Rotatable Bioreactor Drain Fitting to Minimize Dead Leg Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bioprocessing systems with single-use flexible bags face challenges in preventing or minimizing dead leg spaces in drain fittings, leading to cell settlement, nutrient deprivation, and toxic compound release, which can negatively impact bioreactor performance.
Innovation Solution
The development of apparatuses with rotatable, sealing, and piercing mechanisms integrated into the drain fittings to control fluid flow, ensuring alignment or misalignment of apertures to prevent or allow fluid passage, thereby minimizing dead leg spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-invasive pinch valve is used to close the drain line, then fluid flow is prevented, but dead leg spaces still form above the clamp where fluid can gather and settle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the problematic dead leg space by extracting it from the system through a self-draining design. The drain line is configured to drain back into the bioreactor, eliminating the isolated volume where fluid would otherwise settle. This directly addresses the harmful effect of dead leg spaces while maintaining reliable fluid flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to prevent fluid accumulation in the dead leg space, the invention inverts the approach by enabling fluid to flow backward from the drain line into the bioreactor. The self-draining mechanism allows fluid to move in reverse direction, clearing the dead leg space rather than allowing it to fill with settled fluid.
2Ease of operation
If drain line fittings with tubular portions are used to provide one-way fluid flow, then fluid direction is controlled, but cells and media collect in the tubular portion creating dead leg spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the isolated tubular portion that creates dead leg spaces by redesigning the drain line configuration. The drain line is positioned and angled to allow complete drainage back into the bioreactor, extracting the harmful isolated volume from the system while maintaining one-way flow control through strategic positioning rather than relying on dead-end fittings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the dead leg space problem by introducing a spatial dimension solution. The drain line is configured with specific angles and positions relative to the bioreactor bottom, using three-dimensional positioning to ensure fluid flows back into the main volume rather than collecting in a linear tubular dead end.
3Reliability
If cells collect in the dead leg space of the drain fitting, then fluid flow is restricted to one direction, but cells are deprived of nutrients and release toxic compounds
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the isolated environment that allows cells to settle and become harmful. By configuring the drain line to drain back into the bioreactor, cells are prevented from accumulating in an isolated dead leg space. This eliminates the conditions necessary for nutrient deprivation and toxic compound release while maintaining reliable one-way fluid flow control.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for minimizing dead leg spaces in a container or tubing includes a first member having a flange for attaching the first member to a wall of the container or tubing, the flange having at least one aperture, and a second member rotatably coupled to the first member, the second member having an upper end having at least one aperture, and an open distal end. The second member is rotatable relative to the first member between a closed position where the at least one aperture of the second member is misaligned with the at least one aperture in the flange to prevent the passage of fluid, and an open position where the at least one aperture of the second member is aligned with the at least one aperture in the flange to allow for the passage of fluid.