Collapsible Cell Culture Media Container for Sterile On-Demand Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell culture media containers are bulky, inefficient for shipping, require large storage space, and introduce variability due to manual handling and potential contamination, increasing costs and resource usage.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible container system with rigid ends and a deformable middle portion that expands on demand, allowing for efficient shipping and mixing of powdered media with water to create cell culture solution, featuring recyclable materials and sterilization protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cell culture media is packaged in bulk liquid bottles, bags, or drums, then the media can be stored and transported, but the containers become bulky and space-inefficient, increasing shipping costs and storage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of cell culture media from liquid to powder form, enabling compact packaging. The powder media can be densely packed in small containers that expand only when filled with liquid at the point of use, dramatically reducing shipping and storage volume while maintaining the required quantity of media.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the cell culture media into concentrate powder and diluent liquid components. The powder concentrate is packaged in compact, space-efficient containers that can be shipped and stored in minimal space, then reconstituted with liquid at the point of use to achieve the required volume.
2Reliability
If engineers and scientists manually add components to media and resterilize, then contamination risks are addressed, but manual steps increase process variability and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs sterilization and component formulation in advance during powder media manufacturing. The pre-sterilized powder concentrate is sealed in sterile containers, eliminating the need for manual sterilization steps at the point of use and reducing process variability while maintaining contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-sterilization through sterile barrier packaging that maintains sterility until use. The powder media and associated components are packaged in sterile, sealed containers that prevent contamination without requiring manual sterilization intervention, thereby improving productivity while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If large storage areas are provided for bulky containers, then various cell culture medias are available on-demand, but storage space requirements and associated costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Changing media form from liquid to powder enables compact storage. Multiple media types can be stored in small, space-efficient containers in the same footprint that previously held a single bulky liquid container, allowing diverse media availability in minimal storage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The compact powder containers can be nested or stacked efficiently in storage areas. The space-efficient design allows multiple containers to be stored in a fraction of the space required for traditional bulky liquid containers, reducing storage area requirements while maintaining media variety and availability.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A container (100) having a first end (102) a second end (104), and a deformable middle portion (106) and methods for manufacturing the container are disclosed. The container has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The first and second ends are rigid. The container is configured to store cell culture solution powder. Methods and systems (e.g., a dispenser) for creating culture solution using the container are also disclosed.