Methods of using pneumatic bioreactors
First Claim
1. A method of growing a biological agent within a single use bioreactor, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a containment vessel for holding biological contents, the containment vessel comprising a generally rectangular upper portion in horizontal section and a semi-cylindrical lower portion defining a semi-cylindrical concavity therewithin;
providing a rotatable buoyancy-driven mixing device located within the containment vessel and having a substantially horizontal axis of rotation, the mixing device having a diameter such that when it rotates it substantially fills the semi-cylindrical concavity;
sterilizing the containment vessel and the mixing device so that at least the interior of the containment vessel and the mixing device are sterile;
providing a culture medium within the containment vessel;
providing nutrients within the containment vessel to support growth of the biological agent within the culture medium;
enclosing the containment vessel such that the culture medium is not exposed to the surrounding environment;
rotating the mixing device about said horizontal axis to mix the contents of the containment vessel by introducing gas into the containment vessel at a location below the mixing device such that at least a portion of the gas rising within the containment vessel is temporarily captured by a portion of the mixing device to cause rotation of the mixing device due to the buoyancy of the captured gas; and
discarding the containment vessel and mixing device after a single use of growing a biological agent.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pneumatic bioreactor includes a vessel containing a fluid to be mixed and at least one mixing device driven by gas pressure. A first embodiment includes a floating impeller that rises and falls in the fluid as gas bubbles carry it upward to the surface where the gas is then vented, permitting the impeller to sink in the fluid. The floating impeller may be tethered to a second impeller with a flexible member and pulley. The mixing speed is controlled with electromagnets in the vessel acting upon magnetic material in the impeller or its guides. In another embodiment, floating pistons mix the fluid, pushing it through a mixing plate with one or more apertures. In a third embodiment, the mixing device is a rotating drum with bubble-catching blades and rotating mixing plates with apertures. The top of the vessel for these mixers may include a closed top and sterile filters.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of growing a biological agent within a single use bioreactor, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a containment vessel for holding biological contents, the containment vessel comprising a generally rectangular upper portion in horizontal section and a semi-cylindrical lower portion defining a semi-cylindrical concavity therewithin; providing a rotatable buoyancy-driven mixing device located within the containment vessel and having a substantially horizontal axis of rotation, the mixing device having a diameter such that when it rotates it substantially fills the semi-cylindrical concavity; sterilizing the containment vessel and the mixing device so that at least the interior of the containment vessel and the mixing device are sterile; providing a culture medium within the containment vessel; providing nutrients within the containment vessel to support growth of the biological agent within the culture medium; enclosing the containment vessel such that the culture medium is not exposed to the surrounding environment; rotating the mixing device about said horizontal axis to mix the contents of the containment vessel by introducing gas into the containment vessel at a location below the mixing device such that at least a portion of the gas rising within the containment vessel is temporarily captured by a portion of the mixing device to cause rotation of the mixing device due to the buoyancy of the captured gas; and discarding the containment vessel and mixing device after a single use of growing a biological agent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for performing a cell culture growth process comprising:
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holding a cell culture medium within a single use sterile vessel; enclosing the vessel such that the cell culture medium is not exposed to a surrounding environment; adding nutrients to the contents of the vessel to support cell culture growth; maintaining the contents of the vessel at a prescribed temperature to support cell culture growth; introducing gas into the vessel to support cell culture growth; mixing the contents of the container with a pneumatically-driven mixing element disposed within the vessel so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis and being constructed and arranged to capture at least a portion of the gas introduced into the vessel and to be rotated by buoyant force of the captured gas to thereby effect mixing of the contents of the vessel, wherein the mixing element has at least one impeller blade located radially inward from an outer edge thereof configured to generate axial flow of at least a portion of the contents of the vessel upon rotation of the mixing element; and discarding the vessel and mixing element after a single cell culture growth process. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification