Automated Buffer Exchange System with Pressure Chamber and Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for exchanging buffer solutions in biological components are difficult and inefficient, as they often alter the activity and viability of the components during the process, and there is a need for automated systems that can perform parallel processing.
Innovation Solution
An automated system using a pressure chamber with semi-permeable membrane reservoirs that pressurizes the first buffer solution through the membrane, detects the amount of buffer removed, and adds a second buffer solution in a controlled manner to maintain or alter the concentration of the biological component, while also incorporating vortexing to prevent fouling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated pressure-based buffer exchange is implemented, then productivity and manufacturing precision are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the buffer exchange process into discrete automated steps: pressurization phase, filtration phase, and buffer addition phase. Each step is controlled independently by the automated system, allowing complex operations to be broken down into manageable segments that can be executed sequentially with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that monitor the buffer exchange process in real-time, detecting parameters such as pressure, volume exchanged, and completion status. This feedback enables the automated system to adjust operations dynamically, ensuring manufacturing precision while maintaining productivity through closed-loop control.
2Manufacturing precision
If high percentage buffer exchange is achieved, then purity is improved, but biological component viability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs buffer exchange to a precisely controlled extent, removing buffer until the desired exchange percentage is achieved (up to 99.9% when needed). The automated control prevents excessive removal that could compromise biological component viability, while still achieving high purity when required by the application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters such as pressure, temperature, and buffer addition rates during the exchange process. These parameter changes are optimized to maintain biological component viability throughout the high-percentage exchange process, ensuring that purity improvements do not come at the cost of component reliability.
3Productivity
If parallel processing of multiple reservoirs is implemented, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system treats each reservoir as an independent measurement and control unit. Sensors monitor each reservoir separately, and the automated system tracks buffer exchange for each reservoir individually. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple reservoirs while maintaining measurement precision for each one through dedicated sensing and control channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs universal sensors and control mechanisms that can simultaneously monitor and control multiple reservoirs. The same measurement principles and detection methods are applied across all reservoirs in parallel, ensuring consistent measurement precision throughout the multi-reservoir system without requiring separate specialized equipment for each unit.
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 method allows for efficient and automated buffer exchange with minimal loss of biological activity, enabling high percentage buffer exchange (up to 99.9%) while maintaining the viability and concentration of the biological components, suitable for various applications including protein and enzyme processing.
Implementation Method 1
creating a pressure difference across the membrane to force a first buffer solution through the membrane
Implementation Method 2
reservoirs having a semi-permeable membrane and for creating a pressure difference across the membrane
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for exchanging buffer solutions are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, the methods and systems for buffer exchange may be automated and/or the methods and systems may include mixing during filtering operations.