Perfusion Bioreactor Feed and Waste Layout for Continuous Cell Culture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for scaling up the production of animal cells are cumbersome, lengthy, and difficult to reproduce, lacking robust protocols for scalability and efficiency in cell culture.
Innovation Solution
A bioreactor system with a separate feed and waste reservoir system, utilizing a cell retention system and a pump to continuously supply medium to the bioreactor, allowing for continuous cell culture by perfusion without frequent refilling, and incorporating a temperature control system for optimal medium conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional bioreactor system is used without separate feed and waste reservoirs, then the system structure is simpler, but frequent manual refilling is required which reduces productivity and increases operational time
Solution Approach 1:
The bioreactor system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a bioreactor chamber, a separate feed reservoir, and a separate waste reservoir. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling continuous operation without manual intervention for refilling or emptying.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed reservoir and waste reservoir are integrated into the bioreactor system in a nested configuration, where the reservoirs are positioned to connect to the bioreactor chamber through fluid pathways. This nested arrangement allows the larger reservoirs to supply and receive fluids from the smaller bioreactor chamber, creating a hierarchical fluid management structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If medium is continuously supplied to maintain constant levels in the bioreactor, then cell culture stability is improved, but the requirement for precise pumping and control increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a self-regulating fluid management mechanism where the feed reservoir automatically supplies medium to the bioreactor chamber, and the waste reservoir automatically receives spent medium. The fluid pathways and level differences create a self-balancing system that maintains medium levels without requiring complex external control mechanisms.
3Productivity
If external feed and waste reservoirs are used with larger capacity, then refilling frequency is reduced improving productivity, but the system occupies more space and increases overall device size
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoirs are configured in a vertical arrangement rather than a horizontal spread, utilizing the vertical dimension to accommodate larger fluid storage capacity. The feed reservoir is positioned above the bioreactor chamber, and the waste reservoir is positioned below or adjacent to it, creating a compact vertical footprint that maximizes storage capacity while minimizing horizontal space occupation.
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 continuous cell culture over extended periods with reduced manual intervention, ensuring consistent medium levels and efficient waste removal, thereby enhancing scalability and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a cell retention system (for example, an alternating tangential flow filtration system) connected to the bioreactor
Implementation Method 2
a feed system comprising a feed reservoir and a pump, with the feed system connected to the at least one reservoir in the bioreactor system
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to systems and methods of culturing cells by perfusion. Such a system comprises a bioreactor system comprising a bioreactor for culturing cells by perfusion in a cell culture medium and at least one reservoir to controllably supply the bioreactor; a cell retention system connected to the bioreactor; a waste reservoir to receive waste from the cell retention system; and a feed system comprising a feed reservoir and a pump, the feed system connected to the at least one reservoir to controllably supply the at least one reservoir in the bioreactor system.