# US 12,595,453 B2 · Device for supplying and discharging a medium; culture vessel having such a device and method of cultivating microbiological systems by using such a culture vessel

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- Number: US 12,595,453 B2
- Document ID: US12595453B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/196,034
- Filed: 2021-03-09
- Published: 2021-06-24
- Granted: 2026-04-07
- Earliest claimed: 2018-09-17
- Assignees: Naturin Viscofan GmbH
- Applicants: Naturin Viscofan GmbH
- Inventors: Leon Gustafsson; Martin Vaegler; Karl-Dietrich Sievert
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12595453B2

## CPC

- C12M 23/40: {Manifolds; Distribution pieces (fluid transfer means B01L3/563)}
- C12M 29/06: {Nozzles; Sprayers; Spargers; Diffusers (per se B01F23/231, B01J19/26)}
- C12M 23/08: {Flask, bottle or test tube}
- C12M 23/38: {Caps; Covers; Plugs; Pouring means}
- C12M 29/00: {Means for introduction, extraction or recirculation of materials, e.g. pumps (pumps per se F04B)}
- C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS}

## Abstract

A device for the supply or discharge of medium into or out of a culture vessel comprises a housing on which a first aperture and a plurality of second apertures are arranged. The first aperture and the second apertures have fluid-conducting connection to one another in a manner to supply a medium from the first aperture via the second apertures into the interior of the culture vessel or to discharge same in reversed direction therefrom, when the device is attached on the culture vessel. The plurality of second apertures are configured to generate a plurality of medium sub-streams arranged in parallel to one another of the medium that is to be supplied or that is to be discharged. Further disclosed are a culture vessel and a method of cultivating microbiological systems.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A culture vessel, comprising
a vessel body configured to accommodate a medium and extending from an upper side to a bottom side, and
at least one device configured to supply or discharge the medium into or out of the vessel body and arranged on the upper side of the vessel body, the at least one device comprising:
a housing,
a first aperture and a plurality of second apertures arranged on the housing,
the plurality of second apertures being connected with the first aperture in a fluid-conducting manner to supply the medium from the first aperture via the plurality of second apertures into an interior of the vessel body or to discharge the medium from the interior of the vessel body in a reversed direction, such that a plurality of medium sub-streams, arranged in parallel to one another, of the medium to be supplied or to be discharged are generated, wherein
the first aperture is connected with each of the plurality of second apertures respectively via one of a plurality of fluid conduits arranged in parallel to one another, wherein at least one of the plurality of fluid conduits is directed, at least in sections thereof, perpendicularly to the bottom side of the vessel body, and
wherein the plurality of fluid conduits are provided by a plurality of nozzles, wherein at least one of the plurality of nozzles is configured as a laminar nozzle for producing a laminar medium sub-stream of the medium that is to be supplied, wherein the laminar nozzle has a Reynolds number that is below 2300 for a flow velocity, and the medium has a viscosity sufficient for cell culture.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The culture vessel as claimed in claim 1, further comprising one or more plug-in apertures arranged on the upper side of the vessel body, wherein the plug-in apertures are configured to plug-in the at least one device.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The culture vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one device comprises, on the vessel body, a first device for supply of the medium, and a second device for discharge of the medium.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The culture vessel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first device and the second device are arranged at two mutually opposite edges of the vessel body.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The culture vessel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vessel body comprises a connection for at least one of electrical current and voltage arranged for applying the at least one of electrical current and voltage on the vessel body.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The culture vessel as claimed in claim 1, configured as a bioreactor for cultivation of microbiological systems.