SINGLE-USE BAG HOLDER FOR USE WITH CIRCUIT BOARD INSTALLATIONS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device and a method for receiving a disposable container.

[0002] Bioreactors and pallet tanks serve as devices for the reception, storage, and / or cultivation of biological media such as fluids and / or cell cultures. Biological media can be provided in disposable containers with a volume ranging from a few liters to several thousand liters. The biological media are introduced into the bioreactor within a disposable container, where they are maintained at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time, usually several hours. Furthermore, various tests can be conducted on the biological medium in such a bioreactor. A bioreactor can be handled under cleanroom conditions, placing particularly high demands on quality assurance in the bioreactor.

[0003] So-called single-use processes are now widespread in the pharmaceutical industry. Disposable bags, in particular, can be used as disposable containers in single-use processes. The use of disposable containers has proven to be time- and cost-saving, as well as process-safe, both upstream and downstream. While there is now experience with cell culture processes and microbial cultures, processes with phototrophic organisms (algae, plant cell cultures) have so far only been implemented to a limited extent. This applies particularly to production scales of 50 liters and above.

[0004] WO 2017 / 157404 discloses a receptacle for accommodating a transparent disposable container, designed as a flexible bag. A lighting device is arranged on the inside of the cylindrical receptacle.

[0005] The receiving vessel wall is temperature-controlled by a temperature control unit. The lighting device is positioned inside the vessel so that it exchanges heat with the temperature-controlled receiving vessel wall. This allows for the dissipation of the heat generated during operation of the lighting device.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to simplify the cultivation of phototrophic organisms, especially on a larger production scale, and in particular to improve the control of production parameters. This object is achieved by a device and a method according to the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] One aspect thus relates to a device for receiving a disposable container, comprising a receiving container with an inner wall defining a container interior for receiving the disposable container, wherein a plurality of grooves or channels for receiving electrical functional elements are provided in the inner wall of the receiving container. Temperature control elements, but in particular lighting units (e.g., LEDs), can be used as such electrical functional elements.

[0008] The device can be designed as a bioreactor and / or pallet tank, which can be designed to accommodate disposable containers with a volume of approximately 1 liter to approximately 5000 liters, preferably with a volume of approximately 50 liters to approximately 2000 liters, particularly preferably at least approximately 500 liters. The device can be designed as a system with multiple components, in particular with or without a disposable container as an associated component. The device can be designed in particular to accommodate disposable containers containing a biological medium such as a fluid that is to be stored, tempered, cultivated, and / or otherwise examined in the system over a predetermined period of time. The biological medium can be designed as a cell culture and / or contain phototrophic organisms.

[0009] 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 stirring components inside it, which can be coupled to a stirring device of the device to enable mixing of the contents of the disposable container.

[0010] The receiving container of the device provides the container interior, which is designed to accommodate the disposable container. The container interior can be designed to accommodate a predeterminable type of disposable container, for example, a disposable container from a predeterminable manufacturer and / or with a predeterminable filling volume. The receiving container inner wall(s) define the container interior. The receiving container inner walls do not have to completely surround and / or delimit the container interior. For example, the receiving container can have a stirring opening through which a stirring device can be connected to the disposable container arranged in the container interior. Such a stirring device is preferably formed at the upper end of the receiving container. The receiving container can thus, in particular, be designed without a lid and / or be open at the top.

[0011] The terms "top", "bottom", "side", "vertical", "horizontal", "height", "lateral" etc., refer in the context of this invention to the Earth's reference system in which the system or device is arranged in an operating position.

[0012] The disposable container is preferably inserted into the receiving container such that it rests on a base of the receiving container and is in direct physical contact with the inner walls of the receiving container, in particular in contact with the base of the receiving container and / or the inner walls of the receiving container adjacent to the base. The receiving container can have at least one openable and closable door through which the disposable container can be inserted into the container interior.

[0013] The possibility of accommodating electrical functional elements in grooves in the inner wall of the receptacle improves their thermal coupling to the inner wall of the receptacle and at the same time the interior of the receptacle remains unaffected or less affected by protruding functional elements that could also impair or damage the disposable container.

[0014] Particularly preferably, lighting units for illuminating the container interior are or can be mounted at least partially in the plurality of grooves. The functional elements are or in this case preferably comprise lighting units. In particular, all grooves could be designed to accommodate lighting units for illuminating the container interior. In one embodiment, lighting units could even be mounted in all grooves. In another preferred embodiment, lighting units are or will be mounted or mountable only in some of the grooves, while other grooves are provided or used for other functional elements, i.e., in particular, can be equipped or are equipped with other functional elements.

