Columnar Cell Culture Vessel with Continuous Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cell culture vessels face challenges in culturing large quantities of cells due to limited culture area and require separate work for exchanging culture media.
Innovation Solution
A columnar cell culture vessel design with a cylindrical body, inlet, and outlet, featuring caps with inflow and discharge ports, and a support structure for cells, allowing continuous circulation of culture solution without manual medium exchange, utilizing hydrophilic surfaces for enhanced cell attachment and a filter system to prevent support escape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional cell culture vessels are used with cells attached to the inner bottom surface, then cell attachment is achieved, but the culture area is limited and large quantity cell culturing is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional attachment on the bottom surface to three-dimensional attachment on supports (beads, chips, or sponges) that provide extensive surface area throughout the culture volume. Cells attach to the surfaces of these supports which are distributed throughout the culture medium, effectively utilizing the third dimension to expand culture area.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs porous supports such as sponges, beads, or chips with high surface area to volume ratios. These porous materials provide extensive attachment surfaces for cells while occupying minimal culture volume, dramatically increasing the effective culture area compared to flat bottom surfaces.
2Ease of operation
If conventional cell culture vessels are used, then cell culturing is achieved, but separate work for exchanging culture medium is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements continuous culture medium circulation through the support structure using inlet and outlet ports. Fresh medium continuously flows through the porous supports where cells are attached, providing ongoing nutrition and waste removal without requiring manual intervention or medium exchange operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The culture system becomes self-sustaining with automatic medium circulation. The inlet and outlet configuration allows the system to automatically replenish culture medium and remove waste products without external intervention, eliminating the need for periodic manual medium exchanges.
3Area of stationary object
If supports are used for cell attachment, then culture area is enlarged, but supports may escape from the chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The invention nests the porous supports within the culture chamber in a way that they are contained by the chamber walls and inlet/outlet structure. The supports are positioned and secured within the chamber volume, preventing escape while maintaining their functional surface area for cell attachment.
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
Enables efficient culturing of a large quantity of cells with continuous culture solution supply, eliminating the need for separate medium exchange and providing an enlarged surface for cell attachment, while maintaining a stable and controlled environment.
Implementation Method 1
a support which is filled in the chamber and to which cells are attached to be cultured, wherein a culture solution is introduced into the chamber through the inflow port and discharged to the outside of the chamber through the discharge port
Data Source
AI summary
A columnar cell culture vessel is disclosed. The columnar cell culture vessel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a cylindrical body having a chamber disposed therein, an inlet disposed through one side in an axial direction, and an outlet disposed through in the axial direction; a first cap coupled to the inlet and having an inflow port disposed therethrough; a second cap coupled to the outlet and having a discharge port disposed therethrough; and a support which is filled in the chamber and to which cells are attached to be cultured, wherein a culture solution is introduced into the chamber through the inflow port and discharged to the outside of the chamber through the discharge port.