Process for improving mass transfer in a membrane bioreactor and providing a more homogeneous culture environment

• US 5,202,254 A
• Filed: 10/11/1990
• Issued: 04/13/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Biovest International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Endotronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Reichler, Allen S., Waniger, Scott T., Banas, Martin H., Amiot, Bruce P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson, Douglas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, JANE
• Application Number:
  US07/595,939
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 435/240.1, 435/240.241, 435/240.242, 435/240.25, 435/289, 435/300
• US Class Current: 435/401
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/58 Reaction vessels connected in series or in parallel combinations of bioreactors with other apparatus, C12M43/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 25/10 Hollow fibers or tubes hollow fiber modules in general B01D63/02
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 29/10 Perfusion
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 29/16 Hollow fibers hollow fiber modules in general B01D63/02
• 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

Abstract

A process for improving mass transfer in a bioreactor having at least one semi-permeable membrane defining first and second chambers on opposite sides of the membrane provides for circulating a first media including nutrients and the like through the first chamber and for circulating a second media for cell culture through the second chamber of the bioreactor. The first and second media may be circulated through a plurality of bioreactors connected in parallel while balancing the flow in each reactor. The flow in the second circuit can be periodically reversed to provide increased cell culture.

Claims

1. A process for improving mass transfer between a liquid source medium and a liquid medium containing cells in a membrane bioreactor comprising:

circulating the liquid media through at least one bioreactor having at least one semi-permeable membrane and simultaneously circulating the second liquid media inoculated with a cell culture through said at least one bioreactor on the opposite side of said membrane.

2. A process as set forth in claim 1, further comprising circulating said first liquid media in a first circuit through an integration chamber, a gas exchanger, and a pH probe by means of a circulation pump all disposed in series with said at least one bioreactor.

3. A process as set forth in claim 2, further comprising circulating said second liquid media in a second circuit and introducing additional media through a dilution vessel into said second circuit containing said second liquid media.

4. A process as set forth in claim 1, further comprising circulating said first and second liquid media through a plurality of bioreactors connected in parallel while independently controlling the flow of said second liquid media through each bioreactor to provide a balanced flow through each bioreactor.