Device for improved microbial culture growth

Abstract

A device for enhanced growth of microbial cultures, comprising: a primary culture chamber configured to contain a microbial culture and a culture medium; a plurality of sensors arranged in the primary culture chamber for continuously measuring at least one of the following: temperature, pH, oxygen concentration and nutrient content in the culture medium; a control unit coupled to the plurality of sensors, the control unit configured to receive data from the sensors and automatically adjust environmental parameters within the culture chamber to maintain optimal conditions for microbial growth; a nutrient delivery system in fluid communication with the primary culture chamber, the nutrient delivery system configured to deliver nutrients to the culture medium based on the real-time requirements of the microbial culture; a stirring mechanism that ensures uniform mixing of the culture medium and even distribution of nutrients and gases throughout the culture medium; wherein the control unit is further configured to regulate the nutrient delivery system and the agitation mechanism to maintain optimal nutrient and gas concentrations based on sensor data.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The field of the invention relates to biotechnology and microbial culture systems. In particular, the invention relates to a device for enhancing microbial culture growth, which is intended to optimize the growth conditions of microbial organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae by regulating key environmental parameters such as temperature, pH, oxygen content, nutrient supply, and agitation. Background of the invention

[0002] Microbial cultures are used in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food production, and environmental applications. The efficiency and quality of microbial cultures are critical for the production of bio-based products such as antibiotics, enzymes, and fermented products. However, conventional microbial culture systems often struggle to maintain optimal conditions for microbial growth, which can lead to suboptimal yields and prolonged growth cycles. Factors such as temperature, pH, oxygen levels, and nutrient supply must be carefully controlled to ensure the microbial environment supports growth. Conventional culture systems are often manually operated, lack real-time feedback mechanisms, or offer limited adaptability to different microbial strains, leading to inefficiencies in growth and resource utilization.Therefore, there is a need for a device that can automatically optimize microbial growth conditions, adapt to the needs of different microbial strains, and increase culture yields.

[0003] The growth of microbial cultures plays a fundamental role in numerous industries, from pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to food production and environmental management. Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae are essential for the production of a wide variety of bio-based products such as antibiotics, enzymes, biofuels, fermented foods, and biodegradable materials. The efficiency of microbial growth directly influences the quality, yield, and cost of these products. Therefore, it is crucial to create an environment that provides optimal growth conditions. In general, microbial cultures require precise control of various environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, pH, oxygen concentration, nutrient availability, and agitation to ensure optimal growth and productivity.However, despite advances in microbial cultivation technology, existing systems still face significant challenges that limit the efficiency and scalability of microbial culture growth.

[0004] One of the most widely used systems for the growth of microbial cultures is the shake flask or batch culture system, which has been used in laboratory research and small-scale production for decades. These systems typically involve cultivating microorganisms in a liquid medium in flasks or bioreactors, with periodic shaking or stirring to ensure sufficient oxygen transport and sufficient nutrient mixing. Although shake flasks are easy to operate and inexpensive, they have several limitations. First, these systems often lack the ability to maintain constant and optimal environmental conditions, which is crucial for maximum microbial growth and maximum productivity.For example, the temperature in the flask can fluctuate due to external environmental conditions, and nutrient concentrations can decrease rapidly or become unevenly distributed, leading to suboptimal growth. Furthermore, oxygen availability, crucial for aerobic microbial growth, can be limited in larger shake flasks, as efficient gas exchange in larger volumes of liquid is difficult.

[0005] To address some of the shortcomings of shake flask systems, stirred-tank bioreactors were developed, providing a more controlled environment for microbial cultivation. These systems utilize a motorized impeller for continuous mixing, ensuring a more even distribution of nutrients and gases and allowing for more effective temperature regulation. Stirred-tank bioreactors can also be equipped with sensors to monitor and control parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature, which can be automatically adjusted to maintain optimal growth conditions. Although these bioreactors represent a significant advance over shake flasks, they still have several disadvantages. A major issue is the need for complex and expensive instrumentation, which can make them prohibitive for small-scale or academic applications.Furthermore, while stirred tank systems offer better control over temperature and oxygen levels, they often suffer from inefficient nutrient delivery and insufficient agitation, especially with highly viscous media or cultures that require high shear forces for optimal growth. Another limitation is the difficulty of scaling these systems up or down depending on the culture size, which can lead to inefficient resource utilization and inconsistent results when transferring cultures between bioreactors of different sizes.

