large port can put stress on the bag materials and is therefore difficult to construct such that the integrity of the bag can be assured while at the same time maintaining a leak free seal.

To date, this has not generally been feasible for most sensors or sensor assemblies.

The laminated films used to make the bags or vessel liners can be readily welded together, and although the prior art ports which are typically constructed from materials matching the inner layer of the single-use bioreactor (e.g.: LDPE, EVA, PVDF, or other polyolefin) can also be welded to the bag or liner, the optimal material for the sensor assembly itself cannot be readily welded to the film liner materials or to a port of the same material as the liner (See: “Materials of construction for Single-Use Bioprocessing Systems”, William Hartzel, Innovations in Pharmaceutical Technology, p46, April 2007).

Furthermore, as the size of single-use mixers, bioreactors, and DSP equipment increases to meet capacity, the risk of leakage from a standard sensor / port configuration increases with the greater pressure inside the container.

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