Modular Flow Cell Receptacle for On-Demand Buffer Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid management and processing systems, particularly in bioprocessing, face challenges in efficiently managing and transporting large quantities of buffer solutions, leading to significant footprints and inefficiencies in buffer preparation and usage.
Innovation Solution
A flow cell design with a body having an inlet and outlet, a fluid flow channel, and receptacles for accommodating various functional elements, ensuring unobstructed fluid flow and adaptability to different configurations, materials, and functional elements, which can be sterilized and used in multiple applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If buffer solutions are made at full strength and stored in large totes for bioprocessing applications, then sufficient buffer supply is ensured, but substantial footprint and transportation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer solution supply is segmented into concentrated buffer stock solution and diluent (water), which are stored separately in compact containers and mixed on-demand in the bioprocessing system, reducing the footprint required for buffer storage while ensuring sufficient supply
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from storing large volumes of ready-to-use buffer to storing concentrated stock solution and diluent separately, then combining them in a different spatial dimension (on-demand mixing), thereby reducing storage footprint while maintaining buffer availability
2Quantity of substance
If multiple buffer totes are transported and stored in the process suite, then buffer availability is ensured, but system complexity and handling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow cell design incorporates a universal receptacle that can accommodate various functional elements (sensors, actuators, mixing components), allowing a single multi-functional device to replace multiple specialized buffer handling systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while ensuring buffer availability
3Adaptability or versatility
If functional elements are integrated into the flow cell, then fluid control and monitoring capabilities are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow cell employs a universal receptacle design that can accommodate multiple types of functional elements (sensors, actuators, mixing components) in a standardized manner, enabling enhanced fluid control and monitoring capabilities while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through standardization
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a flow cell for use in a fluid management and/or processing system, said flow cell comprising a body having an inlet and an outlet and a fluid flow channel extending from the inlet to the outlet of the body. Said body further comprises a receptacle comprising a chamber forming a part of the fluid flow channel of the body, said chamber comprising a first opening for connecting a functional element to the flow cell such that the functional element is in contact with or exposed to a fluid flow passing through the fluid flow channel. A first tubular connector is arranged adjacent to the inlet of the body. A second tubular connector is arranged adjacent to the outlet of the body. The flow cell further comprises a functional element and a fluid flow path extending from the first tubular connector through the inlet of the body, the body and its receptacle to the outlet of the body to the second tubular connector. The invention further relates to fluid management and/or processing systems comprising a tubing arrangement and one or more flow cells.