Stackable Biomanufacturing Apparatus with Movable Rocking Tray
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bioreactors occupy significant laboratory space and are inefficient in terms of space usage, as they require large supporting frameworks and are not easily stackable, making them costly to maintain and modify, especially when used for small batch sizes and autologous therapies.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained, stackable biomanufacturing apparatus with a cuboid housing that allows for the vertical stacking of bioreactors, featuring a removable rocking tray support with a pivotable plate and stepper motor for easy loading, unloading, and cleaning, along with a collapsible stand for flexible operation and reduced footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional bioreactors with large supporting frameworks are used, then structural stability is ensured, but laboratory space efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal placement to vertical stacking of bioreactors, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase space efficiency. Multiple bioreactor stations are stacked one above another, converting floor space usage into vertical space utilization while maintaining structural stability through integrated support frameworks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple bioreactor stations into a single integrated vertical stack, merging supporting frameworks, workstations, and bioreactor vessels into one consolidated structure. This eliminates the need for separate supporting frameworks for each bioreactor, reducing overall laboratory footprint while maintaining structural integrity.
2Area of stationary object
If bioreactors are stacked closely side by side, then space efficiency is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to limited access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a movable platform that can be dynamically adjusted between different positions. The platform is designed to move horizontally and vertically, allowing operators to easily access bioreactors at different stack levels for loading, unloading, and maintenance operations, despite the compact vertical arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable platform serves as an intermediary mechanism between operators and the stacked bioreactors. It provides a stable working surface that can be positioned at different heights and locations within the stack, facilitating easy access to any bioreactor without requiring operators to reach into confined spaces.
3Ease of manufacture
If a removable rocking platform is used for bioreactor support, then ease of cleaning is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The platform system is segmented into distinct removable components including the rocking platform, support structure, and mounting mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to be independently removed, disassembled, and cleaned, simplifying the cleaning process while distributing the mechanical complexity across separate, manageable parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The rocking platform and associated components are designed as disposable or easily replaceable units. Rather than designing for complex cleaning of permanent structures, the system uses affordable, replaceable components that can be discarded or quickly replaced, eliminating the need for complex cleaning mechanisms.
4Adaptability or versatility
If single-use bioreactors are used for small batch sizes, then flexibility and reduced contamination risk are improved, but productivity per unit space deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes vertical stacking to multiply the number of bioreactor units within the same horizontal footprint. By arranging multiple single-use bioreactors in a vertical stack, the system maintains the flexibility and contamination benefits of single-use technology while significantly increasing the total number of batches that can be processed simultaneously per unit of laboratory space.
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
The solution enables efficient use of laboratory space by allowing multiple bioreactors to be stacked, reducing the need for extensive clean room conditions and minimizing the footprint of workstations, while maintaining flexibility and ease of operation for both fed batch and perfusion manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
a heating plate, which is in direct contact with the cell culture bag
Implementation Method 2
rocking mechanism which moves the plate holder and heating plate back and forth about a pivot axis
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a biomanufacturing apparatus (1) comprising a housing (20) including top (22) and bottom (24) faces which allow stacking of plural housings, an access door (25) at a front side of the housing, a substantially enclosed bioreactor chamber (30) inside the housing accessible via the door, and a further substantially enclosed region (36) inside the housing containing electrical parts and/or electronic control components, the chamber (30) including: a tray (40/240) for supporting a bioreactor, a tray support (45/245) including a mechanism (44,47/244,247) for rocking the tray in use; the tray having complementary formations allowing movement of tray relative to the tray support toward the front side to allow more convenient access to the bioreactor.