Disposable bioreactor system

• US 9,868,095 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2008
• Issued: 01/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Finesse Solutions, Inc. (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Finesse Solutions, Inc. (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Inventors: Selker, Mark, Paldus, Barbara
• Primary Examiner(s): Marcheschi, Michael A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hassan, Liban M
• Application Number:
  US12/008,447
• Publication Number:
  US 20080274541A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,659 Days
• Field of Search: 4352891
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/23121 having injection means, e.g. nozzles with circumferential outlet
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/22 with supporting means moving in a horizontal plane, e.g. describing an orbital path for moving the containers about an axis which intersects the receptacle axis at an angle
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/23 by pivoting the containers about an axis
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/25 the containers being submitted to a combination of movements other than within a horizontal plane, e.g. rectilinear and pivoting movement with a receptacle submitted to a combination of movements, i.e. at least one movement being vibratory or oscillatory B01F31/50
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/50 with a receptacle submitted to a combination of movements, i.e. at least one vibratory or oscillatory movement
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/51 characterised by their material
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/513 Flexible receptacles, e.g. bags supported by rigid containers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/53 characterised by the configuration of the interior, e.g. baffles for facilitating the mixing of components
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/531 with baffles, plates or bars on the wall or the bottom
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/02 Form or structure of the vessel large containers B65D88/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/06 Tubular C12M23/08, C12M23/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/28 disposable or single use
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 27/10 Rotating vessel
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 27/16 Vibrating; Shaking; Tilting
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 27/20 Baffles; Ribs; Ribbons; Auger vanes

Abstract

A cylindrical or annular polymeric bioreactor is disclosed which provides enhanced mixing and aeration of the growth medium while simultaneously offering reduced mechanical shear force.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a hollow toroidal one-piece polymeric bioreactor vessel comprising at least one port configured to receive at least one pre-inserted and pre-calibrated sensor to monitor a bioprocess carried out in said hollow toroidal one-piece polymeric bioreactor vessel; and

(b) a drive configured to move the hollow toroidal one-piece polymeric bioreactor vessel such that there is build-up of a resonant frequency traveling wave of fluid orbiting in one direction in an interior of the hollow toroidal one-piece polymeric vessel when a particular amplitude and orbital speed is imparted to said hollow toroidal one-piece polymeric bioreactor vessel,

wherein the resonant frequency depends on the size and shape of the hollow toroidal one-piece polymeric bioreactor vessel, and

wherein at least a portion of an inner surface of said hollow toroidal one-piece polymeric bioreactor vessel is textured with a plurality of upstanding protuberances and said hollow toroidal one-piece polymeric bioreactor vessel includes at least one exit port for the removal of gaseous by-products.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least some of said upstanding protuberances allow passage of sparging gas into said hollow toroidal one-piece polymeric bioreactor vessel.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 2, having the textured surface on a bottom of the hollow toroidal one-piece polymeric bioreactor vessel.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising pre-molded baffles on at least a portion of the inner surface of said hollow toroidal one-piece polymeric bioreactor vessel.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the apparatus is fabricated from a substantially rigid plastic.

6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the apparatus is fabricated from a substantially flexible plastic.

7. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for illuminating the contents of said hollow toroidal one-piece polymeric bioreactor vessel.

8. The apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said illumination means comprises at least one LED.

9. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for simultaneously both orbiting and rocking said hollow toroidal one-piece polymeric bioreactor vessel.