Adjustable Bioreactor Probe Assembly for Bubble-Free Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bioreactors face challenges with fixed sensing probe support bars that restrict movement and lead to bubble entrapment, resulting in inconsistent yield and parameter variations across batches due to the inability to adjust probe angles and maintain uniform process parameters.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for an angle adjustable probe support assembly that allows the sensing probes to be mounted on a movable support bar, enabling adjustment of their angle within the bioreactor chamber, and an inclined face port design to facilitate deeper insertion of probes, reducing bubble entrapment and allowing for uniform process parameter maintenance across batches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed sensing probe support bar is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sensing probe angle cannot be adjusted leading to bubble entrapment and inconsistent yield

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobe angle adjustmentVSAvoidsupport bar structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support bar is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned at different angles (e.g., 0°, 15°, 30°) relative to the horizontal plane. This dynamic positioning capability enables the sensing probes to be oriented at optimal angles to avoid bubble entrapment while maintaining structural simplicity through a single movable bar mechanism rather than multiple fixed structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows changing the angular parameter of the support bar to optimize probe positioning. By adjusting the support bar angle, the sensing probes can be positioned at different orientations to prevent bubble accumulation on the probe surface, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy without requiring complex multi-component systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If the sensing probe location is moved down to reduce working volume, then the working volume is reduced, but the sensing probe may collide with the impeller

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworking volumeVSAvoidprobe-impeller collision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The movable support bar allows dynamic adjustment of probe position and angle. Operators can position probes at lower heights to reduce working volume while using the angular adjustment capability to orient probes away from the impeller rotation path, thereby maintaining safety and reliability even at reduced volumes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of only moving probes vertically downward to reduce working volume, the system introduces angular adjustment as an additional degree of freedom. This allows probes to be positioned at optimal angles that avoid impeller collision while achieving the desired working volume reduction through vertical positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the sensing probe is fixed at a predetermined location, then the ease of operation is improved, but bubble entrapment occurs leading to wrong results and inconsistent yield

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobe mountingVSAvoidsensing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains ease of operation by using a simple movable support bar mechanism that can be easily positioned at predetermined angles (0°, 15°, 30°) without requiring complex adjustment procedures. This dynamic positioning allows operators to quickly select optimal probe angles to prevent bubble entrapment while maintaining measurement accuracy, balancing operational simplicity with measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If the probe support bar is made movable for angle adjustment, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobe angle adjustmentVSAvoidsupport bar structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20260022317A1Systems and Methods for Probe Angle Adjustment in Bioreactors

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 CYTIVA SWEDEN AB

AI summary

Systems (100, 700) and method for probe angle adjustment in bioreactor vessels are provided. The system (100) comprises a reactor vessel (110) having a reaction chamber (113), wherein the reaction chamber (113) has at least one opening (111). A probe support bar assembly (200, 300) is mounted on the reactor vessel (110) and a sensing probe (114) is mounted on the probe support bar (112) and the sensing probe (114) passes through the opening (111) on the reaction chamber (113). Movement of the probe support bar assembly (200, 300) changes the angle of inclination of sensing probe (114) inside the reaction chamber (113).