Disposable pouch holder for use with board built-in unit

Abstract

The present application relates to a device (1) for receiving a disposable container (44) and to the use thereof, the device (1) comprising a receiving container (10) having an inner wall (16) delimiting a container interior of the receiving container (10) for receiving the disposable container (44), a plurality of recesses being provided in the receiving container inner wall for receiving electrical functional elements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to apparatus and methods for containing disposable containers. Background Art

[0002] Bioreactors and pallet tanks are devices used to hold, store and / or cultivate biological media such as fluids and / or cell cultures. The biological media can be provided in disposable containers, which can have a volume of several liters to several thousand liters. The biological media is introduced into a bioreactor in a disposable container, where it is maintained at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time, usually several hours. In addition, various checks can be performed on the biological media in such bioreactors. Bioreactors can be operated under clean room conditions, thereby placing particularly high demands on the quality assurance of the bioreactor.

[0003] So-called single-use processes are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry to date. Disposable bags can be used in particular as disposable containers in single-use processes. Both upstream and downstream, the use of disposable containers has proven to be time-saving and cost-effective in terms of process technology and safe. Although there is already experience with cell culture methods and microbial cultures, methods using phototrophic organisms (algae, plant cell cultures) have so far only been implemented to a limited extent. This applies in particular to production scales of 50 liters or more. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present application is therefore to simplify the cultivation of phototrophic organisms, in particular on a larger production scale, in particular to improve the control of production parameters. This object is achieved by means of an apparatus and a method according to the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] Thus, one aspect relates to a device for receiving a disposable container, the device comprising a receiving container having a receiving container inner wall, the receiving container inner wall defining a container interior of the receiving container for receiving the disposable container, wherein a plurality of grooves or channels for receiving electrical functional elements are arranged in the receiving container inner wall. A temperature control element, in particular a lighting unit (e.g. an LED), can be used as such an electrical functional element.

[0006] The device can be designed as a bioreactor and / or a tank, which can be designed to hold a disposable container, which has a volume of about 1 liter to about 5000 liters, preferably a volume of about 50 liters to about 2000 liters, and particularly preferably a volume of at least about 500 liters. The device can be designed as a system with several components, particularly with or without disposable containers as related components. The device can be particularly designed to hold a disposable container, in which there is a biological medium, such as a fluid, which will be stored, temperature controlled, cultivated and / or otherwise checked in the system within a predetermined time period. The biological medium can be designed as a cell culture and / or contain a light nutrient organism.

[0007] The disposable container can be designed as a disposable bag with flexible bag walls, in particular with transparent plastic walls. The disposable container can have a stirring member in its interior, which can be coupled to a stirring device of the device to allow the contents of the disposable container to mix.

[0008] The holding container of the device provides a container interior designed to hold a disposable container. Here, the container interior can be designed to hold a disposable container of a predetermined type, such as a disposable container from a predetermined manufacturer and / or with a predetermined filling volume. The holding container inner wall or multiple walls define the container interior. Here, the holding container inner wall does not have to completely surround and / or define the container interior. For example, the holding container can have a stirring opening, and a stirring device can be connected to the disposable container arranged in the container interior through the stirring opening. This stirring device is preferably formed at the upper end of the holding container. Thus, the holding container can be particularly designed to have no cover and / or open at the top.

[0009] In the context of the present application, the terms "top", "bottom", "side", "vertical", "horizontal", "height", "lateral" and the like refer to the earth reference system, in which the system or the device is arranged in an operating position.

[0010] The disposable container is preferably inserted into the receiving container so that it is located on the bottom of the receiving container and is in direct physical contact with the inner wall of the receiving container, in particular with the bottom of the receiving container and / or the inner wall of the receiving container adjacent to the bottom. The receiving container may have at least one openable and closable door through which the disposable container can be inserted into the interior of the receiving container.

[0011] The possibility of accommodating electrical functional elements in grooves in the inner wall of the container improves the thermal connection of the electrical functional elements to the inner wall of the container, while the interior of the container remains undamaged or less damaged by protruding functional elements, which could also damage or destroy the disposable container.

[0012] Particularly preferably, the lighting unit for illuminating the interior of the container is at least partially installable or installed in a plurality of recesses. In this case, the functional element is a lighting unit or comprises a lighting unit. In particular, all recesses can be designed to accommodate lighting units for illuminating the interior of the container. In one embodiment, the lighting unit can even be installed in all recesses. In another preferred embodiment, the lighting unit is installed or installable only in some recesses, while other recesses are provided or used for other functional elements, i.e., can be equipped or provided with other functional elements in particular.

