Photobioreactor for liquid cultures

• US 9,688,950 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2013
• Issued: 06/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Industrial Plankton Inc.
• Original Assignee: Industrial Plankton Inc.
• Inventors: Roulston, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): HOBBS, MICHAEL L
• Application Number:
  US14/410,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20150299630A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,458 Days
• Field of Search: 4352921
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/02 Photobioreactors culturing algae A01G33/00, A01H4/001, C12N1/12
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/22 Transparent or translucent parts glassware for laboratory use B01L3/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/38 Caps; Covers; Plugs; Pouring means
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 29/00 Means for introduction, extraction or recirculation of materials, e.g. pumps pumps per se F04B
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 29/06 Nozzles; Sprayers; Spargers; Diffusers per se B01F23/231, B01J19/26
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 31/02 located outside the reactor
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 31/08 by conducting or reflecting elements located inside the reactor or in its structure
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 33/00 Means for introduction, transport, positioning, extraction, harvesting, peeling or sampling of biological material in or from the apparatus chemical or physical laboratory apparatus in general B01L, devices for taking cell samples A61B10/0045, withdrawing or distributing predetermined quantities of fluid B01L99/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 37/00 Means for sterilizing, maintaining sterile conditions or avoiding chemical or biological contamination C12M23/38 takes precedence; filtration in general and filters per se B01D24/00-B01D41/00; autoclaves B01J3/04; treatment of microorganisms with electrical or wave energy C12N13/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 39/00 Means for cleaning the apparatus or avoiding unwanted deposits of microorganisms apparatus for cleaning laboratory receptacles or instruments B01L13/02; cleaning in general B08B
• 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 41/22 in contact with the bioreactor walls
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/48 Automatic or computerized control automatic analysis G01N35/00

Abstract

A bioreactor for culturing cells in a liquid environment is provided that is designed to reduce the chance of contamination, contain the contamination should it occur, and readily clean and sterilize all or part of the bioreactor in response to contamination, or on a schedule. A processor-controlled method of promoting sterility in a bioreactor is also provided.

Claims

1. A bioreactor, the bioreactor including a vessel comprising:

a light transmitting side wall, wherein the side wall includes a plurality of substantially vertical peaks and valleys wherein a peak to valley height is about 1 inch to about 6 inches and the distance between the peaks is about 1 inch to about 6 inches;

a plurality of vertically disposed lights proximate an outer surface of the side wall;

a reflective layer proximate the lights, the plurality of peaks and valleys and the reflective layer defining a plurality of air channels;

a lid;

a bottom, the side wall, lid and bottom defining an interior;

a base, the base contoured to mate with the side wall;

a plurality of sensors for reporting culture conditions;

a gas sparger in the interior for communication with a gas line;

a culture medium sprayer for communication with a culture medium line;

a culture inlet and a culture outlet and a combined stand and cooling system, the combined stand and cooling system comprising a framework of conduits and an at least one blower, the blower in gaseous communication with a conduit inlet, the frame work of conduits having a series of outlets aligned with the air channels, such that in use, air is blown into a lower end of each of the plurality of air channels and rises to a top end of each the plurality of air channels thereby cooling the bioreactor vessel.

2. A bioreactor vessel, the vessel comprising:

a light transmitting side wall, wherein the side wall includes a plurality of substantially vertical peaks and valleys;

a shell proximate an outer surface of the side wall and abutting the peaks;

a plurality of vertically disposed lights mounted on the shell;

the plurality of peaks and valleys and the shell defining a plurality of air channels;

a lid;

a bottom, the side wall, lid and bottom defining an interior;

a base, the base contoured to mate with the side wall;

a plurality of sensors for reporting culture conditions;

a gas sparger in the interior for communication with a gas line;

a rotary culture medium sprayer for communication with a culture medium line;

a culture inlet and a culture outlet; and

a combined stand and cooling system for use with a blower, the combined stand and cooling system comprising a framework of conduits, a conduit inlet for gaseous communication with the blower, the frame work of conduits having a series of outlets aligned with the air channels, such that in use, air is blown into a lower end of each of the plurality of air channels and rises to a top end of each the plurality of air channels thereby cooling the bioreactor vessel.

3. The bioreactor vessel of claim 2, further comprising the blower, the blower in gaseous communication with the conduit inlet.

4. The bioreactor vessel of claim 3, wherein the peaks and valleys includes waves normal to the peaks and valleys.

5. A bioreactor vessel, the vessel comprising:

a light transmitting side wall, wherein the side wall includes a plurality of substantially vertical peaks and valleys;

the side wall includes a plurality of substantially vertical peaks and valleys;

a shell proximate an outer surface of the side wall and abutting the peaks;

a plurality of vertically disposed lights mounted on the shell;

the plurality of peaks and valleys and the shell defining a plurality of air channels;

a lid;

a bottom, the side wall, lid and bottom defining an interior;

a base, the base contoured to mate with the side wall;

a plurality of sensors for reporting culture conditions;

a gas sparger in the interior for communication with a gas line;

a culture medium sprayer for communication with a culture medium line;

a culture inlet and a culture outlet; and

a cooling system, the cooling system comprising an at least one fan and a distribution plate in communication with the at least one fan, the distribution plate having a network for directing air flow into each of the plurality of air channels.

6. The bioreactor vessel of claim 5, wherein the culture medium sprayer is a rotary culture medium sprayer.

7. The bioreactor vessel of claim 6, wherein the peaks and valleys includes waves normal to the peaks and valleys.

8. The bioreactor vessel of claim 5, further comprising a cooling plate disposed beneath the distribution plate and for communication with a refrigeration source.