Bioreactor Rack Agitation System for Automated Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bioreactor liquid agitation devices are complex, difficult to operate, and require proprietary containers and complicated equipment, making them inconvenient and time-consuming for users, especially when agitating bioreactors of various makes and models.
Innovation Solution
A bioreactor liquid agitation device with a rack system that includes rails and an arrestor, allowing for the coupling of bioreactors via a vessel coupler for fluid communication, and a motivator to facilitate movement, enabling automatic agitation of bioreactors without the need for proprietary containers or complex equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If wave rocker tables or shelves are used for automatic agitation, then automatic agitation is achieved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The agitation device is segmented into modular components: a base unit with oscillation mechanism, removable racks with channels, and individual bioreactor holders. This segmentation allows simple assembly and disassembly without complex integration, achieving automatic agitation through coordinated movement of modular parts rather than a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with universal racks and channels that can accommodate various bioreactor types and sizes. The same oscillation mechanism and rack structure serve multiple functions: supporting bioreactors, providing agitation, and allowing easy reconfiguration. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized proprietary containers and complex model-specific equipment.
2Ease of operation
If proprietary containers or vessels are used, then agitation function is achieved, but adaptability and ease of operation decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The rack system with standardized channels serves multiple purposes: it provides structural support, enables automatic agitation through oscillation, and accommodates various bioreactor configurations. Users can easily load different bioreactor types into the same rack structure without requiring proprietary containers, significantly improving both ease of operation and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The racks are designed to be movable and reconfigurable rather than fixed. The arrestor mechanism allows dynamic positioning of bioreactors within channels, and the entire rack can be removed or repositioned. This dynamic design enables users to easily adapt the device to different bioreactor models and experimental configurations without operational complexity.
3Ease of operation
If complicated valves, tubing, pumps, and filters are used, then bioreactor function is maintained, but ease of operation and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complicated valves, tubing, pumps, and filters from the bioreactor system. By designing a simple rack-based oscillation mechanism that directly agitates the bioreactor containers, the system achieves the necessary agitation function without requiring these complex auxiliary components. This extraction simplifies the overall device while maintaining bioreactor functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The bioreactors themselves serve the agitation function through the oscillation of the rack system. The bioreactor containers are directly moved and tilted by the rack's oscillation, eliminating the need for separate pumps, valves, and tubing. The system is self-sufficient, achieving agitation through the bioreactor's own movement within the rack structure rather than requiring complex external control systems.
4Device complexity
If manual agitation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and time efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The rack system performs periodic oscillation movements that automatically agitate the bioreactors. This periodic action is achieved through a simple oscillation mechanism that rhythmically moves the racks back and forth, providing continuous automatic agitation without manual intervention. The periodic motion ensures consistent mixing and gas exchange, significantly improving productivity while maintaining low device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automatic self-service agitation where the rack oscillation mechanism automatically performs the agitation function without requiring manual operation. The bioreactors are automatically tilted, moved, and mixed through the rack's periodic motion, eliminating the need for manual agitation while keeping the device structure simple. This self-service capability directly improves productivity and time efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A bioreactor liquid agitation device may include a rack which may be movably coupled to a frame. Preferably, a motivator which may be configured to motivate the rack in a movement circuit. A rack may comprise one or more sets of rails. Each rail may comprise a channel which may be formed by two opposing retaining walls which may be coupled to and separated by a central wall. A set of two rails, with each rail having its channel facing the other rail, may be configured to support one or more bioreactors by receiving opposing portions of a vessel coupler of each bioreactor in the two channels. An arrester may be coupled to the rack(s), and the arrestor may block the vessel couplers from exiting an end of the channels so that the vessel couplers may only enter and exit the channels from an opposing end of the channels.