Bioreactor Stirring Control Using Optical Uniformity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell culture methods lack an efficient way to optimize the stirring process, leading to suboptimal nutrient distribution and prolonged processing times.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that monitor physical quantities like transmitted and scattered light to determine a uniform diffusion state of cells, allowing stirring to be stopped once uniformity is achieved, using a bioreactor and optical sensors to optimize the stirring time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cell suspension is stirred for a fixed duration without monitoring, then all cells may be nourished, but the processing time is prolonged and not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the physical quantity (light transmission or scattering) during stirring and using this information to determine when uniform diffusion is achieved. The control unit adjusts the stirring process based on real-time feedback from sensors, stopping stirring when the predetermined condition is met, thus optimizing time while ensuring uniform nutrient distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical timing-based stirring control with an optical sensing system that measures physical quantities (light transmission or scattering) to detect uniform diffusion. This substitution of mechanical/time-based control with optical measurement enables precise, real-time determination of diffusion uniformity without relying on fixed time intervals.
2Loss of time
If stirring is stopped early to save time, then processing time is reduced, but cells may not be uniformly distributed and nourished
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the physical quantity during stirring and compares it against predetermined criteria. Stirring is stopped only when the monitoring data confirms that uniform diffusion has been achieved, ensuring reliable cell distribution while minimizing time. The feedback loop prevents premature termination of stirring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical sensors to objectively measure diffusion uniformity, replacing subjective or fixed-time mechanical control. The optical measurement system provides reliable, real-time data on cell distribution, enabling confident early termination of stirring when uniformity is achieved without compromising distribution quality.
3Reliability
If continuous stirring is performed to ensure uniform diffusion, then cell distribution is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system provides real-time feedback on diffusion uniformity, allowing the control unit to stop stirring as soon as the predetermined condition is met. This feedback-based control eliminates unnecessary continuous stirring, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable uniform cell distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses optical sensors to automatically detect when uniform diffusion is achieved without requiring continuous mechanical intervention. The self-monitoring capability allows the stirring process to terminate autonomously when the goal is reached, minimizing energy waste from prolonged operation.
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 ensures cells are uniformly distributed, enhancing growth rates and survival rates while minimizing the overall processing time.
Implementation Method 1
The physical quantity may be at least one of an amount of transmitted light transmitted through the cell suspension and an amount of scattered light scattered by the cell suspension.
Implementation Method 2
The physical quantity may be at least one of an amount of transmitted light transmitted through the cell suspension and an amount of scattered light scattered by the cell suspension.
Data Source
AI summary
A stirring method includes: stirring cell suspension by circulating the cell suspension in a circulation path including a bioreactor; acquiring a predetermined or selected physical quantity related to the cell suspension at a measurement target site in the circulation path over time; and determining if a uniform diffusion state in which cells are uniformly diffused in the cell suspension is reached by comparing a degree of variation of the physical quantity to the a predetermined or selected degree.