Electron Beam Sterilization for Fluid Containers

Solution Overview

Problem

Current sterilization systems in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries face limitations due to the use of mechanical filters with small pore diameters, which restrict flow rates and are costly to maintain, as they are fragile and require frequent replacement.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an electron beam sterilization system that uses thin film or thin walled containers to sterilize fluids, eliminating the need for filters and allowing larger pore sizes, thereby improving flow rates and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical filtration with small pore size membranes is used for sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but flow rate is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidflow rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical filtration system with an electron beam sterilization system. Instead of using physical membranes with small pores to block microorganisms, the system uses electron beams to sterilize the fluid in place, eliminating the flow restriction caused by mechanical filters while maintaining sterilization effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the mechanical filtration component from the sterilization system. By eliminating the filter membrane entirely and using electron beam sterilization instead, the system removes the source of flow restriction while preserving the sterilization function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If mechanical filtration with small pore size membranes is used for sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical filtration system with an electron beam sterilization system. Instead of using physical membranes with small pores to block microorganisms, the system uses electron beams to sterilize the fluid in place, eliminating the flow restriction caused by mechanical filters while maintaining sterilization effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs disposable polymeric containers and tubing that can be sterilized by electron beam. This eliminates the need for expensive, frequently replaced mechanical filters, as the disposable components can be sterilized in place and then discarded after a single use, reducing both filter replacement costs and system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If mechanical filtration with small pore size membranes is used for sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but filter replacement frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidfilter replacement time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical filtration system with an electron beam sterilization system. Instead of using physical membranes with small pores to block microorganisms, the system uses electron beams to sterilize the fluid in place, eliminating the flow restriction caused by mechanical filters while maintaining sterilization effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs disposable polymeric containers and tubing that can be sterilized by electron beam. This eliminates the need for expensive, frequently replaced mechanical filters, as the disposable components can be sterilized in place and then discarded after a single use, reducing both filter replacement costs and system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 enhances fluid flow rates and reduces costs by eliminating the need for expensive sterilization filters, while ensuring effective sterilization of fluids without damaging sensitive biologics.

Implementation Method 1

Instead of using a sterilization filter to remove bacteria, the systems and methods sterilize the fluid using an electron beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectron beam: Electron Beam

Data Source

PatentUS11833259B2Containers and systems for processing a fluid

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORP

AI summary

A method for collecting a sterilized fluid includes passing a fluid through an inlet stem and into a chamber of a storage container so that the fluid collects within the chamber of the storage container; and applying a beam of radiation to the inlet stem so that the beam of radiation passes through the inlet stem and through at least a portion of the fluid passing through the inlet stem, the beam of radiation at least partially sterilizing the fluid passing through the inlet stem and into the chamber of the storage container.