Air Bubble Removal Device for Cell Culture Medium

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air bubbles in the medium used for cell culture prevent adherent cells from stably attaching to the support surface, leading to unstable cell culture and inadequate nutrient supply to cells in cell cultivation systems.

Innovation Solution

An air bubble removal device with a housing that separates air bubbles from the medium by using a dual-space design, where the medium is introduced through a higher port and discharged through a lower port, allowing air bubbles to be separated and removed, and includes a pressure adjusting unit and sensors to maintain optimal medium conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If air bubbles are included in the medium during seeding process, then the medium can be supplied to the vessel, but the cells cannot be stably attached to the support surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell attachment stabilityVSAvoidair bubbles in medium

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into a first space for medium storage and a second space for air bubble separation. The medium is introduced through an introduction port in the second space, allowing air bubbles to rise and be separated in the second space before the medium flows into the first space through a water level, ensuring bubble-free medium reaches the cell cultivation device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The water level acts as an intermediary mechanism between the second space (air bubble separation zone) and the first space (medium storage zone). The medium must pass through the water level to move from the second space to the first space, which automatically filters out air bubbles and ensures only de-aerated medium is discharged through the discharge port

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If air bubbles are present in the culture medium, then the medium can circulate through the system, but the cells are not smoothly supplied with nutrients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenutrient supply efficiencyVSAvoidair bubbles in culture medium

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air bubble removal device performs preliminary action by removing air bubbles from the culture medium before it is supplied to the cell cultivation device. The medium circulates through the housing, passes through the water level which separates air bubbles, and only de-aerated medium is discharged through the discharge port to the cell cultivation device, ensuring smooth nutrient supply to attached cells

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the medium is introduced at a higher position and discharged at a lower position, then air bubbles can be effectively separated, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair bubble separation efficiencyVSAvoidhousing structure with dual spaces and ports

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into two functional spaces: the first space for medium storage and discharge, and the second space for air bubble separation. This segmentation allows the medium to flow downward from the introduction port in the second space through the water level into the first space, utilizing gravity to separate air bubbles effectively while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device utilizes the natural buoyancy of air bubbles and gravity-driven flow of medium to achieve separation without requiring additional active components. The water level automatically regulates the flow, allowing air bubbles to rise to the second space while medium flows down to the first space, creating a self-regulating system that reduces structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables stable attachment of cells to the support surface and ensures smooth nutrient supply, facilitating stable cell culture by removing air bubbles from the medium before it reaches the cell cultivation device.

Implementation Method 1

the medium is introduced through a higher port and discharged through a lower port, allowing air bubbles to be separated and removed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the inner space includes a first space which is filled with a predetermined amount of the medium and a second space which is positioned above the first space and not filled with the medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDensity difference: Density Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20240052281A1Air bubble removal device for removing air bubbles from medium and medium circulating cell cultivation system including the same

Publication Date: 2024.02.15 AMOGREENTECH CO LTD

AI summary

An air bubble removal device for removing air bubbles from a medium including a housing including an inner space for storing a predetermined amount of the medium, an introduction port through which the medium is introduced from the outside into the inner space, and a discharge port through which the medium in a state in which air bubbles have been removed is discharged from the inner space to the outside; and a support part coupled to the housing so as to maintain the housing in a state spaced a predetermined height from a bottom surface.