Non-invasive sensing of bioprocess parameters

• US 8,852,921 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2010
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Maryland Baltimore County (University of Maryland)
• Original Assignee: University of Maryland Baltimore County (University of Maryland)
• Inventors: Rao, Govind, Kostov, Yordan, Tolosa, Leah
• Primary Examiner(s): Bowers, Nathan
• Assistant Examiner(s): EDWARDS, LYDIA E
• Application Number:
  US13/378,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20120171760A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,569 Days
• Field of Search: 4352831-3094
• US Class Current: 435/288.1
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/00 Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges flow directing inserts in C12M27/18-C12M27/24; apparatus for chemical or physical processes in general B01J, chemical or physical laboratory apparatus in general B01L
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/20 Material Coatings immunocoatings C12M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/00 Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation controlling or regulating chemical, physical or physicochemical processes B01J19/0006; heating or cooling apparatus for laboratory use B01L7/00; electro optical investigation of individual particles, flow cytometers G01N15/14; automatic analysis G01N35/00; controlling or regulating in general G06N
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/26 of pH
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/34 of gas

Abstract

A system and method for measuring at least one bioprocess parameter utilizes a barrier that separates an external sensor from a culture medium. The barrier allows analytes to diffuse in and out of the culture vessel, thereby allowing the bioprocess parameter to be measured non-invasively by the external sensor.

Claims

1. A plug-in sensor system for measuring at least one bioprocess parameter, comprising:

a cartridge that is adapted to be selectively inserted into and removed from an opening in a wall of a culture vessel, wherein the cartridge comprises,

a gas impermeable optically transparent layer;

a sensor positioned on the optically transparent layer adapted to interact with an analyte being monitored, and

a barrier membrane that is at least partially permeable to the analyte being monitored and that is positioned on and in contact with the sensor;

wherein, when the cartridge is inserted into the opening in the wall of the culture vessel, the barrier membrane is positioned such that an analyte that is being monitored and that is present in the culture vessel must pass through the barrier membrane in order to come into contact with the sensor.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a hydrogel layer positioned between the barrier membrane and the sensor.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises biosensors in a buffer solution.