Centrifugal Separator Surface Enlarging Insert Bioprocessing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Bioprocessing systems operating in perfusion mode face challenges with membrane filter technology, including decreased permeability over time, requiring frequent replacement or large membrane areas, which affects the efficiency and longevity of the process.
Innovation Solution
A bioprocessing system utilizing a centrifugal separator with a surface enlarging insert, which continuously returns a flow of liquid to the fermentor, enabling efficient cell separation and fractionation, reducing stagnant conditions, and maintaining cell viability and productivity over extended periods without filter replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If membrane filter technology is used for perfusion mode operation, then cell separation can be achieved, but permeability decreases over time requiring frequent replacement or large membrane areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the filtering function from the system by removing the membrane filter entirely and replacing it with a centrifugal separator. This eliminates the permeability degradation problem inherent in membrane filters while maintaining the cell separation function through centrifugal force-based separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical filtration system (membrane filter) with a centrifugal separation system. The centrifugal separator uses rotational mechanical force to separate cells from the culture medium based on density differences, avoiding the clogging and permeability loss issues of membrane filtration.
2Productivity
If membrane filter technology is used, then cell separation is achieved, but frequent replacement or large membrane areas are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the membrane filter component entirely from the bioprocessing system and replaces it with a centrifugal separator. This extraction eliminates the need for filter replacement and large membrane areas while maintaining effective cell separation through centrifugal forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation mechanism from pressure-driven filtration to centrifugal force-driven separation. This parameter change allows for continuous operation without filter replacement, as the centrifugal separator has no consumable filtering components that degrade over time.
3Duration of action of moving object
If perfusion mode operation is implemented, then extended culture duration is achieved, but membrane permeability degradation occurs over weeks or months
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic membrane filter from the perfusion system and replaces it with a centrifugal separator. This allows perfusion mode operation to continue for extended culture durations (weeks or months) without the membrane functionality degradation that plagues traditional filter-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous perfusion operation by replacing the degrading membrane filter with a centrifugal separator that maintains consistent separation performance over time. The centrifugal separator can operate continuously without replacement, ensuring uninterrupted perfusion mode culture for extended periods.
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 centrifugal separator with a surface enlarging insert enhances perfusion mode operation by maintaining cell viability, improving separation efficiency, and allowing continuous operation without filter replacement, thereby increasing the duration and consistency of bioprocessing.
Implementation Method 1
a centrifugal separator comprising a surface enlarging insert, wherein a flow of cell culture mixture is conducted from the fermentor into an interior of the centrifugal separator
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a bioprocessing system includes producing a cell culture mixture in a fermentor, conducting a flow of cell culture mixture from the fermentor into an interior of a centrifugal separator including a surface enlarging insert, simultaneously with the step of producing the cell culture mixture, and returning continuously from the interior of the centrifugal separator a flow of liquid to the fermentor, simultaneously with the steps of producing the cell culture mixture and conducting the flow of cell culture mixture.