[0015] The lighting units arranged in the grooves are preferably arranged such that they emit the light output at least predominantly in the direction of the container interior, i.e. to the disposable container or the medium contained therein. In the operating position of the device, a disposable container is introduced 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 in the container interior such that they are in heat exchange with the preferably temperature-controlled inner wall of the receiving container. In this case, the lighting units in particular can be temperature-controlled, e.g. cooled, preferably by means of a temperature control unit described later. This enables heat dissipation of waste heat that can arise during operation of the lighting units.The lighting units do not require their own cooling, but can be tempered or cooled using the device's temperature control unit.

[0016] The device is particularly suitable for accommodating disposable containers containing phototrophic organisms or cell cultures. The medium contained in the disposable container can be irradiated by the light emitted by the light units. The walls of the disposable container are preferably transparent to at least the wavelength(s) of light in which the light units emit light into the container interior. Thus, in a further aspect, the invention relates to the use of a device according to the invention for processing phototrophic organisms. The device is preferably used for cultivating mosses in a process for producing alpha-galactosidase.

[0017] In the context of this invention, the term "light" does not necessarily mean visible light, but can refer to electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of approximately 50 nm to approximately 50 µm. The term thus includes, in particular, ultraviolet and infrared light. The wavelength or wavelength range of the light emitted by the light units can be tailored to the specific requirements of the medium in the disposable container. The light units can each have one or more light sources aligned to emit light in the direction from the inner wall of the receiving container toward the container interior, in particular in a direction toward the spatial region in which the disposable container is arranged in the operating position, e.g., toward a center point and / or a central axis of the container interior.

[0018] The device can further comprise a controller which serves to control the light emission by the lighting units. The lighting units can, for example, emit modulated and / or non-modulated electromagnetic radiation, or also coherent electromagnetic radiation such as laser light. The lighting units can preferably be controlled such that they emit a controllable amount of light during controllable periods of time. In particular, the lighting units can also be switched off. According to one embodiment, one (or each) lighting unit has a plurality of light sources which are arranged within the same groove. The plurality of light sources of a lighting unit are preferably carried by a common carrier, via which the respective lighting unit is arranged within the groove on the inner wall of the receptacle.A substrate can serve as the support, in particular a substrate that is thermally conductive at least in places, allowing heat generated by the light source(s) to be dissipated very efficiently to the inner wall of the receptacle. As will be described in more detail later, it is particularly preferred if temperature control is carried out on the outside of the inner wall of the receptacle by means of a temperature control unit (e.g., a temperature control medium) that regulates the temperature of the inner wall of the receptacle on the outside.

[0019] In one embodiment, the lighting units in the grooves are 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 a mechanically stable fastening of the respective lighting unit in the corresponding groove and simultaneously protects the lighting units and the disposable container from mutual damage. Particularly preferably, it allows at least partial refractive index adaptation for light radiated from the lighting unit into the disposable container, whereby the highest possible proportion of the light from the lighting unit (in particular from the light sources) can be coupled into the disposable container in a homogeneously distributed manner. An epoxy resin can be used as the casting material.The resin layer and / or lacquer layer is particularly transparent to the wavelength(s) emitted by the light units. The cast material particularly preferably provides a hermetic seal (IP 65) of the electrical functional units (and their direct electrical connections) in the grooves from the environment.

[0020] In one embodiment, the grooves with the lighting units mounted therein are closed off from the container interior by means of (translucent or transparent) groove covers such that the inner surfaces of the (translucent or transparent) groove covers, together with the inner surfaces of the receptacle inner wall formed between the grooves, in particular those adjacent to the grooves, form continuous surfaces, i.e., in particular, without steps. The resulting continuous receptacle inner surface preferably has no (in particular convex) edges. This even offers several advantages. Firstly, the receptacle interior is easy and thorough to clean. Furthermore, possible mechanical damage or stress on the disposable container is avoided or reduced.

[0021] In addition, this ensures consistently good contact between the disposable container (and thus the medium contained therein) and the receiving container. This consistently good, homogeneous contact improves both the thermal and optical coupling of the disposable container (and thus its contents) to the receiving containers. This leads to improved thermal power transfer (e.g. cooling and / or heating power) and thus to more reliable temperature control, even for large process volumes. In particular, local temperature peaks are avoided, even when lighting units in the grooves locally introduce heat power. The good optical coupling ensures the highest possible spatial and spectral homogeneity of the illumination of a medium contained in the disposable container by the lighting units contained in the grooves. This, in turn, also improves process quality and efficiency, especially for large process volumes.

