Batch Bioprocessing Centrifuge Rotor With Axial Container Adapters
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional centrifugation processes face challenges in increasing throughput due to difficulties in handling large containers, and separating supernatant from pellets without disturbing the pellet concentration, often leading to resuspension of particles.
Innovation Solution
A centrifuge rotor design featuring adapters and receptacles that allow for axial insertion and removal of processing containers, along with a rotor liner and torque transfer members to stabilize and balance the rotor, facilitating efficient separation of supernatant and pellet without resuspension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the container size is increased to hold more suspension, then throughput is improved, but it becomes more difficult for operators to place and remove containers from the centrifuge
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the handling task into two parts: operators handle small, lightweight adapters rather than large containers, while the containers remain stationary in the rotor. The adapters are segmented components that can be easily grasped and manipulated, separating the difficult container handling from the centrifugation function.
Solution Approach 2:
Adapters serve as intermediary components between the rotor and the processing containers. These adapters act as mediators that the operators interact with directly, while the containers themselves are never directly handled. The adapter transfers the load from operator hands to the rotor structure during loading and unloading.
2Productivity
If the number of containers loaded into the centrifuge is increased to increase throughput, then productivity is improved, but the amount of time required to load and unload containers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows multiple adapters to be loaded simultaneously into the rotor, each containing a container. Operators can load several small adapters in parallel rather than handling one large container at a time, reducing the total loading time while maintaining high throughput capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor can be loaded with more adapters than strictly necessary for a single batch, allowing operators to prepare and load multiple containers in advance. This excessive loading capacity enables faster batch processing by having pre-loaded adapters ready for immediate centrifugation.
3Productivity
If large containers are used to increase throughput, then productivity is improved, but jostling during removal causes pellet resuspension in the supernatant
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the container from the handling mechanism. Only the small adapter is removed from the rotor, while the container remains stationary within the adapter during the removal process. This segmentation prevents jostling of the container that would cause pellet resuspension, as the adapter- container assembly is handled gently as a unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapters are designed to securely hold containers in a fixed, stable position before removal from the rotor. The preliminary securing action ensures that containers do not move or jostle during the critical transition phase of removal, maintaining pellet integrity throughout the process.
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
Enhances throughput by allowing easy handling of large containers and reduces pellet resuspension during supernatant separation, improving operational efficiency and reducing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
The centrifugal force created by spinning a rotor in the centrifuge causes the solids in the suspension to settle out and form a generally solid pellet toward the bottom of the container
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A rotor (10, 150) for use in a centrifuge, and adapters (18, 154) for coupling one or more processing containers (142, 156) to the rotor (10, 150). The rotor (10, 150) includes a rotor body (22, 152) having plurality of receptacles (140, 194) each configured to receive an adapter (18, 154). Each adapter (18, 154) includes an outer surface configured to interface with one of the receptacles (140, 194), and one or more cavities (92, 200) each configured to accept a processing container (142, 156). The rotor (10, 150) may also include a rotor liner (20) positioned between the adapters (18, 154) and the rotor body (22, 152). The rotor liner (20) engages the receptacles (140, 194) of the rotor body, and provides a plurality of receptacles (100) that receive the adapters (18, 154), thereby providing an interface between the adapters (18, 154) and the receptacles (140, 194) of rotor body (22, 152).