A single-use system and method for continuous homogenization or lysis

A system for homogenization of a starting material, the system comprising:

• a starting material container containing the starting material;
• a homogenization device comprising:
• a chamber including an inlet and an outlet;
• and an impeller that is configured to rotate and/or reciprocate within an interior volume of the chamber;
• a first tubing line between the starting material container and the inlet of the chamber;
• a pump (P1) in the first tubing line;
• a first valve (V1) in the first tubing line;
• a recirculation container;
• a second tubing line between the recirculation container and the first tubing line with the second tubing line fluidly connecting the recirculation container and the inlet of the chamber;
• a second valve (V2) in the second tubing line;
• a third tubing line between the outlet of the chamber and the starting material container;
• a third valve (V3) in the third tubing line;
• a fourth tubing line between the recirculation container and the third tubing line;
• a fourth valve (V4) in the fourth tubing line;
• a fifth tubing line between the third tubing line and the first tubing line;
• a fifth valve (V5) in the fifth tubing line;
• and
• a controller configured to direct the first through fifth valves to selectively open and close, to direct the operation of the impeller, and to direct the pump to turn on and turn off.

A system for homogenization of a starting material, the system comprising:

• a starting material container containing the starting material;
• a homogenization device comprising:
• a chamber including an inlet and an outlet;
• and an impeller that is configured to rotate and/or reciprocate within an interior volume of the chamber;
• a first tubing line between the starting material container and the inlet of the chamber;
• a pump (P1) in the first tubing line;
• a first valve (V1) in the first tubing line;
• a second tubing line between the outlet of the chamber and the starting material container;
• a second valve (V3) in the second tubing line;
• at least one optical sensor in the first tubing line and/or the second tubing line;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• (a) open the first valve, turn on the pump, and rotate and/or reciprocate the impeller such that starting material flows from the starting material container to the inlet and through the homogenization chamber and is at least partially homogenized;
• (b) open the second valve such that the at least partially homogenized starting material flows from the outlet to the starting material container;
• and
• (c) maintain the first and second valves open and the pump on until desired homogenization is achieved based on measurement by the optical sensor in the first tubing line and/or the second tubing line.