Optical fiber terminator

Abstract

The invention provides an optical fiber terminator (1, 1a-1d) for terminating two or more parallel optical fibers (4), where each optical fiber comprises an optical waveguide core surrounded by a polymeric protective jacket. The terminal comprises a housing having a front face (3) and a rear shell (4). The housing is configured for inserting two or more parallel optical fibers therein such that the respective end faces (5) of the two or more optical fibers are located at predetermined spaced-apart positions relative to the front face, and the two or more optical fibers extend rearward from the front face through the rear housing. The terminator further comprises one or more clamping pads (6) which can then be inserted into one or more respective mating channels (8) formed in the rear shell behind the front face, such that each clamping pad, when inserted, clamps the sheath flanks of at least one optical fiber non-puncturally on the pad side, thereby retaining the optical fiber in the housing, and the other clamping pad is inserted into the housing. And the end face of the optical fiber is locked at a preset interval position.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to EP 22166842.9 filed on April 5, 2022, the contents and elements of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an optical fiber terminator. Background Art

[0003] Cell culture is the process of growing cells in an artificial environment such as a bioreactor. Typically, cells are grown in suspension in a culture medium. Monitoring the environment in which the cells are placed in a bioreactor is important for controlling that environment and ultimately the physiological condition of the cells and the target amount of production. Specifically, monitoring parameters such as DO (dissolved oxygen), pH of the culture medium in the bioreactor, and pCO2 (partial pressure of CO2) are key to achieving this control.

[0004] Monitoring of these parameters can be achieved in an invasive and / or non-invasive manner. Invasive monitoring typically uses a sensor probe that is inserted directly into the growth medium in the container. However, this can make sensor calibration difficult and, since the probe is typically reusable, can increase the risk of cross-contamination between containers. In contrast, non-invasive monitoring sensors do not come into direct contact with the growth medium, but can be placed outside the container. While this avoids some of the issues associated with invasive monitoring, it is critical that non-invasive sensors located outside the container are properly aligned relative to the container to properly calibrate the sensor, avoid drift, and provide accurate and consistent measurements consistent with previous calibrations. In another approach, disposable patch monitoring sensors are placed below the level of the growth medium in the bioreactor container, for example, on the bottom wall of the container. However, these sensors require coupling to an external reading device, and for reliable monitoring, the coupling between the patch sensor and any reading device must be clearly defined. Therefore, if the reading device is not in actual close contact with the opposite face (outer surface) of the container wall where the patch sensor is located, it must be placed within a controlled spacing, typically between 0.5 and 0.2 mm from that surface.

[0005] Further challenges arise when parallel cell culture is performed using a large number of relatively small bioreactor vessels. This cell culture approach can be used to simulate larger-scale cell culture environments and can improve the success rate and speed to market of new biopharmaceutical products by screening a large number of potential cell clones during small-scale production. The most suitable clones can then be identified and advanced into a larger-scale development process. The bioreactor vessels used for such screening experiments are not only small in scale, but are often closely arranged together and may be consumables. However, monitoring environmental parameters within each small bioreactor vessel places constraints on sensor technology. Especially when using non-invasive probes, there is a need to meet strict probe size restrictions while arranging a large number of probes accurately and safely relative to the bioreactor vessels within the confined space.

[0006] Optical fibers comprising an optical waveguide core surrounded by a protective sheath can be used as non-invasive sensor elements to monitor parameters of cell cultures in such multi-vessel bioreactor systems, for example by means of disposable patch monitoring sensors placed in the vessels. However, the sheaths are typically made of soft plastics, usually polyurethane or polyethylene, which do not bond to the optical fiber. This can make it difficult to position the optical fiber and securely fix it in proper alignment with the vessel for parameter monitoring, because the sheath can slide relative to the optical waveguide core, particularly at the end of the optical fiber. Further complicating matters, soft plastics such as polyurethane or polyethylene are typically not bondable, and the piercing sheath is fixed directly to the core material, creating stress points in the optical waveguide core and causing it to break.

[0007] A known method of securing an optical fiber in a desired position is to pass the optical fiber through a clamping plate located below the bioreactor vessel and, when the optical fiber is in the desired position for the parameter to be monitored, tighten the fixing screws on the clamping plate. In this way, the optical fiber is secured and the risk of damage to the optical fiber is reduced by providing a corresponding O-ring at each optical fiber position on the plate, which deforms when the screw is tightened to adjust the clamping force between the plate and the optical fiber. However, this clamping plate structure is generally not suitable for small and closely spaced bioreactor vessels. Specifically, the O-rings limit the lower limit of the possible spacing between the optical fibers on the clamping plate, which in turn limits the size of the vessel and the lower limit of the spacing. In addition, without the fixing screws, the optical fiber is difficult to replace, which makes optical fiber replacement a complicated and time-consuming process.

