A stem cell culture bioreactor

Abstract

A kind of stem cell culture bioreactor, including multiple cell incubators and rotating table and multiple driven wheels engaged with rotating table, the bottom of multiple driven wheels is rotatably connected with temperature control box, the top of rotating table is connected with guiding table, the outer side wall of guiding table is circumferentially provided with wave-shaped guiding channel, guiding channel is provided with multiple connecting pieces corresponding to cell incubator, because the utility model is provided with guiding table with wave-shaped guiding channel and telescopic transmission mechanism, creatively make cell incubator produce horizontal rotation and vertical reciprocating motion under driving, this unique " rotation + up and down movement " compound three-dimensional motion mode, can produce strong three-dimensional stirring and turning effect to culture solution, greatly strengthen fluid mass transfer process, to effectively break the concentration gradient of nutrient substance and metabolic product, solve the sedimentation and mixed dead angle problem that high-density culture is prone to.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of cell culture, and specifically to a stem cell culture bioreactor. Background Technology

[0002] Stem cell culture is a crucial step in biomedical research and clinical applications. Its culture effect directly affects cell viability, proliferation efficiency, and the yield and quality of subsequent products such as exosomes. In the process of large-scale culture, how to achieve full and uniform mixing of culture medium and cells while avoiding excessive mechanical shear force that could damage the cells is the core challenge in bioreactor design.

[0003] Currently, there are various types of bioreactors on the market. Stirred bioreactors use rotating impellers to generate strong shear force to achieve mixing, which can easily cause physical damage to fragile stem cells. Non-stirred bioreactors, on the other hand, mostly use shaking, vibration, or rotation to promote the movement of the culture medium in a relatively gentle way.

[0004] For example, Chinese patent document "CN219156893 U" discloses a bioreactor for stem cell exosome culture. The reactor includes a base, a gear ring fixedly mounted on the base, a first gear driven by a motor, and multiple second gears meshing with the first gear and the gear ring. The cell culture chamber is fixedly mounted on the second gears. During operation, the first gear drives the second gears, causing the cell culture chamber to rotate on its own axis while revolving around the first gear, thereby achieving mixing of the culture medium. Although this scheme improves the mixing effect to some extent, its motion mode is relatively simple, limited to revolution and rotation in the horizontal plane. This two-dimensional motion mode is difficult to induce violent agitation of the culture medium in the vertical direction. For the precipitation and concentration gradient problems that are prone to occur in high-density culture, its mixing ability is still insufficient. In addition, the device does not integrate temperature control function and needs to rely on external temperature control equipment, which increases the complexity of the system and the inconvenience of operation.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need in the field for a bioreactor that can provide more complex and efficient three-dimensional mixing motion and integrate key environmental control functions (such as temperature control) to further improve the uniformity and quality of stem cell culture. Utility Model Content

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a bioreactor that can provide more complex and efficient three-dimensional mixing motion and integrate key environmental control functions (such as temperature control) to further improve the uniformity and quality of stem cell culture.

