Closed-Vessel Bioreactor With Perforated Cell-Containment Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bioreactor systems require multiple open manipulations, increasing the risk of contamination and necessitating improvements for automated, closed-system processing to enhance cell growth conditions and reduce contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A bioreactor system with a closed vessel containing a barrier with perforations, allowing fluid flow while preventing cell passage, and maintaining a convex shape and low protein absorption to support efficient cell growth and minimize contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple open manipulations are used for cell processing, then ease of operation is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane barrier that allows fluid passage while blocking cells, enabling closed-system processing. This membrane creates a sealed environment that prevents contamination while maintaining operational capability through fluid exchange, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane acts as an intermediary element between the cell-containing chamber and the external environment. It mediates fluid exchange while maintaining physical separation, allowing operations to be performed without opening the system, thus reducing contamination risk while preserving operational ease.
2Productivity
If cells are transferred between containers, then productivity is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple processing functions into a single integrated system. The membrane-separated chambers allow cell culture, fluid exchange, and processing to occur within one closed system rather than requiring transfers between separate containers, thereby maintaining productivity while eliminating contamination risks associated with opening and closing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous fluid exchange and processing without interrupting cell growth or requiring system opening. The membrane barrier maintains continuous separation while allowing ongoing fluid flow, ensuring uninterrupted productive action and eliminating contamination risks from system opening.
3Manufacturing precision
If protein absorption is high on barrier surfaces, then manufacturing precision is improved, but cell growth is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the surface properties of the membrane barrier to change its interaction with proteins and cells. By selecting materials and surface treatments that minimize protein absorption, the system maintains manufacturing precision requirements while creating a favorable environment for cell growth, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and productivity.
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 system enables higher cell yields, lower media needs, and reduced contamination risks by allowing for automated, closed-system processing and optimized growth conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a barrier with perforations, allowing fluid flow while preventing cell passage
Implementation Method 2
a barrier configured to allow a fluid flow between the first chamber and the second chamber and vice versa, while preventing cells or microorganisms passage therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A bioreactor with a closed vessel, a reaction chamber, and at least one barrier, wherein the bioreactor is configured to support a biologically active environment. The barrier for the reaction chamber of the bioreactor includes pores and a media flow path connected to the pores. The media flow path is configured to have a diameter that is smaller than the average diameter of the pores. The barrier of the bioreactor includes a surface feature, internal structural feature, or combinations thereof, which are configured to improve or enhance the growth of cells or microorganisms.