Modular Bioengineering System with Partitioned Base for Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biotechnical and medical engineering systems for influencing biological media, cells, and tissue-like structures lack modularity and efficiency, often resulting in leakage issues and complex configurations that complicate user-specific implementations.
Innovation Solution
A modular system featuring a trough-shaped base body with interconnected elements, including a container for liquid medium, a conveyor device, gassing filters, sensors, and a bioreactor, where the drive means can be externally connected, and the system is designed to prevent medium leakage with a partitioned layout and sterile components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a modular system with interconnected elements is used, then adaptability and ease of implementation are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular functional units (bioreactor module, gassing unit, container, conveyor device, filters, sensors) that can be independently configured and connected according to specific application requirements. Each module has standardized connection interfaces that simplify assembly while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed with universal connection standards and interfaces that allow the same basic modules to serve multiple functions across different applications. For example, the conveyor device can transport different media types, and filters can handle various fluid streams, reducing the need for application-specific customizations.
2Reliability
If a trough-shaped base body with partitioned layout is used, then reliability and leakage prevention are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trough-shaped base body is divided into separate compartments by partition walls, creating isolated zones for different media or functions. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination and leakage between different fluid streams while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Partition walls act as intermediary structures that physically separate different media compartments. These partitions provide a reliable barrier against leakage while allowing controlled interaction between compartments through designated connection points and standardized interfaces.
3Ease of operation
If drive means are externally connected, then ease of operation and maintenance are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive means (motors, pumps) are extracted from the main process modules and placed in separate, externally accessible locations. This allows drive components to be independently maintained, replaced, or adjusted without disrupting the sterile process environment or requiring disassembly of connected modules.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection interfaces and coupling mechanisms serve as intermediaries between the externally located drive means and the process modules. These standardized connections enable easy attachment and detachment of drive components while maintaining sealed, leak-free interfaces for media transfer.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If sterile components and partitioned layout are used, then object-generated harmful factors are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses partitioned layouts with separate compartments for sterile and non-sterile zones. This physical segmentation allows independent sterilization of process compartments while keeping support functions outside the sterile environment, reducing overall complexity compared to fully enclosed sterile systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Non-sterile components (drive means, external connections, utility interfaces) are extracted from the sterile process environment and placed in separate external locations. This extraction maintains sterility within process compartments without requiring the entire system to be sterile, simplifying the overall design.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to bioengineering and medical modular systems for implementing a self-contained appliance for affecting biological media, cells, tissue and tissue-like structures as objects. For this purpose, a tub-like base (1) for placing elements that can be connected to one another is present. In addition, at least one container (2) for a liquid medium, a transport appliance (3) for liquid medium, connecting elements, filters for introducing and venting gas (4), at least one filter (5) having a connection element for medium, elements for connection to at least one bioreactor (6), at least one gas-introduction unit or a combination having at least one bioreactor and at least one gas-introduction unit are components of the modular system. In addition, a region for at least one bioreactor, at least one gas-introduction unit or a combination having at least one bioreactor and at least one gas-introduction unit are present. The regions for the container and for the bioreactor are separated from one another by a partition (8).