Biopharmaceutical Pouch Protection via Segmented Plate Constraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible pouches used for biopharmaceutical fluids face challenges during shipping and storage due to increased leakage risk and inefficient use of space, as existing containers are bulky and lack effective retention mechanisms, leading to potential damage and non-homogeneous freezing.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising two planar plates that sandwich and constrain the flexible pouch, providing secure retention, minimizing volume usage, and facilitating easier filling and draining, while allowing for sterilization and reducing the 'egg-effect' during freezing through balanced mechanical strain and attachment systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid container with positioning means is used to protect the flexible pouch, then the pouch is retained and protected during shipping, but the container occupies much more volume than the pouch itself
Solution Approach 1:
The protective container is divided into two separate rigid parts that can be assembled around the flexible pouch. This segmentation allows the container to be customized to fit the pouch dimensions precisely, eliminating unnecessary volume while maintaining protective functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single bulky container to a two-part assembly that converges on the pouch. The first and second rigid parts are designed to meet at an edge, creating a protective enclosure that minimizes volume in all dimensions while securing the pouch effectively.
2Volume of stationary object
If the flexible pouch is not retained by positioning means, then the container volume is minimized, but the pouch could move within the container during shipping, increasing leakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid parts are designed with specific geometric features (edges, surfaces) that locally contact and constrain the flexible pouch at critical points. This localized contact provides sufficient retention and leakage prevention without requiring a bulky container throughout the entire volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second rigid parts are pre-configured with complementary geometries that automatically position and secure the flexible pouch when assembled. The pouch is guided into its correct position during assembly, ensuring proper retention before shipping occurs.
3Volume of stationary object
If the flexible pouch is constrained between two plates, then the volume is minimized and leakage risk is reduced, but the plates must be fixed together requiring an attachment system
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment means are integrated into the structure of the first and second rigid parts rather than being separate components. This merging of functions reduces the overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to securely fix the plates together during shipping and storage.
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
The system effectively reduces leakage risk, optimizes storage and shipping space, ensures homogeneous freezing, and simplifies handling and sterilization of biopharmaceutical fluids by securely constraining the pouch and allowing for efficient fluid connection and pressure management.
Implementation Method 1
two substantially planar plates which respectively form a lower surface and an upper surface and which are fixed to each other, the two plates being able to sandwich the flexible pouch for constraining the flexible pouch
Implementation Method 2
the port is secured, by welding for instance, to the flexible pouch before
Data Source
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AI summary
The protecting package for a flexible pouch specially designed to contain a biopharmaceutical fluid, comprises two frames which respectively form a lower frame and an upper frame and which have a peripheral area, respectively to a main plane of the frames, each frame has an opening on a central area, the two frames are fixed to each other such that they are able to respectively surround two plates which sandwich the flexible pouch.