Bioreactor Chamber Sloped Upper Wall for Bubble Expulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bioreactor culture chambers experience non-uniform flow patterns leading to turbulent flow and bubble formation, which can compromise cell viability and growth due to the presence of gas bubbles.
Innovation Solution
A bioreactor chamber design with a sloped upper wall portion and strategically positioned fluid inlet and outlet apertures, along with a sample support system, is implemented to promote the expulsion of trapped gas bubbles and maintain laminar flow, enhancing cell growth and viability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional culture chamber is used, then the chamber structure is simple, but non-uniform flow patterns occur leading to turbulent flow and bubble formation
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber employs a curved upper surface design instead of a flat surface. This curvature creates a more uniform flow pattern by reducing turbulence and preventing bubble formation, directly addressing the flow uniformity issue while adding geometric complexity to the chamber structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension to flow control through the curved upper surface, which guides bubbles upward toward the outlet aperture. This dimensional approach transforms the flow pattern from two-dimensional horizontal flow to three-dimensional flow with vertical bubble expulsion, improving flow uniformity.
2Reliability
If gas bubbles are present in the chamber, then fluid flow continues, but cell viability and function suffer due to disrupted flow patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The curved upper surface converts the harmful effect of gas bubbles into a beneficial outcome by guiding them along the curved path toward the outlet aperture. Instead of allowing bubbles to disrupt flow and harm cells, the design uses the bubbles' natural buoyancy combined with the curved geometry to actively expel them, transforming a harmful factor into a self-cleaning mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The chamber design preemptively addresses bubble formation by incorporating the curved upper surface that directs bubbles toward the outlet before they can cause harm to cells. This preliminary geometric arrangement ensures bubbles are continuously expelled before they can disrupt laminar flow or compromise cell viability.
3Reliability
If the upper wall portion is made flat, then manufacturing is easier, but trapped gas bubbles cannot be effectively expelled
Solution Approach 1:
The upper wall portion is designed with a curved geometry that slopes upward toward the outlet aperture. This curvature is essential for effective bubble expulsion as it creates a continuous slope that guides bubbles to the outlet, though it does increase manufacturing complexity compared to a flat surface.
4Reliability
If turbulent flow occurs, then fluid can move through the chamber, but flow uniformity is compromised and cell growth is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The curved upper surface design promotes laminar flow by eliminating sharp corners and abrupt changes in flow direction. The smooth curvature ensures uniform velocity distribution and prevents turbulence, creating optimal conditions for cell growth and maintaining flow uniformity throughout the chamber.
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 design effectively reduces bubble presence, improving laminar flow and cell function, with increased cell growth and viability observed, and includes a clamping mechanism to secure the chamber and prevent fluid leakage.
Implementation Method 1
the upper wall portion having an internal surface having a first portion that is vertically displaced with respect to a second portion, the internal surface of the upper wall portion being arranged to promote expulsion of trapped gas bubbles through the outlet aperture
Implementation Method 2
the first and second portions of the upper wall portion each comprising a sloped portion
Implementation Method 3
a disruption in a flow pattern of fluid through the chamber due to the presence of gas bubbles may be reduced
Implementation Method 4
Known chambers exhibit non-uniform flow patterns that can result in turbulent flow and the formation of bubbles and/or foam within the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a chamber for a bioreactor, the chamber having a fluid inlet aperture and a fluid outlet aperture disposed at respective different locations of a wall of the chamber, with respect to a normal upright orientation of the chamber the chamber being provided with an upper wall portion defining an upper boundary of the chamber. The upper wall portion has an internal surface having a first portion that is vertically displaced with respect to a second portion. The internal surface of the upper wall portion is arranged to promote expulsion of trapped gas bubbles through the outlet aperture, the first and second portions of the upper wall portion each comprising a sloped portion.