Aseptic Sampling System with Bi-Directional Pump and Trap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for aseptically withdrawing samples from bioreactors and fermentors are inefficient, leading to sample wastage and additional steps due to the need for purging and switching sampling lines, which can affect the sterility and final harvest volume.
Innovation Solution
A system with a main sampling line, bi-directional pump, and flow control system that allows for selective venting and fluid direction, enabling aseptic sampling without purging, by opening or closing vent ports and sample containers to either withdraw or return fluid to the vessel, thus eliminating wasteful steps and maintaining sterility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional manual sampling procedure is used, then aseptic sampling can be performed, but sample wastage occurs due to purging and additional steps are required for line switching
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures the sampling line with a trap volume that is sufficient to hold the entire sample volume, eliminating the need for purging operations. The trap is positioned and sized in advance to receive and contain the complete sample, preventing wastage before the sampling process begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and isolates the sampling function from the main bioreactor system by using a separate trap volume that can be independently controlled. This allows the sample to be collected and held in the trap without requiring continuous purging or switching operations, thereby reducing procedural complexity and sample wastage.
2Reliability
If purging step is performed to flush residual sample, then sampling line is cleaned, but sample wastage increases and additional time is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The trap is pre-positioned and pre-sized to accommodate the entire sample volume, eliminating the need for subsequent purging operations. This preliminary configuration ensures that the trap can capture and hold the complete sample without requiring additional flushing steps that would waste sample and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap acts as an intermediary component between the sampling line and the sample container. It receives the sample from the sampling line and holds it until the container is ready, eliminating the need for purging operations and reducing both sample wastage and procedural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If sampling line switching is performed between waste reservoir and sample container, then proper disposal is achieved, but additional steps and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures the sampling line to connect directly to the trap, which is already positioned and sized to hold the complete sample. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for switching operations between different reservoirs, reducing procedural steps and time while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the sampling and holding functions into a single integrated trap component, eliminating the need for separate waste reservoir and sample container switching operations. This consolidation reduces the number of steps and time required while maintaining operational simplicity.
4Measurement precision
If conventional sampling procedure is used, then aseptic technique is maintained, but sample representativeness is compromised due to residual sample in sampling line
Solution Approach 1:
The trap is pre-positioned and pre-sized to accommodate the entire sample volume, ensuring that it can capture and hold the complete sample without requiring purging operations. This preliminary configuration guarantees that the sample taken is fully representative while preventing wastage of residual sample.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and isolates the sampling function from the main bioreactor system by using a separate trap volume that can be independently controlled. This allows the sample to be collected and held in the trap without requiring continuous purging or switching operations, thereby reducing procedural complexity and sample wastage.
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
This solution reduces sample wastage, simplifies the sampling process, maintains sterility, and allows for efficient fluid management, improving the overall efficiency and accuracy of cell culture monitoring and troubleshooting.
Implementation Method 1
a pump in fluid communication with the main sampling line and adapted to selectively pump fluid from in the main sampling line
Implementation Method 2
a flow control system adapted to be selectively configured to open or close each of the first and second vent ports, open or close one or more portions of the main sampling line, and open or close each sample container
Data Source
AI summary
An aseptic sampling system includes substantially sealed sampling lines connecting one or more sample container to a vessel containing the fluid to be sampled. A flow control system includes valves and/or clamps placed strategically along the sampling lines and filtered vent lines are provided at strategic locations relative to a reversible fluid pump in communication with the sampling lines. The clamps are selectively actuated, the vent lines are selectively opened or closed, and the pump is operated in a forward or reverse direction to permit a volume of sample fluid to be drawn from the vessel and into a sample container and to permit fluid to be purged from the sampling lines either into the sample container or back into the vessel. Thus, sampling and purging can be accomplished without opening the system to potentially contaminating agents and without wasting or having to properly dispose the fluid.