Rotatable Bioreactor Sensor Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cell and gene therapy manufacturing processes are labor-intensive and prone to contamination due to the need for manual handling and multiple equipment transfers, which compromises scalability, reproducibility, and the production of clinical-grade therapeutics.
Innovation Solution
A bioreactor system with a rotatable container and sensor elements that allow for continuous monitoring of cell suspensions without the need for constant device changes, featuring a sensor element offset from the rotational axis to maintain alignment with a sensor receiver in multiple positions, enabling automated and contamination-free processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual handling and multiple equipment transfers are used in cell therapy manufacturing, then flexibility in processing different cell types is maintained, but contamination risk increases and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple unit operations (cell culture, processing, and monitoring) into a single integrated bioreactor system. The bioreactor incorporates multiple sensor elements that can detect various cell characteristics without requiring cell removal or device changes, thereby reducing contamination risk while maintaining processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bioreactor is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform cell culture, monitor multiple cell characteristics simultaneously, and support different cell types. The sensor array enables the same device to measure pH, dissolved oxygen, glutamine, glucose, and other parameters, eliminating the need for specialized equipment for each measurement.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensor elements are incorporated in the bioreactor to monitor multiple cell characteristics, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing function is segmented into multiple independent sensor elements, each dedicated to detecting a specific cell characteristic. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific measurement while maintaining modularity, reducing the complexity of integrating multiple functions into a single sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical communication system between the sensor elements (positioned inside the bioreactor) and the sensor receivers (positioned outside). This intermediary approach allows electrical and optical signals to be transmitted through the bioreactor wall without requiring direct physical connection, simplifying the integration of multiple sensors.
3Reliability
If the bioreactor is designed as a closed automated system to reduce manual operations, then contamination risk is reduced, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The bioreactor system performs self-monitoring through its integrated sensor array, automatically detecting and reporting cell characteristics without requiring manual sampling or intervention. The system serves itself by continuously monitoring its own state, reducing the need for operator involvement while maintaining ease of operation through automated feedback.
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 bioreactor system enhances scalability and reproducibility by reducing manual handling and contamination risks, facilitating efficient cell processing and improving the robustness of cell and gene therapy manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor window is preferably configured to permit transmission of light between the sensor element and the sensor receiver
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a bioreactor for cell culturing. The bioreactor comprises a container comprising a base and a side wall defining an internal volume for holding a cell suspension. The container is rotatable during use about a rotational axis. The bioreactor also includes a sensor element disposed on an internal surface of the container for interaction with a sensor receiver positioned externally of the container and operable to interact with the sensor element to detect a characteristic of the cell suspension. The sensor element is offset from the rotational axis of the bioreactor and arranged to align with the sensor receiver in at least two rotational positions of the bioreactor during use.