[0008] Another approach is to remove a portion of the fiber's protective jacket to expose a portion of the optical waveguide core, which is then bonded to a suitable mounting material to secure the fiber in the desired location. However, since the waveguide core is very brittle, this typically requires special glues, materials and tools as well as careful handling procedures, and further complicates the replacement of damaged or faulty fibers. For these reasons, this approach is not typically used.

[0009] Therefore, it is a significant technical challenge to fix optical fibers at the desired location for parameter monitoring of cell cultures in small bioreactor vessels. Summary of the invention

[0010] In summary, the present invention provides a coupler for coupling parallel elongated members, the coupler comprising: a housing having a front face and a rear shell, the housing being configured for inserting two or more parallel elongated members therein with respective end faces of the two or more elongated members located at predetermined spaced positions relative to the front face and the two or more elongated members extending rearwardly from the front face through the rear shell of the housing; and One or more clamping pads can be inserted into one or more corresponding matching channels formed in the rear shell behind the front face, so that each clamping pad clamps the sheath flank of at least one slender member on one side of the pad when inserted, thereby retaining the slender members in the shell and locking their end faces in predetermined spaced positions.

[0011] Thus, each elongate member may be retained in the housing by the clamping spacer clamping one wing while the opposite wing is pressed against the wall of the housing or against the wing of an adjacent elongate member. By retaining the elongate member in the housing with the clamping spacer, the elongate member may be fixed laterally and longitudinally within the housing to lock its end faces in predetermined spaced positions. Preferably, the or each clamping spacer clamps the sheath wing of at least one elongate member in a non-piercing manner. Since the insertion side of each clamping spacer clamps its respective sheath wing, the insertion action of the spacer itself results in the elongate member being clamped, which helps to simplify the installation process of the elongate member in the coupler.

[0012] For example, a coupler may be used to couple two parallel elongated members, the coupler comprising: a housing having a front face and a rear shell, the housing being configured for inserting two parallel elongated members therein with respective end faces of the two elongated members located at predetermined spaced positions relative to the front face and the two elongated members extending rearwardly from the front face through the rear shell; and A clamping gasket can be inserted into a matching channel formed in the rear shell behind the front face and located between the predetermined spacing positions, so that the clamping gasket clamps the sheath side wings of the two slender members on the opposite sides of the gasket when inserted, thereby separating the slender members, while retaining the slender members in the shell and locking their end faces at the predetermined spacing positions.

[0013] The elongated member may be, for example, a wire, a conduit or a pipe, but more particularly, the elongated member may be an optical fiber and the coupler may be a terminator for terminating the optical fiber.

[0014] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an optical fiber terminator for terminating two or more parallel optical fibers, wherein each optical fiber comprises an optical waveguide core surrounded by a polymer protective sheath, the terminator comprising: a housing having a front face and a rear shell, the housing being configured for inserting two or more parallel optical fibers therein with respective end faces of the two or more optical fibers being located at predetermined spaced positions relative to the front face and the two or more optical fibers extending rearwardly from the front face through the rear shell of the housing; and One or more clamping gaskets can be inserted into one or more corresponding matching channels formed in the rear shell behind the front face, so that each clamping gasket clamps the jacket flank of at least one optical fiber on one side of the gasket when inserted, thereby retaining the optical fiber in the shell and locking the optical fiber end face at a predetermined spacing position.

[0015] Thus, each optical fiber can be retained in the housing by the clamping pad clamping one flank while the opposite flank is pressed against the wall of the housing or against the flank of an adjacent elongate member. By retaining the optical fibers in the housing with the clamping pads, the optical fibers can be fixed laterally and longitudinally within the housing to lock their end faces in predetermined spaced positions. Preferably, the or each clamping pad non-piercingly clamps the jacket flank of at least one optical fiber. Since the insertion side of each clamping pad clamps its corresponding jacket flank, the insertion action of the pad itself causes the optical fiber to be clamped, which helps to simplify the installation process of the optical fiber in the terminator.

[0016] As a first example of the first aspect, the present invention provides an optical fiber terminator for terminating two parallel optical fibers, wherein each optical fiber comprises an optical waveguide core surrounded by a polymer protective sheath, the terminator comprising: a housing having a front face and a rear shell, the housing being configured to insert two parallel optical fibers therein with respective end faces of the two optical fibers located at predetermined spaced positions relative to the front face and the two optical fibers extending rearwardly from the front face through the rear shell; and A clamping gasket can be inserted into a matching channel formed in the rear shell behind the front face and located between predetermined spacing positions, so that the clamping gasket clamps the jacket flanks of the two optical fibers on opposite sides of the gasket when inserted, thereby separating the optical fibers, while retaining the optical fibers in the housing and locking the optical fiber end faces at the predetermined spacing positions.

