# US 2020/0399575 A1 · Biocompatible composite elements and methods for producing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0399575 A1 - Document ID: US20200399575A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/893,510 - Filed: 2020-06-05 - Published: 2020-12-24 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-05 - Assignees: Schott AG - Applicants: Schott AG - Inventors: Christian Ott; Robert Hettler; Christoph Stangl; Helena Blümel; Reinhard Ecker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200399575A1 ## CPC - C12M 37/04: {Seals} - B32B 1/08: Tubular products - B32B 27/288: {comprising polyketones} - B32B 27/32: comprising polyolefins {(comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30)} - C08J 7/08: {Heat treatment} - C12M 23/02: {Form or structure of the vessel (large containers B65D88/00)} - C12M 23/06: {Tubular (C12M23/08, C12M23/16 take precedence)} - C12M 23/22: {Transparent or translucent parts (glassware for laboratory use B01L3/00)} - C12M 23/28: {disposable or single use} - C12M 23/46: {Means for fastening} - C12M 23/48: {Holding appliances; Racks; Supports (holding devices for laboratory apparatus B01L9/00)} - C12M 31/02: {located outside the reactor} - C12M 41/46: {of cellular or enzymatic activity or functionality, e.g. cell viability} - B32B 2307/412: Transparent - C08J 2323/06: Polyethene - C08J 2371/10: from phenols - 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} - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - C08J: WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H (working, e.g. shaping, of plastics B29) ## Abstract A biocompatible composite element for a bioreactor is provided that includes an outer frame and an inner component. The outer frame is a polymeric material. The outer frame can be inseparably attached to a wall of the bioreactor. The inner component is a transparent material selected from a group consisting of glass, sapphire, and glass ceramic. The inner component is secured in the outer component in an inseparable hermetically tight manner. The inner component is configured for a spectral process control through the transparent material of the inner component. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A biocompatible composite element for a bioreactor, comprising: an outer frame comprising a polymeric material, the outer frame being configured for inseparable attachment to a wall of the bioreactor; and an inner component comprising a transparent material selected from a group consisting of glass, sapphire, and glass ceramic, wherein the inner component is secured in the outer component in an inseparable hermetically tight manner, and wherein the inner component is configured for a spectral process control through the transparent material of the inner component. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The biocompatible composite element of claim 1, wherein the transparent material exhibits a transmittance that is selected from a group consisting of: greater than 75% in a spectral range with a wavelength of 190 to 5500 nm; greater than 90% in a spectral range with a wavelength of 190 to 5500 nm; greater than 75% in a spectral range with a wavelength of 190 to 2800 nm; greater than 80% in a spectral range with a wavelength of 190 to 2800 nm; greater than 90% in a spectral range with a wavelength of 190 to 2800 nm; greater than 75% in a spectral range with a wavelength of 190 to 2700 nm; greater than 90% in a spectral range with a wavelength of 190 to 2700 nm; and any combinations thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The biocompatible composite element of claim 1, wherein the outer frame has a structure selected from a group consisting of: an annular cross section so that the outer frame surrounds the inner component; a tubular having a first end and a second end with the first end being configured for inseparable attachment to the wall of the bioreactor; a flange being configured for inseparable attachment to the wall of the bioreactor; an outer thread configured for inseparable attachment to the wall of the bioreactor; and any combinations thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The biocompatible composite element of claim 1, wherein the inner component is a single component having a plate or disc-shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The biocompatible composite element of claim 1, wherein the inner component comprises with a transparent structural part and a tubular connecting part, the tubular connecting part is directly or indirectly joined both to the transparent structural part and to the outer frame. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The biocompatible composite element of claim 5, wherein the tubular connecting part comprises a plurality of projections that increase a contact surface area with the outer frame. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The biocompatible composite element of claim 5, wherein the transparent structural part is arranged at a second end of the tubular connecting part. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The biocompatible composite element of claim 5, wherein the tubular connecting part surrounds the transparent structural part in such a way that the transparent structural part is fitted in the connecting part in a hermetically tight manner. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The biocompatible composite element of claim 5, wherein the tubular connecting part is made from a material selected from a group consisting of metal, stainless steel, and austenitic-ferritic duplex steel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The biocompatible composite element of claim 5, wherein the tubular connecting part and transparent structural part are each fitted in the outer frame. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The biocompatible composite element of claim 5, wherein the tubular connecting part is made from a common transparent material as the transparent structural part. ### Claim 12 (depends on 5) The biocompatible composite element of claim 5, wherein the tubular connecting part is made from a non-transparent material selected from a group consisting of ceramic, metal, oxidizable metal, and aluminum. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The biocompatible composite element of claim 12, wherein the tubular connecting part has an oxide layer on a surface that adjoins the transparent structural part. ### Claim 14 (depends on 5) The biocompatible composite element of claim 5, wherein the inner component projects, at least partially, out of the outer frame. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The biocompatible composite element of claim 1, wherein the connecting part is laser-welded to the transparent structural part. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The biocompatible composite element of claim 1, wherein the inner component is fitted vertically under compressive stress in the outer frame. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The biocompatible composite element of claim 1, wherein the outer frame comprises a material selected from a group consisting of polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyethylene (PE), and a material having a wetting angle of contact that is less than 90° with a material of the inner component. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The biocompatible composite element of claim 1, wherein the inner component is fitted in the outer frame in a stress-neutral manner. ### Claim 19 A method for producing a biocompatible composite element, comprising: providing an outer frame comprising a polymeric material; providing an inner component comprising a transparent structural part comprising a material selected from a group consisting of glass, sapphire, and glass ceramic; causing a relative expansion of the outer frame with respect to the inner component; inserting the inner component in the outer frame; and causing a relative contraction of the outer frame with respect to the inner component so that the inner component is fitted in the outer frame in a hermetically tight manner. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the relative expansion and contraction comprise the steps of heating and cooling the outer frame and the inner component with respect to one another.