Automated bioreactor system, system for automatically implementing protocol for decellularizing organ, and waste decontamination system
Inventors
Bonvillain, Ryan • CHEADLE, John • Petersen, Thomas
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12022823-B2
Publication Date
2024-07-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
An automated bioreactor system for decellularizing an organ includes a main chamber for containing the organ. The system further includes a reagent chamber containing a liquid phase reagent. A reagent conduit delivers the liquid phase reagent to the main chamber, and a perfusion conduit delivers the reagent from the reagent outlet in the main chamber into the organ. A perfusion pump drives the flow of the reagent. A perfusion pressure sensor detects a pressure of the flowing reagent. A control system controls the perfusion pump to drive the flow of the reagent based on a received input representative of a desired pressure and a received input of the detected pressure. The control system may automatically perform all of the steps of a decellularization protocol based on sensor input. An automated waste decontamination system may also be provided.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a system for automatically implementing a protocol for decellularizing an organ. The system includes a main chamber configured to contain the organ and at least one perfusion pump configured to drive the flow of liquid into the organ. A perfusion pressure sensor detects a pressure of liquid flowing into the organ, and a weight sensor detects a weight contained in the main chamber.
A control system receives a protocol with steps for perfusing the organ and receives input from the perfusion pressure sensor. The control system controls the at least one perfusion pump to automatically perform all of the steps of the protocol to decellularize the organ. The control system is further configured to receive an input of the detected weight from the weight sensor.
Based on the received input of the detected weight, the control system stops a completion of a step of the protocol and proceeds to performing a subsequent step of the protocol. The partial content further describes an automated bioreactor/decEthercellularization system architecture using a closed sterile main chamber, multiple reagent chambers and a valve/pump manifold to deliver liquid-phase reagents into an organ via perfusion conduits, together with an automated waste decontamination subsystem.
Claims Coverage
The patent document includes one independent claim (clm-00001) that defines the core decellularization system, with dependent claims (clm-00002 and clm-00003) adding refinements. The independent claim contains three main inventive aspects: sensor-guided perfusion, protocol-driven automated execution, and weight-based control of step transitions.
Protocol-driven automated decellularization with perfusion pump
A control system receives a protocol with steps for perfusing the organ and controls at least one perfusion pump to automatically perform all of the steps of the protocol to decellularize the organ.
Pressure-sensed perfusion into the organ
At least one perfusion pressure sensor detects a pressure of liquid flowing into the organ, and the control system receives input from the at least one perfusion pressure sensor.
Weight-based stopping and proceeding between protocol steps
The control system receives an input of the weight detected by the weight sensor and stops a completion of a step of the protocol and proceeds to performing a subsequent step of the protocol based on the received input of the detected weight.
User override during protocol execution
The control system receives user input during the protocol so that a user can override a protocol step and adjust a setting of at least one perfusion pump.
Protocol storage and user-requested recall
The control system stores the protocol and recalls the protocol when a user requests it.
Across the independent claim and its dependent refinements, the inventive concept is an automated decellularization system in which a control system executes protocol steps using a perfusion pump guided by perfusion pressure sensor input and governed by weight-sensor-based stopping/transition between steps, with added user override and protocol storage/recall functionality.
Stated Advantages
Automatically implementing a protocol for decellularizing an organ.
Perfusing the organ according to protocol steps using perfusion pressure sensor input.
Controlling transitions between protocol steps based on weight detected in the main chamber.
Allowing user override/input during protocol execution to adjust how pump settings are applied.
Storing the protocol and recalling it on user request.
Documented Applications
Automated decellularization of an organ (described in the partial content in the context of an automated bioreactor/decEthercellularization system including an organ such as a lung).
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