Modular Bioreactor for Aseptic Tissue Construct Perfusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bioprinting methods require manual handling of tissue constructs, which can lead to risks of dropping or contamination when transferring them from printing vessels to incubation and/or perfusion vessels.
Innovation Solution
A modular bioreactor with a housing defining a perfusion chamber, including ports for fluid circulation, a sample holder, and detachable modules for applying biological agents, sensors, and imaging devices, allowing aseptic handling and observation of tissue constructs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling is used to transfer tissue constructs from printing vessels to incubation/perfusion vessels, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risks of dropping or contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the printing vessel and incubation/perfusion vessel into a single integrated bioreactor system. The tissue construct remains in the same chamber throughout the entire process, eliminating the need for manual transfer between vessels. This integration maintains operational simplicity while eliminating contamination risks associated with handling and transferring delicate tissue constructs.
2Device complexity
If manual handling is used to transfer tissue constructs, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to handling errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple vessel functions into a single bioreactor chamber, maintaining low device complexity while eliminating handling errors. The tissue construct is printed and then incubated/perfused in the same chamber, removing the transfer step that causes precision losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a removable insert or module that can be placed inside the bioreactor chamber. This intermediary component allows the tissue construct to be transferred from the printing vessel to the insert, and then the entire insert can be lowered into the perfusion chamber without direct manual handling of the tissue itself, preserving precision while maintaining simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A bioreactor comprising a housing defining a perfusion chamber, the housing including at least one port, wherein the at least one port is coupled to the housing, and a sample holder positioned within the perfusion chamber. A bioreactor and spheroid-based biofabrication method for making perfusible tissue constructs and perfusing them.