Modular Bioreactor Interchangeable Compliance Chambers

Solution Overview

Problem

Current bioreactors are inadequate in simulating the complex physiological conditions necessary for conditioning implantable tissues, such as heart valves, as they often fail to replicate the full range of pulsatile flow characteristics and pressures found in vivo, and are cumbersome to operate and maintain.

Innovation Solution

A modular bioreactor system with interchangeable compliance chambers that can simulate various physiological conditions by establishing pressure differentials and stroke volumes, allowing for the conditioning of tissues under realistic pulsatile flow conditions, including low and high-pressure environments, and enabling the use of different flow directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If current bioreactors are used to condition implantable tissues, then the basic conditioning function is provided, but they fail to replicate the full range of pulsatile flow characteristics and pressures found in vivo

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysiological condition simulation capabilityVSAvoidin vivo condition replication accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bioreactor is divided into separate functional modules including a compliance chamber, flow chamber, and reservoir that can be independently configured. The compliance chamber specifically isolates and controls pressure differential generation, allowing independent optimization of pulsatile flow characteristics without affecting other conditioning functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The compliance chamber introduces dynamic pressure differential control to the bioreactor system. By positioning the compliance chamber to create height-based pressure gradients, the system dynamically replicates in vivo pulsatile flow conditions with varying pressure differentials and stroke volumes, transforming static conditioning to dynamic physiological simulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a modular bioreactor system with compliance chambers is implemented, then physiological condition simulation is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysiological condition simulation capabilityVSAvoidsystem assembly and operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bioreactor is divided into separate functional modules including a compliance chamber, flow chamber, and reservoir that can be independently configured. The compliance chamber specifically isolates and controls pressure differential generation, allowing independent optimization of pulsatile flow characteristics without affecting other conditioning functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The compliance chamber serves multiple functions simultaneously: it generates pressure differentials, controls stroke volume, and provides compliance for physiological pulse wave simulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies overall system architecture despite the added capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stress or pressure

If compliance chambers are designed with variable cross-sectional areas, then pressure differential control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure differential control precisionVSAvoidconduit fabrication complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The compliance chamber utilizes variable cross-sectional area along its length to control pressure differential characteristics. By changing the geometric parameter (cross-sectional area) along the conduit, the system achieves precise pressure control without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, simplifying operation despite manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 modular bioreactor system effectively conditions tissues by replicating in vivo conditions, facilitating cell attachment and growth, and allowing for the development of functional, long-term implantable tissues that can adapt to physiological stresses, thereby reducing thrombogenicity and improving tissue durability.

Implementation Method 1

the first end of the fluid conduit can be vertically lower than the second end when the bioreactor is assembled such that upon addition of a liquid to the conduit a pressure head is established in the conduit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure head: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

A modular bioreactor system with interchangeable compliance chambers that can simulate various physiological conditions by establishing pressure differentials and stroke volumes, allowing for the conditioning of tissues under realistic pulsatile flow conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPulsatile flow:

Data Source

PatentUS11773362B2Modular bioreactor, compliance chamber for a bioreactor, and cell seeding apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 CLEMSON UNIV RES FOUND

AI summary

Bioreactors and components of bioreactors are described as may be beneficially utilized in development and conditioning of cellular materials for study or implant. The bioreactors are modular, and components of the bioreactors can be easily assembled with alternatives provided to develop specific, predetermined conditioning environments for cellular materials (e.g., implantable tissue). By selection of one of multiple alternative compliance chambers, a bioreactor can be utilized to condition tissue in a low-pressure circuit (e.g., a pulmonary heart circuit), and by utilization of an alternative compliance chamber, the bioreactor can instead condition tissue in a high-pressure circuit (e.g., an aortic heart circuit).