Disposable Gas Sparger with Permeable Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas spargers used in bioreactors are expensive, require cleaning and sterilization, can obstruct fluid flow, and pose risks of contamination and cell damage, necessitating a solution that eliminates these issues.
Innovation Solution
A flexible gas sparger system comprising a base with a tubular member and a gas-permeable sparging sheet, where the sparging sheet is secured to the base using a transition member, allowing for easy integration into a container system and minimizing interference with fluid flow, and can be disposed of after use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional spargers are reused to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but cleaning and sterilization time increases and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable sparger made from inexpensive polymeric materials that can be discarded after single use, eliminating the need for cleaning and sterilization. The sparger includes a polymeric base with a gas-permeable membrane that delivers gas to the culture medium, and after use it is discarded rather than reused, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing cost and cleaning time.
2Strength
If conventional rigid spargers are used, then structural strength is improved, but fluid flow obstruction increases and cell damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid metal sparger structures with flexible polymeric materials and thin gas-permeable membranes. The sparger base and membrane are made from flexible polymers that conform to the container bottom and allow gas permeation without creating rigid obstructions to fluid flow, thereby reducing cell damage while maintaining sufficient structural strength for gas delivery.
3Reliability
If conventional spargers are used, then gas delivery function is achieved, but contamination risk increases due to cleaning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable polymeric sparger eliminates contamination risk by being discarded after single use, preventing cross-contamination between batches. The sparger maintains reliable gas delivery function through its polymeric base and gas-permeable membrane design, and after completing its function it is discarded rather than subjected to cleaning and sterilization processes that could introduce contamination.
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 flexible sparger system reduces costs, simplifies sterilization, minimizes contamination risks, and enhances fluid mixing by allowing for controlled gas dispersion without obstructing fluid flow, promoting optimal cell growth conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a sparging sheet comprised of a flexible sheet of a gas permeable material... pressurized gas is delivered to the ring through the hose. The gas then permeates out through the metal ring
Data Source
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AI summary
A sparger 140 includes a body bounding a compartment. A tubular port 162 or tube is coupled with the body. The tubular port 162 or tube bounds a passage that communicates with the compartment 160 of the body. At least a portion of the body includes of a first sparging sheet 154. The first sparing sheet includes a flexible sheet of a gas permeable material such that a gas passing into the compartment of the body through the passage can exit the compartment by permeating through the first sparging sheet.