[0006] Although significant advances have been made in microbial culture technology, existing solutions still face challenges, particularly in terms of cost, scalability, efficiency, and adaptability to diverse microbial strains and production requirements. There remains an urgent need for more efficient, cost-effective, and versatile devices that can optimize microbial growth conditions in real time, reduce the need for manual intervention, and deliver reliable results for a wide range of applications. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention addresses the above-mentioned challenges and provides a device for promoting microbial culture growth through continuous monitoring and automated control of environmental parameters. The self-regulating device ensures optimal conditions for microbial growth, including precise control of temperature, humidity, oxygen concentration, and nutrient supply. The device features a multi-chamber design, with the primary culture chamber housing the microbial culture and secondary chambers maintaining environmental parameters such as temperature and oxygen levels. Integrated sensors monitor these parameters in real time, with the data processed by a control unit that adjusts the conditions accordingly.The device also features a nutrient delivery system that supplies the culture with essential nutrients in a controlled manner, preventing nutrient deficiencies or overgrowth. An automated stirring mechanism ensures even distribution of nutrients and gases. The device's modular design allows for easy scalability and maintenance, making it suitable for both small-scale laboratory research and large-scale industrial applications. The device also features a graphical user interface (GUI) for user-friendly operation and remote monitoring.

[0008] Furthermore, the system is intended to improve maintenance and operational efficiency thanks to its modular design, which allows for easy disassembly, cleaning, and sterilization of components, thus minimizing the risk of contamination. The invention also aims to improve resource utilization through the uniform distribution of nutrients, gases, and other essential components in the culture medium. This should increase both the quality and yield of microbial cultures, thus contributing to more sustainable and efficient biotechnological processes. Ultimately, the invention aims to provide a reliable and efficient solution for promoting microbial culture growth, benefiting industries ranging from biotechnology to environmental management. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

[0009] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily understood when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like characters represent like parts throughout. Fig. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a device for enhancing microbial culture growth.

[0010] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the elements in the drawings are shown for convenience and are not necessarily to scale. For example, the flowcharts illustrate the method by key steps to enhance understanding of aspects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, with respect to device construction, one or more components of the device may be represented in the drawings by conventional symbols. The drawing may show only the specific details relevant to understanding embodiments of the present disclosure in order not to clutter the drawing with details that would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the present description. Detailed description of the invention

[0011] To facilitate an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and a clear description thereof. However, the scope of the invention is not limited thereby. Changes and further modifications to the illustrated system, as well as further applications of the principles of the invention, are possible, as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

[0012] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

[0013] References in this specification to "one aspect," "another aspect," or similar language mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, the language "in one embodiment," "in another embodiment," and similar language throughout this specification may or may not refer to the same embodiment.

[0014] The terms "comprises," "comprising," or variations thereof are intended to be non-exclusive inclusion. A process or method that includes a list of steps includes not only those steps, but may also include additional steps not expressly listed or inherent in the process or method. Likewise, the statement "comprises" for one or more devices, subsystems, elements, structures, or components does not exclude, without further limitation, the existence of other devices, subsystems, elements, structures, or components, or of additional devices, subsystems, elements, structures, or components.

[0015] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. The systems, methods, and examples provided herein are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered limiting.

[0016] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] The figure shows a block diagram of an apparatus for enhancing microbial culture growth. The system 100 comprises: a primary culture chamber (102) for containing a microbial culture and a culture medium; a plurality of sensors (104) in the primary culture chamber for continuously measuring temperature, pH, oxygen concentration, and nutrient content in the culture medium; a control unit (106) connected to the sensors, which receives data from the sensors and automatically adjusts environmental parameters in the culture chamber to maintain optimal conditions for microbial growth; a nutrient delivery system (108) in fluid communication with the primary culture chamber, which supplies nutrients to the culture medium according to the real-time needs of the microbial culture; an agitation mechanism (110) that ensures uniform mixing of the culture medium and even distribution of nutrients and gases in the culture medium;The control unit regulates the nutrient delivery system and agitation mechanism based on sensor data to maintain optimal nutrient and gas concentrations.;

[0018] In one embodiment, the plurality of sensors (104) comprises: a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature of the culture medium; a pH sensor configured to measure the pH of the culture medium; an oxygen concentration sensor configured to monitor the oxygen content in the culture medium; a nutrient concentration sensor configured to determine the concentration of one or more important nutrients in the culture medium.