[0017] As a second example of the first aspect, the present invention provides an optical fiber terminator for terminating two parallel optical fibers, wherein each optical fiber comprises an optical waveguide core surrounded by a polymer protective sheath, the terminator comprising: a housing having a front face and a rear shell, the housing being configured to insert two parallel optical fibers therein with respective end faces of the two optical fibers located at predetermined adjacent positions relative to the front face and the two optical fibers extending rearwardly from the front face through the rear shell; and Two clamping pads are insertable into corresponding matching channels formed in the rear shell behind the front face and on substantially opposite sides of the predetermined adjacent position, so that each clamping pad clamps the jacket flank of a corresponding one of the optical fibers when inserted, thereby pushing the optical fibers together and holding the optical fibers in the housing, while locking the optical fiber end faces in the predetermined adjacent position.

[0018] In this example, the retained optical fibers can be pushed together and the flanks of the two optical fibers can be pressed into direct contact, or the flanks of the two optical fibers can be pressed into contact with a partition provided by the housing, which is interposed between the two optical fibers to provide a fixed spacing between them. Advantageously, the terminator of the first aspect can be easily assembled to the optical fiber and does not require gluing or bonding to connect the optical fibers, thereby facilitating the replacement of individual damaged or faulty optical fibers. In addition, the terminator does not need to pierce the polymer protective sleeve to clamp the optical fiber, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the optical waveguide core structure. Instead, the terminator can firmly and safely hold the optical fiber by clamping the gasket, for example, to prevent the optical fiber from being accidentally pulled out of the housing. Therefore, compared with the traditional optical fiber connection solutions discussed above, the terminator reduces costs and improves reliability. In addition, the terminator can be made compact and can therefore even be used in small and closely spaced biological reaction vessels.

[0019] The or each clamping pad may have a serrated side surface to clamp the corresponding jacket flank of the inserted optical fiber. Advantageously, the opposite side can increase the resistance provided by the clamping pad to the fiber being pulled out (for example by biting the jacket flank of the optical fiber), thereby improving the fiber retention force within the housing. In the first example above, the clamping pad may have a serrated opposite side surface to clamp the jacket flank of the inserted optical fiber. In this case, both serrated opposite sides can increase the resistance provided by the clamping pad to the fiber being pulled out (for example by biting the jacket flank of the optical fiber), thereby improving the fiber retention force within the housing. Another option is that each clamping pad is made of a rubber or elastic material, which is pulled into its matching channel, and the pulling stretches the material and causes the clamping pad to contract laterally, so that when the clamping pad is released to its unstretched state, the clamping pad will expand laterally to clamp the jacket and retain it through friction interaction.

[0020] The or each clamping spacer may be removably insertable. Advantageously, this may facilitate replacement of a damaged or faulty optical fibre. For example, to replace an optical fibre, the spacer may be removed so that it no longer retains the optical fibre in the housing and may then be easily removed by extracting the selected optical fibre from the terminator. A replacement optical fibre may then be similarly inserted into the same position and the optical fibre re-secured by reinserting the clamping spacer, for example between the optical fibres in the first example above.

[0021] The or each clamping pad may have an oblong cross-section perpendicular to its insertion direction, the side of the pad that clamps the fiber jacket flank being the straight side of the oblong cross-section. Advantageously, this shape may provide a relatively large contact area between the clamping pad and the jacketed fiber to spread the load to the jacket flank and reduce the risk of fiber damage.

[0022] The front face of the housing may include a corresponding opening to receive the optical fiber end face and define a predetermined spacing position. For example, the optical fiber terminator may be configured such that the optical fiber end face is flush with the front face of the housing when the optical fiber end face is located at the predetermined spacing position. Advantageously, this can ensure close contact between the optical fiber end face and the wall of the bioreactor container, which in turn can reduce the risk of signal phase and amplitude being impaired and / or out of control during the measurement process when using the optical fiber as a non-invasive probe.

[0023] The fiber optic terminator can be a dual fiber optic terminator for terminating only two parallel optical fibers. For example, the dual fiber optic terminator can be connected to a first optical fiber to monitor the pH of a cell culture, and to a second optical fiber to monitor the DO level of a cell culture. The fiber optic terminator can be a triple fiber optic terminator for terminating only three parallel optical fibers. For example, the triple fiber optic terminator can be connected to a first optical fiber to monitor the pH of a cell culture, and to a second optical fiber to monitor the DO level of a cell culture, while also being connected to a third optical fiber to monitor pCO2.