[0022] These or some of these advantages are achieved particularly effectively if a gap (air gap) is formed in the respective groove under the groove cover, in particular between the lighting unit and the groove cover, preferably directly beneath the groove cover. The groove covers are preferably designed as discs of substantially homogeneous thickness. Unlike without such groove covers, when using groove covers it can be advantageous either not to fill the grooves at all with a cast material as already described or at least to provide such a gap between the cast material and the groove cover. Thus, an air gap is preferably formed within the grooves at least between the lighting unit and the respective groove cover, which air gap is in particular large enough to minimize interference of the radiation generated by the lighting units within the air gap by the surfaces delimiting the air gap.For example, an air gap with a thickness in the range of approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 5 mm can be provided. The air gaps form a controllable and stable optical transition between the lighting units and the slot covers. It was found that in the case of direct (mechanical) contact between the slot covers and the lighting units (or a cast material covering the lighting units), the optical quality (in particular the intensity and homogeneity) of the incident light changes over time, and in particular deteriorates. In the context of this development, this was attributed to a poorly controllable detachment effect between the lighting units (or a cast material) and the slot covers, e.g. due to thermal and / or mechanical stress, which is avoided by providing an air gap.

[0023] Preferably, each of the plurality of grooves has a two-step cross-section on both sides perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the respective groove such that on both sides of a central groove channel, a support surface is set back by a first step relative to the inner surface of the receptacle inner wall, and a groove base of the central groove channel is set back by a second step relative to the two support surfaces. In other words, each groove comprises, in addition to a central groove channel (for receiving the at least one lighting unit), a groove shoulder on both sides. The support surfaces formed by the groove shoulders on both sides serve in particular to receive the groove cover. For this purpose, the first step in particular has a height which essentially corresponds (i.e., apart from any thickness of an additional adhesive layer) to a thickness of the respective groove cover.In particular, the second step has a height that is sufficient to accommodate the (respective) lighting unit within the central groove channel (under the groove cover).

[0024] Depending on the embodiment, the height of the first step is, for example, in a range from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 5 mm, preferably in a range from approximately 1 mm to approximately 3 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the height of the second step is, for example, in a range from approximately 2 mm to approximately 15 mm, preferably in a range from approximately 2 mm to approximately 10 mm, even more preferably in a range from approximately 3 mm to approximately 5 mm. Alternatively or additionally, a width of the respective support surface (shoulder width) is, for example, in a range from approximately 1 mm to approximately 5 mm, preferably in a range from approximately 1 mm to approximately 3 mm. Alternatively or additionally, a width of the central groove channel (perpendicular to its longitudinal extent) is, for example, in a range from approximately 5 mm to approximately 30 mm, preferably in a range from approximately 10 mm to approximately 20 mm. This means that LED strips, for example, can be easily laid in the grooves.Thus, the lighting units that can be mounted or are mounted in the grooves primarily comprise LEDs as light sources. This allows both modulated and unmodulated radiation to be emitted. LEDs are particularly suitable as efficient light sources because they generate relatively little heat relative to the amount of light emitted, which can reduce heat generation while simultaneously increasing the emitted light output. Furthermore, LEDs can be designed with a low overall height, so that these light sources can be completely accommodated within the inner wall of the receptacle even with a comparatively shallow groove depth.

[0025] In one embodiment, the lighting units that can be mounted or are mounted in the grooves are designed to emit light essentially in a selected spectral range within a wavelength range from approximately 50 nm to approximately 50 µm (UV to IR). The lighting units preferably emit at least 90% of the emitted light output at a predetermined wavelength or a predetermined wavelength spectrum within a range between 50 nm and 50 µm. The lighting units can thus be designed to emit electromagnetic radiation with the predetermined wavelength or a predetermined wavelength spectrum. This can in particular be laser light and / or light from LEDs. The predetermined wavelength or the predetermined wavelength spectrum can be matched to the contents of the disposable container, in particular to wavelengths that influence the metabolism of the cells located therein.The lighting units can, for example, be designed to emit at least 90% of the radiated light output at the predetermined wavelength or in the predetermined wavelength spectrum. The lighting units can also form light source groups that emit light at different wavelengths and can preferably be selectively controlled to change the spectral distribution of the light radiated into the container interior.

