Perfusion Cell Culture Container with Membrane Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluoropolymer cell culture bags face limitations in media supply and waste removal, leading to cell loss and inefficiencies in cell cultivation, as they require manual manipulation and are restricted by the volume of the container.
Innovation Solution
A perfusion cell culture container with membrane-bound compartments allows for the separation of cell culture and media compartments, enabling the continuous replenishment and removal of media without cell loss, using gas permeable polymers and fluoropolymer membranes to maintain optimal oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional fluoropolymer cell culture bags are used with mixed feed media and cells in the culture chamber, then the device is simple and easy to operate, but the media supply is limited to the container volume and cell density cannot be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate compartments: a cell culture chamber and a media storage chamber. This segmentation allows the media volume to exceed the container volume by storing media separately, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The membrane partition creates distinct functional zones without requiring complex mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
A semi-permeable membrane serves as an intermediary between the cell culture chamber and media storage chamber. This membrane allows selective passage of nutrients and waste while maintaining physical separation, enabling continuous media supply without direct mixing and avoiding the need for complex pumping or mixing mechanisms.
2Productivity
If manual manipulation is used to replenish media in conventional cell culture bags, then the device structure is simple, but productivity is reduced due to frequent manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service media replenishment through its design: media flows automatically from the storage chamber to the culture chamber via the semi-permeable membrane based on concentration gradients and pressure differentials. This eliminates the need for manual media replacement while maintaining a relatively simple device structure without complex automation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous perfusion system maintains uninterrupted media supply to the cell culture chamber through the membrane partition. Media continuously flows from the storage chamber to the culture chamber, ensuring constant nutrient supply and waste removal without manual intervention, thereby maintaining high productivity throughout the cultivation period.
3Quantity of substance
If feed media and cells are mixed within the culture chamber, then the device is simple to operate, but cell loss occurs during media removal and concentration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the cell culture chamber from the media storage chamber using a membrane partition. This physical separation allows cells to remain confined to the culture chamber while media flows through the storage chamber, enabling high cell density without the risk of cell loss during media removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The semi-permeable membrane acts as an intermediary barrier that separates cells from bulk media flow. This membrane allows selective passage of small molecules (nutrients and waste) while blocking cells, enabling media exchange without cell loss and maintaining operational simplicity.
4Reliability
If conventional cell culture bags are used without separate compartments, then the device complexity is low, but waste removal efficiency is reduced and cell viability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a membrane partition to create separate compartments for cell culture and media storage. This segmentation enables efficient waste removal by allowing waste to diffuse through the membrane to the storage chamber while keeping cells contained, thereby maintaining high cell viability with only moderate increases in device structural complexity.
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
This solution allows for the concentration of cells over time without media supply limitations, maintaining cell viability and density, and facilitating continuous perfusion without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
gas permeable polymers and fluoropolymer membranes to maintain optimal oxygen and carbon dioxide levels
Data Source
AI summary
A cell culture container is provided, comprising membrane bound compartments for growing and harvesting monocytes that allows replenishing and removal of feed media without the loss or death of cells.