[0024] The optical fiber terminator may also include a sealing element configured to seal the terminator to the docking port. Conveniently, the sealing element may be located in a matching groove formed in the rear housing of the terminator. For example, the sealing element may be an O-ring.

[0025] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a set (eg, a pair or three) of terminated optical fibers terminated with a terminator according to the first aspect.

[0026] The polymer protective jacket of the optical fiber can be made of polyethylene or polyurethane. Both polyethylene and polyurethane are soft plastics suitable for protecting the optical fiber from structural damage while allowing it to bend and flex as needed.

[0027] The fiber diameter of each terminating optical fiber may be 3 mm or less, and preferably 2 mm or less. Advantageously, such fiber diameters can ensure compatibility with small bioreactor containers.

[0028] The ratio of the center distance between the optical fiber end faces at the predetermined spacing positions to the optical fiber diameter can be 2.3 or less, preferably 2 or less, more preferably 1.7 or less. Similarly, such a ratio can also ensure compatibility with small bioreactor containers.

[0029] The terminating optical fiber may also have a retaining sleeve that is located behind and spaced from the terminator and that wraps around the optical fiber. The sleeve may help maintain the relative position of the optical fiber within a certain distance behind the terminator, thereby helping to prevent the optical fiber from being accidentally pulled apart and damaging the optical fiber or the terminator, or causing the end of the optical fiber to shift relative to the end face.

[0030] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a screening system in combination with groups (e.g. pairs or triplets) of terminated optical fibers according to the second aspect, wherein: The screening system includes a plurality of sample wells for accommodating respective bioreactor containers; and Each sample well includes a docking port and has a terminator of a corresponding terminated optical fiber group docked therein, so that the optical fibers in the terminated optical fiber group can query the contents of the bioreactor container accommodated in the sample well through their optical fiber end faces.

[0031] Advantageously, this screening system can screen a large number of potential cell clones in parallel cell culture processes to identify the clones that are most suitable for a larger-scale development process.

[0032] For example, the docking port may be formed at the bottom of the well so that the fiber end faces upwardly toward the bioreactor vessel.

[0033] When the terminator of the first aspect includes a sealing element, each terminator can be sealed to its corresponding docking port by a respective sealing element. For example, the docking port can have a tapered profile that gradually engages with the sealing element when the terminator is inserted therein. Advantageously, the sealing element can seal the optical fiber and the components of the screening system to prevent condensate and cleaning fluid in the bioreactor container from overflowing.

[0034] The screening system may also include a temperature-controlled base on which the sample well is supported, and the optical fiber passes through an aperture formed in the temperature-controlled base as it extends backward from the front face of its terminator. For example, the temperature-controlled base may be made of aluminum because aluminum has high thermal conductivity.

[0035] In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of assembling a combination according to the third aspect, the method comprising the steps of: providing groups (e.g., pairs or triplets) of terminated optical fibers; and The tail end of each group of terminated optical fibers is passed through the docking port of the corresponding sample hole, and then the corresponding terminator is inserted into the docking port, so that the optical fiber can query the content of the bioreactor container contained in the sample hole through its optical fiber end face.

[0036] Advantageously, this convenient assembly method can be completed relatively quickly while ensuring that the optical fiber end face is properly positioned to reliably interrogate the contents of the bioreactor vessel. In addition, the tail end of the optical fiber can be appropriately positioned to couple to a sensing unit, such as a reader card for sending optical signals into the optical fiber and reading optical signals from the optical fiber.

[0037] When the combination of the third aspect is configured such that the screening system includes a temperature-controlled base, the method may further include the step of passing the tail end of the terminating optical fiber through an aperture formed in the base after passing the tail end of the terminating optical fiber through the docking port.

[0038] The present invention includes any combination of aspects and optional features described herein, unless such a combination is expressly not permitted or should be explicitly avoided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] Figure 1 A perspective view showing components of a fiber optic terminator according to one aspect of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A side perspective view of a fiber optic terminator;

[0042] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D The Figure 2 A front view, a side view, a perspective view and a plan view of a pair of terminated optical fibers terminated by an optical fiber terminator;

[0043] Figure 4 A partial plan view of the screening system is shown;

[0044] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 A plan view of a multi-hole screening station of a screening system;

[0045] Figure 6 Shows Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of an aperture of a screening system and a pair of terminated optical fibers;

[0046] Figure 7 Shows Figures 4 to 6 a cutaway perspective view of a portion of a screening system;

[0047] Figure 8 A perspective view showing components of a modified optical fiber terminator according to an aspect of the present invention;

[0048] Fig. 9 Shows Figure 8 A side perspective view of a fiber optic terminator;

[0049] FIG. 10A to FIG. 10D The Fig. 9 A front view, a side view, a perspective view and a plan view of a pair of terminated optical fibers terminated by an optical fiber terminator; and

