Process Bag Container With Integrated Probe Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing process bag containers for mixing and monitoring reagents in the biotechnology industry face challenges such as contamination risks, need for extensive space for sensors, and risk of sensor damage due to protrusion and misalignment, which compromise the integrity of the container and accuracy of measurements.

Innovation Solution

A process bag container with integrated probe housings and a mixer sealed within the container wall, allowing for in-bag mixing and monitoring without compromising the container's integrity, featuring a compact design that minimizes sensor protrusion and reduces the need for additional openings, using a flexible polymeric bag with sealed inlets and outlets, and precalibrated, gamma-stable probes connected to an external meter for real-time monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensors are made long and protrude into the tank to measure composition and environmental values, then measurement capability is improved, but space requirements increase and sensor vulnerability to damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomposition and environmental measurementVSAvoidspace inside and outside tank

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is nested within a sensor housing that is integrated into the bag structure. The sensor extends only as far as necessary into the bag interior while the housing provides protection and structural support, eliminating the need for long protruding sensors and reducing both internal and external space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the sensor protrude outward from the bag, the sensor housing is positioned such that the sensor element is protected within the bag structure. This inversion of the traditional sensor mounting approach reduces vulnerability to damage while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If sensors protrude past the bag outline to be accessible and aligned with rigid container ports, then accessibility is improved, but risk of bumping, misalignment, calibration loss and damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor accessibility and alignmentVSAvoidsensor protection from damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is nested within a protective housing that is integrated into the bag structure. The housing provides mechanical protection while the sensor remains accessible for measurement functions, reducing vulnerability to bumping and damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor housing provides beforehand protection for the sensor element. The housing structure cushions the sensor against potential impacts and misalignment forces, preventing calibration loss and damage before they can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If multiple openings are provided in the rigid housing for sensor access and cable routing, then sensor installation and connectivity are improved, but container integrity and sterility are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor installation and cable routingVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor housing integrates multiple functions including sensor mounting, cable routing, and sealing into a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for multiple separate openings in the rigid housing, maintaining container integrity while providing all necessary access points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor housing serves multiple purposes: it provides structural support, seals the sensor element, routes cables, and maintains sterility. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized openings, preserving container integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution enables accurate and reliable mixing and monitoring of reagents within the container without compromising its integrity, reducing the risk of sensor damage and space requirements, while maintaining a sterile and leak-proof environment for precise composition and environmental measurements.

Implementation Method 1

an impeller that is connectable to a power source such as a magnetically coupled motor so that it can be rotated thereby to promote mixing of the reagents within the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS8678638B2Process bag container with sensors

Publication Date: 2014.03.25 EMD MILLIPORE CORP

AI summary

A process bag container is provided comprising a flexible bag, at least one inlet sealed to the bag, and an outlet. A probe housing for a probe construction is sealed to the bag. Preferably, the probe housing extends at least partway into the bag interior and is connected to a cable for power and data transmission that runs along the outer surface of the bag to the top of the bag or its support container. The probe construction is adapted to monitor the composition of a reagent in the bag as well as the environment within the bag. A mixer is positioned within the bag to effect mixing of reagents in the bag.