Single-Use Centrifuge Cartridges for High-Concentration Cell Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifugal separation systems face challenges in efficiently processing high concentration and low viability cell cultures due to increased processing time, viscosity, and contamination risks, especially when dealing with high turbidity feeds, which result in reduced throughput and product loss.
Innovation Solution
The use of pre-sterilized, single-use centrifuge systems with rotationally fixed feed and discharge components, including a flexible membrane and centripetal pumps, allows for continuous or semi-continuous discharge of cell concentrate, minimizing contamination risks and maintaining high angular velocity for efficient processing of highly concentrated cell suspensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional centrifugal separation systems are used for high concentration cell cultures, then processing capacity is reduced, but system complexity and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate single-use centrifugal cartridges that can be independently processed and replaced. Each cartridge contains the separation medium and collection components, allowing high-concentration cell cultures to be processed in discrete units without contaminating the main system, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Single-use centrifugal cartridges are employed instead of reusable components. These disposable cartridges are pre-sterilized and designed for one-time use with high-concentration cell cultures, eliminating contamination risks and reducing the complexity of sterilization and maintenance procedures for the main system while maintaining high processing capacity.
2Productivity
If high angular velocity is maintained for efficient separation, then separation efficiency improves, but processing time increases due to viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes the centrifugal separation parameters by adjusting angular velocity profiles and separation medium properties. For high-concentration cell cultures, the system dynamically adjusts rotation speed and duration to achieve efficient separation while minimizing processing time, balancing separation efficiency with time constraints despite increased viscosity.
3Productivity
If continuous discharge is implemented, then throughput increases, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Single-use centrifugal cartridges enable continuous discharge operations while maintaining sterility. Each cartridge is pre-sterilized and sealed, allowing continuous processing of high-concentration cell cultures without exposing the system to contamination risks, thereby increasing throughput while preserving reliability.
4Reliability
If single-use components are used, then contamination risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions (centrifugal separation, collection, and disposal) are merged into a single integrated cartridge assembly. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and connections required, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the contamination protection benefits of single-use components.
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
These systems enable high-throughput processing of large volumes of high concentration cell suspensions with reduced processing time and contamination, achieving efficient cell separation and recovery while maintaining cell viability.
Implementation Method 1
These structures permit the exemplary systems to maintain a sufficiently high angular velocity to create a settling velocity suited to efficiently processing highly concentrated cell culture streams
Implementation Method 2
create a settling velocity suited to efficiently processing highly concentrated cell culture streams
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for separating cell suspension material into centrate and concentrate, includes a single use structure (178, 240, 250) releasably positioned in a cavity in a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (172). The bowl and portions of single use structure rotate about an axis (174). A stationary inlet feed tube (184), a centrate discharge tube (212) and a concentrate discharge tube (230) extend along the axis of the rotating single use structure. A centrate centripetal pump (208) is in fluid connection with the centrate discharge tube. A concentrate centripetal pump (216) is in fluid connection with the concentrate discharge tube. A controller (274) operates responsive to sensors (264, 270) in respective centrate and concentrate discharge lines (262, 268), to control flow rates of a concentrate pump (272) and a centrate pump (266) to produce output flows of cell concentrate and generally cell free centrate.