[0013] The lighting units arranged in the recesses are preferably arranged so that they emit light output at least primarily in the direction of the interior of the container, i.e. to the disposable container or the medium contained therein. In the operating posture or position of the device, the disposable container is inserted into the device. The disposable container does not have to be a component of the device. However, the disposable container can be designed as a component of the device. The lighting units can be arranged inside the container so that they exchange heat with the preferably temperature-controlled inner wall of the holding container. In this case, in particular, the lighting units can preferably be temperature-controlled, for example cooled, using a temperature control unit described later. This enables waste heat that may be generated during the operation of the lighting units to be dissipated. The lighting units do not require their own cooling, but can be temperature-controlled or cooled using the temperature control unit of the device.

[0014] The device is particularly suitable for accommodating disposable containers with phototrophic organisms or cell cultures. The medium in the disposable container can be irradiated using light emitted by an illumination unit. Here, the wall of the disposable container is preferably transparent at least for one or more wavelengths of light emitted by the illumination unit into the interior of the container. Thus, in another aspect, the application relates to the use of the device according to the application for processing phototrophic organisms. The device is preferably used for culturing mosses in the process of producing alpha-galactosidase.

[0015] In the context of the present application, the term "light" does not necessarily refer to visible light, but may refer to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of about 50 nm to about 50 μm. Therefore, the term particularly includes ultraviolet light and infrared light. The wavelength or wavelength range of the light emitted by the lighting unit can be adjusted according to the specific needs of the medium in the disposable container. The lighting units can each have one or more light sources, which are aligned so as to emit light in the direction from the inner wall of the containing container to the interior of the container, in particular in the direction of the spatial area in which the disposable container is arranged in the operating position, for example towards the center point and / or the center axis of the container interior.

[0016] The device may also have a control system for controlling the light output by the lighting unit. The lighting unit may, for example, emit modulated and / or non-modulated electromagnetic radiation, or may also emit coherent electromagnetic radiation, such as a laser. Preferably, the lighting unit may be controlled so as to emit a controllable amount of light within a controllable time period. In particular, the lighting unit may also be turned off. According to one embodiment, one (or each) lighting unit has a plurality of light sources arranged in the same groove. The plurality of light sources of the lighting unit are preferably carried by a common carrier, and the corresponding lighting unit is arranged in a groove on the inner wall of the container by the common carrier. A substrate may be used as a carrier, in particular a substrate that is at least partially heat-conductive, so that the heat generated at one or more light sources can be very effectively radiated to the inner wall of the container. As will be described in more detail later, it is particularly preferred that the outer side of the inner wall of the container is temperature-controlled using a temperature control unit (e.g., a temperature control medium), which controls the temperature of the inner wall of the container on the outer side.

[0017] In one embodiment, the lighting unit in the groove is at least partially covered or cast by a (translucent or transparent) casting material (e.g. a translucent or transparent resin or lacquer layer). This casting material supports the mechanically stable fastening of the corresponding lighting unit in the corresponding groove, while protecting the lighting unit and the disposable container from mutual damage. This particularly preferably allows at least partially adjusting the refractive index so that light is radiated from the lighting unit into the disposable container, whereby a high proportion of light from the lighting unit (in particular from the light source) can be connected to the disposable container in a uniform distribution. Epoxy resin can be used as a casting material. The resin layer and / or the lacquer layer are particularly transparent to one or more wavelengths emitted by the lighting unit. The casting material particularly preferably provides a hermetic sealing (IP65) of the electrical functional unit (and their direct electrical terminals) relative to the environment in the groove.

[0018] In one embodiment, the groove in which the lighting unit is installed is closed from the inside of the container using a (translucent or transparent) groove cover, so that the inner surface of the (translucent or transparent) groove cover forms a continuous surface together with the inner surface of the inner wall of the container formed between the grooves, and in particular the inner surface of the inner wall of the container adjacent to the groove forms a continuous surface, i.e., in particular, there is no step portion. The continuous container inner surface obtained in this way preferably does not have any (in particular convex) edge. This actually has several advantages. First, the interior of the container is easy to clean thoroughly. In addition, possible mechanical damage or stress on the disposable container is avoided or reduced. In addition, this also ensures consistent good contact between the disposable container (and the medium contained therein) and the container. This consistent good, uniform contact improves the thermal and optical connection of the disposable container (and thus its contents) with the container. This leads to improved thermal power transfer (e.g., cooling power and / or heating power), and thus, even for large processing volumes, leads to more reliable temperature control. In particular, even if the lighting unit in the groove locally generates heat, local temperature peaks can be avoided. Good light coupling ensures the highest possible spatial and spectral uniformity of illumination of the medium contained in the disposable container by the illumination unit contained in the recess. This in turn improves process quality and efficiency, in particular for large process volumes.