[0026] In one embodiment, a plurality of grooves in the inner wall of the receptacle run in a ring shape and / or parallel to one another, in particular horizontally in an operating position of the device. Thus, the grooves run essentially horizontally in their longitudinal extent, at least in the region of side wall sections of the inner wall of the receptacle in the operating position of the device, i.e. in particular in a plane perpendicular to a (virtual) cylinder axis of cylinder jacket segments of the side wall sections. The horizontal course of the grooves allows targeted illumination only in the area of ​​the fill, even with different fill levels inside the container (or with disposable containers of different heights), by activating light units in individual grooves up to the fill level and deactivating them above the fill level. This prevents drying out and burning in of cell material that adheres to the disposable container above the liquid level.In this variant, the inner wall of the receptacle can also be prefabricated in sections with the grooves in a planar manner and then deformed according to the desired cylinder curvature. This offers the additional advantage that the inner wall of the receptacle, prefabricated with the grooves in a planar manner, can then be bent into a round shape without causing uncontrolled or angular deformations (e.g., along the grooves).

[0027] In another embodiment, a plurality of the grooves run straight and / or parallel to one another and are preferably arranged equidistant from one another. This allows for the simplest possible manufacture and assembly of the device. It also supports the most homogeneous illumination of the container interior. This also minimizes local inhomogeneities in the heating of the inner wall of the receiving container due to the operation of the lighting units.

[0028] In one embodiment, the inner wall of the receptacle forms, at least in sections, part of a cylindrical surface and, more preferably, it is composed entirely or at least partially in sections from parts of cylindrical surfaces. The grooves in one or in each such part of a cylindrical surface preferably run parallel to the respective cylinder axis. They are therefore arranged such that their longitudinal extent is parallel to the axial direction of the respective cylindrical surface. This can bring particular advantages in terms of manufacturing technology. For example, LED light strips can be installed very easily within the rectilinear grooves. The groove covers can also be easily manufactured and assembled using essentially planar small plates (e.g. made of glass or Plexiglas), whereby mechanical stresses are avoided.In this way, it is also relatively easy to initially manufacture the inner wall of the receptacle in a planar manner with a large number of parallel grooves, in order to then curve individual sections around an axis (cylinder axis) parallel to the groove path.

[0029] Preferably, the inner wall of the receptacle comprises at least partially metal or is at least partially formed of metal, with aluminum and / or stainless steel being used as the metal here. This is particularly preferred with regard to the thermal conductivity of metal, in particular in order to be able to efficiently dissipate the heat generated during operation of the electrical functional elements (e.g., lighting units) and / or to be able to efficiently regulate the temperature in the interior of the receptacle.

[0030] In this context, it is particularly advantageous if the device also comprises a temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of the receptacle inner wall. In one embodiment, the receptacle has an outer wall which, together with the inner wall, forms a temperature control space through which a temperature control fluid can be filled and / or flowed in order to temperature control the interior of the receptacle. The at least one receptacle inner wall can be temperature-controlled by means of the temperature control unit. The temperature control unit can temperature-control the receptacle inner wall to a predeterminable, in particular an adjustable, temperature. The temperature control unit can be designed, in particular, to cool the receptacle inner wall.The temperature control unit can either be located directly on an outer side of the receiving container's inner wall facing away from the container interior, or at least be in direct heat exchange with the receiving container's inner wall. The receiving container's inner wall can have a high thermal conductivity and can therefore be made of metal, for example.

[0031] When illuminating units are arranged in the grooves of the inner wall of the receptacle (which are open towards the interior of the container) (and which are covered at most by a translucent groove cover), the illuminating units are in close proximity to the disposable container in order to efficiently illuminate its contents. On the other hand, they are in good thermally conductive contact with the inner wall of the receptacle, which is also thermally conductive. The proximity between the disposable container and the illuminating units enables particularly efficient light irradiation into the interior of the disposable container with greatly reduced losses. At the same time, temperature control with the temperature control unit can prevent negative, excessive heat development by the illuminating units, which could otherwise lead to damage to the cell cultures as well as to damage to the plastic wall of the disposable container.

[0032] The device is therefore particularly suitable for accommodating disposable containers having a culture volume for a microbial culture, a cell culture, a culture of cell and / or tissue associations of plant and / or animal cells and / or hybrid forms.

[0033] Preferably, 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 by the temperature control unit.

[0034] According to one embodiment, 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 inside of all lateral receptacle inner walls, in particular for receiving lighting units. This increases the light output and / or the number of photons as well as the homogeneity of their distribution that can be emitted into the container interior. One aim here can be largely uniform illumination across the outer surfaces of the container. The lateral receptacle inner walls are those walls of the receptacle that delimit the container interior in a lateral direction. For example, in the case of a substantially cylindrical, upright receptacle, these are all walls of the cylinder jacket without the cylinder base and without the cylinder lid.

