Bioreactor Sensing Probe Standard Port Interface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensing probes integrated into bioreactors are limited by their fixed configuration, requiring specific bioreactor designs and materials, leading to restricted compatibility and increased costs due to proprietary attachment methods, and necessitating entire bioreactor replacement upon probe failure.
Innovation Solution
A sensing probe designed to operatively engage with standard bioreactor ports, allowing for separate componentization and compatibility with various bioreactor configurations, enabling user choice and reducing waste by allowing only the probe to be replaced if defective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sensing probes are integrally formed with the bioreactor, then the configuration is straightforward and permits monitoring of the biological medium, but the entire bioreactor must be disposed of if the sensing probe is defective, increasing waste and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing probe is separated from the bioreactor into independent components. The probe can be detached and replaced without disposing of the entire bioreactor, allowing only the defective probe to be discarded while the bioreactor body is reused.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing probe is extracted from the integral bioreactor design and made into a separate, removable component that can be independently replaced, preventing the need to discard the entire bioreactor when the probe fails.
2Reliability
If sensing probes are integrally formed with the bioreactor, then the monitoring capability is provided, but compatibility is restricted to specific bioreactor designs and materials, increasing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing probe is designed as a universal component that can be attached to various bioreactor types through standard ports, making it compatible with different bioreactor designs and materials rather than being restricted to a single proprietary system.
Solution Approach 2:
A standard port interface acts as an intermediary between the sensing probe and the bioreactor, enabling compatibility across different bioreactor designs without requiring integral formation for each specific bioreactor type.
3Device complexity
If sensing probes are integrally formed with the bioreactor, then the configuration is simplified, but proprietary attachment methods require bespoke designs for each manufacturer, increasing time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing probe incorporates a universal attachment mechanism that works with standard bioreactor ports from different manufacturers, eliminating the need for bespoke proprietary attachment methods for each manufacturer and reducing integration time and cost.
4Volume of moving object
If the sensing probe does not project significantly into the bioreactor, then the configuration is compact, but reliable biomass measurements require constant contact between electrodes and medium, which is problematic depending on volume and arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing probe is designed to be positionable within the bioreactor, allowing adjustment of the electrode position to ensure constant contact with the biological medium while maintaining a compact overall probe size. The probe can be oriented and positioned to optimize measurement reliability for different bioreactor volumes and arrangements.
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 solution enhances compatibility and reduces costs by allowing the sensing probe to be used with standard bioreactor ports, providing user flexibility and minimizing waste by enabling separate replacement of defective probes, thus improving operational efficiency and reducing the need for bespoke bioreactor designs.
Implementation Method 1
Capacitance measurement techniques are known for measuring the capacitance (or the specific capacitance or dielectric constant) of liquids and suspensions, such as a biological medium comprising biological cells in ionic aqueous solutions.
Implementation Method 2
A radio frequency applied from electrodes located on the probe causes ions in the suspending medium (for example wort or green beer) and the cytoplasm of the yeast cells to move towards the two respective oppositely charged electrodes.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a sensing probe (100, 110) for operatively engaging with a port (200) that comprises a channel (230) that communicates between the interior and the exterior of a bioreactor. The probe (100, 110) comprises an elongate body comprising a first portion (122) that is locatable within the port channel (230) and a second portion (124) comprising means for enabling the probe (100, 110) to be secured to the port (200), and a sensing means (140) located on the first body portion (122), wherein the probe (100, 110) is configured to operatively engage with the port (200) such that the first body portion (122) is at least partially located within the port channel (230) and the sensing means (140) is exposed to the interior of the bioreactor.