Valve Cassette Inline Buffer Dilution for SMB Chromatography

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chromatography processes, particularly multi-column SMB chromatography, face challenges in reducing manufacturing floor space and buffer volume requirements, leading to increased costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a valve switching cassette for both selectively interconnecting components of a bioprocess and for inline merging of low-volume concentrated buffers with diluents, eliminating the need for separate inline merging systems and reducing the number of large buffer vessels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If an additional inline merging system is used to merge buffers, then buffer volume requirements are reduced, but manufacturing floor space increases and structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuffer volumeVSAvoidmanufacturing floor space

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the buffer merging function into the existing valve switching cassette by utilizing its internal liquid lines and valve units. Instead of adding a separate inline merging system, the valve switching cassette is configured to receive concentrated buffer and diluent, mix them in its internal liquid lines, and deliver the diluted buffer to chromatography columns. This integration reduces manufacturing floor space while maintaining reduced buffer volume requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve switching cassette is designed to perform multiple functions: it continues to switch liquid streams between chromatography columns for SMB operations, while simultaneously serving as an inline merging system for buffers. The same valve units and internal liquid lines are used for both valve switching and buffer dilution/merging operations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated merging equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If an additional inline merging system is used to merge buffers, then buffer volume requirements are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuffer volumeVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the buffer merging function into the existing valve switching cassette by utilizing its internal liquid lines and valve units. Instead of adding a separate inline merging system, the valve switching cassette is configured to receive concentrated buffer and diluent, mix them in its internal liquid lines, and deliver the diluted buffer to chromatography columns. This integration reduces manufacturing floor space while maintaining reduced buffer volume requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve switching cassette is designed to perform multiple functions: it continues to switch liquid streams between chromatography columns for SMB operations, while simultaneously serving as an inline merging system for buffers. The same valve units and internal liquid lines are used for both valve switching and buffer dilution/merging operations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated merging equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a valve switching cassette with numerous conduits is used for flexible liquid stream interconnection, then operational flexibility is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the buffer merging function into the existing valve switching cassette by utilizing its internal liquid lines and valve units. Instead of adding a separate inline merging system, the valve switching cassette is configured to receive concentrated buffer and diluent, mix them in its internal liquid lines, and deliver the diluted buffer to chromatography columns. This integration reduces manufacturing floor space while maintaining reduced buffer volume requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This approach reduces the required manufacturing floor space and buffer volume, enhancing cost efficiency and flexibility in bioprocess operations while maintaining the quality of the chromatography process.

Implementation Method 1

merging the first liquid stream and the second liquid stream at a merging location within the valve switching cassette

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMixing:

Data Source

PatentUS12201922B2Method for operating a chromatography setup

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 SARTORIUS STEDIM CHROMATOGRAPHY SYSTEMS LTD

AI summary

A method for operating a chromatography setup of a bioprocess installation with a plurality of chromatography columns, each with a column inlet and a column outlet, and a valve switching cassette with a group of inlet ports, a group of outlet ports, a group of column-in ports and a group of column-out ports. It is prosed, that a first liquid stream of concentrated buffer is introduced into a first internal liquid line via a first inlet port and that a second liquid stream of diluent is introduced into a second internal liquid line via a second inlet port, that in a dilution process, the array of valve units is switched as to create a third liquid stream by merging the first liquid stream and the second liquid stream at a merging location within the valve switching cassette.