Method for Proliferation of Cells Within a Bioreactor Using a Disposable Pumphead and Filter Assembly

Abstract

A method for promoting biological activity uses a filter system to increase cell production of a fed batch bioreactor. The filter system cycles bioreactor fluid through a hollow fiber tangential flow filter which separates metabolic wastes (as well as proteins) from cells produced in bioreactor and returned to fed batch bioreactor, improving cell production in the fed batch bioreactor. The filter system includes a disposable pump and filter, and a reusable control system. The pump is a low shear gamma stable pump gently cycling bioreactor fluid through the filter with minimal damage to the cells produced in the bioreactor. The pumphead and hollow fiber tangential flow filter are disposable. The pump motor is part of the control system and is reusable. The pumphead and filter are provided as an assembled and pre-sterilized unit allowing simple and quick attachment to the fed batch bioreactor, and simple and quick disposal.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a Continuation of, and claims the benefit of priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 095,435 filed Apr. 11, 2016 entitled: “Method for Proliferation of Cells Within a Bioreactor Using a Disposable Pumphead and Filter Assembly” which is a Continuation-in-part, and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 633,272 filed, filed Dec. 18, 2017, entitled “Method for Proliferation of Cells Within a Bioreactor Using a Disposable Pumphead and Filter Assembly,” which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to bioreactors and in particular to an improved bioreactor system and method including a disposable pumphead and tangential flow filter.[0003]Bioreactor systems provide an environment supporting biological activity and known bioreactor systems build up metabolic waste in the bioreactor. The buildup of buil...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a method for improving cell production in a fed batch bioreactor by using a filter system. The filter system cycles fluid through a hollow fiber tangential flow filter separating metabolic wastes and proteins from cells produced in the bioreactor and returned to it, which results in increased cell production. The filter system includes a disposable pump and filter and a reusable control system. The pump is a low shear gamma stable pump gently cycling bioreactor fluid through the filter with minimal damage to the cells produced in the bioreactor. The filter system can be easily attached and quickly disposed of, and it allows for a simple and quick changing of the filtering loop without impacting sterility. The disposable MBT assembly simplifies the procedure for changing of the filtering loop and can be used with either disposable reactors, glass, or stainless steel reactors.

Problems solved by technology

The buildup of build up metabolic waste limits the amplification or cell growth within the bioreactor.

As a result, known high capacity bioreactor systems require either a very large and expensive bioreactor or require filtering biological material in the bioreactor to continue the biological activity.

Mechanical pump components which wear or tear may give off debris into the bioreactor filter.

Unfortunately, when pumps or filters of known systems require service or replacement, the required procedures can be time consuming due to the requirement to maintain the sterile environment.

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