[0035] According to one embodiment, in an operating position of the device, the disposable container is in contact with the inner surface of the receiving container's inner wall (in the area between the grooves) and with the lighting units or the groove covers (in the area of ​​the grooves). This enables particularly efficient or low-loss illumination and temperature control of the contents of the disposable container.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the receiving container is designed to accommodate disposable containers 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 container interior holds a volume 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 has not been possible to illuminate and cultivate disposable containers with such large volumes equally efficiently.Only the particularly efficient combination of lighting and cooling by the device according to the invention enables the particularly uniform light exposure and temperature control required for this. It should be noted that the light emitted by the lighting units may not penetrate all the way to the center of the medium in the disposable container, but that sufficiently uniform illumination of the medium can still be provided by mixing the medium using a stirring device. The option of embedding the lighting units in the grooves of the inner wall of the receptacle also prevents mechanical stress on the disposable container and local temperature peaks on the inner edges of the receptacle. The receptacle is also very easy and reliable to clean.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the device complies with GMP guidelines. The GMP guidelines, which stand for "Good Manufacturing Practice," are guidelines governing requirements for hygiene, premises, equipment, documentation, and controls in the pharmaceutical sector. The device can be designed to meet the requirements specified in the GMP guidelines, in particular the sterility requirements.

[0038] Overall, the invention, at least in some of the described embodiments, offers a number of advantages both in production and in operation. For example, the embedding of the electrical functional elements (in particular lighting units) in grooves in the inner wall of the receptacle allows simple and reliable cleaning of the interior of the receptacle. Furthermore, the electrical functional elements (e.g., LEDs) are well protected by their installation in the grooves and, in particular, by closing the grooves with groove covers, even in the event of careless handling. Especially with regard to the use of groove covers, the formation of groove shoulders as bearing surfaces for the groove covers allows secure assembly (e.g., by adhesive bonding), thereby simplifying the attachment of the groove covers and ensuring high durability during operation.But even otherwise, the installation of the electrical functional elements in the grooves alone makes them easy to install and particularly durable in operation. Furthermore, by avoiding direct contact between LED illuminated surfaces and disposable containers, the risk of hot spots (temperature peaks) can be reduced. The cabling can also be routed within the grooves, at least in the area of ​​the connections to the electrical functional elements (e.g., LEDs), and preferably encapsulated together with the electrical functional elements, thus providing very simple and reliable protection against mechanical or external chemical influences.

[0039] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. The same reference numerals denote the same or similar components of the embodiments. Individual features of the embodiments can be combined with other embodiments. They show: Figure 1 in a perspective view a device for receiving a disposable bag; Figure 2 in a perspective view, a vertical sectional view through a device for receiving a disposable bag; Figure 3 in a schematic representation a cross-section through an inner wall of a receptacle with a lighting unit accommodated in a groove; Figure 4 in a schematic representation of a receptacle inner wall with a plurality of parallel grooves and partially mounted lighting units; Figure 5in a perspective representation, a schematic view of an opened device for receiving a disposable bag; Figure 6 in a perspective representation a schematic view of another opened device for receiving a disposable bag.

[0040] Figure 1shows a perspective view of a device 1 for receiving a disposable bag as a disposable container. The device 1 shown in the figures can be designed as a component of a system for receiving a disposable bag. The device 1 has a receiving container 10 which essentially has the shape of a vertically arranged cylinder, i.e. whose cylinder axis is arranged essentially vertically. The receiving container 10 has a container interior into which a disposable bag can be introduced, which bag can contain, for example, a biological medium. The biological medium in the disposable bag is stored and / or illuminated in the container interior of the receiving container 10 for a predeterminable period of time. While the disposable bag with the biological medium is located inside the receiving container 10, different reactions can occur with or on the biological medium.Thus, the device 1 can also be designed as a bioreactor.

[0041] To observe the biological medium, one or more viewing windows 12 are formed in a side wall section 16a, through which one can look from the outside through the receiving container wall into the interior of the receiving container 10 in order to observe the biological medium. To make the interior of the container accessible, the device preferably also has a container door 30. The container door 30 extends in width, i.e., in the horizontal direction, for example, approximately over a cylinder segment (of, for example, approximately 100°) of the receiving container 10 and preferably also comprises part of an inner wall of the receiving container, in which grooves, which will be shown later, are formed.

[0042] When the container door 30 is open, access to the interior of the receiving container 10 is possible. For example, the disposable bag can be inserted through the door opening from a lateral direction, i.e., essentially in a horizontal direction of movement, into the interior of the receiving container 10.

