Sealed Bioreactor Fluid Pathways for Repeatable Tissue Decellularization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current decellularization and recellularization processes lack efficiency, precision, repeatability, versatility, and require extensive maintenance, making them unsuitable for large-scale applications in specimen engineering for organ transplants.
Innovation Solution
A bioreactor system comprising an adapter with fluid lines and ports, pumps, and a sealable enclosure for tissue decellularization, allowing flexible and precise control of fluid pathways and configurations for efficient specimen processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional decellularization and recellularization processes are used, then specimen processing can be performed, but the processes lack efficiency, precision, repeatability, and versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the bioreactor into multiple sealed chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) that can be independently controlled and configured. Each chamber can perform different functions (decellularization, recellularization, storage) simultaneously, enabling parallel processing that improves both efficiency and repeatability through standardized modular units.
Solution Approach 2:
The bioreactor system is designed with universal ports and fluid lines that can be configured for multiple different specimen types and processing protocols. The system can handle various biological specimens (organs, tissues) and perform different operations (decellularization with detergents, recellularization with cell suspensions) using the same platform, enhancing versatility and repeatability across applications.
2Productivity
If traditional processes are used, then decellularization can be performed, but extensive maintenance and cleaning are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs disposable sealed chambers and single-use fluid lines that are discarded after a single use or limited number of uses. This eliminates the need for extensive cleaning and maintenance of complex internal components, significantly reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining high processing speeds through rapid chamber replacement rather than cleaning cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid delivery system uses externally mounted fluid lines and ports that can be easily disconnected and replaced without disassembling the bioreactor body. This extraction of the fluid delivery components from the main reactor structure allows for quick changes and minimal maintenance of the processing chambers themselves.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed fluid pathways are used, then system configuration is simple, but versatility for different specimen types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system features dynamically reconfigurable fluid pathways through multiple ports (first port, second port, third port) and flexible fluid lines that can be connected in different configurations depending on the specimen type and processing requirements. This dynamic reconfigurability allows the same system to adapt to various specimen sizes and shapes without requiring complex permanent modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The bioreactor includes pre-configured sealed chambers with integrated fluid lines and ports that are prepared beforehand for specific functions (decellularization chamber, recellularization chamber, storage chamber). This preliminary configuration reduces the complexity of system setup during operation, as the chambers come ready-to-use with appropriate fluid pathways already established.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is described a bioreactor comprising: an adapter including a first face and a second face opposing the first face; an enclosure including a first section and a second section, the first section including a first side and a second side, the enclosure including a liquid-tight seal between the first section and the first face, the enclosure including at least one enclosure pass-through, the enclosure including a liquid-tight seal between at least a portion of the second section and at least a portion of the first section; a first fluid line operably coupled to the adapter, the first fluid line coupling the at least one enclosure pass-through and the adapter; and a second fluid line disposed on the second face, the second fluid line fluidically coupled with the first fluid line, the first fluid line coupled with the second fluid line forming a closed fluid path. The bioreactor is used in a set for decellularizing a tissue.