Bioreactor Consumable Unit With Integrated Syringe Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bioreactor systems face challenges in optimizing conditions for cell culture production due to the complexity of controlling multiple parameters, high operational costs, and the lack of practical small-scale models that accurately replicate large-scale conditions, leading to inefficiencies and increased labor requirements.
Innovation Solution
A bioreactor consumable unit with integral fluid feed containers and a syringe pump system that simplifies setup, reduces labor, and ensures accurate fluid dispensing, featuring a three-way valve for bidirectional flow control and minimal deadspace, allowing for precise fluid management and reduced contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional bioreactor systems use separate fluid feed containers and pumping elements requiring manual connection, then fluid delivery can be achieved, but setup complexity and labor requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the fluid feed container, pumping element, and connecting conduits into a single pre-assembled consumable unit. This merging eliminates the need for manual connection of multiple separate components, directly resolving the contradiction by simplifying setup operations while maintaining the necessary functional complexity within the integrated unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The consumable unit is pre-assembled with all fluid connections, pumping elements, and containers configured before use. This preliminary action of pre-configuration eliminates the need for complex manual setup operations at the time of use, directly addressing the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used in bioreactor systems, then functional flexibility is maintained, but contamination risks and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating all fluid handling components into a single sealed consumable unit, the patent minimizes the number of connection points where contamination could occur. This merging reduces contamination risk while the pre-assembled nature of the unit reduces labor requirements, simultaneously addressing both aspects of the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The consumable unit is designed as a self-contained system that requires minimal intervention during operation. The integrated design reduces the need for manual assembly and handling, thereby reducing both contamination risk and labor requirements.
3Productivity
If small-scale bioreactor models are used to optimize production conditions, then cost and time are reduced, but the ability to accurately replicate large-scale stirred and gassed conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The consumable unit incorporates integrated stirring and gassing capabilities within the small-scale bioreactor model, enabling it to replicate multiple large-scale conditions simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows accurate condition replication while maintaining the productivity benefits of small-scale experimentation.
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
This solution enhances the efficiency of bioreactor setup and operation by reducing labor and contamination risks, enabling accurate fluid dispensing and improving throughput, while maintaining sterile conditions without the need for complex fluid connections or sterile facilities.
Implementation Method 1
an integral pumping element configured to enable fluid to flow from the at least one fluid feed container to the bioreactor chamber, wherein the or each pumping element comprises a syringe and a valve
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A bioreactor consumable unit (50; 500) comprises a bioreactor part (60); a fluid feed container part (80) integrally connected with the bioreactor part and including at least one fluid feed container (82)in fluid communication with the bioreactor (60); and an integral pumping element (100, 110; 160, 206) configured to enable fluid to flow from the at least one fluid feed container (82) to the bioreactor (60). The bioreactor part (60) includes a bioreactor chamber (62) and a stirrer (64) for agitation of a cell culture (66) in the chamber. The pumping element comprises a combination of a syringe pump (110) and an associated three-way valve (102). The bioreactor consumable unit (50; 500) may be inserted into a receiving station (20) of a cell culture module (10) for the processing and control of a bioreaction in the bioreactor chamber (62). The provision of the fluid feed containers (82) and the pumping element (100, 110; 60, 206) as integral parts of the bioreactor consumable unit (50; 500) facilitates the set-up of the processing, because the various fluid connections between those components are already established. The syringe pump (110) provides accurate dispensing of fluids to the bioreactor chamber (62).