Bioreactor Root Stand and Lid Design for Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bioreactors face challenges in efficiently sterilizing multiple containers simultaneously while maintaining the sterile environment and preventing deformation of container sidewalls during high-temperature sterilization, which affects the sterility and efficiency of plant growth.
Innovation Solution
The method involves nesting bioreactor containers in a stack with a lid that inhibits inward and outward deflection of sidewalls, allowing for simultaneous sterilization in an autoclave, and incorporating a root stand with separable combs for upright plant support and a gravity well for automatic nutrient medium replenishment, along with an atmospheric control system to regulate gas conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple bioreactor containers are sterilized individually, then each container achieves proper sterilization, but the time and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting of bioreactor containers within a master container, where multiple smaller containers are stacked or arranged inside a larger sterilization chamber. This allows simultaneous sterilization of multiple containers in a single autoclave cycle, directly resolving the contradiction by improving productivity while reducing total sterilization time through parallel processing
2Reliability
If high temperature is applied for sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness improves, but container sidewalls may deform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs support structures and rigid framing within the bioreactor containers that act as counterbalancing elements during thermal sterilization. These internal supports provide structural reinforcement that counteracts the thermal stress and pressure changes, preventing sidewall deformation while allowing the high temperatures necessary for effective sterilization
3Ease of manufacture
If container sidewalls are flexible, then the containers are easier to manufacture and assemble, but they deflect under autoclave pressure and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes composite construction for container sidewalls, combining flexible materials that are easy to manufacture with rigid reinforcement elements or layered structures. This composite approach maintains the ease of manufacturing and assembly while providing the necessary structural stability to resist deflection under autoclave conditions through the combined properties of different materials
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 enables efficient sterilization of multiple bioreactors, maintains sterility, supports upright plant growth, and optimizes nutrient distribution, leading to improved plant density and growth conditions while reducing costs and labor.
Implementation Method 1
placing the stack with the connected lid into an autoclave; and operating the autoclave to sterilize the stack of nested bioreactor containers substantially simultaneously
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a root stand with separable combs for upright plant support and a gravity well for automatic nutrient medium replenishment
Data Source
AI summary
A bioreactor includes a bioreactor container, and a root stand. The container has a base and one or more sidewalls connected to the base, the base and sidewalls together defining an interior bioreactor volume. The root stand is supported by the container within the bioreactor volume, and includes a first support comb and a second support comb, each support comb having a plurality of spaced apart teeth. The teeth of the first support comb extend in length in a first direction and the teeth of the second support comb extend in length in a second direction different from the first direction. The first support comb overlaying the second support comb when the root stand is supported in the container, and the first support comb being separable from the second support comb when the root stand is removed from the container. A gravity well and atmosphere control container are also disclosed.