Integrated Bleed Liquid Filtration System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional perfusion bioreactor systems require additional pumps and ports, increasing complexity, cost, and contamination risks due to separate bleed functions, which complicates automation and reduces efficiency in maintaining desired cell densities.
Innovation Solution
A liquid filtration system that integrates both filtration and bleed functions using a single perfusion pump, eliminating the need for additional pumps and ports by incorporating a bleed outlet on the liquid line, allowing for automated operation and reduced manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate bleed pump is used to remove cell culture liquid, then the cell density can be controlled, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bleed function with the existing perfusion pump by providing a bleed outlet on the liquid line between the pump and bioreactor. This merging of functions eliminates the need for a separate bleed pump, reducing system complexity while maintaining the ability to control cell density through the same pump that performs perfusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The perfusion pump is designed to perform multiple functions: both perfusion (filtering and returning cell culture liquid) and bleeding (removing cell culture liquid to control density). The bleed outlet on the liquid line enables the single pump to universally handle both operations, reducing the number of components needed.
2Reliability
If an additional port is added to the bioreactor for bleeding, then cell culture can be removed, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the bleeding function from the bioreactor port and relocates it to the liquid line between the pump and bioreactor. By providing the bleed outlet on the liquid line rather than adding a port to the bioreactor, the system maintains the ability to remove cell culture while minimizing contamination risk through fewer bioreactor penetrations.
3Ease of operation
If multiple pumps are used for filtration and bleeding, then functions are separated, but sterilization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bleed function into the existing perfusion pump system, so that a single pump performs both filtration and bleeding operations. This reduces the number of components requiring sterilization from two pumps to one, simplifying the sterilization process while maintaining functional separation through controlled operation modes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a separate bleed pump is used, then bleeding function is independent, but automation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single perfusion pump is designed to perform both perfusion and bleeding functions through a bleed outlet on the liquid line. This multi-functionality reduces automation complexity by eliminating the need to coordinate two separate pumps, while the system remains adaptable by allowing independent control of the bleed outlet to achieve desired cell density.
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 integration simplifies the system, reduces contamination risks, and enhances throughput by using a single pump for both filtration and bleed operations, reducing the number of components that need sterilization and minimizing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
a filter 140 configured to filter cell culture liquid passing therethrough
Implementation Method 2
a perfusion pump 110 configured to move cell culture liquid between the bioreactor 130 and the filter 140
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid filtration system according to the present invention comprises a bioreactor; a filter configured to filter liquid passing therethrough; a perfusion pump configured to move liquid between the bioreactor and the filter; a liquid line providing fluidic communication between the bioreactor, perfusion pump and filter; and a bleed outlet provided on the liquid line, the bleed outlet configured to provide means to remove liquid selectively from the system under the action of the perfusion pump. With the liquid filtration system according to the present invention, both the filtering and bleed functions may be performed under the action of a single pump, thereby significantly reducing the complexity and cost of the components required.