Bioreactors with multiple or adjustable-position agitator designs

• US 10,563,161 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2016
• Issued: 02/18/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Genentech, Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Genentech, Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Mahajan, Ekta, Dent, Kelsey, Chan, Edward, Hudson, Terry, Daniel, Neria
• Primary Examiner(s): Bowers, Nathan A
• Application Number:
  US15/071,109
• Publication Number:
  US 20160304824A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,435 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2035/99 Heating
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/44 Mixing of ingredients for microbiology, enzymology, in vitro culture or genetic manipulation
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/88 with a separate receptacle-stirrer unit that is adapted to be coupled to a drive mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/4535 using a stud for supporting the stirring element
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/3204 Motor driven, i.e. by means of an electric or IC motor
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/3213 at the lower side of the axis, e.g. driving the stirrer from the bottom of a receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/3214 at the upper side of the axis, e.g. driving the stirrer from the top of a receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/42 Clamping or holding arrangements for mounting receptacles on mixing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/513 Flexible receptacles, e.g. bags supported by rigid containers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/93 arranged inside the receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/14 Bags
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/28 disposable or single use
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/48 Holding appliances; Racks; Supports holding devices for laboratory apparatus B01L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/52 Mobile; Means for transporting the apparatus transportable laboratories B01L1/52
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 27/02 Stirrer or mobile mixing elements
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/18 Heat exchange systems, e.g. heat jackets or outer envelopes
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/22 in contact with the bioreactor walls
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/48 Automatic or computerized control automatic analysis G01N35/00

Abstract

Described herein are bioreactor support structures configured to be used with containers having different designs, and methods for making and using such bioreactors. The support structures described herein may include two or more agitator motors and control systems or an adjustable-position agitator motor, a removable spacer and/or lid, multiple configurations for ports and probes, and multiple exhaust filter heating blankets. Also described herein are methods of manufacturing a multi-agitator motor or adjustable-position agitator motor bioreactor, as well as methods of modifying an existing support structure to be used with a container not originally designed to be used with the existing support structure, and methods for operating these bioreactors.

Claims

1. A bioreactor, comprising:

a support structure configured to hold and operate with different container designs by allowing the repositioning of a single agitator motor on the support structure based on the different container designs, wherein the support structure is configured to allow repositioning of the agitator motor to operate with a first container design and a second container design, wherein;

the first container design comprises an agitator motor interface only at a top portion of the container, wherein a container having the first container design is configured to be used only with a single agitator motor in a top-mounted agitator motor position, and

the second container design comprises an agitator motor interface only at a bottom portion of the container, wherein a container having the first container design is configured to be used only with the single agitator motor in a bottom-mounted agitator motor position; and

an agitator system comprising an impeller and the single agitator motor,

wherein the agitator system and the support structure are configured to selectively attach the agitator motor to the support structure at a plurality of positions relative to the support structure depending on the design of the container held by the support structure, the plurality of positions comprising the top-mounted agitator motor position for use with a container designed according to the first container design, and the bottom-mounted agitator motor position for use with a container designed according to the second container design; and

wherein the top-mounted agitator motor position and the bottom-mounted agitator motor position each comprise a mount configured to removably secure the agitator motor.

2. The bioreactor of claim 1, wherein the impeller is mounted on an adjustable-length agitator shaft connected to the agitator motor.

3. The bioreactor of claim 1, further comprising the container designed according to the first container design or the second container design, wherein the container is configured to reside in the support structure and to be coupled to the agitator motor, wherein the container is a collapsible bag.

4. The bioreactor of claim 3, wherein the collapsible bag is configured for use with a top-mounted agitator motor.

5. The bioreactor of claim 3, wherein the collapsible bag is configured for use with a bottom-mounted agitator motor.

6. The bioreactor of claim 1, further comprising a spacer with a raised support surface configured to be removably positioned at the bottom of the support structure.

7. The bioreactor of claim 1, wherein the support structure is configured to be used with both internal probes and external probes.

8. The bioreactor of claim 1, wherein the agitator motor is attached to the support structure through a mounting bracket.