Vessel for processing a biopharmaceutical product including protection means

A method for processing a biopharmaceutical product, comprising:

• providing a device comprising:
• (i) a processing receptacle for the biopharmaceutical product, the receptacle comprising:
• a pocket comprising a flexible side wall, a lower end portion and an upper end portion that define a first inner space configured to accommodate the biopharmaceutical product, the pocket being configured to be in a flat-folded state, an expanded state, or in any intermediate state in between, and can be deformed to switch from one state to another,
• a processing element for processing the biopharmaceutical product when the product is contained in the first inner space of the pocket, said processing element comprising an active inner portion of a certain height that is arranged inside the receptacle;
• a protective chamber for protecting the processing element, said protective chamber comprising a side wall, a lower end portion, and an upper end portion that define a second inner space communicating with the first inner space of the pocket,
• wherein the lower end portion of the protective chamber being adjacent and rigidly attached to the upper end portion of the pocket, a movement of the upper end portion of the pocket upward or downward bringing about a movement of the protective chamber, whereby the active inner portion of the processing element is arranged in the second inner space of the protective chamber when the pocket is in the flat-folded state, a peripheral portion of the second inner space of the protective chamber around the processing element forming a protective chamber of the pocket and the processing element;
• and
• at least one opening configured for introducing the biopharmaceutical product into the receptacle and/or for draining the contents from the receptacle, wherein the active inner portion and the processing element are arranged inside the pocket by being adjacent to the lower end portion;
• the processing element and the protective chamber are arranged to be independent from one another relative to their movements;
• the protective chamber has a variable height that can have a maximum height, a minimum height, or any intermediate height in between, and can be automatically adapted, based on the state of the pocket that is respectively flat-folded, expanded, or intermediate state;
• in each said state of the pocket, the processing element is offset from the side wall and the upper end portion of the pocket, while being adjacent to the lower end portion;
• and
• the protective chamber is rigid and non-deformable;
• and
• (ii) a rigid container configured to accommodate the receptacle when the pocket is in the flat-folded, expanded, or intermediate state, to allow the pocket to be deformed in order to switch from one state to another, and to guide the pocket when the pocket expands in volume, said rigid container providing an additional volume when the biopharmaceutical product is introduced into the receptacle;
• placing the pocket of the receptacle in the flat-folded state in said rigid container on the bottom of the container,
• gradually introducing the biopharmaceutical product into the receptacle through said at least one opening, and simultaneously allowing the pocket to expand upward and to increase in volume by the container, the inner space of the pocket of increasing volume accommodating the biopharmaceutical product:
• continuing to introduce the biopharmaceutical product into the receptacle until the desired amount of the biopharmaceutical product has been introduced;
• allowing the protective chamber to move upward, the upward movement being entrained by the movement of the upper end portion of the pocket;
• allowing the height of the protective chamber to decrease, starting from the maximum height and automatically adapting in height based on the state of the pocket until the pocket is in an unfolded and expanded state or any intermediate state, based on the amount of the biopharmaceutical product that has been introduced into the receptacle, whereby in all of states of the pocket, the processing element is offset from the side wall and the upper end portion of the pocket, while being adjacent to the lower end portion;
• and
• implementing the processing element of the biopharmaceutical product that is in the receptacle.