Sterile Probe Sampling for Single-Use Vessel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for transferring chemical, pharmaceutical, and biological materials into or out of containers, such as bioreactors, face challenges in maintaining sterility and preventing deformation of transfer interfaces, which can lead to compromised connections and loss of sterility.

Innovation Solution

A disposable container system with a transfer interface that includes extensible transfer elements, biasing elements for retraction, and a locking mechanism to ensure sterile sampling and prevent deformation, maintaining a secure and sterile connection with the container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a transfer interface is used to access the container, then sampling and transfer operations can be performed, but the transfer interface may deform leading to compromised connections and loss of sterility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling and transfer operationsVSAvoidconnection integrity and sterility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer interface is divided into multiple independent transfer elements (needles, cannulas, or probes) that can be individually extended and retracted. Each element operates independently within sealed boreholes, allowing sampling operations without compromising the overall connection integrity of the container port.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer elements are nested within sealed boreholes of the transfer interface body. Each transfer element can be extended from its borehole for sampling operations and then retracted back into the sealed borehole, maintaining sterility and connection integrity when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple sampling operations are performed, then sufficient samples can be obtained, but maintaining sterility becomes increasingly difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of samplesVSAvoidsterility maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer interface is designed as a disposable component that is sterilized before use and then discarded after a single use or single campaign of sampling operations. This eliminates the need to maintain sterility across multiple uses and prevents cross-contamination between batches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer interface and all its transfer elements are pre-sterilized before use through autoclaving, gamma irradiation, or other sterilization methods. This preliminary sterilization ensures sterility is established before the container is accessed, eliminating the need to maintain sterility during repeated operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If transfer elements are extended for sampling, then material can be extracted, but the transfer interface may become deformed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling efficiencyVSAvoidtransfer interface deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer elements are designed to be dynamically extendable and retractable within sealed boreholes. Each element can be extended only when needed for sampling and then retracted to its original position, allowing the transfer interface to return to its undeformed state after each sampling operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer interface is designed with sufficient structural rigidity and appropriate wall thickness in the borehole regions to prevent deformation during transfer element extension. The structure is pre-engineered to withstand the mechanical stresses of sampling operations without compromising connection integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 system effectively enables sterile sampling and transfer of materials while preventing deformation and maintaining sterility, ensuring the integrity of the contents and the equipment.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the transfer elements has a corresponding biasing element for retracting the transfer element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12325025B2Sterile probe sampling for a single-use vessel

Publication Date: 2025.06.10 SARTORIUS STEDIM BIOTECH GMBH

AI summary

A system and method for transferring chemical, pharmaceutical, and/or biological material into or out of a container are provided. Further, a use of a transfer interface for accessing the interior of a disposable container is provided. The system comprises a disposable container having at least one port for accessing the interior of the container. The system further comprises a transfer interface connectable to the at least one port. The transfer interface comprises a plurality of extendable transfer elements for collecting samples from the disposable container in a sterile manner. The transfer elements may also be referred to as sampling elements, extractors, or probes. Each of the transfer elements has a corresponding biasing element for retracting the transfer element. The biasing element may be implemented as a spring or as another device capable of applying a biasing force.