Pressurized Perfusion Bioreactor for Sample Viability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting biological samples are rudimentary and fail to maintain high viability, as they rely on cooling or unregulated environments, limiting their diagnostic and research value.
Innovation Solution
The development of pressurized perfusion-enabled bioreactors using positive pressure to maintain a controlled environment for biological samples, featuring a bioreactor with a central chamber and interlocking cap and frame, along with membranes and seals to ensure sample viability during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cooling samples to slow metabolic processes, then cell and tissue viability is partially maintained, but sample viability at destination remains poor
Solution Approach 1:
The bioreactor system divides the transport container into functional segments: a reaction chamber for sample containment, a perfusion system for fluid delivery, and a control mechanism for pressure regulation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, maintaining sample viability through targeted perfusion rather than relying solely on cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a pressurized perfusion system that uses gas pressure to drive fluid flow through the sample chamber. This pneumatic-hydraulic mechanism enables controlled delivery of nutrients and oxygen to biological samples during transport, actively maintaining viability instead of passively relying on temperature reduction.
2Duration of action of moving object
If using negative pressure for perfusion, then long-term tissue culture studies are enabled, but the assembly cannot be made compact for tissue transport
Solution Approach 1:
The bioreactor components are nested within each other to maximize space efficiency: the sample chamber is positioned centrally, with the perfusion system and control mechanisms arranged around it. This nested configuration enables long-term culture studies while keeping the overall assembly compact enough for transport applications.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using negative pressure (vacuum) to drive perfusion as in previous systems, this invention uses positive pressure applied from the gas reservoir through the liquid medium to the sample. This inversion of the pressure approach allows for more compact system design suitable for transport while still enabling long-term studies.
3Speed
If using low-vacuum to produce pressure gradient, then perfusion is achieved, but the use of desired gases is limited and compactness is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The gas reservoir is designed to accommodate multiple types of gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or custom gas mixtures) through a universal sealing interface. This multi-functional design allows the same perfusion system to work with different gases, enabling both controlled fluid flow and flexible gas selection for various biological applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables independent control of pressure parameters and gas composition parameters. By changing the gas type or mixture ratios in the reservoir, users can optimize the perfusion conditions for different biological samples while maintaining effective fluid flow rates through pressure regulation.
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 effectively maintains high sample viability by regulating metabolic processes and allowing for the use of desired gases, enhancing the transport of biological samples and enabling applications such as drug infusion studies and 3D cell culture.
Implementation Method 1
The cap and frame are configured to interlock through an interference fit, forming an interlocked cap and frame, thereby aligning and forming a sample chamber
Implementation Method 2
positive pressure perfusion-enabled bioreactors... can receive fluid under positive pressure... applying positive pressure to a side of the support medium
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides for devices, systems, and methods relating to positive pressure perfusion-enabled bioreactors. Devices, systems, and methods as described here provide for improved culture of biological samples, thereby improving their viability for diagnostic, clinical, and research purposes. In certain aspects, devices, systems, and methods as described here provide for improved transport (such a shipping) of biological samples, thereby improving their viability for diagnostic, clinical, and research purposes once arrived at their destination.