Photobioreactors and closed ecological life support systems and artifificial lungs containing the same
First Claim
1. A method for producing a biologically-active compound, comprising:
- (i) culturing cells capable of producing said biologically-active compound in a photobioreactor comprising a hollow, cylindrical irradiation chamber, wherein said chamber comprises a top sealed to a cylindrical side wall;
a bottom sealed to said cylindrical side wall;
said top, bottom and cylindrical side wall together enclosing a cylindrical space;
a first cylindrical light irradiator disposed in said cylindrical space and attached only to said top; and
a second cylindrical light irradiator disposed in said cylindrical space and attached only to said bottom;
wherein all cylindrical light irradiators and said cylindrical side wall are coaxial;
the distance between said cylindrical side wall and cylindrical light irradiator closest to said side wall is within 1 mm to 20 cm, and the distance between each adjacent cylindrical light irradiator is within 1 mm to 20 cm, for a time sufficient to produce said biologically-active compound, while irradiating said cells with said first light cylindrical irradiator and said second light cylindrical irradiator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A photobioreactor system for efficient oxygen production for a closed ecological life support system (CELSS) is disclosed. Special features of this system include, e.g., the optical transmission system, uniform light distribution, continuous cycling of cells, gravity independent gas-exchange, and an ultrafiltration unit. The fiber optic based optical transmission system illuminates the reactor internally and includes a light source which is external to the reactor, preventing heat generation problems. Uniform light distribution is achieved throughout the reactor without interfering with the turbulent regime inside. The ultrafiltration unit exchanges spent with fresh media and its use results in very high cell densities, up to 109 cells/ml for Chlorella vulgaris. The prototype photobioreactor system may be operated in a batch and continuous mode for prolonged periods of time. The photobioreactor may be used to convert CO2 to oxygen in an artificial lung.
160 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for producing a biologically-active compound, comprising:
(i) culturing cells capable of producing said biologically-active compound in a photobioreactor comprising a hollow, cylindrical irradiation chamber, wherein said chamber comprises a top sealed to a cylindrical side wall;
a bottom sealed to said cylindrical side wall;
said top, bottom and cylindrical side wall together enclosing a cylindrical space;
a first cylindrical light irradiator disposed in said cylindrical space and attached only to said top; and
a second cylindrical light irradiator disposed in said cylindrical space and attached only to said bottom;
wherein all cylindrical light irradiators and said cylindrical side wall are coaxial;
the distance between said cylindrical side wall and cylindrical light irradiator closest to said side wall is within 1 mm to 20 cm, and the distance between each adjacent cylindrical light irradiator is within 1 mm to 20 cm, for a time sufficient to produce said biologically-active compound, while irradiating said cells with said first light cylindrical irradiator and said second light cylindrical irradiator.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A photobioreactor, comprising a hollow, cylindrical irradiation chamber, wherein said chamber comprises a top sealed to a cylindrical side wall;
- a bottom sealed to said cylindrical side wall;
said top, bottom and cylindrical side wall together enclosing a cylindrical space;
a first cylindrical light irradiator disposed in said cylindrical space and attached only to said top; and
a second cylindrical light irradiator disposed in said cylindrical space and attached only to said bottom;
wherein all cylindrical light irradiators and said cylindrical side wall are coaxial;
the distance between said cylindrical side wall and cylindrical light irradiator closest to said side wall is within 1 mm to 20 cm, and the distance between each adjacent cylindrical light irradiator is within 1 mm to 20 cm. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
- a bottom sealed to said cylindrical side wall;
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13. In a closed ecological life support system, comprising a photobioreactor, the improvement being said photobioreactor comprises a hollow, cylindrical irradiation chamber, wherein said chamber comprises a top sealed to a cylindrical side wall;
- a bottom sealed to said cylindrical side wall;
said top, bottom and cylindrical side wall together enclosing a cylindrical space;
a first cylindrical light irradiator disposed in said cylindrical space and attached only to said top; and
a second cylindrical light irradiator disposed in said cylindrical space and attached only to said bottom;
wherein all cylindrical light irradiators and said cylindrical side wall are coaxial;
the distance between said cylindrical side wall and cylindrical light irradiator closest to said side wall is within 1 mm to 20 cm, and the distance between each adjacent cylindrical light irradiator is within 1 mm to 20 cm. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
- a bottom sealed to said cylindrical side wall;
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17. An artificial lung, comprising:
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(i) a means for converting CO2 from a patient'"'"'s blood stream to oxygen; and (ii) a means for exchanging said oxygen with said CO2 between said patient'"'"'s blood stream and said means of converting, wherein said means for converting comprises a hollow, cylindrical irradiation chamber, wherein said chamber comprises a top sealed to a cylindrical side wall;
a bottom sealed to said cylindrical side wall;
said top, bottom and cylindrical side wall together enclosing a cylindrical space;
a first cylindrical light irradiator disposed in said cylindrical space and attached only to said top; and
a second cylindrical light irradiator disposed in said cylindrical space and attached only to said bottom;
wherein all cylindrical light irradiators and said cylindrical side wall are coaxial;
the distance between said cylindrical side wall and cylindrical light irradiator closest to said side wall is within 1 mm to 20 cm, and the distance between each adjacent cylindrical light irradiator is within 1 mm to 20 cm. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification