Flexible Membrane Agitation for Bioreactor Sterility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for agitating fluids in closed containers face challenges such as poor control over agitation intensity, limited automation due to tubing entanglement, reduced efficacy due to direct agitation in only a portion of the vessel, and incompatibility with certain sterilization technologies, particularly in controlled environments.
Innovation Solution
A device with a flexible container wall and internal movable stirring means, where the external surface of the flexible element interferes with an external impulsion mechanism, transmitting movement to the stirring means through the flexible element, allowing for controlled agitation without introducing external pieces, and incorporating features like protrusions, gear wheels, and thermostating for improved fluid handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If external pieces are introduced inside the container to achieve agitation, then the fluid can be agitated effectively, but the watertightness and sterility of the container cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane acts as an intermediary element that transmits mechanical deformation from external impulsion means to internal stirring means without allowing direct contact between external and internal components. This mediator enables agitation effectiveness while maintaining container seal integrity and sterility.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane is a thin film structure that can deform mechanically to transmit motion while maintaining fluid containment. It allows the container to remain sealed and sterile while still enabling effective fluid agitation through the transmitted deformation.
2Productivity
If metallic components are used inside the vessel for agitation, then the mixing effect is improved, but sterilization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic stirring components are extracted from the internal environment and placed outside the container, interacting with the flexible membrane from the external side. This eliminates metallic components inside the vessel, making sterilization straightforward while preserving mixing effectiveness through membrane-transmitted mechanical deformation.
3Device complexity
If direct agitation is applied in a reduced volume of vessel content, then the agitation mechanism is simpler, but the overall efficacy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane introduces a dimensional transition from external to internal space, allowing the stirring action to be transmitted throughout the entire fluid volume in the container rather than being limited to a reduced volume near the agitation mechanism. This maintains simplicity while improving overall efficacy.
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 solution provides controlled, non-intrusive agitation with enhanced watertightness and sterility, enabling continuous fluid feeding and extraction, and is suitable for a wide range of biotechnological applications, including cell culture and fluid mixing, while being compatible with sterilization methods.
Implementation Method 1
the external surface of the first flexible element is adapted to interfere mechanically with an external movable impulsion means thus creating a deformation on the internal surface of the first flexible element
Data Source
AI summary
A device for non intrusive agitation of a fluid is provided, including a container adapted to contain the fluid, at least one of the walls thereof includes a membrane and a main movable stirring means inside the container adapted to stir at least the fluid. The first flexible element is adapted to interfere mechanically with an external movable impulsion means, thus creating a deformation which has a mechanical interference with the main movable stirring means. This movement of such impulsion means is transmitted to the main movable stirring means by the interposition of the first flexible element.