[0019] If a gap (air gap) is formed in the corresponding groove below the groove cover, in particular between the lighting unit and the groove cover, preferably directly below the groove cover, these advantages or some of these advantages are particularly effectively achieved. The groove cover is preferably designed as a disk with a substantially uniform thickness. Unlike without such a groove cover, when using a groove cover, it may be advantageous not to fill the groove with the casting material already described, or at least to set such a gap between the casting material and the groove cover. Therefore, preferably, in the groove, at least between the lighting unit and the corresponding groove cover, an air gap is formed, in particular, the air gap is large enough to keep the radiation generated by the lighting unit in the air gap from being disturbed to a minimum by the surface defining the air gap. For example, the thickness of the air gap can be set in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm. The air gap forms a controllable and stable optical transition between the lighting unit and the groove cover. It has been found that in the case of direct (mechanical) contact between the groove cover and the lighting unit (or the casting material covering the lighting unit), the optical quality (in particular intensity and uniformity) of the incident light changes over time, in particular deteriorates. In the context of this development, this is attributed to a poorly controllable separation effect between the lighting unit (or the casting material) and the groove cover, for example due to thermal and / or mechanical stresses, which is avoided by providing an air gap.

[0020] Preferably, each of the plurality of grooves has a two-step cross-section on both sides perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the corresponding groove, so that on both sides of the central groove channel, the support surface is provided with a first step backward relative to the inner surface of the inner wall of the accommodating container, and the groove base of the central groove channel is provided with a second step backward relative to the two support surfaces. In other words, except for the central groove channel (for accommodating the at least one lighting unit), each groove includes groove shoulders on both sides. The support surfaces formed by the groove shoulders on both sides are particularly used to accommodate the groove cover. For this purpose, the height of the first step particularly corresponds substantially to (i.e., except for the possible thickness of the additional adhesive layer) the thickness of the corresponding groove cover. In particular, the second step has a height sufficient to accommodate the (corresponding) lighting unit in the central groove channel (under the groove cover).

[0021] According to an embodiment, the height of the first step is, for example, in the range of from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, preferably in the range of from about 1 mm to about 3 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the height of the second step is, for example, in the range of from about 2 mm to about 15 mm, preferably in the range of from about 2 mm to about 10 mm, and even more preferably in the range of from about 3 mm to about 5 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the width of the corresponding support surface (shoulder width) is, for example, in the range of from about 1 mm to about 5 mm, preferably in the range of from about 1 mm to about 3 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the width of the central groove channel (perpendicular to its longitudinal extension) is, for example, in the range of from about 5 mm to about 30 mm, preferably in the range of from about 10 mm to about 20 mm. This makes it easy to arrange LED strips in the groove, for example. Therefore, the lighting unit that can be installed or installed in the groove includes an LED, in particular as a light source. This means that both modulated radiation and unmodulated radiation can be emitted. LEDs are suitable as particularly efficient light sources because they generate relatively little heat relative to the amount of light emitted, which can reduce heat generation and simultaneously increase the emitted light output. In addition, LEDs can be designed to have a low structural height, so that these light sources can be completely accommodated in the inner wall of the container, even with a relatively small recess depth.

[0022] In one embodiment, the lighting unit that can be mounted or installed in the groove is designed to emit light, in particular in a selected spectral range in the wavelength range of about 50nm to about 50μm (UV to IR). The lighting unit preferably emits at least 90% of the emitted light power, which has a predetermined wavelength or a predetermined wavelength spectrum in the range between 50nm and 50μm. Thus, the lighting unit can be designed to emit electromagnetic radiation with a predetermined wavelength or a predetermined wavelength spectrum. In particular, this can be a laser and / or light from an LED. The predetermined wavelength or predetermined wavelength spectrum can be matched to the contents of the disposable container, in particular to a wavelength that affects the metabolism of the cells located therein. Here, the lighting unit can, for example, be designed to emit at least 90% of the emitted light power at a predetermined wavelength or a predetermined wavelength spectrum. The lighting unit can also form a light source group that emits light of different wavelengths, and preferably can be selectively controlled to change the spectral distribution of the light radiated to the interior of the container.

[0023] In one embodiment, a plurality of grooves in the inner wall of the receiving container extend in a ring shape and / or parallel to each other, in particular, extend horizontally in the operating position of the device. Thus, in the operating posture or position of the device, at least in the region of the side wall portion of the inner wall of the receiving container, in particular in the plane of the (virtual) cylindrical axis of the sleeve portion perpendicular to the side wall portion, the grooves extend substantially horizontally in their longitudinal extension. By activating the lighting unit in each groove until the filling level and deactivating the lighting unit above the filling level, the horizontal course of the grooves allows targeted illumination only in the filling area, even with different filling levels in the container (or disposable containers with different heights). This avoids drying and burning of cell material adhering to the disposable container above the liquid level. In this variant, the inner wall of the receiving container can also be prefabricated with the grooves in a planar manner and then deformed according to the desired cylindrical curvature. This has the additional advantage that the inner wall of the receiving container, which has been prefabricated in a planar manner with the grooves, can then be bent into a circle without causing uncontrolled or angular deformations (e.g., along the route of the grooves).

