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Publication Number
US-9918463-B2
Publication Date
2018-03-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention relates to a bioreactor for charging the outside and the interior of a hollow element (1) or hollow element framework with a liquid, having a housing (2) accommodating the liquid, forming a liquid surface, and a rotation device (3) arranged within the housing (2) and receiving the hollow element (1), which rotation device (3) is for rotating the hollow element (1) about the longitudinal axis (4) thereof in the region of the liquid surface. In known bioreactors of this type, the interior of the hollow element must be flushed with a special device, and so here also a liquid exchange takes place. The object of forming a bioreactor for charging the interior and the outside of hollow elements in such a manner that simplest and cheapest flushing of the interior of the hollow element is ensured is achieved in that the rotation device (3) comprises a scooping chamber (5) running at least in part tangentially to the longitudinal axis, and which is connected via a flow channel (6) to the interior of the hollow element (1).
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a bioreactor comprising a housing configured to contain a liquid so as to form a liquid level, and a rotary device arranged in the housing for rotating a hollow organ or organ scaffold about a longitudinal axis in a region of the liquid level. The hollow organ or organ scaffold has an exterior exposed to the liquid contained in the housing and an interior. Upon rotation, the bioreactor enables a portion of the liquid contained in the housing to enter a scoop chamber and to pass into the interior.
The rotary device comprises at least one rotatable member for rotatably holding the hollow organ or organ scaffold, where the rotatable holding member has a body defining a scoop chamber and a fluid duct. The scoop chamber is fluidically connected to the interior via a flow duct, and the scoop chamber extends beyond the longitudinal axis defined by the hollow organ or organ scaffold. The flow duct branches off laterally from the scoop chamber, and the axis of rotation is parallel to the liquid level.
The arrangement further includes monitoring ports or windows for imaging or biochemical measures, agitation of the liquid using parallel agitator bars and optional paddles, removable sterilizable transport and operating covers, and inserts for different trachea and bronchus scaffold geometries, including Y-form and L-form inserts.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers a bioreactor system with 2 core inventive groupings: a rotary device that rotates a hollow organ or organ scaffold with an axis parallel to a liquid level, and a rotatable holding member with a scoop chamber extending beyond the scaffold longitudinal axis that draws liquid and routes it through a branched lateral flow duct into the organ/scaffold interior.
Liquid-filled housing with a liquid level
A housing configured to contain a liquid so as to form a liquid level.
Rotary device rotating a hollow organ or organ scaffold at an axis parallel to the liquid level
A rotary device, arranged in the housing and configured for rotating a hollow organ or organ scaffold about a longitudinal axis in a region of the liquid level, wherein the axis of rotation is parallel to the liquid level, and the hollow organ or organ scaffold has an exterior exposed to the liquid and an interior.
Rotatable holding member with a scoop chamber and a fluid duct feeding the interior
At least one rotatable member for rotatably holding the hollow organ or organ scaffold, wherein the rotatable holding member has a body, a scoop chamber defined in the body and a fluid duct defined in the body, the scoop chamber fluidically connected to the interior via a flow duct, such that upon rotation a portion of the liquid enters the scoop chamber and passes through the flow duct to the interior.
Scoop chamber extends beyond the longitudinal axis and branched lateral flow duct
The scoop chamber extends beyond the longitudinal axis defined by the hollow organ or the organ scaffold, and the flow duct branches off laterally from the scoop chamber.
Overall, the claims define a bioreactor in which a rotary device rotates a hollow organ or organ scaffold with an axis parallel to a liquid level, using a rotatable holding member that includes a scoop chamber extending beyond the scaffold longitudinal axis and a branched lateral flow duct to route liquid from the housing into the interior, while dependent claims add monitoring, agitation, end-holding and outflow, and sterilizable leak-tight covers.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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