[0043] The device 1 is mounted on rollers 18, on which the device can be rolled through a room. In addition to the rollers 18, the device 1 can have fixing feet 19 at the lower end, which serve to fix and correctly align the device 1, for example, on uneven floors.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle 10 is open at the top. Instead of a cylindrical lid (or in a cylindrical lid not shown), the receptacle 10 has a stirring opening. Above the upwardly open receptacle 10, a stirring device 14 is formed, via which a stirring rod can be connected to the disposable bag through the stirring opening so that the interior of the disposable bag can be thoroughly mixed. The stirring rod can be arranged inside the disposable bag and connected to the stirring device 14 via a coupling. The stirring device 14 is formed centrally above the receptacle 10 and is carried by a support bridge which rests on an upper edge of the receptacle 10 on opposite side wall sections of the receptacle 10.

[0045] Figure 2shows a perspective view of a vertical section through the device 1, whereby the light units inserted in the grooves are not yet explicitly visualized in this view. They point towards the container interior, which in this illustration is filled with a biological medium 42. Figure 2Shown, for example, is a disposable bag 44 as a disposable container, more precisely a section through this disposable bag 44, which is arranged in the container interior of the receiving container 10. The biological medium 42, which is filled up to a predetermined fill level 40, is arranged in the container interior of the receiving container 10 and at the same time 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 fill level 40 and thus fills in particular the entire internal volume of the receiving container 10 up to the fill level 40, less the volume of the walls of the disposable bag 44. The disposable bag 44 is held in shape by a container wall 16 of the receiving container 10, which wall comprises in particular a bottom section 16b and the side wall section 16a and can extend upwards from the (partially rounded) bottom section 16b of the receiving container 10 up to and beyond the fill level 40.The container wall 16 forms or comprises in particular a receiving container inner wall 26, the groove structure of which will be shown in more detail later.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the container wall 16 is composed of several sections, which in particular comprise the side wall section 16a and a base section 16b. Preferably, each of the sections is shaped essentially as a segment of a cylinder shell. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a (virtual) cylinder axis of the cylinder shell shape of the side wall section 16a runs essentially vertically, while a (virtual) cylinder axis of the cylinder shell shape of the base section 16b runs essentially horizontally. Particularly preferably, the grooves in the inner walls of the receptacle, which will be illustrated in more detail later, also run parallel to the associated (virtual) cylinder axis of the corresponding section. This also allows the lighting units and any groove covers to be easily manufactured and assembled in a straight line or even essentially planar.

[0047] The container walls 16 of the receiving container 10 are at least partially formed as a temperature control cavity wall in which a temperature control medium (not shown in the figures) flows. The temperature control medium can be regulated to a low pressure of less than 0.5 bar or to a pressure of up to approximately 6 bar. The temperature control cavity wall can extend over the entire receiving container walls 16, including the bottom section 16b and the side wall section 16a, from the container bottom upwards beyond the fill level 40 to a predeterminable temperature control height. The temperature control height can be arranged substantially 1 cm to 20 cm vertically above the fill level 40. The receiving container inner wall 26 provided with the grooves can be formed as the inner wall of the temperature control cavity wall or can be arranged on the inner wall of the temperature control cavity wall and thermally connected thereto.In other words, the receiving container inner wall 26 can either be manufactured separately from the temperature control cavity wall and then connected to the temperature control cavity wall or can be manufactured directly as part of the temperature control cavity wall.

[0048] The biological medium 42 can be in thermal contact (via the bag wall of the disposable bag 44) with the receiving container inner wall 26 (and thus directly or indirectly with the temperature control cavity wall). The biological medium 42 can thus be regulated to a predeterminable temperature via the temperature control medium. The device 1 can, in particular, be designed and provided to temperature-control the container interior to a predeterminable target temperature of approximately 0°C to approximately 80°C, preferably from approximately 20°C to approximately 40°C. The temperature control cavity wall almost completely surrounds the container interior of the receiving container 10 up to and beyond the fill level 40. "Almost completely surrounded" means, in the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, that the temperature control cavity wall completely surrounds the container interior up to the temperature control level, except for those positions where the viewing windows 12, if present, are arranged.Even the container door 30 can be designed in one embodiment with a tempering cavity wall and / or with a receiving container inner wall having grooves.

[0049] Alternatively, or in addition to the temperature control cavity wall, it is also possible for temperature control elements (e.g., electrical heating and / or cooling elements) to be accommodated in at least some of the grooves in the inner wall of the receptacle. In this case, not all of the grooves serve to accommodate lighting units; rather, some of them can accommodate (particularly electrical) temperature control elements.

