Ventable Closure with Filter for Sterile Gas Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional closures in cell culture containers are susceptible to microbial contamination during gas exchange, and they either allow uncontrolled gas exchange or restrict it, making them inadequate for maintaining a sterile environment when transferring cultures between different environments.
Innovation Solution
A closure system with a vent valve and a filter that allows selective and variable gas exchange between the interior and exterior of the cell culture container, while maintaining a sealed state to prevent fluid communication and reduce microbial contamination, featuring a port for fluid addition or removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a closure is kept in a vent state to allow gas exchange, then gas exchange is improved, but microbial contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
A filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the interior chamber and exterior environment. The filter allows gas molecules to pass through while blocking microbial particles, thus mediating the interaction between the vented interior and external environment to prevent contamination while maintaining gas exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure incorporates a porous filter material with specific pore sizes that permit gas permeability while physically blocking larger microbial entities. The porous structure enables selective passage based on particle size, allowing oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange while preventing bacterial and fungal contamination.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a closure with gas permeable membrane is used to protect against microbial contamination, then microbial contamination is reduced, but gas exchange becomes restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is constructed from porous materials with optimized pore dimensions that balance microbial blocking capability with gas permeability. The porous structure provides sufficient open space for gas molecules while maintaining physical barriers against larger microbial particles, thus resolving the restriction issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter's physical parameters (pore size, porosity, surface area) are specifically designed and adjusted to optimize the balance between contamination protection and gas exchange efficiency. By changing these parameters, the filter achieves both protective and permeable functions simultaneously.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a closure is sealed to prevent microbial contamination, then microbial contamination is reduced, but gas exchange is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing the user to switch between sealed and vented states as needed. The filter enables the vented state to maintain protection, providing dynamic adaptability to different operational requirements without compromising safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure with integrated filter serves multiple functions: it provides microbial protection in both sealed and vented states, enables gas exchange when vented, and maintains sterility throughout operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to choose between protection and gas exchange.
4Device complexity
If conventional closures are used, then simplicity is maintained, but functionality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The closure integrates multiple functions into a single component: microbial protection through the filter, gas exchange capability when vented, and fluid access through the port. This multi-functional design provides versatility without proportionally increasing complexity, as all functions are combined in one integrated closure unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure is segmented into functional components (filter, port, venting mechanism) that work together but can be independently optimized. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular integration.
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 closure system effectively reduces microbial contamination risks while enabling controlled gas exchange, maintaining sterility and functionality during the transfer of cell cultures between environments.
Implementation Method 1
A filter is positioned within the space and is configured to filter contaminants from any gas entering the interior chamber via the path
Data Source
AI summary
A closure (10, 100, 150) for a labware device (20). The labware device (20) defines an interior chamber (25) having at least one opening (92). The closure (10, 100, 150) includes a closure body (12, 102) configured to be mounted to the labware device (20) and in fluid communication with the opening (92). A vent valve (14, 122) is mounted for movement relative to the closure body (12, 102). The vent valve (14, 122), with the closure body (12, 102), defines a space (72, 120) that defines a path between the closure body (12, 102) and the vent valve (14, 122) for gas exchange between the interior chamber (25) and the exterior of the labware device (20). A filter (50) is positioned within the space (72, 120) and is configured to filter contaminants from gas entering the interior chamber (25) via the path.