[0024] In another embodiment, a plurality of grooves extend along a straight line and / or are parallel to one another and are preferably arranged equidistant from one another. On the one hand, this allows the device to be manufactured and assembled as simply as possible. On the other hand, it supports the most uniform illumination of the interior of the container. This also keeps local inhomogeneities in the heating of the inner wall of the containment container due to the operation of the lighting unit to a minimum.

[0025] In one embodiment, the inner wall of the storage container at least partially forms part of the sleeve surface, and particularly preferably, the inner wall of the storage container is completely or at least partially composed of parts of the sleeve surface. The grooves in one or each such part of the sleeve surface preferably extend parallel to the corresponding cylindrical axis. Therefore, they are arranged so that their longitudinal extension is parallel to the axial direction of the corresponding sleeve surface. In particular, this can have manufacturing advantages. For example, the LED light bar can be installed in a straight groove very easily. The groove cover can also be easily manufactured and assembled using a substantially flat plate (for example, made of glass or Plexiglas), thereby avoiding mechanical stress. In this way, it is also relatively easy to first manufacture the inner wall of the storage container in a planar manner with a large number of parallel grooves, so as to subsequently bend each part around an axis (cylindrical axis) parallel to the groove route.

[0026] Preferably, the inner wall of the storage container comprises at least partly metal, or is at least partly made of metal, wherein aluminum and / or stainless steel are used as the metal here. This is particularly preferred for the thermal conductivity of the metal, in particular in order to be able to effectively dissipate the heat generated during the operation of the electrical functional element (e.g., the lighting unit) and / or to be able to effectively regulate the temperature inside the storage container.

[0027] In particular, in this context, it is advantageous that the device further comprises a temperature control unit for temperature controlling the inner wall of the holding container. In one embodiment, the holding container has an outer wall of the holding container, which together with the inner wall of the holding container forms a temperature control intermediate space, which can be filled and / or flowed through by a temperature control fluid to control the temperature inside the container. The at least one inner wall of the holding container can be temperature controlled using a temperature control unit. The temperature control unit can control the temperature of the inner wall of the holding container to a predeterminable temperature, in particular an adjustable temperature. The temperature control unit can be particularly designed to cool the inner wall of the holding container. Here, the temperature control unit can be directly arranged on the outer side of the inner wall of the holding container facing away from the interior of the container, or at least directly heat exchanged with the inner wall of the holding container. The inner wall of the holding container can have a high thermal conductivity, so it can be made of, for example, metal.

[0028] If the lighting unit is arranged in a groove (which opens toward the interior of the container) in the inner wall of the receiving container (which is at most covered by a translucent groove cover), the lighting unit is in close proximity to the disposable container so that its contents can be effectively illuminated. On the other hand, they have good thermally conductive contact with the inner wall of the receiving container, which is also thermally conductive. The proximity between the disposable container and the lighting unit enables light to be irradiated into the interior of the disposable container with greatly reduced losses. At the same time, the temperature control by means of the temperature control unit prevents the lighting unit from generating too much heat, which would otherwise damage the cell culture and damage the plastic wall of the disposable container.

[0029] The device is therefore particularly suitable for accommodating disposable containers having a culture volume for microbial cultures, cell cultures, plant and / or animal cells and / or cell and / or tissue compounds in hybrid form.

[0030] Preferably, the temperature control unit can achieve a maximum cooling capacity of at least about 5 kW, preferably at least about 10 kW, more preferably at least about 15 kW, and most preferably at least about 20 kW.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the grooves are formed on at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, most preferably at least 40% of the area of ​​the interior of all lateral containment container inner walls, in particular for accommodating lighting units. This increases the uniformity of the light output and / or the number of photons and their distribution, which can be emitted into the container interior. One goal here can be a substantially uniform illumination on the outer surface of the container. The lateral inner walls of the containment container are those walls of the containment container that delimit the container interior in the lateral direction. For example, in the case of a substantially cylindrical, upright containment container, these walls are the walls of the sleeve without a cylindrical base and without a cylindrical cover.