[0019] In one embodiment, the control unit (106) comprises a machine learning technique that: processes historical sensor data to optimize the adjustment of environmental parameters based on the specific requirements of the cultured microbial strain; predicts the future growth needs of the microbial culture based on real-time data and adjusts at least one of temperature, nutrient supply, pH, or oxygen concentration accordingly.

[0020] In one embodiment, the nutrient delivery system (108) comprises: a nutrient reservoir containing microbial nutrients in liquid or solid form; a plurality of automated pumps configured to deliver specific amounts of nutrients to the culture medium based on real-time demand determined by the control unit; a nutrient flow sensor configured to monitor the flow rate of nutrients delivered to the culture medium and provide feedback to the control unit.

[0021] In one embodiment, the stirring mechanism (110) comprises: a motorized impeller configured to stir the culture medium and ensure a homogeneous mixture of nutrients and gases; a variable-speed motor coupled to the impeller, wherein the motor speed is adjusted by the control unit based on the viscosity and volume of the culture medium.

[0022] In one embodiment, the primary culture chamber (102) is constructed of a corrosion-, heat-, and chemical-resistant material, thereby ensuring stability under the varying temperature, pressure, and chemical conditions typically encountered in microbial cultivation.

[0023] In one embodiment, the culture chamber (102) comprises a sealed path for fluid communication with an auxiliary chamber that regulates at least one of temperature, humidity, or gas exchange, thereby creating an environment that promotes microbial growth in the primary culture chamber.

[0024] In one embodiment, it further comprises: an auxiliary chamber configured to maintain at least one of a temperature and humidity at a predetermined level, the auxiliary chamber being in fluid communication with the primary culture chamber; a heating or cooling element disposed in the auxiliary chamber, the heating or cooling element being controlled by the control unit to maintain the desired temperature in the primary culture chamber.

[0025] In one embodiment, the system is scalable and the modular design allows easy adaptation of the device to different culture volumes, with the culture chamber, nutrient delivery system and stirring mechanism being removable for cleaning and sterilization.

[0026] In one embodiment, it further comprises: a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to display real-time data collected by the sensors, including temperature, pH, oxygen concentration, and nutrient levels; wherein the GUI allows a user to manually adjust environmental parameters or remotely monitor and control the operation of the device via a secure network connection.

[0027] The system for enhancing microbial culture growth is designed to optimize and automate the cultivation of microbial organisms. The core of the system is a primary culture chamber that houses the microbial culture. This chamber is equipped with a series of sensors, including temperature, pH, and oxygen concentration sensors, that continuously monitor the ambient conditions within the chamber. These sensors transmit real-time data to a central control unit, which processes the information and adjusts various parameters to ensure optimal growth conditions for the culture.

[0028] The control unit is based on integrated technology that utilizes sensor data to make real-time adjustments to the environment, such as regulating temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels within the culture chamber. This feedback system allows the device to maintain constant and precise conditions, ensuring optimal growth of the microbial culture regardless of external environmental changes. The temperature and humidity control mechanisms are located in separate auxiliary chambers connected to the primary culture chamber via closed ducts. These auxiliary chambers provide controlled airflow and heat exchange to regulate the internal climate of the culture chamber.

[0029] The device also features a nutrient delivery system that provides the microbial culture with essential nutrients in a controlled manner. The system includes nutrient reservoirs and automated pumps that supply the culture with nutrients at predefined intervals according to current needs. This ensures that the culture receives sufficient nutrients and prevents over-fertilization or depletion of vital nutrients. The nutrient delivery system is further supported by an automated stirring mechanism that ensures an even distribution of nutrients and gases in the culture medium. This stirring mechanism can be adjusted depending on the viscosity of the culture to ensure that the microbial cells receive a consistent supply of nutrients and oxygen.

[0030] To ensure scalability and ease of maintenance, the device features a modular design. Each component, including the culture chamber, nutrient reservoir, and additional climate chambers, can be easily removed for cleaning, sterilization, or replacement. This modularity also allows the device to be adapted to various applications, from laboratory experiments to industrial fermentation processes. Furthermore, the culture chamber and other components are constructed of durable, chemically resistant materials that can withstand the harsh conditions of microbial cultivation.

[0031] Capable of cultivating a wide range of microbial strains, from bacteria to fungi, the device is versatile and adaptable to a variety of applications. Its self-regulating, automated features ensure efficient growth of microbial cultures with minimal operator intervention. By optimizing environmental conditions and nutrient supply, the device increases the overall growth rate and yield of microbial cultures, making it ideal for use in industry, research, and biotechnological production.

