Oscillating bioreactor system

A biological production system, comprising:

• a mixing vessel, comprising:
• a rigid outer housing formed of a single unitary material and comprising:
• a bottom portion including a closed bottom end;
• a top portion opposite the bottom portion and including a cylindrical neck defining an opening configured to be sealed with a closure;
• and
• a middle portion including a cylindrical wall integrally formed with, and extending between, the bottom portion and the top portion;
• wherein the rigid outer housing tapers within at least a portion of the top portion such that a diameter of the middle portion is greater than a diameter of the top portion;
• a reaction chamber within the rigid outer housing;
• wherein the mixing vessel is configured to provide low shear agitation to materials contained within the reaction chamber in response to an externally applied force;
• and
• an internal mixing structure comprising:
• a first raised surface;
• and
• a second raised surface;
• wherein the internal mixing structure completely traverses the circumference of the cylindrical wall between the top portion and the bottom portion;
• wherein the first and second raised surfaces are uniformly distributed around a circumference of the cylindrical wall;
• wherein each of the first and second raised surfaces is integrally formed with, and extends from, the cylindrical wall into the reaction chamber;
• wherein each of the first and second raised surfaces has a first end portion proximate the top portion, a second end portion proximate the bottom portion, and a middle portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion;
• and
• wherein each respective first end portion is axially spaced apart from each respective second end portion;
• a closure configured to seal the opening;
• and
• an agitation device;
• wherein the mixing vessel is configured to provide low shear agitation to materials contained within the reaction chamber in response to an externally applied force from the agitation device.

A method of mixing cells, the method comprising:

• providing a mixing vessel comprising:
• a rigid outer housing formed of a single unitary material and comprising:
• a bottom portion including a closed bottom end;
• a top portion opposite the bottom portion and including a cylindrical neck defining an opening configured to be sealed with a closure;
• and
• a middle portion including a cylindrical wall integrally formed with, and extending between, the bottom portion and the top portion;
• wherein the rigid outer housing tapers within at least a portion of the top portion such that a diameter of the middle portion is greater than a diameter of the top portion;
• a reaction chamber within the rigid outer housing;
• wherein the mixing vessel is configured to provide low shear agitation to materials contained within the reaction chamber in response to an externally applied force;
• and
• an internal mixing structure comprising:
• a first raised surface;
• and
• a second raised surface;
• wherein the internal mixing structure completely traverses the circumference of the cylindrical wall between the top portion and the bottom portion;
• wherein the first and second raised surfaces are uniformly distributed around a circumference of the cylindrical wall;
• wherein each of the first and second raised surfaces is integrally formed with, and extends from, the cylindrical wall into the reaction chamber;
• wherein each of the first and second raised surfaces has a first end portion proximate the top portion, a second end portion proximate the bottom portion, and a middle portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion;
• and
• wherein each respective first end portion is axially spaced apart from each respective second end portion;
• depositing cells in a liquid medium into the reaction chamber;
• and
• agitating the mixing vessel using an agitation device.