Continuous Viral Inactivation Device with Roller Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for continuous virus inactivation in bioprocesses are limited by their short length, which restricts the volume that can be inactivated, leading to longer process times and potential product degradation due to storage issues, and they lack flexibility in handling larger volumes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device with a support element that prevents rollers from bending, allowing for a longer hollow body design, featuring a planetary gear arrangement for uniform contact pressure and separation of volume sections, enabling larger volumes to be inactivated while maintaining precise virus inactivation conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the hollow body is made longer to increase inactivation volume, then the volume that can be inactivated is improved, but the rollers will bend causing non-uniform contact pressure and loss of separation between volume sections
Solution Approach 1:
A support element is introduced as an intermediary component between the hollow body and the rollers. This support element provides additional structural reinforcement that prevents roller bending when the hollow body is extended, thereby maintaining uniform contact pressure and proper separation between volume sections while enabling increased inactivation volume.
2Productivity
If the hollow body is made longer to process larger volumes, then the productivity is improved, but the process time increases leading to potential product degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow body is divided into multiple separable sections, each with its own rollers and support elements. This segmentation allows the system to process larger volumes by connecting multiple standardized modules in series, rather than using a single long hollow body that would require longer rollers and increased process time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hollow body is made longer to increase capacity, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to longer hollow body holding device and rollers
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow body holding device is designed with dynamic, adjustable components that can accommodate different hollow body lengths and configurations. The support elements and rollers are positioned to provide optimal support regardless of the specific configuration, allowing the system to adapt to various volumes without requiring fundamentally different structural designs.
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 device achieves efficient virus inactivation over larger volumes with reduced process time, improved product protection, and increased flexibility in bioprocess operations, enhancing economic efficiency and product quality control.
Implementation Method 1
The device has a planetary gear arrangement for uniform contact pressure and separation of volume sections
Implementation Method 2
at least two rollers extending in the axial direction, in particular three or four rollers, with which the hollow body is squeezed in the properly assembled state of the device and thereby the inner volume of the hollow body is divided into fluidically separate volume sections
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for continuous virus inactivation during a protein production process, in particular an antibody production process, wherein the device has a hollow body holding device (1) extending in an axial direction for holding an elongated, elastically deformable hollow body (2), in particular a tube, wherein the device has at least two rollers (3, 4), in particular three or four rollers (3, 4, 5, 6), extending in the axial direction, with which, in the intended assembled state of the device, the hollow body (2) is squeezed and thereby the inner volume (7) of the hollow body (2) is divided into fluidically separated volume sections (8), wherein the continuous virus inactivation is carried out in the volume sections (8) of the hollow body (2).It is proposed that the device shall have a support element (9) which, in the intended assembled state of the device, supports the outer surfaces of all rollers (3, 4, 5, 6) at at least one point each.