Method and apparatus for aseptic growth or processing of biomass
AssigneeThe Penn State Research Foundation
InventorWayne R. Curtis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for aseptic biological production or processing of cells, tissues and/or microorganisms is provided. The apparatus includes a support housing having an interior chamber, a disposable liner lining the interior chamber and a head plate attached to the liner forming a sealed chamber with the liner. After use the liner can be disposed and the apparatus can be reused with a new liner. In this way, the apparatus simplifies cleaning and ensuring validation required by pharmaceutical and food industry standards.
Claims22
A bioreactor for culturing or processing a biomass, comprising:
- a. a liner support;
- b. a sterilized plastic liner having an opening, wherein the liner is mounted on the support and forms a reservoir for receiving a biomass dispersion;
- c. a closure releasably sealingly engageable with the liner to close the liner opening, wherein the closure is separable from the liner, and the closure comprises;
- a port in fluid communication with the reservoir;
- and
- d. a connector comprising a support ring for releasably connecting the closure with the liner;
- wherein the liner is sandwiched between the support ring and the closure, and the support ring and liner support are configured such that the liner and the closure can be removed from the liner support while maintaining a fluid-tight seal between the closure and the liner.
A bioreactor for culturing or processing a biomass, comprising:
- a. a sterilized plastic liner having an opening;
- b. a support having a top opening adjacent the opening of the liner, wherein the support supports the liner so that the liner forms a first reservoir for receiving a biomass;
- c. a second reservoir for receiving fluid;
- d. a first fluid line connecting the first reservoir to the second reservoir for providing a flow of fluid from the second reservoir to the first reservoir through the top opening in the support;
- and
- e. a second fluid line connecting the first reservoir to the second reservoir for providing a flow of fluid from the first reservoir to the second reservoir through the top opening in the support.
A bioreactor for culturing or processing a biomass, comprising:
- a. a first reservoir for receiving fluid;
- b. a support having an internal configuration;
- c. a sterilized plastic liner conforming to the internal configuration of the support to provide a second reservoir configured to grow a biomass;
- d. an aerator in the second reservoir for aerating the biomass in the second reservoir;
- e. a first fluid line connecting the first reservoir to the second reservoir for providing a flow of fluid from the second reservoir to the first reservoir;
- and
- f. a second fluid line connecting the first reservoir to the second reservoir for providing a flow of fluid from the first reservoir to the second reservoir.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.