Edible Bioreactor Membrane for Low-Cost Bioreaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bioreactor systems for food and pharmaceutical production are costly due to the need for expensive, specialized equipment and are sensitive to process conditions, making them inefficient and expensive to operate, especially for producing complex and personalized medicines.
Innovation Solution
Development of edible bioreactors comprising an edible core and membrane that supports bioreactions, using edible polymers and particles to create a biodegradable and permeable structure for encapsulating substrates and cultures, allowing bioreactions to occur within the body or during consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bioreactor systems are used for food and pharmaceutical production, then bioreactions can be supported, but production costs are high due to expensive specialized equipment and sensitivity to process conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs single-use bioreactor bags made from flexible materials that can be disposed of after one use, eliminating the need for expensive sterilization and cleaning equipment. These disposable bags provide sufficient bioreaction support for their intended purpose without requiring costly industrial-grade stainless steel vessels and associated processing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses flexible bioreactor bags constructed from thin film materials that can be sealed and manipulated easily. These flexible shells replace rigid, expensive traditional bioreactor vessels while maintaining the necessary containment and bioreaction support capabilities through simple sealing mechanisms rather than complex mechanical systems.
2Reliability
If traditional bioreactor systems are used, then bioreactions can be controlled, but the equipment is expensive and highly specialized
Solution Approach 1:
By using disposable bioreactor bags, the system eliminates the need for complex sterilization systems, cleaning-in-place equipment, and highly specialized control infrastructure required for reusable systems. The simplicity of the disposable design reduces device complexity while maintaining adequate process control through basic sealing and containment features.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible bag design with simple sealing mechanisms replaces complex mechanical closure systems, agitators, and specialized components found in traditional bioreactors. This approach achieves sufficient process control through the flexibility and sealability of the thin film material rather than through complex equipment.
3Reliability
If bioreactions are isolated from the surrounding environment, then process sensitivity is reduced, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible bioreactor bag provides a simple physical barrier that isolates the bioreaction from the external environment while being inexpensive to manufacture. The thin film material creates an adequate seal to protect the process without requiring costly environmental control systems, sterile barriers, or complex isolation infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable nature of the bioreactor bag provides inherent process stability through single-use containment, eliminating the need for expensive re-sterilization processes and complex environmental control systems that would be required for reusable systems. Each new bag provides fresh isolation capability at low cost.
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
This approach reduces production costs, enables more efficient and controlled bioreactions, and allows for the delivery of biologically active materials directly to the body, enhancing the efficacy and dynamic nature of biologically active products.
Implementation Method 1
edible particles or (2) a plurality of edible polymers
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to edible compositions, and more specifically, edible bioreactors comprising an edible membrane wherein the membrane is a bioreactor vessel, the membrane encapsulates a bioreactor vessel or a composition comprising active biological materials, or the membrane causes, affects, or interacts with a bioreaction; in addition to processes for making the edible bioreactors, and methods for producing edible products using the edible bioreactors.