Movable-Bottom Bioreactor Tray for Rocking Cell Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bioreactors face challenges in efficiently culturing low volume cell cultures due to risks of cell loss and contamination during transfer and require significant cleanroom space, while rocking bioreactors are not suitable for early cell expansion without causing damage.
Innovation Solution
A tray with a movable bottom part that adapts to different volumes, allowing the same bioreactor to be used for both small and large cultures, featuring separate heaters and a temperature sensor for precise temperature control, and a positioning device for adjusting the bottom configuration based on volume or weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size tray is used in a rocking bioreactor, then the structure is simple, but cells can be destroyed by rocking motion when culture volume is low
Solution Approach 1:
The tray bottom is designed with movable bottom parts that can change position between a first position (flush with each other for large volumes) and a second position (recessed middle part for small volumes). This dynamic adjustment allows the same tray to adapt to different culture volumes, preventing cell destruction during rocking motion while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom of the tray is divided into multiple bottom parts (first bottom part and second bottom part) that can move independently. This segmentation enables the bottom to be reconfigured between different positions, allowing the tray to accommodate both small and large culture volumes effectively.
2Productivity
If cells are transferred from incubators to rocking bioreactors, then larger scale culture is achieved, but risk of cell loss and contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is designed to be universal and can be used for both early cell expansion (small volumes) and later cell expansion (large volumes) in the same rocking bioreactor. By adjusting the bottom parts to the appropriate position, the tray eliminates the need to transfer cells between different types of containers, thereby maintaining cell integrity while achieving scalable culture volumes.
3Reliability
If incubators are used for early cell expansion, then cell culture is maintained, but significant cleanroom space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functionality of incubators and rocking bioreactors by enabling the rocking bioreactor to perform early cell expansion using the same tray configuration. This eliminates the need for separate incubator equipment and reduces the required cleanroom space while maintaining cell culture reliability.
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
Reduces the risk of cell loss and contamination by maintaining cell culture integrity during rocking motion and optimizing temperature control, while minimizing the need for cleanroom space.
Implementation Method 1
each bottom part comprises at least one heater
Implementation Method 2
the middle part comprises a temperature sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A tray configured to be provided on a base station of a bioreactor system, said tray comprising a bottom and surrounding side walls and being configured to hold a bioreactor bag, said bottom comprising at least two bottom parts, whereof one is a middle part of the bottom, wherein at least one of the bottom parts is movable into at least a first and a second position, wherein said first position provides the bottom parts substantially flush with each other providing a substantially plane bottom of the tray and said second position provides a bottom of the tray having a recessed middle part.