[0007] The technical solution adopted to solve the above technical problems is: A stem cell culture bioreactor includes multiple cell culture tanks, a rotating platform, and multiple driven wheels meshing with the rotating platform. A temperature control box is rotatably connected to the bottom of each driven wheel. A guide platform is connected to the top of the rotating platform. A wave-shaped guide channel is circumferentially provided on the outer wall of the guide platform. Multiple connectors corresponding to the cell culture tanks are provided within the guide channel. Each connector has a telescopic portion rotatably connected to its outer end. The upper end of each telescopic portion is connected to the bottom of its corresponding cell culture tank, and the lower end of each telescopic portion is connected to its corresponding driven wheel. While driving the rotating platform to rotate the guide platform, the telescopic portions, limited by the guide channel, cause the cell culture tanks to move up and down and rotate independently.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the guide channel is a wave-shaped guide groove disposed on the outer surface of the guide platform, and the inner end of the connector is slidably disposed in the guide groove.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the telescopic part includes a support base, a lifting platform, and a rotating base. The lifting platform is slidably disposed within the support base, and the driven wheel is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the support base. The bottom of the support base is rotatably connected to the lower part of the inner wall of the temperature control box. The upper end of the lifting platform is detachably connected to the bottom of the cell culture box. A rotating base is installed on the upper part of the outer wall of the lifting platform. The outer end of the connector is rotatably connected to the outer wall of the rotating base. The rotating platform drives the driven wheel to rotate, and the cell culture box rotates together through the support base and the lifting platform, shaking the internal culture medium. At the same time, under the limitation of the guide groove, the lifting platform moves up and down through the connector and the rotating base, thereby causing the cell culture medium inside the cell culture box to tumble up and down, further improving the mixing effect.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, a connecting seat is installed at the bottom of the cell culture box, and the bottom of the connecting seat is plugged into or threadedly connected to the upper end of the lifting platform.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, a drive seat is installed at the bottom of the rotary table, the drive seat is rotatably installed inside the temperature control box, and a drive motor is connected to the lower end of the drive seat.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the top of the temperature control box is detachably fitted with a sealing cover, the top of the sealing cover is fitted with a rotating handle, the outer side wall of the sealing cover is fitted with a handle, and the bottom of the temperature control box is circumferentially welded with multiple support bases.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the outer wall of the temperature control box is provided with a temperature control unit, which includes a temperature sensor and a temperature control device.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: 1. This application creatively enables the cell culture chamber to simultaneously rotate horizontally and reciprocate vertically under drive by setting a guide platform with a waveform guide channel and a retractable transmission mechanism. This unique composite three-dimensional motion mode of "rotation + vertical movement" can generate a strong three-dimensional stirring and tumbling effect on the culture medium, greatly enhancing the fluid mass transfer process. This effectively breaks the concentration gradient of nutrients and metabolites, and solves the problems of sedimentation and mixing dead zones that are prone to occur in high-density culture. Compared with the existing technology which is limited to movement in the horizontal plane, this solution achieves near-global gentle mixing. Without the need to introduce a high-shear force stirring paddle, it significantly improves the uniformity and activity of stem cells during the culture process.

[0015] 2. This application innovatively uses a temperature control chamber as the core structural carrier and directly integrates a temperature control unit containing temperature sensors and temperature control devices on its outer wall. This integrated design enables the entire bioreactor to independently and accurately maintain the optimal constant temperature environment (such as 37°C) required for stem cell culture. This eliminates temperature fluctuations and connection operations caused by relying on external water baths or incubators. This not only simplifies equipment configuration and operation procedures, but also fundamentally reduces the risk of external contamination. It provides stem cells with a continuous, stable, controllable, and reliable high-quality culture environment, ensuring the reproducibility and quality of culture results. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the main cross-sectional structure of the present utility model; Figure 3 This is a partial enlarged structural diagram of the temperature control box of this utility model.

[0017] In the diagram: 1. Cell culture incubator; 2. Rotary stage; 3. Guide stage; 4. Driven wheel; 5. Support base; 6. Lifting platform; 7. Rotating seat; 8. Connector; 9. Connecting seat; 10. Drive base; 11. Drive motor; 12. Temperature control box; 122. Temperature control unit; 13. Sealing cover; 14. Rotating handle; 15. Handle; 16. Support base. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0019] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0021] In the above description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "one side," "the other side," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the utility model product is in use. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. In addition, the terms "first," "second," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0022] Furthermore, terms such as "identical" do not imply that components must be absolutely identical; minor differences are permissible. The term "perpendicular" simply means that the positional relationship between components is more perpendicular than "parallel," not that the structure must be perfectly perpendicular; a slight tilt is acceptable.

[0023] Example 1 exist Figures 1-3 In this invention, a technical solution is provided: a stem cell culture bioreactor. The core improvement lies in the unique mechanical structure design, which enables the cell culture chamber 1 to generate regular up-and-down reciprocating motion and rotation around its own axis while rotating horizontally, thereby achieving three-dimensional mixing of the culture medium. At the same time, the reactor integrates a temperature control system, providing a stable and controllable culture environment for stem cells. The bioreactor designed in this way mainly includes a temperature control chamber 12, a rotating platform 2, a drive mechanism, a guide platform 3, multiple cell culture chambers 1, and multiple driven wheels 4.

