3D-Printed Bioreactor Lid for Disposable Process Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Disposable bioreactors are complex and expensive to produce, and existing sensor or controller elements are often made of costly materials, requiring cleaning and limiting end-user configurability and customizability.
Innovation Solution
A lid configuration for bioreactors featuring 3D-printed controller elements, including inlets and outlets, that are disposable and customizable, allowing precise control of bioreactor parameters and processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sensor or controller elements are used in bioreactors, then reliable process control is achieved, but production cost increases and cleaning maintenance is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by making sensor and controller elements from materials that can be discarded after single use. This eliminates cleaning and sterilization requirements while maintaining process control functionality during the bioreactor operation, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters of controller elements from traditional durable materials (stainless steel, glass) to disposable materials (plastics, polymers). This parameter change enables single-use configuration kits that are cost-effective while still providing reliable process control for the duration of the experiment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bioreactor configuration is customized for specific biological processes, then process optimization is achieved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bioreactor system into modular components, with the lid and controller elements as separate configurable parts. This segmentation allows users to assemble customized configuration kits for different biological processes without redesigning the entire system, reducing overall complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing pre-configured lid and controller element combinations that are ready for specific biological processes. Users can select from pre-designed configuration kits rather than designing from scratch, which simplifies the customization process while maintaining process optimization capabilities.
3Ease of manufacture
If disposable bioreactor components are used, then production cost decreases and maintenance is reduced, but configurability and customizability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing lid and controller element components that can be used across multiple different biological processes. The standardized接口 and modular design allow the same disposable components to be configured for various applications, increasing adaptability while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lid configuration (1) for a bioreactor (2), comprising: -a lid (3) configured for connection with a vessel (4) of the bioreactor (2), the vessel (4) during use containing a bioreactor fluid(7), characterized by the lid being provided with one or more 3D-printed sensor (5) or controller (6) elements for, during use, sensing or controlling one or more parameters of the bioreactor(2), in particular the bioreactor fluid (7).