[0032] According to one embodiment, in the operating position or position of the device, the disposable container is in contact with the inner surface of the inner wall of the receiving container (in the area between the grooves) and with the lighting unit or the groove cover (in the area of ​​the grooves). This allows particularly efficient or low-loss illumination and temperature control of the contents of the disposable container.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the holding container is designed to hold a disposable container with a volume of at least about 1 liter, preferably at least about 10 liters, even more preferably at least about 50 liters, further preferably at least about 100 liters, even more preferably at least about 200 liters, particularly preferably at least about 500 liters, very particularly preferably at least about 1000 liters, and most preferably at least about 2000 liters. For example, the volume inside the container is in the range of about 1 liter to about 5000 liters, preferably in the range of about 50 liters to about 2000 liters. With previously known devices, it is not possible to illuminate and cultivate disposable containers with such large volumes just as effectively. Only the combination of particularly effective illumination and cooling according to the device of the present application can achieve the particularly uniform light exposure and temperature control required for this. It should be noted here that the light emitted by the lighting unit may not penetrate all the way to the middle of the medium in the disposable container, but mixing the medium using a stirring device can still provide a sufficiently uniform illumination of the medium. The possibility of embedding the lighting unit in a groove in the inner wall of the holding container also avoids mechanical stress on the disposable container and local temperature peaks on the inner edge of the holding container. In addition, the holding container can be cleaned very easily and reliably.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the device complies with GMP guidelines. GMP guidelines are the abbreviation of "Good Manufacturing Practice", which is a guideline for hygiene, housing, equipment, documentation and control requirements in the pharmaceutical sector. The device can be designed to meet the requirements specified in the GMP guidelines, in particular the sterility requirements.

[0035] In general, the present application provides some advantages in both production and operation, at least in some of the embodiments described. For example, embedding the electrical functional element (particularly the lighting unit) in the groove of the inner wall of the container allows the interior of the container to be easily and reliably cleaned. In addition, by installing the electrical functional element (e.g., LED) in the groove and in particular by closing the groove with a groove cover, the electrical functional element (e.g., LED) is well protected even in the case of careless operation. In particular, for the use of the groove cover, forming the groove shoulder as a bearing surface of the groove cover allows a secure installation (e.g., by gluing), because this simplifies the attachment of the groove cover and ensures high durability in operation. But in addition to this, the electrical functional element is easy to install in the groove and is particularly durable in operation. In addition, by avoiding direct contact between the LED lighting surface and the disposable container, the risk of hot spots (temperature peaks) can be reduced. The wiring can also be laid in the groove, at least in the area from the terminal to the electrical functional element (e.g., LED), and is preferably cast together with the electrical functional element, whereby the terminal can be very easily and reliably protected from mechanical or external chemical influences. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The present application will be described in more detail below using the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. The same reference numerals represent the same or similar components of the embodiments. The various features of the embodiments may be combined with other embodiments. In the drawings:

[0037] Figure 1 A device for receiving a single-use bag is shown in a perspective view;

[0038] Figure 2 A vertical section through the device for receiving a disposable bag is shown in perspective;

[0039] Figure 3 In the schematic diagram a cross section through the inner wall of the receiving container is shown, wherein the lighting unit is received in the recess;

[0040] Figure 4 In the schematic diagram, an inner wall of a receiving container is shown, the inner wall of the receiving container having a plurality of parallel grooves and a partially mounted lighting unit;

[0041] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an apparatus for receiving an opening of a disposable bag is shown in a perspective view; and

[0042] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of another opened device for receiving disposable bags is shown in a perspective view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Figure 1 A perspective view of a device 1 for accommodating a disposable bag as a disposable container is shown. The device 1 shown in the figure can be designed as a component of a system for accommodating disposable bags. The device 1 includes a holding container 10, which basically has the shape of a vertically arranged cylinder, that is, the cylindrical axis of the holding container is arranged to be approximately vertical. The holding container 10 includes a container interior, into which a disposable bag can be inserted, and the disposable bag can accommodate, for example, a biological medium. The biological medium in the disposable bag is stored and / or illuminated for a predetermined period of time in the container interior of the holding container 10. When the disposable bag with the biological medium is in the holding container 10, different reactions can occur with the biological medium or on the biological medium. Therefore, the device 1 can also be designed as a bioreactor.

[0044] In order to observe the biological medium, one or more observation windows 12 are formed in the side wall portion 16a, through which the container interior of the container 10 can be observed from the outside through the container wall to observe the biological medium. In order to make the container interior accessible, the device preferably also includes a container door 30. The container door 30 extends in width, that is, in the horizontal direction, for example, approximately above the cylindrical section of the container 10 (for example, approximately 100°), and preferably also includes a portion of the inner wall of the container, in which a groove shown later is formed.

[0045] When the container door 30 is open, the container interior of the accommodating container 10 can be accessed. For example, a disposable bag can be inserted into the container interior of the accommodating container 10 through the door opening from a lateral direction, ie, a substantially horizontal direction of movement.

