Bioreactor Line Body With Multi-Sensor Couplings for Sterile Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bioreactor systems face challenges with increased risks of leaks due to improper assembly of individual measuring components, labor-intensive and costly connection and sterilization processes, and limited flexibility in measurement setups, which compromise process safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece conduit body with structurally distinct coupling devices for various measuring devices, allowing easy attachment and reducing the need for single-use components, while ensuring sterility and simplifying assembly and sterilization processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are used for storing, mixing and cultivating, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines storage, mixing, and cultivation functions into a single integrated container system. The container can store bulk material, receive additive portions, mix them together, and cultivate the combined mixture - replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate devices. This merging achieves functional versatility while reducing device complexity and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform multiple operations: storing bulk material, receiving additives, mixing components, and cultivating the mixture. The same container structure supports all these functions through its design features including the chamber configuration, mixing element, and cultivation capability, eliminating the need for separate specialized devices.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise dosing of additives is implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into distinct chambers: a bulk material chamber and an additive portion chamber. This segmentation allows precise control over the quantity of each component - the additive chamber can be pre-filled with a specific dosage that is then transferred to the bulk material for mixing. The segmentation enables precise dosing without requiring complex dosing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The additive portion is pre-measured and pre-filled into a separate chamber before being transferred to the bulk material. This preliminary action ensures precise dosing is achieved during the filling stage rather than requiring complex dosing mechanisms during mixing or operation, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while minimizing device complexity.
3Device complexity
If manual handling and transfer of materials is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and time consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The container integrates the bulk material chamber and additive chamber in a single unit, eliminating the need for manual transfer between separate devices. The additive can be directly transferred from its chamber to the bulk material within the same container, and mixing occurs in-situ. This integration maintains simple device structure while significantly improving productivity by eliminating manual handling steps.
4Manufacturing precision
If separate storage and mixing devices are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but time consumption and productivity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The container combines storage and mixing functions in a single integrated system. The bulk material and additive are stored in separate chambers within the same container, ensuring precise measurement and separation, but the mixing occurs in-situ within the same container using an integrated mixing element. This eliminates the time required to transfer materials between separate storage and mixing devices while maintaining mixing precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a container for storing, mixing and/or cultivating a medium, in particular a bioreactor for a medium, comprising a line system as a discharge line, feed line and/or bypass line of the bioreactor, the line system at least comprising a line body, which is formed as a single piece and is suitable for a medium to flow therethrough, the line body having a first and a second connection region for connecting in particular to the container and/or the line system and at least a first and a second coupling apparatus in the region between the connection regions, the first and second coupling apparatuses being structurally different and being designed to be coupled to respective structurally different measuring apparatuses.