Sampling Device Sterility Control via Dual Pump Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sampling devices for cell culturing systems often compromise sterility, allowing cleaning solutions to flow back into the sample introduction channel and potentially contaminating the cell culturing device due to unsuitable detection unit sensors and negative pressure issues.
Innovation Solution
A sampling device with a cleaning solution storage unit connected upstream of the detection unit and a dual pump system, where the first pump allows cleaning solution flow to the detection unit and the second pump manages sample flow from the sample introduction channel, preventing cleaning solution entry into the sample introduction channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are attached to a circuit for detection, then detection function is improved, but sterility of the system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate segments: a sterile segment (sampling channel, culture medium supply channel) and a non-sterile segment (detection unit with sensors). The sterile segment can be sterilized and disconnected, while the non-sterile detection unit remains separate, eliminating the conflict between having sensors and maintaining sterility.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection unit with sensors is extracted from the sterile field and placed outside the sterilizable area. Only the necessary sampling components remain in the sterile segment, allowing the detection function to be performed by non-sterile sensors while the culture medium and sampling channels maintain sterility.
2Productivity
If a pump draws sample through an aseptic filter with negative pressure, then sampling function is improved, but sterility is compromised when cleaning solution flows back
Solution Approach 1:
A clamp is installed on the sampling channel upstream of the pump to preliminarily close the channel before cleaning operations. This preliminary action prevents cleaning solution from flowing back into the culture medium supply channel when the pump creates negative pressure during cleaning, maintaining sterility while allowing effective cleaning of the sampling channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp acts as an intermediary element between the sampling channel and the pump. It controls the flow path by closing the sampling channel during cleaning operations, preventing direct communication between the cleaning solution and the sterile culture medium supply channel, thus mediating between cleaning requirements and sterility maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If the sampling channel is closed by a clamp for cleaning while under negative pressure, then cleaning access is improved, but cleaning solution may flow back into the culturing device
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is used to preliminarily close the sampling channel before introducing cleaning solution. This preliminary closure action ensures that the cleaning solution cannot flow back into the culture medium supply channel even when the pump creates negative pressure, allowing safe cleaning operations while preventing contamination.
Data Source
AI summary
A cell culturing system configured to move a liquid sample from a cell culturing device to a sampling channel via a sample introduction channel. The sampling device includes a sampling channel having a main-mechanism-side pump disposed between a cleaning solution storage unit and the sample introduction channel and is configured to allow a cleaning solution to flow to a detection unit. The sample introduction channel includes an introduction-mechanism-side pump that is configured to allow the sample to flow from the sample introduction channel to the detection unit.