[0050] FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C Plan views of the end faces of three possible triple terminators are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings.Other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0052] The present invention provides an optical fiber terminator for terminating an optical fiber to facilitate non-invasive parameter monitoring of bioreactor contents contained in small and closely spaced bioreactor containers. The bioreactor containers may be located as described below with respect to Figures 4 to 6 In the following examples, the terminator is a dual terminator for terminating two parallel optical fibers. Specifically, the first optical fiber can monitor the pH value of the bioreactor contents, while the second optical fiber can monitor the DO level. The optical fiber has an optical waveguide core surrounded by a polymer protective sheath. Preferably, the optical fiber has a fiber diameter of 3 mm or less, more preferably 2 mm or less. Advantageously, such a fiber diameter ensures compatibility with small and closely spaced bioreactor vessels.

[0053] The optical fiber may be a commercially available optical fiber such as Super Eska manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation. TM 2.0 mm Core Fiber, 3 mm OD Polyethylene Jacket, V-2Y 1P1960 / 2000. These fibers have a polymer protective jacket formed of polyethylene and have an outer diameter of 3 mm.

[0054] Figure 1 and Figure 2 1 and 1 , respectively, show (i) components of a fiber optic terminator 1 and (ii) a perspective view of a partially assembled fiber optic terminator 1. The terminator comprises a front face 3 (see Figure 2 ) and a housing 2 of a rear shell 19 located behind the front face. The front face includes a corresponding opening to receive the end face 5 of the optical fiber 4. The terminator also includes a clamping pad 6, and the rear shell includes a channel 8 matching the shape of the clamping pad so that the clamping pad can be removably inserted into the channel.

[0055] The housing in this example also includes a groove 16 formed behind the front face. The groove can accommodate a sealing element, such as an O-ring 15, to seal the terminator to the lower surface. Figures 4 to 6 The housing is configured for inserting two parallel optical fibers 4 therein, with the fiber end faces 5 located at predetermined spaced positions relative to the front face 3 of the housing, and the two optical fibers extending rearwardly from the front face through the rear shell of the housing. Figure 2 As shown, when the fiber end faces are at predetermined spacing positions, they are flush with the front face. In addition, the ratio of the center distance between the fiber end faces at the predetermined spacing positions to the fiber diameter is 2.3 or less, preferably 2 or less, and more preferably 1.7 or less. In this example, the center distance between the fiber end faces is 4 mm, and the ratio is 1.3. This ensures compatibility with small and closely spaced bioreactor containers.

[0056] Next, the clamping gasket 6 is inserted into the matching channel 8 so that it clamps the jacket flanks of the two optical fibers 4 on opposite sides of the gasket, thereby separating the optical fibers and retaining them in the housing 2, while locking the fiber end faces 5 flush with the housing end faces 3. Advantageously, this reduces the risk of accidental extraction of the optical fibers from the housing and / or displacement of the fiber end faces from their predetermined spacing positions. The gasket has an oblong cross-section perpendicular to its insertion direction to further enhance the retention of the optical fibers, and the side 7 of the gasket acts as a straight edge of the oblong cross-section to clamp the jacket flanks of the two optical fibers 4. This structure provides a relatively large contact area between the gasket side and the optical fiber jacket flanks, thereby distributing the load to the jacket flanks and reducing the risk of optical fiber damage. The opposite sides of the gasket can also be serrated to increase the resistance provided by the clamping gasket to resist fiber pull-out, for example by biting the jacket flanks of the optical fiber, but advantageously without piercing the polymer protective sheath. Overall, the clamping gasket securely and safely holds the optical fiber within the housing while reducing the risk of structural damage to the polymer protective jacket or the optical waveguide core.

[0057] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The housing 2 can be formed of a suitable plastic material, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Advantageously, these materials exhibit low compressibility and can protect the optical fiber from damage caused by external loads. Similarly, the clamping element 6 can be formed of a suitable plastic material, such as polycarbonate, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Advantageously, these materials are generally harder than the polymer protective sheath of the optical fiber, thereby facilitating the retention of the optical fiber in the housing. The clamping pad and the housing can be manufactured by any one or a combination of the following methods: 3D printing, machining and molding.

[0058] According to another option, the clamping pad 6 can be made of rubber or elastic material and pulled into the matching channel 8. The pulling stretches the material and causes it to contract laterally, so that when the clamping pad is released to its unstretched state, it expands laterally to clamp the sheath and hold it by friction interaction.

