Modular Incubator Tray Assembly for Scalable 3D Cell Culture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bioreactors for cultivating 3D cell aggregates are expensive, limited in capacity, and not suitable for smaller culture vessels, requiring multiple devices for larger studies, which is costly and space-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A modular carrier unit for an incubator that allows for cost-effective and space-saving cell cultivation, comprising a carrier body with a drive transmission unit and connection interfaces, enabling the assembly of multiple units to meet capacity requirements, with drive units and culture vessel receiving units for rotary motion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If commercially available bioreactors are used for cultivating 3D cell aggregates, then the cell cultivation function is provided, but the device capacity is limited to maximum four culture vessels and the cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice capacityVSAvoidnumber of devices required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bioreactor system is divided into multiple modular carrier units, each capable of holding culture vessels. These modular units can be connected in series to expand the total capacity from four vessels to twelve or more vessels, allowing the system to scale according to research needs without requiring multiple separate bioreactors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular carrier units are designed with universal connection interfaces that allow them to be linked together in various configurations. Each carrier unit can function independently or in combination with others, providing a flexible platform that adapts to different cultivation requirements and scales.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple bioreactors are purchased to examine larger patient cohorts or more drug concentrations, then the cultivation capacity increases, but the cost and space requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of culture vesselsVSAvoidnumber of devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple modular carrier units are merged into a single integrated bioreactor system through connection interfaces. This combining approach allows the system to accommodate twelve or more culture vessels in one device, eliminating the need to purchase and operate multiple separate bioreactors for large-scale studies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If culture vessels with larger capacity (250 ml or 500 ml) are used, then the cultivation volume increases, but the number of vessels that can be used simultaneously decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveculture vessel capacityVSAvoidparallel cultivation capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The modular carrier units are arranged in a vertical configuration within the bioreactor chamber, utilizing the vertical space dimension. This allows multiple large-capacity culture vessels (250 ml or 500 ml) to be positioned at different heights and angles, enabling parallel cultivation of six or more large vessels simultaneously without excessive horizontal space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables flexible and efficient cultivation of 3D cell aggregates with adjustable conditions, reducing costs and space requirements by allowing scalable assembly of modular units.

Implementation Method 1

which create gentle turbulence with reduced shear forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP4663743A1Modular tray unit and modular unit for incubator, and incubator using it, and incubator

Publication Date: 2025.12.17 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV

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AI summary

Modular carrier unit (1) for an incubator (2), in particular for a module unit (3) of an incubator (2), comprising a carrier body (10) having a receiving opening (100) designed to receive a culture vessel (5) or a drive unit (6), and three, four or more side surfaces (S1, S2, S3, S4), wherein at least one of the side surfaces (S1, S2, S3, S4) has a first connection interface (101) designed to connect the modular carrier unit (1) to another modular carrier unit (1), a drive transmission unit (20) designed to transmit a drive torque and arranged on the carrier body (10), the drive transmission unit (20) comprising: at least a first drive transmission interface (201) which can be coupled to the culture vessel (5) or the drive unit (6), a second drive transmission interface (202),which can be coupled to a second drive transmission interface (202) of a drive transmission unit (20) of the further modular carrier unit (1) or the drive unit (6).