[0032] In summary, the device for enhancing microbial culture growth combines advanced sensors, automated control systems, nutrient delivery mechanisms, and a modular design, providing a highly efficient and adaptable solution for microbial cultivation. It enables precise control of the growth environment and ensures optimal conditions for a wide variety of microbial cultures while reducing the risk of contamination, nutrient deficiencies, or overgrowth. The invention significantly improves the efficiency and scalability of microbial culture systems and provides researchers and industrial companies with a powerful tool for improving microbial growth processes.

[0033] The system for improving microbial culture growth is equipped with an advanced control unit that automatically optimizes the microbial culture conditions using a machine learning method. This method significantly contributes to ensuring that the microbial growth environment always remains optimal through real-time adjustments of important parameters such as temperature, pH value, oxygen concentration, and nutrient content. The control unit continuously collects data from various sensors, including temperature sensors, pH sensors, oxygen concentration sensors, and nutrient concentration sensors, all of which are positioned in the primary culture chamber. These sensors provide real-time information about the current state of the culture medium, which is directly transmitted to the control unit for processing.

[0034] The machine learning algorithm in the control unit is trained using historical data from previous microbial culture cycles as well as real-time data from the current cycle. This data forms the basis for the algorithm to learn the specific growth patterns and needs of different microbial strains over time. Through this learning process, the algorithm recognizes relationships between environmental factors and microbial growth outcomes, such as yield and growth rate. The algorithm uses this knowledge to proactively adjust culture conditions and anticipate the future needs of the microbial culture based on current data trends. For example, if the algorithm determines that a particular microbial strain grows rapidly with slightly elevated oxygen concentrations, it adjusts the oxygen delivery system to increase the concentration in real time, thus optimizing growth conditions.

[0035] Furthermore, the technology is designed to control nutrient supply. It continuously measures the nutrient concentration in the culture medium using data from the nutrient concentration sensor, ensuring that the microbial culture receives the right amount of nutrients at the right time. The nutrient delivery system is fully automated, and machine learning technology dynamically controls the nutrient pumps, adjusting flow rates according to the metabolic needs of the strain at different growth stages. This process ensures that nutrient stores are not depleted too quickly or accumulate in excess, which could impair growth. The technology's ability to adjust nutrient supply is particularly important for cultures that require different nutrients at different stages, such as carbon sources during the initial growth phases and nitrogen sources during cell division.

[0036] The machine learning process also incorporates feedback from the system's agitator, which is responsible for mixing the culture medium and evenly distributing nutrients and gases. The process analyzes data on the viscosity and volume of the culture medium and adjusts the agitator speed accordingly to ensure the optimal shear force for mixing. If, for example, the culture medium becomes thicker due to microbial growth, the process can increase the agitator speed to ensure optimal nutrient and gas distribution. This dynamic control ensures that the microbial cells receive a uniform supply of nutrients and oxygen, thus preventing stagnant zones in the medium that could lead to uneven growth.

[0037] In addition to real-time adjustments, the machine learning process stores and analyzes historical performance data to optimize future culture cycles. By analyzing trends and identifying patterns in microbial growth, the process can continuously improve its decision-making process and progressively better predict the ideal conditions for microbial growth. This predictive capability is particularly valuable in industrial settings where large-scale microbial production is required, as it allows the device to optimize environmental conditions for different microbial strains to maximize yields and minimize waste.

[0038] Furthermore, the technology is capable of adapting to the specific growth requirements of different microbial strains. The system can be programmed with data on the preferred environmental conditions of different strains, and the technology can use this information to adjust growth conditions accordingly. This adaptability is essential in applications where multiple species of microorganisms are cultivated in the same system, such as mixed microbial fermentations or when switching between different product types in organic production. The control unit can switch between different optimal conditions depending on the strain being cultivated, ensuring that each microbial culture finds exactly the conditions it needs to thrive.

[0039] The integration of machine learning also extends to the system's overall performance monitoring. The system continuously evaluates the effectiveness of its adjustments by monitoring the microbial culture results. If the system detects that growth rates are lower than expected, it can initiate corrective actions, such as adjusting nutrient delivery, altering agitation speed, or recalibrating gas flow rates. The system also detects when external factors, such as changes in ambient temperature or humidity, might affect the culture environment and makes appropriate adjustments. This ability to self-optimize is a key feature that distinguishes the device from conventional microbial culture systems, which often require manual intervention to fine-tune environmental conditions.

