Bioprocess Cassette Insert for Frozen Bag and Tube Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bioprocess bags and tubes are susceptible to damage during shock events such as dropping or striking, especially when frozen, leading to loss of valuable contents.

Innovation Solution

A protection insert is used within a cassette to secure the bioprocess bag and tubes, featuring arms and a crosspiece that accommodate the bag, shielding projections, and tube channels to direct tubes away from the cassette walls, reducing movement and potential damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the bioprocess bag and tubes are secured rigidly in the cassette, then the protection against shock damage is improved, but the ability to accommodate frozen contents is worsened due to expansion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against shock damageVSAvoidaccommodation of frozen contents

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The protection insert is made from an elastomeric material that provides flexible yet protective support. This flexibility allows the insert to accommodate the expansion of frozen contents while maintaining its protective function against shock damage, resolving the contradiction between rigid protection and flexible accommodation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If the protection insert structure is made complex to provide comprehensive protection, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidprotection insert structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protection insert is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion for general protection, arms for securing the bag, and tube channels for protecting tubing. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific protective function efficiently while keeping the overall design straightforward and manufacturable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protection insert serves multiple protective functions simultaneously: it cushions the bag against shock, secures the bag in position, protects tubes from damage, and accommodates frozen expansion. This multi-functionality achieves comprehensive protection without requiring multiple separate components, thus avoiding increased complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250353019A1Protection insert for bioprocess cassettes

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 ENTEGRIS INC

AI summary

A protection insert can be provided with a freezing cassette to secure a bioprocess bag within the cassette. The protection insert can include a crosspiece between first and second arms, and a shielding projection extending from the crosspiece. The first and second arms and the crosspiece can be configured to partially accommodate the bioprocess bag. The crosspiece and/or the shielding projection can include tube channels to direct tubes extending from the bioprocess bag. The crosspiece and/or arms can include a tube resting region, and the tube resting region can include a tube retention feature.