Modular Reaction Vessel with Interchangeable Lids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disposable reaction vessels for life-science research, such as dialyzers and membrane reactors, are limited by their fixed geometry and high manufacturing costs due to the need for multiple units to handle varying sample volumes and integrate sensor technology, leading to increased costs and contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A modular system comprising base bodies with semipermeable membranes and interchangeable lids with various functional features, allowing for flexible volume matching and integration of sensors, enabling efficient sample handling, mixing, and online measurements while maintaining a low manufacturing cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed-geometry dialyzers are manufactured to handle different sample volumes, then volume range coverage is improved, but manufacturing cost per unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single base body that can accommodate multiple sample volumes through interchangeable inserts. Instead of manufacturing separate dialyzers for different volumes, one base body with multiple inserts provides the same functionality across a range of volumes, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost per unit while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the dialyzer into a reusable base body and replaceable inserts. This segmentation allows the expensive base body to be manufactured once and used repeatedly, while only the cheaper inserts need to be produced in multiple variants for different volumes, thereby reducing the overall manufacturing cost per unit while maintaining volume range coverage.
2Reliability
If disposable vessels are used to avoid contamination and cleaning effort, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle to the inserts, which are designed as single-use components that can be discarded after one use. This maintains the reliability benefits of disposable vessels (contamination avoidance) while reducing overall cost by making only the insert disposable rather than the entire dialyzer, allowing the expensive base body to be reused.
3Measurement precision
If sensor technology is integrated into reaction vessels, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing sensors inside the insert, which itself is nested within the base body. This nested structure allows sensor integration without significantly increasing external complexity, as the sensors are contained within the existing insert geometry that already fits into the base body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing the insert to serve multiple functions: containing the sample, providing the semipermeable membrane interface, and housing the sensor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby integrating measurement precision capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
4Speed
If capillary geometry is used for rapid dialysis, then dialysis speed is improved, but sample volume is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from capillary (1D/2D) geometry to a three-dimensional insert structure. This allows the sample volume to be expanded in multiple dimensions while maintaining the rapid dialysis capability through the semipermeable membrane surface area, effectively decoupling volume limitations from dialysis speed.
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 system provides a cost-effective, versatile, and contamination-free solution for biological and chemical methods by enabling large-scale use of disposable vessels with flexible volume options and integrated sensor capabilities, reducing the need for multiple units and minimizing handling efforts.
Implementation Method 1
The base body (11) forms an inner volume (17) with at least one semipermeable membrane (16) as lateral wall
Implementation Method 2
The functional support (13) comprises, in the region of its distal end (19), one or more functional features (14)... At its proximal end (18), the functional support (13) is connected to a sealing section (20) of the lid (12)... contacting elements for supply of power and/or transmission of data
Data Source
AI summary
The invention having functional vertical disposable reaction systems having a vertically mounted semipermeable membrane for sample preparation, chemical reactions, dialysis, enzymatic/microbiological fermentation, multistage processes, in vitro protein biosynthesis on a laboratory scale, formed from a base body and an exchangeable lid having different functions. For exchange across the membrane, the system is placed vertically into an outer volume consisting of gas, liquid or solid constituents. The system consists of a dimensionally stable base body and a liquid-tight lid having a functional support going toward the base of the base body, the dimensionally stable base body forming at least one noncapillary reaction space as inner volume with at least one semipermeable membrane as lateral wall. The high flexibility in use results from the combination of variants of the base bodies with different lid variants for different areas of use. The base bodies having different membranes and volumes can be coupled with lids having different feeding openings, contacts, sensor supports, gas supply means, circulation means, etc. This yields, in the case of m different base bodies and n different lid variants, m×n combinations having different properties.