[0040] The graphical user interface (GUI) plays a crucial role in the user's interaction with the system. It displays real-time data generated by the sensors and provides the user with an overview of culture conditions and growth metrics. The GUI also allows users to manually override the machine learning technique as needed, providing flexibility in specific experimental or production scenarios. Users can remotely access the system and monitor the progress of microbial cultures from any location, which is particularly useful in large-scale industrial applications or multi-site research environments.

[0041] The drawings and the foregoing description show examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be separated into multiple functional elements. Elements of one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, the order of the processes described herein may be changed and is not limited to the manner described herein. Furthermore, the actions of a flowchart need not be performed in the order shown; nor do all actions necessarily have to be performed. Also, actions that are not dependent on other actions may be performed in parallel with the other actions. The scope of the embodiments is in no way limited by these specific examples.Numerous variations, whether explicitly stated in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimensions, and use of materials, are possible. The scope of the embodiments is at least as broad as indicated in the following claims.

[0042] Advantages, further benefits, and solutions to problems have been described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, the advantages, advantages, solutions to problems, and any components that may result in or enhance an advantage, benefit, or solution are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or components of any or all of the claims. REFERENCES 100 A device for improving the growth of microbial cultures 102 Primary culture chamber 104 variety of sensors 106 Control unit 108 Nutrient supply system 110 agitator

Claims

[1] A device for enhanced growth of microbial cultures, comprising: a primary culture chamber configured to contain a microbial culture and a culture medium; a plurality of sensors arranged in the primary culture chamber for continuously measuring at least one of the following: temperature, pH, oxygen concentration and nutrient content in the culture medium; a control unit coupled to the plurality of sensors, the control unit configured to receive data from the sensors and automatically adjust environmental parameters within the culture chamber to maintain optimal conditions for microbial growth; a nutrient delivery system in fluid communication with the primary culture chamber, the nutrient delivery system configured to deliver nutrients to the culture medium based on the real-time requirements of the microbial culture; a stirring mechanism that ensures uniform mixing of the culture medium and even distribution of nutrients and gases throughout the culture medium; wherein the control unit is further configured to regulate the nutrient delivery system and the agitation mechanism to maintain optimal nutrient and gas concentrations based on sensor data. [2] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises: a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature of the culture medium; a pH sensor configured to measure the pH of the culture medium; an oxygen concentration sensor configured to monitor the oxygen content in the culture medium; a nutrient concentration sensor configured to determine the concentration of one or more key nutrients in the culture medium. [3] The device of claim 1, wherein the nutrient delivery system comprises: a nutrient reservoir containing microbial nutrients in liquid or solid form; a plurality of automated pumps configured to deliver specific amounts of nutrients to the culture medium based on real-time requirements determined by the control unit; a nutrient flow sensor configured to monitor the flow rate of nutrients added to the culture medium and provide feedback to the control unit. [4] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stirring mechanism comprises: a motorized impeller that moves the culture medium and ensures a homogeneous mixture of nutrients and gases; a variable speed motor coupled to the impeller, the motor speed being adjusted by the control unit based on the viscosity and volume of the culture medium. [5] The device of claim 1, wherein the primary culture chamber is made of a corrosion-, heat-, and chemical-resistant material, thereby ensuring stability under the varying temperature, pressure, and chemical conditions typically encountered in microbial cultivation. [6] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the culture chamber comprises a sealed path for fluid communication with an auxiliary chamber that regulates at least one of temperature, humidity, or gas exchange, thereby creating an environment conducive to microbial growth in the primary culture chamber. [7] The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an auxiliary chamber configured to maintain at least one of a temperature and humidity at a predetermined level, the auxiliary chamber being in fluid communication with the primary culture chamber; a heating or cooling element arranged in the auxiliary chamber, the heating or cooling element being controlled by the control unit to maintain the desired temperature in the primary culture chamber. [8] The device according to claim 1, wherein the system is scalable and the modular design allows easy adaptation of the device to different culture volumes, wherein the culture chamber, the nutrient supply system and the stirring mechanism are removable for cleaning and sterilization. [9] The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to display real-time data collected by the sensors, including temperature, pH, oxygen concentration, and nutrient levels; The GUI allows a user to manually adjust environmental parameters or remotely monitor and control the device's operation via a secure network connection.

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