[0024] The temperature control box 12 forms the main support and insulation structure of the equipment. Its outer wall is equipped with a temperature control unit 122, which includes a temperature sensor (such as PT100) and a temperature control device (such as a semiconductor cooling chip and a heating rod) to monitor and adjust the temperature inside the box in real time to keep it stable within the appropriate range required for stem cell culture (e.g., 37°C) (not shown in the figure). The top of the temperature control box 12 is detachably fitted with a sealing cover 13 by means of threads or snaps. The top of the sealing cover 13 is equipped with a rotating handle 14, and the side walls are fitted with handles 15 for easy opening and closing. The bottom of the temperature control box 12 is circumferentially welded with multiple support bases 16 to ensure stable operation of the equipment.

[0025] The drive mechanism is located inside the temperature control box 12 at the bottom, and includes a drive motor 11 and a drive base 10 driven by the drive motor 11. The drive motor 11 is preferably a servo motor or a stepper motor to ensure that the speed is controllable.

[0026] The rotating platform 2 is rotatably mounted inside the temperature control box 12 via the drive base 10. A guide platform 3 is fixedly connected to the top of the rotating platform 2. One of the key innovations of this embodiment is that the outer side wall of the guide platform 3 is provided with a wave-shaped guide channel. Figure 2 As shown, the guide channel is specifically a waveform guide groove machined on the outer surface of the guide table 3. The waveform can be a sine wave, a sawtooth wave, or other continuous curves that can achieve a periodic lifting and lowering pattern. Multiple driven wheels 4 are connected to the outer edge of the rotary table 2 through gear meshing or tooth groove meshing, so that when the rotary table 2 rotates, it can synchronously drive all driven wheels 4 to rotate relative to the rotary table 2.

[0027] The bottom of each driven wheel 4 is connected to the bottom wall of the temperature control box 12 through bearings and other structures, and each driven wheel 4 corresponds to a telescopic part and a cell culture box 1.

[0028] The telescopic part is the core conversion mechanism for realizing three-dimensional motion. In this embodiment, the telescopic part includes a support base 5, a lifting platform 6, and a rotating base 7. The driven wheel 4 is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the support base 5. The bottom of the support base 5 is rotatably connected to the temperature control box 12. The lifting platform 6 is slidably arranged inside the support base 5 and can move vertically relative to the support base 5. The upper end of the lifting platform 6 is detachably connected to the bottom of the cell culture box 1 through a connecting seat 9. The connection method can be plug-in or threaded connection, which is convenient for disassembly and assembly. The rotating base 7 is fixedly installed on the upper part of the outer wall of the lifting platform 6.

[0029] Multiple connectors 8 are slidably arranged in the waveform guide groove. The number of connectors 8 corresponds to the number of cell culture boxes 1. The inner end of each connector 8 (the end closest to the guide platform 3) is slidably arranged in the waveform guide groove, while its outer end is rotatably connected to the outer wall of the rotating seat 7.

