Flow Diverter Flange for Complete Cell Culture Vessel Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cell culture flasks do not allow for complete drainage of fluid, leading to retention in corners and near the drain port, which can contaminate growth surfaces and hinder the removal of nutrient media and cellular contents, especially when using robotic manipulation in high throughput applications.
Innovation Solution
A cell growth vessel with a flow diverter flange positioned in the path of liquid flow, redirecting fluid from internal surfaces and edges towards the port, facilitating complete drainage by engaging the vessel walls and forming an angle less than 180°, preferably 90°, to direct fluid outward through the port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fluid is poured out of the vessel, then fluid removal efficiency is improved, but capillary action causes fluid retention in corners and near the drain port
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a drain port positioned at the bottom of the vessel that extends into the internal volume, creating a three-dimensional drainage pathway. This allows fluid to be removed from multiple locations simultaneously (bottom center and corners), overcoming the two-dimensional limitation of surface pouring and eliminating capillary retention in corners.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain port acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates complete fluid removal. It provides a dedicated pathway that bypasses the capillary action problem at the surface, allowing fluid to be drained directly from the bottom of the vessel without relying on surface tension effects.
2Ease of operation
If a canula or syringe tip is used to collect remaining media, then fluid removal is improved, but the tip cannot reach corner areas of the vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The drain port extends vertically into the internal volume of the vessel from the bottom, creating access to three-dimensional spaces including corner areas that are inaccessible to horizontal canula or syringe tip insertion. This vertical dimension allows complete drainage of all fluid pockets.
3Loss of substance
If the vessel is banged to break capillary force, then fluid retention is reduced, but the external structure and internal components may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The drain port provides a gentle, non-destructive mechanism for complete fluid removal. Instead of applying mechanical shock (banging) to overcome capillary forces, the drain port creates a dedicated pathway that allows fluid to be drained completely through capillary action and gravity alone, preserving vessel integrity.
4Ease of operation
If a sloping feature is added to enable easier media removal, then drainage is improved, but fluid still pools at the bottom-most portion of the sloped end wall
Solution Approach 1:
The drain port extends vertically into the internal volume from the bottom, creating a third dimension of drainage access. This allows fluid to be removed from the bottom-most portions of the vessel that cannot be reached by surface-level sloping features alone, eliminating pooling at the bottom wall.
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 vessel effectively reduces fluid retention and contamination by ensuring thorough drainage of liquid media from internal surfaces, making it suitable for high throughput applications and robotic manipulation without damaging the flask structure.
Implementation Method 1
capillary action can cause some of the fluid to be retained in comers or where vessel walls meet perpendicular to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A vessel for culturing of cells is disclosed. The vessel is capable of exhausting substantially all liquid material from the vessel's internal volume through an outlet port. A flange incorporated with the outlet port is utilized as a flow diverter for removing liquid media from internal surfaces of the vessel. The flange also engages the vessel body so that the flow of a liquid medium is directed outward from the internal surfaces of the vessel through the outlet port. The top surface, flange base, and planar surfaces of the flange further assist to redirect surface tension of the fluid toward the port.