Impeller including one or more turbulators, for a bioreactor system
AssigneeGlobal Life Sciences Solutions USA LLC
InventorsDeoras Prabhudharwadkar, Ashok Gopinath
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An impeller, for example, a Rushton impeller for a bioreactor system is disclosed. The impeller includes a hub, optionally including a slot, a plurality of blades, and one or more turbulators. The plurality of blades is disposed along a circumferential direction of the hub and spaced apart from each other. Each of the plurality of blades is coupled to at least a portion of a circumference and/or a top surface of the hub. Each blade of the plurality of blades includes a pressure face and a suction face. The one or more turbulators is disposed on at least a portion of the suction face, the pressure face, or both, of a blade of the plurality of blades.
Claims17
An impeller for a bioreactor system, comprising:
- a hub;
- a plurality of blades disposed along a circumferential direction of the hub and spaced apart from each other, wherein each of the plurality of blades is coupled to at least a portion of a circumference and/or a top surface of the hub, wherein each blade of the plurality of blades comprises a pressure face and a suction face;
- and
- one or more turbulators disposed on at least a portion of the suction face, the pressure face, or both, of at least one blade of the plurality of blades, wherein the one or more turbulators comprise a rib coupled to the suction face of the at least one blade, wherein the at least one blade comprises a first through-opening extending between the suction face and the pressure face, wherein the rib comprises a second through-opening, and wherein the rib is coupled to the suction face with the second through-opening aligned with the first through-opening.
A bioreactor sub-system, comprising:
- a culture vessel used for culturing a plurality of cells dispersed in a cell-culture media;
- and
- at least one impeller disposed within the culture vessel and configured to stir the cell-culture media and the plurality of cells;
- wherein the at least one impeller comprises:
- a hub;
- a plurality of blades disposed along a circumferential direction of the hub and spaced apart from each other, wherein each of the plurality of blades is coupled to at least a portion of a circumference and/or a top surface of the hub, wherein each blade of the plurality of blades comprises a pressure face and a suction face;
- and
- one or more turbulators disposed on at least a portion of the suction face, the pressure face, or both, of at least one blade of the plurality of blades, wherein the one or more turbulators comprise a rib coupled to the suction face of the at least one blade, wherein the at least one blade comprises a first through-opening extending between the suction face and the pressure face, wherein the rib comprises a second through-opening, and wherein the rib is coupled to the suction face with the second through-opening aligned with the first through-opening.
A bioreactor system, comprising:
- a culture vessel used for culturing a plurality of cells dispersed in a cell-culture media;
- a heating assembly coupled to the culture vessel for maintaining the cell-culture media at a predetermined temperature;
- a sparger operatively coupled to the culture vessel and configured to inject air into the culture vessel;
- and
- at least one impeller disposed in the culture vessel and configured to stir the cell-culture media and the plurality of cells;
- wherein the at least one impeller comprises:
- a hub;
- a plurality of blades disposed along a circumferential direction of the hub and spaced apart from each other, wherein each of the plurality of blades is coupled to at least a portion of a circumference and/or a top surface of the hub, wherein each blade of the plurality of blades comprises a pressure face and a suction face;
- and
- one or more turbulators disposed on at least a portion of the suction face, the pressure face, or both, of at least one blade of the plurality of blades, wherein the one or more turbulators comprise a rib coupled to the suction face of the at least one blade, wherein the at least one blade comprises a first through-opening extending between the suction face and the pressure face, wherein the rib comprises a second through-opening, and wherein the rib is coupled to the suction face with the second through-opening aligned with the first through-opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.