[0046] The device 1 is mounted on rollers 18 on which it can be pushed through a room. In addition to the rollers 18, the device 1 may have fixing feet 19 at the lower end for fixing and correctly aligning the device 1, for example on an uneven floor.

[0047] In the embodiment shown, the container 10 is designed to be open at the top. Instead of a cylinder head (or a cylinder head not shown), the container 10 has a stirring opening. Above the container 10 with an open top, a stirring device 14 is formed, through which a stirring rod can be connected to a disposable bag through the stirring opening, so that the inside of the disposable bag can be mixed. The stirring rod can be arranged in the disposable bag and connected to the stirring device 14 through a coupler. The stirring device 14 is formed in the center above the container 10 and is carried on the opposite side wall parts of the container 10 by a bearing bridge placed on the upper edge of the container 10.

[0048] Figure 2 A perspective view of a vertical section through the device 1 is shown, wherein the lighting units inserted in the recesses are not yet clearly visible in this view. They face the container interior, which is filled with a biomedium 42 in this illustration. Figure 2 A disposable bag 44 is shown, for example, as a disposable container, more precisely a section through the disposable bag 44, which is arranged in the container interior of the receiving container 10. A biological medium 42, which is filled to a predetermined filling level 40, is arranged in the container interior of the receiving container 10 and also in the interior of the disposable bag 44. The biological medium 42 extends from the bottom of the receiving container 10 up to the filling level 40 and thus specifically fills the entire inner volume of the receiving container 10 up to the filling level 40, minus the volume of the wall of the disposable bag 44. The disposable bag 44 is held in shape by the container wall 16 of the receiving container 10, which in particular comprises a bottom portion 16b and a side wall portion 16a and can extend from the (partially circular) bottom portion 16b of the receiving container 10 upwards to the filling level 40 and beyond the filling level 40. The container wall 16 in particular forms or comprises a receiving container inner wall 26, the groove structure of which will be shown in more detail below.

[0049] In the embodiment shown, the container wall 16 is composed of several parts, which particularly include a side wall portion 16a and a bottom portion 16b. Preferably, each of these parts is substantially formed as a part of a cylindrical shell. In the embodiment shown, for example, the (virtual) cylindrical axis of the cylindrical shell shape of the side wall portion 16a extends substantially vertically, while the (virtual) cylindrical axis of the cylindrical shell shape of the bottom portion 16b extends substantially horizontally. Particularly preferably, the groove in the container inner wall, which will be shown in more detail later, also extends parallel to the relevant (virtual) cylindrical axis of the corresponding part. This allows the lighting unit and any groove cover to be manufactured and installed in a simple, straight or even substantially planar manner.

[0050] The container wall 16 of the container 10 is at least partially designed as a temperature control chamber wall, in which a temperature control medium (not shown) flows. The temperature control medium can be adjusted to a low pressure of less than 0.5 bar, or adjusted to a pressure of up to about 6 bar. The temperature control chamber wall can extend over the entire container wall 16, including a bottom portion 16b and a side wall portion 16a, extending upward from the bottom of the container to above the filling level 40 until a predetermined temperature control level. The temperature control level can be set at substantially 1cm to 20cm vertically above the filling level 40. The container inner wall 26 provided with a groove can be designed as the inner wall of the temperature control chamber wall, or can be set on the inner wall of the temperature control chamber wall and be thermally connected to the inner wall of the temperature control chamber wall. In other words, the container inner wall 26 can be manufactured separately from the temperature control chamber wall, then connected to the temperature control chamber wall, or can be directly manufactured as a part of the temperature control chamber wall.

[0051] The biological medium 42 can be in thermal contact with the inner wall 26 of the holding container (and thus directly or indirectly in contact with the temperature control chamber wall) (via the bag wall of the disposable bag 44). Thus, the biological medium 42 can be adjusted to a predetermined temperature by the temperature control medium. The device 1 can be particularly designed and arranged to control the temperature of the interior of the container to a predetermined target temperature, the predetermined target temperature being from about 0°C to about 80°C, preferably from about 20°C to about 40°C. The temperature control chamber wall almost completely surrounds the container interior of the holding container 10 up to the filling level 40 and exceeds the filling level 40. In the embodiment shown in the figure, "almost completely surrounding" means that the temperature control chamber wall completely surrounds the container interior up to the temperature control level, except for those positions where the observation window 12 (if present) is set. In one embodiment, the container door 30 can even be designed to have a temperature control chamber wall and / or a grooved inner wall of the holding container.

[0052] As an alternative or in addition to the temperature control cavity wall, temperature control elements (e.g. electrical heating and / or cooling elements) can also be accommodated in at least some of the grooves in the inner wall of the container. In this case, not all grooves are used to accommodate lighting units, but some of them can be used to accommodate (particularly electrical) temperature control elements.

