Single-Use Bioprocessing Bags with Point-of-Use Components

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing single-use containers face high complexity in manufacturing due to the integration of mechanical, pneumatic, and electronic components, limiting their use to specific functions and increasing production costs.

Innovation Solution

A modular assembly of single-use sterilizable bags with insertable components, such as processing and sensing units, which are added at the point of use through aseptic insertion openings, allowing for customizable functionality without complex pre-integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical, pneumatic, and electronic components are integrated into single-use bags during manufacturing, then the bags can perform specific functions, but the manufacturing complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the single-use container system into two segments: a standardized bag body and separate functional components. The bag body is manufactured once with standardized features, while functional components (processing units, sensing units) are added separately at the point of use, eliminating the need to integrate all components during bag manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bag body is prepared in advance with standardized insertion openings and positioning features, but remains functionally incomplete. Functional components are added later at the point of use, allowing the bag to be manufactured and sterilized without complex component integration, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If components are integrated into single-use bags during manufacturing, then customized functionality is achieved, but production time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomized functionalityVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the manufacturing process into two stages: standardized bag production and component assembly. The bag body is produced once with standardized features, and different functional components are added at the point of use, dramatically reducing production time while maintaining the ability to create customized functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized bag body design with universal insertion openings and positioning features can accommodate multiple different functional components. This allows a single bag design to serve multiple purposes without requiring custom manufacturing for each application, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If components are pre-integrated into single-use bags, then specific functions are available, but shipping damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidshipping damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the bag body from functional components, allowing the bag to be shipped in a simple, robust state without fragile components attached. Components are added at the point of use, eliminating shipping damage risks while maintaining full functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Functional components are extracted from the bag manufacturing process and added separately at the point of use. This removes vulnerable components from the shipping process, protecting them from damage while ensuring they are available when the bag is deployed for its intended function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If standardized single-use bags are used without pre-integrated components, then manufacturing cost decreases, but functionality is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidfunctionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The standardized bag body design with universal insertion openings and positioning features can accommodate multiple different functional components. This allows a single bag design to serve multiple purposes by simply changing the inserted component, maintaining low manufacturing costs while achieving high versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The bag body is manufactured in advance with standardized features that enable future component attachment. This preliminary preparation allows the bag to be produced at low cost without functional components, and then customized with appropriate components at the point of use, achieving both cost efficiency and functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12384995B2Insertable components for single-use containers

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 SARTORIUS STEDIM BIOTEGH GMBH

AI summary

An assembly includes a single-use sterilizable bag for containing a biological material. The single-use sterilizable bag has at least one insertion opening; and at least one insertable component configured to be inserted into the single-use sterilizable bag via the at least one insertion opening. The at least one insertable component includes a positioning unit for positioning the insertable component with respect to the single-use sterilizable bag and at least one of a processing unit and a sensing unit for handling the biological material.