[0050] Fig. 3 shows in a schematic representation a cross section through a receptacle inner wall 26 perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of grooves with a lighting unit 62 accommodated in a groove 60. The receptacle inner wall 26 is in section from Fig. 3shown planar, although in use it is preferably cylindrically curved, in particular with a cylinder axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the groove 60 (i.e. perpendicular to the drawing plane of Fig. 3). In a preferred embodiment, however, the receptacle inner wall 26 can initially be manufactured planar, i.e., provided with the grooves 60, before it is then preferably curved into a cylindrical shape for the production or assembly of the device 1. However, since the radius of curvature of the cylindrical curvature is preferably substantially larger than the lateral dimensions of the grooves, i.e., the groove widths, the schematically illustrated geometric relationships will change only slightly during this deformation. However, even these minor changes can be taken into account during production in order to be able to insert all of the components described below into the grooves without any problems. The receptacle inner wall 26 is particularly preferably manufactured by means of bending and / or rolling and / or milling and / or drilling and / or 3D printing, particularly preferably from metal.

[0051] In the Fig. 3In the illustrated embodiment, the lighting unit 62 comprises a plurality of light sources arranged on a common support 64. The light sources can, for example, be individual LEDs arranged on the support 64. In the illustrated embodiment, the grooves 60 have a groove shoulder 66 on both sides, which is set back by a first step 68 relative to an inner surface 70 of the receptacle inner wall 26 formed between the grooves. This groove shoulder 68 serves as a support surface for a groove cover 72, which closes the groove towards the container interior in such a way that an inner surface 74 of the groove cover 72, together with the inner surface 70 of the receptacle inner wall 26, forms a continuous surface, 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 receptacle inner wall 26, there is preferably no edge, and preferably at least no convex edge.The height of the first step 68 is preferably in a range from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 5 mm, preferably in a range from approximately 1 mm to approximately 3 mm. It essentially corresponds to a thickness of the groove cover 72 insofar as the continuous inner surface is thereby achieved. If the groove cover 72 is adhesively 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 the respective groove shoulder 66 is preferably in a range from approximately 1 mm to approximately 5 mm, preferably in a range from approximately 1 mm to approximately 3 mm.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, a groove base 76, as a preferably planar bottom surface of the central groove channel, is also set back by a second step 78 relative to the two groove shoulders 66. The lighting unit 60, preferably together with the support 64, is attached to the groove base 76. The height of the second step 78 (i.e., the depth of the groove base relative to the groove shoulders 66) is in a range from approximately 2 mm to approximately 15 mm, preferably in a range from approximately 2 mm to approximately 10 mm, even more preferably in a range from approximately 3 mm to approximately 5 mm. The height of the second step 78 is in particular at least as large as, or preferably greater than, a height of the lighting unit 62 (including the support 64). A remaining cavity within the groove 60 is preferably filled with a casting material, so that the lighting unit 62 is at least partially covered or cast in the groove 60 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 a range from approximately 5 mm to approximately 30 mm, preferably in a range from approximately 10 mm to approximately 20 mm. This allows LED strips, for example, to be easily installed in the grooves.

[0053] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a receptacle inner wall 26 with a plurality of parallel, in particular equidistant grooves 60 and partially mounted lighting units. This representation is again only schematic insofar as a possible cylindrical curvature is not explicitly shown here. The grooves 60 are similar to the representation in Fig. 3equipped with groove shoulders 66. Lighting units 62 with associated wiring 80 are already mounted in some of the grooves 60. Before the grooves 60 are provided with groove covers, the lighting units 62, preferably with the sections of the wiring 80 running in the grooves 60, are cast in using a casting material. The (cast) grooves are then closed with groove covers, which in particular form a continuous surface with the inner surfaces 70 of the receptacle inner wall 26.

[0054] In principle, it is preferred if the spacing between adjacent grooves 60 (the spacing between the facing groove shoulders of adjacent grooves) is at least partially no greater than five times, preferably no greater than three times, and most preferably no greater than twice the width of the grooves (including their groove shoulders). This allows for the most uniform illumination possible if the grooves are (at least partially) equipped with lighting units.

[0055] Fig. 5shows a perspective view of a schematic view of an opened device 1 for receiving a disposable bag. As shown schematically in this illustration, the receiving container inner wall 26 can be composed of several sections, which in particular comprise a side wall section 16a and a bottom section 16b of the receiving container. Preferably, all sections of the receiving container inner wall 26 are shaped as cylinder jacket segments such that a (virtual) cylinder axis of the cylinder jacket segments of the side wall sections 16a is substantially vertical in the operating position of the device 1, while a (virtual) cylinder axis of the cylinder jacket segments of the bottom sections 16b is substantially horizontal in the operating position of the device 1.This shape of the wall sections allows for easy production while avoiding strongly concave corners inside the receptacle.

