Sterilizable 3D Printer Assembly in Bioreactor Container
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for forming three-dimensional structures face challenges in maintaining sterile conditions during transfer from three-dimensional printers to bioreactors or mixing containers, requiring extensive technical effort to prevent contamination.
Innovation Solution
A sterilizable container and method that integrates a three-dimensional printer assembly within a bioreactor or mixing container, allowing for the direct printing and processing of structures under sterile conditions, using materials like glass, stainless steel, or plastic, and enabling the use of biologically active fluids for seeding or preparation without external transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a three-dimensional structure is printed in a separate three-dimensional printer and then transferred to a bioreactor or mixing container, then the three-dimensional structure can be formed with desired complexity, but the sterile conditions must be maintained during transfer which requires extensive technical effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the three-dimensional printer assembly with the bioreactor or mixing container by providing a printer assembly that is contained within the bioreactor container. This integration eliminates the need for separate printing and bioprocessing equipment, allowing three-dimensional structures to be printed directly within the sterile environment of the bioreactor, thereby avoiding complex sterile transfer requirements while maintaining both printing capability and sterility
2Adaptability or versatility
If a three-dimensional structure is printed in a separate three-dimensional printer and then transferred to a bioreactor or mixing container, then the three-dimensional structure can be formed with desired complexity, but the transfer process requires extensive technical effort to maintain sterile conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the printing function directly within the bioreactor container through an integrated printer assembly. This merging eliminates the separate transfer operation between printer and bioreactor, allowing structures to be printed in-situ within the sterile environment, thereby dramatically simplifying the operation from complex multi-step transfer procedures to a single integrated printing process
3Reliability
If the three-dimensional printer assembly is integrated within the bioreactor container, then sterile conditions are maintained during printing, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the integrated system into distinct functional modules: a printer assembly containing printing components (extruder, print head, build platform) and a bioreactor container containing the sterile environment and biological materials. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system sterility through defined boundaries and controlled interfaces, reducing the complexity burden of integration
4Ease of operation
If external transfers are eliminated through integration, then the process of maintaining sterile conditions is simplified, but the device requires integrated design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the integrated system into separable modules (printer assembly and bioreactor container) that can be independently manufactured, sterilized, and assembled. This modular approach simplifies the sterile process by allowing pre-sterilization of components before integration, reducing the complexity of maintaining sterility during operation compared to a fully monolithic integrated design
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
The present invention refers to a sterilizable container for accommodating at least one of at least one biologically active fluid and at least one preparatory fluid, comprising: - an area within the container configured to accommodate at least one sterilizable three-dimensional printer assembly; - a sterilizable three-dimensional printer assembly including: • at least one printing platform; • at least one printer head for dispensing structural material onto the at least one printing platform in order to form thereon a three-dimensional structure; and • a moving mechanism for providing a relative displacement between the at least one printer head and the at least one printing platform, wherein the area is configured such that the fluid can reach the printer assembly.