Bioreactor Mixing Synchronization for Stable Sensor Readings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing devices for bioreactors often suffer from signal fluctuations due to varying fluid levels, which compromise sensor measurements, making reproducible results difficult to obtain, especially for impedance and conductivity sensors.
Innovation Solution
A mixing device with a synchronization mechanism that synchronizes sensor readings with the mixing movement of the bioreactor, using a sensor or transmitter to generate a synchronization readout, allowing for precise timing of measurements to avoid fluid level fluctuations, and an evaluation device for displaying and evaluating the readouts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous monitoring is performed during mixing, then real-time control is improved, but signal fluctuations due to fluid level changes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of optimal measurement time points by monitoring the mixing cycle phase. Before actual measurement, the system determines when the fluid level is most stable during the mixing cycle, allowing measurements to be scheduled at these optimal moments rather than continuously, thus avoiding fluid level-induced signal fluctuations while maintaining real-time control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the mixing process and uses feedback from the mixing cycle to dynamically determine optimal measurement time points. The evaluation device receives feedback about the mixing phase and adjusts measurement timing accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to the mixing cycle to ensure measurements are taken when fluid level fluctuations are minimal.
2Reliability
If sensor measurements are taken continuously, then process monitoring is improved, but signal fluctuations from fluid level changes compromise measurement reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system preliminarily identifies and schedules measurements at optimal time points within the mixing cycle when fluid level fluctuations are minimal. This preliminary planning ensures that measurements are taken at the most reliable moments, maintaining process monitoring reliability while avoiding the signal fluctuations that would occur with continuous measurement during high-fluctuation phases.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous measurement, the system employs periodic measurement at specifically determined time points within the mixing cycle. The evaluation device triggers measurements at periodic intervals that correspond to phases of the mixing cycle when fluid level stability is highest, thereby maintaining reliable monitoring while eliminating the harmful signal fluctuations associated with continuous measurement.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system comprising a mixing device for mixing the content of a bioreactor. The system is comprising at least one movement device for initiating a mixing movement in the bioreactor or in a holder for receiving a bioreactor and at least one sensor that can be arranged in or on the bioreactor for receiving at least one physiological or physical measurement variable. The mixing device or the bioreactor further comprises a sensor or transmitter for generating a synchronization measurement variable.