Accurate blending module and method

• US 7,515,994 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2005
• Issued: 04/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Asahi Kasei Bioprocess, Inc. (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Technikrom, Inc. (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Inventors: Walker, John, Sanderson, James, Bellafiore, Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): VON BUHR, MARIA N
• Application Number:
  US11/125,640
• Publication Number:
  US 20050273203A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,429 Days
• Field of Search: 700/238, 700265-272, 366131-137, 366/143
• US Class Current: 700/265
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 21/02 characterised by the use of electric means

Abstract

An accurate blending module for adjusting the pH of solutions containing therapeutic proteins includes a recirculation loop that receives the therapeutic protein solution via a feed pump and an acid solution via an adjusting pump. The recirculation loop includes a recirculation pump and a pH sensor that detects the pH of the solution in the recirculation loop. A controller communicates with the pH sensor and the adjusting pump. The adjusting pump adds acid to the recirculation loop based on the pH readings taken by the pH sensor. The recirculation pump recirculates the therapeutic protein solution and acid in the recirculation loop so that it is mixed. As a result, the pH of the therapeutic protein solution is precisely controlled and adjusted in a non-destructive fashion.

Claims

1. An accurate blending module for blending a supply of feed solution and a supply of adjusting solution comprising:

a) a feed inlet adapted to communicate with the supply of feed solution;

b) an adjusting solution inlet adapted to communicate with the supply of adjusting solution;

c) a feed pump in communication with the feed inlet;

d) an adjusting pump in communication with the adjusting solution inlet;

e) a continuous recirculation loop featuring a recirculation pump and a sensor, said recirculation loop in communication with said feed pump and said adjusting pump so that feed solution and adjusting solution are received by the recirculation loop and mixed therein by the recirculation pump; and

f) a controller in communication with the sensor so that a characteristic of the feed solution in the recirculation loop can be detected, said controller also in communication with the adjusting pump so that delivery of adjusting solution to the solution in the recirculation loop can be controlled based upon the detected characteristic.

2. The accurate blending module of claim 1 further comprising a return line distinct from the recirculation loop, said return line leading from an outlet of the recirculation loop and adapted to communicate with the supply of feed solution.

3. The accurate blending module of claim 2 further comprising a source of pressurized gas selectively in communication with the return line.

4. The accurate blending module of claim 3 wherein the pressurized gas is nitrogen.

5. The accurate blending module of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a pH sensor.

6. The accurate blending module of claim 1 wherein the feed solution includes proteins, the adjusting solution includes acid and the sensor is a pH sensor.

7. The accurate blending module of claim 6 wherein the proteins are therapeutic proteins.

8. The accurate blending module of claim 1 wherein the feed pump is a low shear rotary lobe pump.

9. The accurate blending module of claim 1 the adjusting pump is a diaphragm-type dosing pump.

10. The accurate blending module of claim 1 wherein the recirculation pump is a disc pump.

11. The accurate blending module of claim 1 further comprising an air sensor in communication with the feed inlet and the controller, said air sensor detecting when the supply of feed solution is exhausted and the controller providing an indication of same.

20. The accurate blending module of claim 1 further comprising:

g) a feed tank containing the supply of feed solution, said feed tank in communication with the feed inlet and having a return inlet;

h) a return valve in communication with the recirculation loop;

i) a return line distinct from the recirculation loop and in communication with the return inlet of the feed tank and the return valve so that solution in the recirculation loop is returned to the feed tank when the return valve is opened.

12. A method for providing an adjusted solution comprising the steps of:

a) providing a continuous recirculation loop with a recirculation pump and a sensor;

b) providing a supply of feed solution and a feed pump;

c) providing a supply of adjusting solution and an adjusting pump;

d) pumping feed solution to the recirculation loop;

e) pumping adjusting solution to the recirculation loop;

f) mixing the feed solution and the adjusting solution in the recirculation loop with the recirculation pump;

g) detecting a characteristic of the mixed solution in the recirculation loop with the sensor and controlling the adjusting pump based on the characteristic.

13. The method of claim 12 further including the step of providing a return line distinct from the recirculation loop, said return line extending between the recirculation loop and the supply of feed solution and returning feed solution from the recirculation loop to the supply of feed solution when the sensor detects that the feed solution in the recirculation loop is out of spec.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of purging the return line with a pressurized gas.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the sensor is a ph sensor.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the feed solution includes proteins, the adjusting solution includes acid and the sensor is a pH sensor.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the proteins are therapeutic proteins.

18. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of providing an air sensor in communication with the supply of feed solution and detecting the when the supply of feed solution has been exhausted with the air sensor.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of communicating to the controller from the air sensor that the supply of feed solution has been exhausted and providing a corresponding indication with the controller.