Method and device for cooling or heating bio-pharmaceutical fluids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling and heating devices are less effective for bio-pharmaceutical fluids stored in containers with Single Use Bags or bottles, as they lack direct heat transfer and are not as easy to use as those designed for containers with flat configurations.

Innovation Solution

A cooling or heating device with a container support surface and air blowers that blow air onto cooling plates or between them, allowing for efficient cooling or heating of fluids in both bottles and containers with Single Use Bags by transferring heat through the air.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a gaseous cooling medium is prepared outside the housing and conducted into the housing (blast freezer method), then the device can handle bottles, but the cooling effectiveness is reduced due to lack of direct heat transfer between containers and cooling plates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle bottlesVSAvoidcooling effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into multiple chambers or zones, each equipped with its own cooling plates and air blowers. This segmentation allows simultaneous processing of different container types (bottles on support surfaces, Single Use Bags between cooling plates) with optimized cooling for each zone, resolving the contradiction between versatility and cooling effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Air blowers serve as intermediaries that force cooled air from the cooling plates to circulate throughout the housing, including areas with bottles on support surfaces. This intermediary air flow mechanism enables effective cooling of bottles without requiring direct contact between bottles and cooling plates, maintaining both versatility and effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If cooling plates are arranged for direct contact with containers, then cooling effectiveness is improved for Single Use Bags, but ease of operation is reduced for bottles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidease of use

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container support surfaces are designed to be movable or adjustable within the housing, allowing operators to easily insert and remove bottles without disassembling the entire device. The cooling plates remain fixed for direct contact with Single Use Bags, while bottles dynamically occupy spaces on adjustable support surfaces, resolving the contradiction between cooling effectiveness and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is designed with multi-functional capabilities to accommodate both bottles on support surfaces and Single Use Bags between cooling plates simultaneously. Air blowers provide universal cooling coverage for both container types, while separate loading zones allow easy operation for each type without compromising the other's cooling effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If air blowers are added to blow air onto cooling plates, then cooling effectiveness for bottles is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Air blowers utilize pneumatic principles to force cooled air circulation within the housing. By leveraging existing air cooling from the cooling plates and simply adding forced circulation capability, the system achieves enhanced cooling effectiveness for bottles without requiring complex mechanical or thermal systems, thus improving productivity with minimal increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 solution enables quick and homogeneous freezing or thawing of bio-pharmaceutical fluids in bottles, improving ease of use and effectiveness compared to blast freezers, and can handle multiple containers simultaneously.

Implementation Method 1

The air which is blown onto the cooling plates and/or into spaces between the cooling plates is cooled or heated by heat transfer to or from the cooling plates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

cooling or heating the air inside the housing by guiding a cooling or heating medium through at least one cooling channel disposed inside cooling plates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20230121590A1Method and device for cooling or heating bio-pharmaceutical fluids

Publication Date: 2023.04.20 SINGLE USE SUPPORT GMBH

AI summary

A cooling or heating device for cooling and/or heating fluids includes a housing and a plurality of cooling plates. The cooling plates are arranged inside the housing, and the cooling plates each comprise at least one cooling channel for guiding a cooling or heating medium through the cooling plates. A container support surface is provided for arranging at least one first container containing a fluid to be heated or cooled inside the housing, and there is a first air blower in the housing for blowing air onto the cooling plates and/or into spaces between the cooling plates.