Bioreactor Bag Weight Control via Load Cell Moment Equilibrium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bioreactor systems struggle with individual control of multiple bags on a rocker unit, as they assume a constant initial weight relationship, leading to suboptimal control when this relationship changes during cultivation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for determining individual weights of each bioreactor bag in real-time, using load cells and moment equilibrium equations to adjust parameters like temperature and pH independently for each bag, ensuring accurate and efficient control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual control of multiple bioreactor bags is implemented, then control accuracy and efficiency are improved, but device complexity and measurement requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single load cell system serves multiple bioreactor bags simultaneously, allowing one measurement device to perform the function of measuring weights of multiple bags. The system uses a common load cell platform with computational differentiation to derive individual bag weights, eliminating the need for separate load cells for each bag and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational approach using moment equilibrium equations as a mediator between the single load cell measurement and the individual bag weights. This mathematical intermediary allows the system to derive accurate individual weights without requiring direct separate measurements for each bag.
2Adaptability or versatility
If real-time individual weight determination is implemented, then control adaptability during processing is improved, but measurement and calculation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration by measuring the initial weight of each bioreactor bag before processing begins. This preliminary weight information is stored and used as a baseline for subsequent real-time weight determination, simplifying the ongoing measurements and reducing the complexity of real-time calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors weight changes through the load cell and uses feedback loops to track individual bag weight variations during processing. This real-time feedback enables dynamic adjustment of control parameters while maintaining manageable measurement complexity through the established computational model.
3Measurement precision
If multiple load cells are used to measure individual bag weights, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single load cell system serves multiple bioreactor bags simultaneously, allowing one measurement device to perform the function of measuring weights of multiple bags. The system uses a common load cell platform with computational differentiation to derive individual bag weights, eliminating the need for separate load cells for each bag and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of using multiple separate load cells with a single load cell combined with mathematical calculations based on moment equilibrium. This substitution of mechanical complexity with computational simplicity reduces the number of physical components while maintaining measurement accuracy.
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 approach allows for precise and efficient control of bioreactor parameters based on actual weights, improving accuracy and eliminating the need for equal volumes in both bags, enhancing the effectiveness of cell culture regulation.
Implementation Method 1
providing a static part of the bioreactor system with load cells measuring the weight of the bioreactor bags
Implementation Method 2
utilizing the stored value of the weight measured by the load cells with the weights of the content of the bioreactor bags subtracted and an equation of moment equilibrium and the fact that all forces sums to zero for deriving the individual weights
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for regulating parameters of at least two bioreactor bags (15, 17) individually, which bioreactor bags are provided on one and the same rocking part (13) of a bioreactor system (1). The method comprises the steps of: - determining an individual weight of the content in each bioreactor bag (15, 17) at different points in time during processing; regulating one or more parameters in each bioreactor bag in dependence of the individual weights.