Compact Bioreactor System for Cell Culture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cell culture systems are standalone, require large space, and cannot handle multiple patient samples simultaneously, leading to inefficiencies and potential contamination due to high human intervention, which hampers the scalability and adoption of cell therapies like T cell-based treatments.
Innovation Solution
A compact bioreactor system with integrated functions such as adjustable volume cell culture bags, heating, perfusion units, automatic sampling, and mobility, allowing for both static and rocking cultures within the same system, controlled by a single unit, enabling efficient scale-up and minimizing human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If standalone cell culture systems are used, then each system can perform its function independently, but they require large space and cannot handle multiple patient samples simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cell culture systems into a single integrated bioreactor unit that can handle multiple patient samples simultaneously. The system integrates multiple culture bags, perfusion units, and control mechanisms into one compact device, eliminating the need for separate standalone systems for each sample and thereby reducing the overall space requirement in the clean room while increasing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bioreactor system is designed with multi-functionality to perform various cell culture operations including static culture, rocking culture, perfusion, and automated sampling within a single device. This universal design allows the system to handle multiple patient samples through different culture modes and configurations, maximizing the utilization of space and equipment while maintaining independent control for each sample.
2Reliability
If multiple standalone systems are deployed to handle multiple samples, then each sample can be cultured independently, but human intervention increases leading to contamination risks
Solution Approach 1:
The bioreactor system incorporates automated functions including self-regulated perfusion rates, automated sampling mechanisms, and integrated control systems that monitor and adjust culture parameters without human intervention. The system can autonomously perform media exchange, sample collection, and environmental monitoring, thereby minimizing the need for manual operations and reducing contamination risks associated with human entry into the clean room environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes integrated sensors and control mechanisms that continuously monitor culture conditions such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and cell density. The control unit receives feedback from these sensors and automatically adjusts perfusion rates, aeration, and other parameters to maintain optimal culture conditions, ensuring reliable and contamination-free operation without requiring constant human monitoring.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate systems are used for static and rocking cultures, then each culture type can be optimized independently, but the system complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bioreactor system incorporates a dynamic design where the rocking mechanism can be adjusted between static and rocking modes, and the rocking intensity and frequency can be varied. The same bioreactor unit can switch between different culture modes depending on the specific cell type and culture requirements, eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems for static and rocking cultures while maintaining optimization for each mode through adjustable parameters.
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 compact bioreactor system optimizes clean room space, reduces contamination risks, and allows for efficient scale-up of cell cultures, enhancing the scalability and adoption of cell therapies by handling multiple samples and reducing physical administration and contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit to heat the cell culture bag to a desired temperature
Implementation Method 2
a shaking unit to shake the cell culture bag at a desired frequency and amplitude
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a novel bioreactor system for cell cultivation. More specifically, the invention relates to a compact bioreactor system which has several integrated functions and enables small scale static culture as well as scale-up rocking culture in the same bioreactor. The bioreactor system comprises tray for positioning of a cell culture bag having adjustable volume, a lid covering the cell culture bag and provided with heating function, an integrated perfusion unit, an integrated cell loading unit, and an integrated unit for automatic cell culture sampling, wherein the bioreactor system is controlled by a single control unit. The invention also relates to a method of cell culture using the bioreactor system for culture of therapeutic cells.