[0053] Figure 3 The schematic diagram shows a cross section through the inner wall 26 of the container, which cross section is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the groove, and the lighting unit 62 is accommodated in the groove 60. Figure 3 60 is shown as a plane in cross section, although in use it is preferably cylindrically curved, in particular with a longitudinal direction parallel to the groove 60 (ie perpendicular to Figure 3The cylinder axis of the drawing plane). In a preferred embodiment, the inner wall 26 of the holding container can be initially manufactured to be flat, i.e., provided with a groove 60, and then preferably bent into a cylindrical shape for manufacturing or installing the device 1. However, since the radius of curvature of the cylindrical curvature is preferably significantly larger than the lateral dimension of the groove, i.e., the groove width, the schematically shown geometric relationship will only change slightly during this deformation. However, even these slight changes can be taken into account during the manufacturing process so that all the components described below can be easily inserted into the groove. The inner wall 26 of the holding container is particularly preferably made of metal by bending and / or rolling and / or milling and / or drilling and / or 3D printing.

[0054] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the lighting unit 62 includes a plurality of light sources arranged on a common carrier 64. The light source may be a separate LED, for example, arranged on the carrier 64. In the embodiment shown, the groove 60 has a groove shoulder 66 on both sides, and the groove shoulder 66 is provided with a first step 68 backward relative to the inner surface 70 of the container inner wall 26 formed between the grooves. The groove shoulder 68 is used as a bearing surface for a groove cover 72, which closes the groove toward the inside of the container so that the inner surface 74 of the groove cover 72 forms a continuous surface with the inner surface 70 of the container inner wall 26, in particular without edges. At least at the transition between the inner surface 74 of the groove cover 72 and the inner surface 70 of the container inner wall 26, preferably without edges, but preferably at least without convex edges. The height of the first step 68 is preferably in the range of from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, preferably in the range of from about 1 mm to about 3 mm. It substantially corresponds to the thickness of the groove cover 72, thereby achieving a continuous inner surface. If the groove cover 72 is bonded to the groove shoulder 66, the first shoulder 68 is preferably greater than the thickness of the groove cover 72 by the thickness of the adhesive layer. The width of each groove shoulder 66 is preferably in the range of from about 1 mm to about 5 mm, preferably in the range of from about 1 mm to about 3 mm.

[0055] In the embodiment shown, the groove base 76, which is the preferably flat bottom surface of the central groove channel, is also provided with a second step 78 set back relative to the two groove shoulders 66. The lighting unit 60 is preferably attached to the groove base 76 together with the carrier 64. The height of the second step 78 (i.e. the depth of the groove base relative to the groove shoulder 66) is in the range from about 2 mm to about 15 mm, preferably in the range from about 2 mm to about 10 mm, even more preferably in the range from about 3 mm to about 5 mm. The height of the second step 78 is in particular at least as large as or preferably larger than the height of the lighting unit 62 (including the bracket 64). The remaining cavity in the groove 60 is preferably filled with a casting material, so that the lighting unit 62 in the groove 60 is at least partially covered or cast by the casting material. The width of the central groove channel (perpendicular to its longitudinal extension), i.e. in particular the width of the groove base 76, is, for example, in the range from about 5 mm to about 30 mm, preferably in the range from about 10 mm to about 20 mm. This makes it easier to arrange an LED strip in the groove, for example.

[0056] Figure 4 The schematic diagram shows a container inner wall 26 with a plurality of parallel, in particular equidistant grooves 60 and a partially mounted lighting unit. This illustration is again only schematic and any possible cylindrical curvature is not explicitly shown here. Figure 3 , the grooves 60 are provided with groove shoulders 66. Lighting units 62 with associated wiring 80 are already installed in some of the grooves 60. Before the grooves 60 are provided with groove covers, the lighting units 62 are cast using a casting material, preferably wherein the portion of the wiring 80 extending in the groove 60 is cast. The (cast) grooves are then closed with groove covers, which in particular form a continuous surface with the inner surface 70 of the inner wall 26 of the receiving container.

[0057] In principle, it is preferred that the distance between adjacent grooves 60 (the distance between mutually facing groove shoulders of adjacent grooves) is at least partially not greater than five times, preferably not greater than three times, most preferably not greater than two times the width of the grooves (including their groove shoulders). This makes it possible to achieve a most uniform illumination if the grooves are (at least partially) equipped with lighting units.

[0058] Figure 5A schematic diagram of an opening device 1 for accommodating disposable bags is shown in a three-dimensional diagram. As shown, the inner wall 26 of the accommodating container can be composed of several parts, which in particular include the side wall part 16a and the bottom part 16b of the accommodating container. Preferably, all parts of the inner wall 26 of the accommodating container are formed as sleeve (cylinder casing) parts, so that the (virtual) cylindrical axis of the sleeve part of the side wall part 16a is basically vertical in the operating position of the device 1, while the (virtual) cylindrical axis of the sleeve part of the bottom part 16b is basically horizontal in the operating position of the device 1. This shape of the wall part makes it simple to manufacture while avoiding strong concave corners in the accommodating container.

