Layered Cell Culture Particles for Media Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cell culture media compositions are prone to instability due to adverse interactions between reactive and sensitive components, leading to degradation under thermal, irradiation, and photochemical stress, which requires costly storage and handling.

Innovation Solution

A method of creating layered granules through fluid bed processing, where reactive and sensitive components are segregated into separate layers, with antioxidants and neutral components intermingled to stabilize the media, using solvents sprayed in specific sequences and drying conditions to form stable dry powder media.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If reactive and sensitive components are mixed together in cell culture media, then the media can be formulated with all necessary components, but the media becomes unstable due to adverse interactions between reactive and sensitive components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of media formulationVSAvoidstability of media composition
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The media components are segmented into reactive species and sensitive species, which are physically separated into different layers within the particle structure. This segmentation prevents adverse interactions while maintaining all necessary components in the formulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a nested structure where reactive and sensitive components are embedded in separate layers within the same particle. The particles contain multiple concentric layers, with reactive species in one layer and sensitive species in another, allowing both to coexist without interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If cell culture media is stored in liquid form with all components mixed, then it is ready for use, but it requires costly refrigerated storage and has limited shelf life due to degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereadiness for useVSAvoidshelf life and storage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the media from liquid to dry powder form. This parameter change allows the media to be stored at ambient temperature with extended shelf life, while still being reconstituted to liquid form immediately before use to maintain readiness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The media components are pre-formulated into stable dry powder particles with segregated layers. This preliminary action of creating stable dry particles allows the media to be stored without degradation, and the reconstitution to liquid form is performed just before use to ensure stability during storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If reactive species are present in the media, then the media can provide necessary chemical reactions for cell growth, but they interact adversely with sensitive species causing degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell growth supportVSAvoidadverse interactions and degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a physical barrier (separate layer) as an intermediary between reactive and sensitive species. This intermediary prevents direct contact and adverse interactions while allowing both species to fulfill their functional roles when the media is reconstituted and mixed during cell culture use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 method enhances the stability of cell culture media against thermal, irradiation, and photochemical degradation, allowing for a more cost-effective and stable dry format for cell culture applications.

Implementation Method 1

subjecting a dry powder to suspension in a moving column of a gas in a fluid bed apparatus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluidization: Fluidisation

Implementation Method 2

introducing at least one solvent using a sprayer into the dry powder of step (i) to form a layered base particle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Implementation Method 3

drying the layered base particle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3397749B1Layered cell culture particles and methods of making thereof
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORP
  • EP3397749B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3397749B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3397749B1 patent drawingFigure 1b

AI summary

The present invention is directed to dry cell culture media or feeds comprising layered particles. The less stable or sensitive components are separated spatially from reactive components in media, feeds, supplements, or concentrates due to layering. The invention relates to processes for preparing such layered compositions and methods of making cell culture compositions that are stable, thermally, photo-chemically and/or to gamma irradiation. The invention also relates to kits and culture systems using media layered particles.