Shape Memory Pouch for Biopharmaceutical Fluid Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing flexible plastic pouches used for transporting biopharmaceutical fluids face challenges in safe and proper unfolding, leading to potential tears and reduced volume capacity, requiring human supervision and risking contamination or loss of the product.
Innovation Solution
A pouch made with a shape memory material that can change shape in response to external stimuli, allowing for safe and controlled unfolding before filling, with features such as 2D or 3D designs, gussets, and leak-tight orifices, and the use of shape memory polymers or alloys for thermal or electrical induction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a flexible plastic pouch is used to transport biopharmaceutical fluids, then the pouch can be folded to minimal volume for transport, but the pouch may tear or unfold improperly during filling, requiring human supervision
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch is pre-formed with a defined three-dimensional configuration including sealed gussets and panels that guide the unfolding process. The pre-formed structure ensures proper deployment before filling occurs, eliminating the need for human supervision during the critical unfolding-filling transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The pouch incorporates flexible panels and gussets that dynamically transition from a collapsed flat state to an expanded three-dimensional state during filling. This dynamic structure allows the pouch to adapt its shape while maintaining structural integrity, preventing tearing during the unfolding process.
2Extent of automation
If the pouch is unfolded and filled simultaneously, then the operation can be automated, but the flexibility of the pouch leads to improper unfolding or restricted volume deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch is pre-formed with a defined three-dimensional configuration including sealed gussets and panels that guide the unfolding process. This preliminary structural preparation enables automated filling systems to reliably deploy the pouch without human intervention while maintaining precise unfolding geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The pouch utilizes flexible plastic panels and gussets that can be automatically manipulated into the correct three-dimensional configuration. The flexible material properties allow automated systems to fold and unfold the pouch reliably, maintaining both automation capability and unfolding precision.
3Reliability
If human supervision is required for pouch unfolding, then proper unfolding can be ensured, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch is pre-formed with a defined three-dimensional configuration including sealed gussets and panels that inherently guide the unfolding process. This preliminary structural preparation enables automated filling systems to reliably deploy the pouch without human intervention, reducing both operational complexity and time requirements while maintaining high reliability.
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
Enables the pouch to be easily and safely alternately folded and unfolded, preventing improper unfolding and ensuring the biopharmaceutical fluid is contained within the pouch's expanded volume, reducing the risk of contamination and product loss during transportation.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible wall comprising a shape memory material being adapted to change shape when induced by an external stimulus
Data Source
AI summary
A pouch for transporting and/or processing a biopharmaceutical fluid, the pouch comprising a flexible wall, the flexible wall comprising a shape memory material being adapted to change shape when induced by an external stimulus, so that the pouch can be alternately in a collapsed state and in an unfolded state, the wall of the pouch in the unfolded state delimiting a closed internal cavity adapted to contain the biopharmaceutical fluid.