Hyperbaric Incubation System with CO2 Exhaust Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell culture incubators struggle to provide hyperbaric conditions necessary for optimal cell growth, as they fail to effectively manage CO2 levels and maintain stable pH conditions.
Innovation Solution
A hyperbaric incubation system comprising a compressor, hyperbaric chamber, reservoir, incubator, and exhaust container, which uses pressurized air to create hyperbaric conditions and an exhaust pump to regulate CO2 levels and maintain stable pH.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hyperbaric conditions are applied to cell culture incubation, then cell growth optimization is achieved, but CO2 accumulation and pH instability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes CO2 from the hyperbaric chamber environment using a CO2 removal system. The system continuously monitors CO2 levels and actively removes accumulated CO2 to maintain stable pH conditions while preserving the beneficial hyperbaric pressure environment for cell growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors CO2 levels and pH conditions in the hyperbaric chamber. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts CO2 removal rates and ventilation to maintain optimal conditions for cell growth while preventing harmful CO2 accumulation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If hyperbaric chamber is sealed to maintain pressure, then hyperbaric conditions are maintained, but access to cell culture containers becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hyperbaric chamber into separate access ports or hatches that allow selective access to cell culture containers without compromising the overall sealed environment. This segmentation enables researchers to access specific containers while maintaining hyperbaric conditions in the remaining chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary access mechanisms such as transfer chambers or robotic manipulation systems that bridge the gap between the sealed hyperbaric environment and the external atmosphere, allowing container access without direct opening of the main chamber.
3Stress or pressure
If pressurized air is supplied to hyperbaric chamber, then hyperbaric conditions are established, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the pressurization system to serve multiple functions: establishing hyperbaric conditions, controlling gas composition, and enabling CO2 removal. By integrating these functions into a unified system, the patent reduces overall complexity while maintaining effective hyperbaric operation.
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 system effectively maintains hyperbaric conditions and stable pH levels in cell cultures, promoting optimal growth and preventing acidity-related cell culture death.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor for providing pressurized air
Implementation Method 2
an exhaust pump in fluid communication with the exhaust container inlet for drawing the CO2 enriched pressurized air out of the incubator
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for incubation of cell cultures. The system can include a compressor for providing airflow at atmospheric or hyperbaric conditions, a reservoir, an incubator for housing cell cultures that produce CO2 enriched airflow, an exhaust container, and an exhaust pump in the exhaust container and in fluid communication with the incubator for drawing CO2 enriched airflow out of the incubator to maintain a stable pH level for the cell culture.