Bioprocessing Bag Suction Tube for Ergonomic Sidewall Draining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current single-use bioreactor vessels require cumbersome ergonomic manipulation of drain lines and valves during installation, draining, and bag removal due to bottom-draining configurations, which are inefficient and inconvenient for operators.
Innovation Solution
A bioprocessing apparatus and method that utilizes a suction tube system with a tubular body and apertures positioned at the bottom of the bioreactor vessel, allowing fluid communication through a sidewall port, facilitated by a plunger mechanism or actuator for ergonomic and efficient draining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bottom-draining configuration is used with hose barb fittings welded to the bag film, then fluid can be drained from the bottom of the flexible bag, but users must reach under the bioreactor vessel to manipulate the drain line and valves, which is cumbersome and poor from an ergonomic and ease of use standpoint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional bottom-draining configuration by routing the drain line to exit through the sidewall of the bioreactor vessel rather than through the bottom. The harvest port is positioned in the sidewall, allowing the drain line to be manipulated from above at waist level, eliminating the need for users to reach under the vessel. This inversion of the drain exit location directly resolves the ergonomic issue while simplifying the overall drain line configuration.
2Ease of manufacture
If a bottom-draining configuration is used, then fluid flow out of the bottom of the flexible bag is achieved, but the drain line fitting requires welding to the bag film and complex valve manipulation from below the vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the exit location of the drain line from the bottom to the sidewall of the vessel. The harvest port is installed in the sidewall, and the drain line connects to this port, allowing all valve manipulation and drain line handling to occur from above the vessel at convenient waist level. This eliminates the need for welding fittings to the bottom of the bag and complex manipulation from below, significantly easing both manufacturing and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The harvest port fitting acts as an intermediary component that facilitates the connection between the drain line and the vessel sidewall. This standardized fitting simplifies the installation process by providing a pre-configured connection point, eliminating the need for custom welding operations and making the drain line installation more straightforward and easier to manufacture.
3Productivity
If the drain line exits from the bottom of the vessel, then fluid draining is achieved, but the configuration is inefficient and inconvenient for operators during installation, draining, and bag removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the drain exit location from the bottom to the sidewall of the vessel. This allows operators to access and manipulate the drain line at waist level during installation, draining operations, and bag removal, significantly improving operator convenience. The drain line can be quickly connected and disconnected from the sidewall harvest port, streamlining the entire draining process and improving overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The harvest port is pre-installed in the sidewall of the vessel during manufacturing, preparing the system in advance for efficient drain line connection. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex field installations and allows operators to quickly connect the drain line to the pre-positioned harvest port, improving both operator convenience and draining efficiency.
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
Enables easier and more ergonomic draining of bioreactor vessels by allowing fluid exit through the sidewall, eliminating the need for under-vessel manipulation of drain lines and valves, and preventing fluid backflow and air leakage.
Implementation Method 1
activating a pump to draw a fluid from the interior of the flexible bioprocessing bag into the suction tube and out of the flexible bioprocessing bag through the port in the sidewall of the flexible bioprocessing bag
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for draining a bioreactor vessel includes a tubular body portion having an interior passageway, and at least one aperture in the tubular body portion providing for fluid communication with the interior passageway, the tubular body portion being configured for positioning at a bottom of a vessel, and a suction tube having a first end configured for fluid coupling with the tubular body portion, and a second end configured for fluid coupling with a port in a sidewall of the vessel.