Bag Jamming System for Biological Liquid Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Biological liquid treatment installations face challenges in achieving secure, convenient, and economical operations, particularly with single-use components that require complex selection, assembly, and verification processes, especially under high pressure and with numerous components.

Innovation Solution

A device with a jamming system that fixes a bag in place using jamming nipples and channels, ensuring the bag remains stationary during treatment, and allows for easy replacement and adaptation for different treatments, utilizing a modular circuit with interchangeable shells and bags.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If single-use components are used in biological liquid treatment installations, then cleaning operations are avoided, but selection, assembly and verification operations become relatively complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavoidance of cleaning operationsVSAvoidcomplexity of selection, assembly and verification operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the treatment installation into separate modular units (source container, treatment containers, collecting container, waste container) that can be independently selected and assembled. Each container is a discrete single-use component with standardized connectors, allowing complex treatment protocols to be broken down into manageable modular units that can be quickly configured and verified.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of pipes and circuit components is high, then treatment functionality is improved, but selection, assembly and verification operations become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment functionalityVSAvoidnumber of pipes and circuit components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs universal connectors and standardized interface designs that allow the same connector type to interface with multiple different container types and treatment stages. This universality reduces the variety of unique components needed, simplifying selection and assembly while maintaining comprehensive treatment functionality through modular configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If operating pressure is high, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but selection, assembly and verification operations become more complex and less secure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidcomplexity of selection, assembly and verification operations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates pressure-rated single-use components designed from the outset to withstand high operating pressures. The containers and connectors are manufactured with inherent pressure containment capabilities, eliminating the need for complex assembly verification procedures to ensure pressure safety. The single-use nature means the components are pre-tested and certified for their pressure ratings before deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Duration of action of stationary object

If conventional stainless steel installations are used, then treatment durability is improved, but cleaning operations become onerous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedurability of treatment installationVSAvoidonerous cleaning operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces durable but difficult-to-clean stainless steel components with disposable single-use plastic containers and circuit elements. These single-use components are designed to be discarded after one use, eliminating all cleaning operations entirely. The trade-off is accepting shorter component lifespan in exchange for complete elimination of cleaning requirements and associated operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP2874679B1Device for a biological liquid treatment installation
Publication Date: 2016.08.24 EMD MILLIPORE CORP
  • EP2874679B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2874679B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2874679B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

The invention concerns a device comprising a circuit comprising a bag (10) comprising two flexible films (65, 66), a press (9) comprising a first shell (16) disposed upright on a front face of a base of the device and a second shell (17) mounted on said first shell, which shells clamp said bag to form conduits (13);said press is provided with a system (170) for jamming at the location of a treatment zone (67) of the bag, which comprises a jamming member (171) provided with at least one jamming nipple (173) and a complementary jamming member (172) provided with a jamming channel (174) configured to receive said nipple; said jamming member (171) and complementary jamming member (172) and said bag (10) being configured in order for the latter to have a portion (175) in said treatment zone in which said films are jammed between said nipple and said channel.