[0030] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: When the drive motor 11 starts and drives the rotary table 2 and the guide table 3 fixed on it to rotate together, the driven wheel 4 meshing with the rotary table 2 and its entire telescopic part (support seat 5, lifting platform 6, rotating seat 7) will rotate accordingly. During this process, the movement trajectory of the connecting piece 8, which is slidably set in the wave-shaped guide groove, is forcibly constrained by the shape of the guide groove. Since the guide groove is "wave-shaped", that is, its depth changes periodically along the circumference, when the connecting piece 8 slides in the rotating guide groove, it will be forced to periodically approach or move away from the central axis of the guide table 3. This radial motion component is converted into a pushing and pulling action on the lifting platform 6 through the transmission of the rotating seat 7, forcing the lifting platform 6 to make a reciprocating linear motion in the support seat 5. Finally, the cell culture box 1 installed at the top of the lifting platform 6 also moves up and down regularly. At the same time, due to the rotation of the driven wheel 4 and the cooperation between the cell culture box 1 and the connecting structure, the cell culture box 1 will also "rotate on its own" around its own axis while moving up and down. This composite three-dimensional motion mode of "rotation and reciprocating motion" is the core of the inventiveness of this application compared with the prior art. The prior art can only achieve rotational motion, while the vertical violent tumbling added by this application can more effectively break the concentration gradient and cell precipitation in the culture medium, achieve near-global mixing, significantly improve the transfer efficiency of nutrients and gases, and at the same time, since the use of high-speed agitators is avoided, its shear force is still maintained at a low level, which is very friendly to stem cells. In addition, the integrated temperature control system incorporates temperature control functions into the reactor body, which simplifies the operation process, reduces the risk of contamination, and improves the stability and integration of the entire culture system compared to existing equipment that requires an external water bath or incubator. This is another prominent substantive feature and technological advancement of this application.

[0031] Example 2: Based on Example 1, this example further optimizes the connection stability of the cell culture incubator 1. The connection interface between the connector 9 and the upper end of the lifting platform 6 can be designed as a quick-connect type or a threaded interface with a positioning pin to ensure a firm connection and prevent loosening during high-speed, multi-dimensional movement.

[0032] The contents not described in detail in this specification are existing technologies known to those skilled in the art.

[0033] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of this utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of this utility model, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A stem cell culture bioreactor, comprising multiple cell culture tanks (1) and a rotating platform (2) and multiple driven wheels (4) meshing with the rotating platform (2), characterized in that: The bottom of multiple driven wheels (4) is rotatably connected to a temperature control box (12). The top of the rotating platform (2) is connected to a guide platform (3). The outer side wall of the guide platform (3) is provided with a wave-shaped guide channel. Multiple connectors (8) corresponding to the cell culture box (1) are provided in the guide channel. The outer ends of the multiple connectors (8) are rotatably connected to telescopic parts. The upper ends of the telescopic parts are respectively connected to the bottom of the corresponding cell culture box (1), and the lower ends of the telescopic parts are respectively connected to the corresponding driven wheels (4). While driving the rotating platform (2) to drive the guide platform (3) to rotate, the telescopic parts drive the cell culture box (1) to move up and down and rotate on its own under the limit of the guide channel.

2. The stem cell culture bioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide channel is a wave-shaped guide groove set on the outer surface of the guide platform (3), and the inner end of the connector (8) is slidably set in the guide groove.

3. A stem cell culture bioreactor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The telescopic part includes a support base (5), a lifting platform (6) and a rotating base (7). The lifting platform (6) is slidably disposed inside the support base (5). The driven wheel (4) is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the support base (5). The bottom of the support base (5) is rotatably connected to the lower part of the inner wall of the temperature control box (12). The upper end of the lifting platform (6) is detachably connected to the bottom of the cell culture box (1). The rotating base (7) is installed on the upper part of the outer wall of the lifting platform (6). The outer end of the connector (8) is rotatably connected to the outer wall of the rotating base (7).

4. A stem cell culture bioreactor according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cell culture box (1) is equipped with a connector (9) at the bottom, and the bottom of the connector (9) is plugged into or threaded into the upper end of the lifting platform (6).

5. A stem cell culture bioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the rotary table (2) is equipped with a drive seat (10), which is rotatably installed inside the temperature control box (12). The lower end of the drive seat (10) is connected to a drive motor (11).

6. A stem cell culture bioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature control box (12) is detachably fitted with a sealing cover (13), a rotating handle (14) is fitted on the top of the sealing cover (13), a handle (15) is fitted on the outer side wall of the sealing cover (13), and multiple support bases (16) are welded to the bottom of the temperature control box (12).

7. A stem cell culture bioreactor according to claim 6, characterized in that: The outer wall of the temperature control box (12) is provided with a temperature control unit (122), which includes a temperature sensor and a temperature control device.

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