[0059] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D A front view, a side view, a perspective view and a plan view of a pair of terminated optical fibers 30 are shown respectively. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The same reference numerals are used to denote the same features. FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D The terminating optical fiber in the embodiment also has a sleeve 18, which is located behind the terminator 1 and wrapped around the optical fiber 4. The sleeve can help maintain the relative position of the optical fiber introduced by the terminator 1 within a certain distance behind the terminator, thereby helping to prevent the optical fiber from being accidentally pulled apart and damaging the optical fiber or the terminator, or causing the optical fiber end 5 to be offset relative to the end face 3. Figure 3A and Figure 3C As shown, further back in the ferrule, the optical fiber 4 can be bent more easily, thereby allowing the tail end of the optical fiber to be properly positioned for coupling to a sensing unit, such as a reader card for sending optical signals into and reading optical signals from the optical fiber.

[0060] Figure 4 FIG. 2 shows a partial plan view of a screening system 20, which includes a plurality of sample wells 11 for accommodating respective bioreactor containers 12. Figure 5 A plan view of a porous screening station 10 of the screening system is shown, Figure 6 A cross-sectional view showing the aperture 11 and a pair of terminated optical fibers 30 of the screening system is shown, Figure 7 A cutaway perspective view of a portion of the screening system is shown.

[0061] First focus Figure 4 The screening system 20 can screen a large number of potential cell clones in parallel cell culture processes to identify clones that are most suitable for large-scale development processes. The sample wells in this example are arranged in a multi-well screening station 10 ( Figure 4 Similarly, the bioreactor containers are arranged in four transparent plastic bioreactor consumables 40 ( Figure 4 Only one of them is shown in the figure). The bioreactor consumables and the multi-well screening station have a matching layout (2x6 in this example) so that each well 11 accommodates a corresponding bioreactor container 12. The screening system includes a temperature-controlled base 17 ( Figure 4 Not shown, but will be referred to below Figure 6 and Figure 7The base 17 in this example is made of aluminum because of its high thermal conductivity. This ensures that the temperature of the contents of the bioreactor consumables is reliably and accurately controlled.

[0062] See also Figure 5 Each multi-well screening station 10 includes twelve sample wells 11 arranged in two rows, with six wells in each row. Each well is connected to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D A pair of terminated optical fibers 30 are arranged in the bioreactor container 12 so that the optical fiber end faces 5 point upward into the corresponding bioreactor container 12, which are located in the hole when in use, such as Figure 6 This can ensure close contact between the fiber end face and the base 13 of the corresponding bioreactor container, thereby facilitating reliable interrogation of the contents of the bioreactor container by reducing the risk of signal phase and amplitude impairment. This in turn helps to reduce the risk of uncontrolled bioreactions due to incorrect measurements. Figure 4 The screening system 20 has a total of sixteen screening stations 10, requiring 16×12=192 pairs of terminated optical fibers. However, the optical fiber terminator 1 can quickly, accurately and reliably terminate these terminated optical fiber pairs, and the termination method is compatible with optical fiber replacement (if necessary).

[0063] Figure 6 The cross-sectional view of shows a single sample well 11 of one of the screening stations 10 mounted on a temperature-controlled base 17, which accommodates a single bioreactor container 12 of one of the bioreactor consumables 40. The container 12 has a stirrer 21 for stirring and agitating its contents. The well has a base 13 and a docking port 14 formed on the base. The temperature-controlled base includes an aperture located below each docking port, leading to a channel 22 through the base. In order to install a pair of terminated optical fibers 30 into the well, the tail ends of the optical fibers pass through the docking port and then through the channel in the base. The terminator 1 is then docked to the docking port to fix the optical fiber end face 5 so that they can reliably query the contents of the bioreactor container. The O-ring 15 seals the terminator on the docking port to prevent accidental spills, condensate or cleaning liquids in the bioreactor container from penetrating through the docking port. In order to improve the sealing of the terminator to the docking port 14, the docking port can have a tapered profile that gradually engages with the O-ring when the terminator is inserted therein.

[0064] like Figure 7 As shown, the tail end of the terminated optical fiber 30 extends completely through the channel 22 formed in the temperature-controlled base 17 and protrudes from the bottom side of the base. In this position, the tail end can be coupled to a reader card to facilitate sending optical signals into the optical fiber and reading optical signals from the optical fiber. For example, a commercially available reader card such as Presents TMpH and DO reader cards. The reader cards can be indexed via optical fiber, sent to each bioreactor vessel and read data from each bioreactor vessel, so that a single card can query all bioreactor vessels 12.

