Bioreactor Bag with Collecting Vertex for Small Volume Sensor Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rocking motion bioreactors are inadequate for small liquid volumes (50-500 mL) as sensors may not be properly covered with cell culture fluid, and filtration membranes are not effectively covered during perfusion, leading to suboptimal monitoring and perfusion performance.
Innovation Solution
A bioreactor with a three-dimensional geometrical shape featuring a collecting vertex where edges meet at an acute angle, ensuring liquid concentration and proper coverage of sensors and filtration membranes, along with a longitudinal port/sensor element along an edge for efficient liquid management and sensor operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a flat two-dimensional bioreactor bag is used with sensors welded into the bottom wall, then the bioreactor structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the sensors are not properly covered with cell culture fluid when small volumes (50-500 mL) are used
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a flat two-dimensional bag design to a three-dimensional geometric shape (such as a tetrahedron or cone) with a collecting vertex. This dimensional change creates a liquid collection zone where small volumes of cell culture fluid naturally concentrate due to gravity, ensuring reliable coverage of sensors and filtration membranes positioned at the collecting vertex.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a filtration membrane is installed in the bottom of a flat bioreactor for perfusion, then the perfusion system is complete, but the filtration membrane is not effectively covered during rocking motion with small liquid volumes
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing a three-dimensional geometric configuration with a collecting vertex, the invention creates a liquid pool formation mechanism during rocking motion. This ensures that the filtration membrane positioned at the collecting vertex remains effectively covered by cell culture fluid even at small volumes (50-500 mL), enabling reliable perfusion operation.
3Quantity of substance
If the bioreactor working volume is reduced to 50-500 mL for immunotherapy manufacturing, then the bioreactor is suitable for small-scale production, but the liquid spreads out too thin and sensors are not properly covered
Solution Approach 1:
The three-dimensional geometric design with a collecting vertex concentrates small volumes of liquid into a localized pool rather than allowing them to spread thinly across a flat bottom. This volume concentration effect ensures that sensors positioned at the collecting vertex are reliably covered even when using minimal liquid volumes for immunotherapy manufacturing.
4Reliability
If a three-dimensional geometrical shape with a collecting vertex is used, then sensor coverage and filtration performance are improved for small volumes, but the bioreactor design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a flexible film material to create the three-dimensional geometric shape, allowing the complex tetrahedron or cone structure to be manufactured using standard flexible film forming and welding techniques. This approach maintains ease of manufacture while achieving the desired three-dimensional liquid collection geometry.
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 reliable sensor monitoring and effective perfusion performance across a broad range of working volumes, from 50 to 500 mL, allowing for seamless transition between small and large volume cell cultivation processes.
Implementation Method 1
rocking motion or wave-induced motion systems
Implementation Method 2
placed on a rocking platform that induces waves in the cell culture fluid
Implementation Method 3
The media surface in the bioreactor is renewed constantly, providing bubble-free aeration with low shear stress acting on the cells
Data Source
AI summary
A bioreactor for use on a moving platform including a bag. According to a first aspect, the bag defines a three-dimensional geometrical shape including at least one lower collecting vertex in which at least two edges of the geometrical shape meet at an angle not greater than 90°. The bioreactor further includes at least one port or sensor arranged in the vicinity of the collecting vertex. According to a second aspect, the bag defines a two-dimensional geometrical shape or a three-dimensional geometrical shape. The geometrical shape includes at least one edge, in which at least two faces of the geometrical shape meet at an angle not greater than 90°. A longitudinal port/sensor element is arranged along the edge and includes several ports and/or sensors. A bioreactor motion system including a moving platform and a bioreactor according to the first or second aspect. A method of performing a bioprocess.