Bioreactor Optical Probe With Bubble Blocking for In-Situ Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bioreactor monitoring methods face issues with sample contamination and inability to detect rapid changes in cell cultures due to optical signal interference caused by bubbles generated during analysis, leading to concentration measurement errors.
Innovation Solution
An optical analyzer with a bubble blocking member integrated into the probe, featuring a fluid inlet and outlet designed to minimize bubble interference, allowing continuous monitoring within the reactor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a probe is inserted into the reactor for optical analysis, then continuous monitoring of cell cultures is enabled, but optical signal interference occurs due to bubbles generated by impeller and sparger
Solution Approach 1:
A bubble blocking member is introduced as an intermediary component between the reactor environment and the probe detection unit. This member selectively blocks bubbles while allowing light transmission, thereby mediating between the need for continuous monitoring and the requirement for reliable optical signals without direct contact between the probe and bubble-generating reactor environment
2Measurement precision
If samples are taken externally from the bioreactor for analysis, then optical analysis can be performed, but samples may be contaminated and rapid changes cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful element (bubbles) is extracted and removed from the optical path by the bubble blocking member, while the analyte (cell culture sample) remains in situ within the reactor. This allows continuous in-situ monitoring without external sampling, preventing both contamination and loss of real-time data while maintaining measurement precision
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
The solution enhances analysis reliability and accuracy by effectively blocking bubbles, ensuring continuous and precise monitoring of cell cultures without external sampling.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that emits light
Implementation Method 2
a bubble blocking member fastened to the one end of the probe and including a fluid outlet provided adjacent to the detection unit and a fluid inlet provided to be spaced farther than the fluid outlet from the detection unit in a longitudinal direction from the fluid outlet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An optical analyzer and a bioreactor comprising same are disclosed. The optical analyzer according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a light supply unit including a light source emitting light; a probe which emits light at an analyte, and includes, at one end thereof, a detection unit for acquiring the light that penetrated the analyte; an analysis unit for analyzing the analyte on the basis of characteristics of the light acquired by the detection unit; and a bubble blocking member, which includes a fluid outlet provided to be adjacent to the detection unit and a fluid inlet provided to be spaced farther than the fluid outlet from the detection unit in the longitudinal direction from the fluid outlet and is fastened at one end of the probe.