Distributor Cap Assembly for Compact Sterile Bioprocess Interconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bioprocess engineering setups require significant space, are unwieldy, and suffer from unwanted backmixing and inefficient product yield due to the use of hoses and piping for connecting separation units, leading to compatibility issues and increased risk of contamination.
Innovation Solution
A modular device with distributor caps that establish both rigid mechanical and flow connections between separation and functional units, allowing for flexible, compact, and sterile arrangements of separation units and functional units, eliminating the need for additional hoses or pipes and enabling serial or parallel operations without intermediate storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hoses and piping are used to connect separation units, then flexibility in connecting different units is achieved, but space requirements increase and dead spaces are created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the connection function and fluid distribution function into a single integrated distributor cap assembly. The distributor cap directly connects to the separation unit and incorporates fluid distribution channels, eliminating the need for separate hoses and piping. This merging of functions reduces the overall space required while maintaining connectivity flexibility between different separation units.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor cap acts as an intermediary component that directly interfaces between separation units. Instead of using flexible hoses as intermediaries, the rigid distributor cap with integrated connection means provides a compact intermediate structure that reduces dead space while enabling unit interconnection and configuration flexibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If hoses and piping are used for connecting units, then ease of assembly is improved, but unwanted backmixing occurs and product yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor cap merges the connection interface and fluid distribution function into one component. The integrated design with direct connection means eliminates the need for separate piping, reducing dead spaces where backmixing occurs. This maintains ease of assembly through standardized connections while improving product yield by preventing unwanted mixing in dead zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the problematic hoses and piping from the system, replacing them with a compact distributor cap assembly. By removing the intermediate flexible connections that create dead spaces, the system prevents backmixing and improves product yield while maintaining assembly simplicity through the integrated design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If intermediate storage tanks are used between separation steps, then compatibility issues are resolved, but space requirements and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor cap merges multiple functions including connection interface, fluid distribution, and sterile barrier functionality into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for intermediate storage tanks that would otherwise be required to resolve compatibility issues between different separation steps. The integrated design reduces contamination risk by minimizing exposed interfaces and intermediate storage points.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor cap serves as a sterile intermediary component that enables direct connection between separation units with different requirements. The integrated connection means and sterile barrier functionality allow compatible interfacing between units without requiring intermediate storage, thereby reducing contamination risk while maintaining system versatility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connection interfaces are used for different separation units, then adaptability to various units is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor cap is designed with universal multi-functionality, incorporating standardized connection means that can interface with different separation units through a single unified design. The integrated connection interface and fluid distribution system eliminate the need for multiple specialized connection types, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability to various units through standardized mounting and connection protocols.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a modular device for fixedly arranging and interconnecting individual separation units (12) and/or first function units (74) amongst one another to carry out one or more basic operations in a biotechnological process. The modular device comprises a plurality of distributor caps (14), of which at least one distributor cap (14) is intended for mounting on a separation unit (12) and one or more further distributor caps (14) are each intended for mounting on a further separation unit (12) or a first function unit (74). The distributor caps (14) each have the following: a fluid distribution device with a working port (28) and at least two feed or discharge ports (30), the fluid distribution device being able to assume at least two defined switch positions; port means for producing a fluidic connection between a fluid inlet or outlet (34; 34a, 34b) of the separation units (12) or first function unit (74) and the working port (28) of the fluid distribution device; connection means for producing a rigid mechanical connection and a fluidic connection to an adjacent distributor cap (14); and an interface for changing the switch positions of the fluid distribution device manually or in automated fashion.