Parallel Cell Culture System with Series Vessel Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cell culture systems lack the capability to culture cells in parallel efficiently, limiting the simultaneous processing and management of multiple cell samples.
Innovation Solution
A culturing system comprising a cell storage, multiple culture apparatuses with connected culture vessels, and a distribution flow path that allows for sequential transfer of cells and fluids among vessels, utilizing valves and flow paths to manage fluid supply, connection, and discharge, enabling parallel cell culture operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cells are cultured in separate individual systems, then each cell sample can be cultured independently, but the processing efficiency and scalability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple culture vessels into a single integrated culture apparatus where multiple vessels are connected through a common fluid supply system. This allows multiple cell samples to be cultured simultaneously in parallel while sharing common infrastructure (fluid supply, control systems), thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The culture apparatus is designed with universal components that can serve multiple functions. The fluid supply system can selectively supply fluid to different vessels, and the vessels themselves can be used for different cell types or culture conditions while following the same operational paradigm, enabling scalable parallel processing
2Productivity
If multiple culture vessels are connected in series, then cells can be sequentially transferred among vessels for parallel processing, but the fluid management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic fluid management where the supply path can selectively connect to different vessels based on operational requirements. Valves and flow control mechanisms allow the fluid supply system to dynamically route fluids to specific vessels, enabling sequential transfer and parallel processing without requiring permanent complex interconnections between all vessels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary fluid supply system that acts as a mediator between the external environment and multiple culture vessels. This intermediary system manages the complexity of fluid distribution by providing a centralized control point, where a single fluid source can be selectively distributed to multiple vessels through controlled pathways, simplifying overall fluid management
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 efficient parallel culturing of cells across multiple vessels, facilitating simultaneous processing and management of multiple cell samples, improving the scalability and efficiency of cell culture operations.
Implementation Method 1
a supply flow path configured to selectively supply a fluid from the distribution flow path to the culture vessels
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a culturing system and method for culturing cells that can culture cells in parallel. The culturing system comprises a cell storage 10 configured to store cells, a plurality of culture apparatuses 20, and a distribution flow path 30 configured to distribute the cells from the cell storage 10 to the culture apparatuses 20, in which each of the culture apparatuses 20 comprises a plurality of culture vessels 21, a supply flow path 22 configured to selectively supply a fluid from the distribution flow path 30 to the culture vessels 21, and a connection flow path 23 configured to connect the culture vessels 21; the culture vessels 21 are connected in series with the connection flow path 23 in each of the culture apparatuses 20; and the supply flow path 22 is configured to selectively supply the fluid to the culture vessels so that the cells are sequentially transferred among the culture vessels 21 through the connection flow path 23 in each of the culture apparatuses 20.