[0065] To replace a single faulty or damaged fiber, the corresponding bioreactor consumable 40 is first removed from the screening station 10 to expose a pair of terminated optical fibers 30. The tail ends of the fibers are then pushed out from under the screening system so that the terminators 1 extend from the holes 11. This allows the terminators to be grasped and the pair of terminated optical fibers to be pulled out of the holes. Once the terminators are accessible, the clamping gasket 6 can be removed and the selected optical fiber 4 can be extracted from the housing and replaced so that the end face of the replacement fiber is located at a predetermined spacing position relative to the other optical fibers and the end faces of the housing, and the clamping gasket can be reinserted to retain the optical fibers. Finally, the same procedures as described above can be followed. Figure 6 A new pair of terminated optical fibers 30 are connected to the screening station 20 in the same manner as described above.

[0066] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 1 and 1, respectively, show (i) components of a modified optical fiber terminator 1a and (ii) a perspective view of a partially assembled modified optical fiber terminator 1a. FIG. 10A to FIG. 10D The front view, side view, perspective view and plan view of a pair of optical fibers 30 terminated with the modified optical fiber terminator 1a are shown respectively. Figure 8 to Figure 1 0, the same reference numerals are used to indicate Figures 1 to 7 The characteristics of the optical fiber terminator correspond to the characteristics of the modified optical fiber terminator.

[0067] The modified optical fiber terminator 1a and Figures 1 to 7 The fiber terminator shown differs in that it has two clamping pads 6 and two matching channels 8 are formed in the rear housing 19 on opposite sides of the predetermined adjacent positions occupied by the optical fibers 4. When the clamping pads 6 are inserted into their matching channels 8, one side of each clamping pad 6 clamps the jacket flank of the nearest optical fiber 4, thereby pressing the optical fibers together and holding the optical fibers in the housing 2, while locking the optical fiber end face 5 flush with the housing end face 3. The optical fibers can be pressed together directly contacting each other, or the housing can have a separator (not shown) interposed between the two optical fibers to provide a fixed spacing when they are pressed on opposite sides of the separator.

[0068] Figure 1 to Figure 1 The terminator 1, 1a of 0 is a double terminator. However, the present invention is also applicable to terminators with more than two parallel optical fibers. For example, a triple terminator can be provided, which has three parallel optical fibers, respectively for monitoring pH, DO and pCO2. FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C Three such possible triple terminators 1b, 1c, 1d are shown in plan view with the end faces 3. Fig.11AIn the terminator 1b of FIG. 1 , the optical fibers are arranged so that their end faces 5 are located at the center of the corners of an equilateral triangle. Three channels 8 (whose positions are indicated by dashed lines) can receive three clamping pads that press the optical fibers inwardly against a central partition 50 (whose position is indicated by a gray triangle) extending rearward from the end faces 3. Fig. 11B In the terminator 1c of FIG. 1 , the channel 8 adopts the same arrangement, but there is no central partition, and the optical fibers are pressed inwardly and directly contact each other. Fig. 11C In the terminator 1d, the clamping gasket does not press the optical fiber inwardly, but the channel 8 is arranged so that the optical fiber is pressed outwardly against the internal abutment 60 of the housing (represented by the gray area).

[0069] The advantage is that Figure 1 to Figure 1 The terminator 1, 1a-1d of 1 is easy to assemble and does not require gluing or bonding to connect the optical fibers, thereby facilitating the replacement of individual damaged or faulty optical fibers. In addition, the terminator does not need to pierce the polymer protective sheath of the optical fiber to clamp the optical fiber, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the optical waveguide core structure. Instead, the terminator can firmly and safely hold the optical fiber by clamping the gasket. Therefore, compared with the traditional optical fiber connection solutions discussed above, the terminator reduces costs and improves reliability. In addition, the terminator can be made compact and can therefore be used even in small and closely spaced biological reaction vessels.

[0070] The features disclosed in the specification, the attached claims, or the drawings, expressed in their specific forms or as means for performing the disclosed functions, or as methods or processes for obtaining the disclosed results, may realize various forms of the present invention alone or in any combination of these features.

[0071] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the above exemplary embodiments, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that many equivalent modifications and variations are disclosed in the present invention. Therefore, the above exemplary embodiments of the present invention are considered to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Various changes may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0072] For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are intended to deepen the reader's understanding. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

[0073] Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[0074] In this specification, including the appended claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a specified integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0075] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed as an approximation by using the antecedent "about" or "approximately", it is understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The terms "about" or "approximately" in relation to a value are optional and mean, for example, + / - 10%.

Claims

1. An optical fiber terminator (1, 1a-1d) for terminating two or more parallel optical fibers, each of which comprises an optical waveguide core surrounded by a polymer protective sheath, the terminator comprising: a housing (2) having a front face (3) and a rear shell (19), the housing being configured to insert the two or more parallel optical fibers (4) therein so that the end faces (5) of the two or more optical fibers are located at predetermined spaced positions relative to the front face, and the two or more optical fibers extend rearwardly from the front face through the rear shell of the housing; and One or more clamping gaskets (6) can then be inserted into one or more corresponding matching channels formed in the rear shell behind the front face, so that each clamping gasket can clamp the jacket flank of at least one optical fiber on one side of the gasket without puncturing when inserted, thereby retaining the optical fiber in the shell and locking the optical fiber end face at the predetermined spacing position.

