Impeller Guard for Bioreactor Bag Sterility

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Solution Overview

Problem

The preparation of fluids in bioreactor bags often results in damage to the bag, compromising sterility and leading to the loss of valuable fluid.

Innovation Solution

A guard for an impeller is designed with an upper and lower annular ring, along with brace members that securely mount the impeller blades, preventing damage and maintaining sterility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If an impeller is mounted in a bioreactor bag for mixing operations, then mixing effectiveness is improved, but the risk of bag damage and sterility compromise increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing effectivenessVSAvoidsterility maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A guard structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the impeller blades and the bioreactor bag. The guard includes blade receiving grooves that accommodate the impeller blades and brace members with vertical slots and catches that secure the blades, preventing direct contact between the blades and the bag while maintaining mixing effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guard is segmented into multiple functional components: an upper annular ring with blade receiving grooves, a lower annular ring, and multiple brace members with vertical slots and catches. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function in protecting the bag while supporting the impeller blades

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If impeller blades are positioned close to the bioreactor bag wall for effective mixing, then mixing efficiency is improved, but the likelihood of blade damage to the bag increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoidbag damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guard acts as a protective intermediary that allows the impeller blades to operate close to the bag wall for efficient mixing while preventing direct contact. The brace members with vertical slots position the blades optimally, and the catches secure them to prevent accidental contact with the bag

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a guard structure is added to protect the bioreactor bag, then sterility maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoidguard structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple protective functions are merged into a single integrated guard structure. The upper and lower annular rings are connected by multiple brace members, creating a unified assembly that provides blade support, positioning, and protection in one component system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The guard structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the bioreactor bag from blade contact, positions the impeller blades optimally for mixing, secures the blades during operation, and maintains sterility. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12233386B2Impeller guard

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 CYTIVA US LLC

AI summary

Guard for impellers, methods of using the guards, impeller assemblies including the guards mounted to impellers, impeller systems, and biocontainer systems including the impeller systems, are disclosed.