[0056] In particular, it is preferred if the grooves 60 in the sections of the receptacle inner wall 26 run essentially parallel to the respective (virtual) cylinder axis of the corresponding wall section. Thus, the grooves 60 in the side wall sections 16a run essentially vertically, while the grooves 60 in the bottom sections 16b run essentially horizontally. As a result, the grooves 60 always run in a straight line despite the curvature of the receptacle inner wall 26. On the one hand, this simplifies the installation of the lighting units in the grooves 60. On the other hand, it also promotes the most homogeneous light distribution possible. This also facilitates the manufacture and assembly of transparent groove covers that run in a straight line, preferably even one that can be manufactured in a planar manner. Finally, the manufacture of the receptacle inner wall with this geometry is also comparatively simple.In particular, the inner wall of the receptacle can be prefabricated in sections with the grooves and then deformed according to the desired cylinder curvature.

[0057] An alternative and particularly preferred arrangement of the grooves 60 is shown in Fig. 6schematically illustrated. Thus, the grooves 60 run essentially horizontally in their longitudinal extent, at least in the region of side wall sections 16a of the receiving container inner wall 26 in the operating position of the device 1, i.e. in particular in a plane perpendicular to a (virtual) cylinder axis of cylinder jacket segments of the side wall sections 16a. The horizontal course of the grooves allows targeted illumination only in the area of ​​the fill, i.e. up to the fill level, even with different fill levels in the container interior (or with disposable containers of different heights). This prevents drying out and burning in of cell material that adheres to the disposable container above the liquid level. Furthermore, in this variant, the receiving container inner wall can also be prefabricated in planar sections with the grooves and then deformed according to the desired cylinder curvature.This has the additional advantage that the inner wall of the receptacle, which is prefabricated with the grooves, can then be bent into a round shape without causing uncontrolled or angular deformations (e.g. along the course of the grooves).

Claims

1. Device (1) for receiving a single-use container (44), comprising: - a receiving container (10) having a receiving container inner wall (16) that delimits a container interior of the receiving container (10) for receiving the single-use container (44), wherein a plurality of grooves for receiving electrical functional elements are provided in the receiving container inner wall.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein illuminating units, in particular LEDs, for illuminating the container interior are at least partially mounted in the plurality of grooves, wherein preferably the illuminating units in the grooves are at least partially covered or encapsulated by an encapsulating material.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the grooves are closed toward the container interior by means of groove covers such that inner surfaces of the groove covers together with inner surfaces of the receiving container inner wall formed between the grooves form continuous surfaces.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein an air gap is formed between the illuminating units and the respective groove cover.

5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each of the plurality of grooves has a cross-section, perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the respective groove, featuring two steps at each side such that, on each side of a central groove channel, a bearing surface is set back by a first step relative to the inner surface of the receiving container inner wall and a groove bottom of the central groove channel is set back by a second step relative to the two bearing surfaces.

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein a height of the first step lies in a range from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 5 mm, preferably in a range from approximately 1 mm to approximately 3 mm; and / or wherein the height of the second step lies in a range from approximately 2 mm to approximately 15 mm, preferably in a range from approximately 2 mm to approximately 10 mm, more preferably in a range from approximately 3 mm to approximately 5 mm; and / or wherein a width of the respective bearing surface lies in a range from approximately 1 mm to approximately 5 mm, preferably in a range from approximately 1 mm to approximately 3 mm.

7. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the illuminating units that can be or are mounted in the grooves are designed to emit light substantially within a wavelength range of from approximately 50 nm to approximately 50 µm.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of grooves in the receiving container inner wall (16) are arranged annularly and / or parallel to one another, in particular extending horizontally in an operating position of the device.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of the grooves extend rectilinearly and / or parallel to one another and are preferably arranged equidistantly from one another.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving container inner wall (16) at least in some sections forms part of a cylinder casing surface or in some sections is composed of parts of cylinder casing surfaces, and wherein the grooves in one or in every such part of a cylinder casing surface are arranged parallel to the respective cylinder axis.

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container interior holds a volume in the range from approximately 1 liter to approximately 5000 liters, preferably in the range from approximately 50 liters to approximately 2000 liters.

12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving container inner wall at least partially comprises metal or is formed of metal.

13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, which further comprises a temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of the receiving container inner wall (16).

14. Device according to claim 13, wherein a maximum cooling capacity of at least approximately 5 kW, preferably at least approximately 10 kW, more preferably at least approximately 15 kW, most preferably at least approximately 20 kW, can be achieved by the temperature control unit.

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