2. The optical fiber terminator (1, 1d) according to claim 1, which is used to terminate two optical fibers, wherein: A clamping gasket (6) can be inserted into a matching channel formed in the rear shell behind the front face and located between the predetermined spacing positions, so that the clamping gasket clamps the jacket flanks of the two optical fibers on the opposite sides of the gasket when inserted, thereby separating the optical fibers, fixing the optical fibers in the shell, and locking the optical fiber end faces at the predetermined spacing positions.

3. The optical fiber terminator (1, 1d) according to claim 2, wherein the clamping pad (6) has serrated opposite sides (7) to clamp the jacket flanks of the optical fiber (4).

4. The optical fiber terminator (1, 1a-1c) according to claim 1, which is used for terminating two optical fibers, wherein: Two clamping pads can be inserted into corresponding matching channels formed in the rear shell behind the front face and on substantially opposite sides of the predetermined adjacent position, so that each clamping pad clamps the jacket flank of a corresponding one of the optical fibers when inserted, thereby pushing the optical fibers together and holding the optical fibers in the housing, while locking the optical fiber end faces in the predetermined adjacent positions.

5. The optical fiber terminator (1, 1a-1c) according to claim 4, wherein each clamping pad (6) has a serrated side surface (7) to clamp the jacket flank of the respective optical fiber (4).

6. An optical fibre terminator (1, 1a-1d) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each clamping pad (6) is removably insertable into the housing (2).

7. An optical fiber terminator (1, 1a-1d) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping gasket or each clamping gasket (6) has an oblong cross-section perpendicular to its insertion direction, and the side of the clamping gasket that clamps the jacket flank of the optical fiber is a straight side of the oblong cross-section.

8. The optical fiber terminator (1, 1a-1d) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front face (3) of the housing (2) comprises corresponding openings to receive the optical fiber end face (5) and determine the predetermined spacing position.

9. The optical fiber terminator (1, 1a-1d) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the optical fiber end face (5) is located at the predetermined spaced position, the optical fiber end face is flush with the front face (3) of the housing (2).

10. The fiber optic terminator according to any of the preceding claims, being a double fiber optic terminator (1, 1b) for terminating two parallel optical fibers or a triple fiber optic terminator (1b-1d) for terminating three parallel optical fibers.

11. An optical fiber terminator (1, 1a-1d) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a sealing element (15) configured to seal the terminator to a docking port (14), wherein the sealing element is located in a matching groove (16) formed in the rear shell (19) of the terminator (1).

12. A terminated optical fiber group (30) terminated with a terminator (1, 1a-1d) according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. The terminated optical fiber group (30) of claim 12, wherein the polymer protective jacket is formed of polyethylene.

14. The terminated optical fiber group (30) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the optical fiber diameter of each terminated optical fiber is 3 mm or less, preferably 2 mm or less.

15. A terminated optical fiber pair (30) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the ratio of the center distance between the optical fiber end faces at the predetermined spacing positions to the optical fiber diameter is 2.3 or less, preferably 2 or less, and more preferably 1.7 or less.

16. A combination of a screening system (20) and a plurality of terminated optical fiber groups (30) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein: The screening system comprises a plurality of sample wells (11) for accommodating respective bioreactor containers; and Each sample hole includes a docking port (14) and has a terminator of a corresponding terminated optical fiber group (30) docked therein, so that the optical fibers in the terminated optical fiber group can query the contents of the bioreactor container contained in the sample hole through their optical fiber end faces.

17. A combination according to claim 16 when appended to claim 11, wherein each terminator is sealed to the corresponding docking port by a respective sealing element (15).

18. A combination according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the screening system (20) also includes a temperature-controlled base (17), the sample hole is supported on the temperature-controlled base, and the optical fiber passes through a hole formed in the temperature-controlled base when extending backward from the front side of its terminator.

19. A method of assembling a combination according to any one of claims 16 to 18, the method comprising the steps of: Providing a plurality of groups of terminated optical fibers (4); and The tail end of each group of terminated optical fibers (30) is passed through the docking port (14) of the corresponding sample hole (11), and then the corresponding terminator is inserted into the docking port, so that the optical fiber can query the contents of the bioreactor container contained in the sample hole through its optical fiber end face.

20. The method of claim 19 as appended to claim 18, further comprising the step of passing the tail end of the terminating optical fiber (30) through an aperture formed in the temperature-controlled base after passing the tail end through the docking port.

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