Optical Sensor Attachment for Flexible Bioreactor Bags
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attachment methods for optical sensors in flexible bioreactor bags are inefficient, as they often fail to maintain the sensor within the culture due to support structure limitations and chemical incompatibility, and require adaptation of the support structure, which complicates their placement and stability.
Innovation Solution
A sensor attachment arrangement that integrates a sensor holding part within the bag, secured by welding, and an adaptor part with locking mechanisms to securely position an optical fibre, allowing the sensor to be placed on the inside while maintaining a flat profile and avoiding direct attachment to the support structure, using materials compatible with the bag and sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sensor is provided from the upper side of the bag, then the sensor placement is convenient, but the sensor may not remain inside the culture all the time
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is divided into separate components: a sensor holder that attaches to the bag and a support structure that provides stability. This segmentation allows the sensor to be positioned correctly within the culture while maintaining placement convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor holder is pre-equipped with attachment mechanisms (such as magnets or clamps) that enable the sensor to be securely fixed to the bag before use, ensuring it remains in position throughout the experiment without requiring complex support structure adaptations.
2Ease of manufacture
If the optical sensor is attached directly on the bag material, then the attachment is simple, but chemical incompatibility occurs
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate sensor holder component is introduced between the optical sensor and the bag material. This holder is made of chemically compatible materials (such as inert plastic or metal) that do not react with the bag material or culture, while still providing secure attachment points for the sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor holder is constructed from composite or specially selected materials that combine chemical inertness with mechanical attachment capabilities, resolving the conflict between simple attachment and chemical compatibility.
3Shape
If the sensor assembly is made flat, then the sensor remains under the liquid surface, but the support structure adaptation becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor holder is designed to detach from the support structure, allowing the flat sensor assembly to be used independently without requiring modifications to the support structure. The holder provides the necessary stability while maintaining the flat profile needed for submersion.
4Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned inside the culture, then accurate measurements are obtained, but the sensor may not remain stable due to support structure limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor holder incorporates stabilization mechanisms such as counterbalancing weights or distributed attachment points that counteract forces acting on the sensor within the culture, maintaining stable positioning for accurate measurements without requiring support structure adaptation.
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment arrangement for providing a sensor in a flexible bag, said attachment arrangement comprising: a sensor holding part adapted to be integrated with the flexible bag and comprising first locking part protruding out form the flexible bag, the sensor holding part holding an optical sensor inside the flexible bag; an adaptor part provided outside the flexible bag and adapted to hold an optical fiber, the adaptor part comprising second locking part adapted to mate with the first locking part to lock the first locking part and the second locking part together such that the optical fiber can communicate with the optical sensor inside the bag.