[0059] In particular, it is preferred that the groove 60 in the portion of the container inner wall 26 extends substantially parallel to the corresponding (virtual) cylindrical axis of the corresponding wall portion. Thus, the groove 60 in the side wall portion 16a extends substantially vertically, while the groove 60 in the bottom portion 16b extends substantially horizontally. As a result, although the container inner wall 26 is curved, the groove 60 always extends in a straight line. On the one hand, this simplifies the installation of the lighting unit in the groove 60. On the other hand, this also promotes the most uniform possible light distribution. This is also convenient for manufacturing and installing a transparent groove cover extending in a straight line, which preferably even extends in a planar manner. Finally, the manufacture of the container inner wall in this geometry is also relatively simple. In particular, the container inner wall can be prefabricated in part with the groove in a planar manner, and then deformed according to the required cylindrical curvature.

[0060] exist Figure 6 An optional and particularly preferred arrangement of the grooves 60 is schematically shown in FIG. Thus, the grooves 60 extend substantially horizontally in their longitudinal extension, in particular substantially horizontally in the plane of the (virtual) cylindrical axis of the cylindrical housing part of the side wall part 16a, at least in the operating position of the device 1. The horizontal course of the grooves allows targeted illumination only in the filling area, i.e. until the filling level, even if the filling level in the container changes (or if the disposable container has different heights). This prevents the cell material adhering to the disposable container from drying out and burning above the liquid surface. In this variant, the inner wall of the holding container can also be partially prefabricated with grooves and then deformed according to the desired cylindrical curvature. This has the additional advantage that the inner wall of the holding container, which has been prefabricated with grooves, can then be bent into a circle without causing uncontrolled or angular deformations (e.g. along the course of the grooves).

Claims

1. A device (1) for accommodating a disposable container (44), comprising: - A container (10) having a container inner wall (16), which defines the container interior of the container (10) for accommodating the disposable container (44), wherein a plurality of grooves for accommodating electrical functional elements are arranged in the container inner wall.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: A lighting unit, in particular an LED, for illuminating the interior of the container is at least partially mounted in the plurality of grooves, wherein preferably, the lighting unit is at least partially covered by a casting material or cast in the grooves.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein: The grooves are closed from the inside of the container using a groove cover, so that the inner surface of the groove cover forms a continuous surface together with the inner surface of the inner wall of the accommodating container formed between the grooves.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein: An air gap is formed between the lighting unit and the corresponding groove cover.

5. The device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: Each of the multiple grooves has a two-step cross-section on both sides perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the corresponding groove, so that on both sides of the central groove channel, the supporting surface is set with a first step backward relative to the inner surface of the inner wall of the accommodating container, and the groove base of the central groove channel is set with a second step backward relative to the two supporting surfaces.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein: The height of the first step is in the range from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, preferably in the range from about 1 mm to about 3 mm, and / or wherein the height of the second step is in the range of about 2 mm to about 15 mm, preferably in the range of about 2 mm to about 10 mm, and even more preferably in the range of about 3 mm to about 5 mm; and / or Therein, the width of each support surface is in the range of about 1 mm to about 5 mm, preferably in the range of about 1 mm to about 3 mm.

7. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein: The lighting unit that can be mounted or installed in the recess is designed to emit light substantially in a wavelength range of about 50 nm to about 50 μm.

8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The plurality of grooves in the inner wall (16) of the receiving container are arranged in a ring shape and / or parallel to each other, and in particular extend horizontally in the operating position of the device.

9. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: A plurality of the grooves extend along a straight line and / or are parallel to each other and are preferably arranged equidistant from each other.

10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The inner wall (16) of the accommodating container at least partially forms a portion of the sleeve surface, or is partially constituted by a portion of the sleeve surface, and wherein the groove is arranged in one such portion of the sleeve surface or in each such portion of the sleeve surface parallel to the corresponding cylindrical axis.

11. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The volume of the interior of the container is in the range of about 1 liter to about 5000 liters, preferably in the range of about 50 liters to about 2000 liters.

12. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The inner wall of the receiving container at least partially includes metal or is formed of metal.

13. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of the inner wall (16) of the holding container.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein: By means of the temperature control unit, a maximum cooling capacity of at least about 5 kW, preferably at least about 10 kW, more preferably at least about 15 kW, most preferably at least about 20 kW can be achieved.

15. Use of a device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 for treating phototrophic organisms.

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