EP3740558A1

EP3740558A1 - Mutli sensor for a bioreactor, bioreactor, method for producing a multi sensor, and for measuring parameters

Info

Publication number: EP3740558A1
Application number: EP18825669.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sebastian SELZER; Rudolf Petkau; Guido ERTEL; Wolfgang Streule
Original assignee: Eppendorf SE
Current assignee: Eppendorf SE
Priority date: 2018-01-17
Filing date: 2018-12-18
Publication date: 2020-11-25
Also published as: US20200347338A1; WO2019141466A1; JP2021510526A; CN111601875A; EP3514223A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi sensor for a bioreactor for use in cell culture and/or microbiology, a bioreactor for use in cell culture and/or microbiology, a method for producing a multi sensor, and a method for measuring parameters in a bioreactor for use in cell culture and/or microbiology. The multi sensor comprises at least three measurement assemblies which are designed to measure at least three parameters, wherein a first of the three measurement assemblies is designed to carry out an impedance measurement and/or a capacitive measurement, and wherein the first measurement assembly has at least two electrodes which comprise or consist of an electrically conductive plastic.

Description

Multi-sensor for a bioreactor, bioreactor, method of manufacturing a

Multisensors and for measuring parameters

The invention relates to a multisensor for a bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or microbiology, a bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or microbiology, a method for producing a multisensor and a method for measuring parameters in a bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or microbiology.

Bioreactors, sensors and methods for measuring parameters are known, for example, from EP 2725095 B1, WO 2016092281 A1, CN 105044038 A. However, further improvements are desirable, in particular for use in cell culture and / or microbiology. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved multi-sensor for a bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or microbiology, an improved bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or microbiology, an improved method for producing a multi-sensor and an improved To provide methods for measuring parameters in a bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or microbiology. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or microbiology, a method for producing a multi-sensor and a method for measuring parameters in a bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or microbiology, which are inexpensive. In particular, it is also an object of the present invention to provide a bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or microbiology, a method for producing a multi-sensor, and a method for measuring parameters in a bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or microbiology , which are also suitable for small working volumes. This object is achieved according to the invention by a multisensor for a bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or microbiology, the multisensor comprises at least three measuring arrangements which are designed to measure at least three parameters, wherein a first of the three measuring arrangements is embodied, an impedance measurement and / or perform a capacitive measurement, and wherein the first measuring arrangement comprises at least two electrodes which comprise or consist of an electrically conductive plastic.

The multisensor described here is thus designed to measure at least three parameters by means of the at least three measuring arrangements, wherein preferably at least three different measuring arrangements are used and / or at least three different parameters can be measured. The first of the three measuring arrangements is suitable for performing an impedance measurement and / or a capacitive measurement. For this purpose, the first measuring arrangement has two or more electrodes, which comprise or consist of an electrically conductive plastic. The invention is based, inter alia, on the recognition that there is often only little space for the arrangement of sensors on and / or in bioreactors for use in cell culture and / or microbiology. At the same time, there are often high requirements with regard to the lowest possible costs. At least three parameters can be measured with the multisensor described here, so that the positions of two sensors can be saved compared with individual sensors with the multisensor. In this case, the first measuring arrangement of the multisensor is designed for an impedance measurement, in particular by means of impedance spectroscopy and / or dielectric spectroscopy, and / or a capacitive measurement, which are particularly preferred and important measurement methods in many fields of application. By doing that, at least two Electrodes of the first measuring arrangement comprise or consist of an electrically conductive plastic, a particularly cost-effective design of the multi-sensor can be realized.

Bioreactors, which are often referred to as fermenters, usually include a reaction space in which biological or biotechnological processes can be performed on a laboratory scale. Such processes include, for example, the cultivation of cells, microorganisms or small plants under defined, preferably optimized, controlled and reproducible conditions. For this purpose, bioreactors generally have several connections via which primary and secondary substances as well as various instruments, such as sensors, can be introduced into the reaction space or via which, for example, fluid lines, in particular gas lines, such as gassing or exhaust lines, can be connected. Bioreactors also generally have an agitator whose agitator shaft can be rotated by a drive, whereby usually a rotating rigidly connected to the agitator shaft stirring element is also set in rotation and thus causes a mixing of the existing materials in the reaction space. It is also possible for two or more stirring elements, usually axially spaced, to be arranged on the stirring shaft and to be connected to it. The stirring element or the stirring elements can also be formed in one piece with the stirring shaft. Bioreactors can have different geometries. Dimensionally stable bioreactors may, for example, have a cross section, preferably a cross section in a horizontal plane in the operating state, which is substantially circular, oval, triangular, rectangular, square, trapezoidal, polygonal or a freeform. Flexible bioreactors may for example be designed as a bag and may optionally have dimensionally stable connection devices.

Both for the field of application of cell cultivation and for the microbiological field of application, the use of bioreactors in, preferably parallel, bioreactor systems is preferred. Parallel bioreactor systems are described for example in DE 10 201 1 054 363.5 or DE 10 2011 054 365.1. In such a bioreactor system, multiple bioreactors can be operated in parallel and controlled with high accuracy. Even at low working volumes in the individual bioreactors experiments can be carried out with high throughput, which are well reproducible and scalable. Bioreactors with a size of up to 2000 ml understood, for example, with a total volume of the reaction space of about 350 ml at a working volume of about 60 to about 250 ml.

In the field of application of cell culture, such parallel bioreactor systems are used, for example, for experimental optimization, process development and research and development based on statistical planning methods (Design of Experiments DoE), for example various cell lines, such as Chinese hamster ovary (CHO), hybridoma or NSO cell lines to cultivate. In the context of the present text, the term "cell culture" is understood to mean, in particular, the cultivation of animal or plant cells in a nutrient medium outside the organism. The cultivation of (human) stem cells also falls under this term or these cells can also be cultured in bioreactors (shaken or stirred).

Within the scope of microbiology, parallel bioreactor systems are also used for design optimization experiments, process development and research and development based on statistical design methods (Design of Experiments DoE), for example to detect various microorganisms, particularly bacteria or fungi, e.g. Yeasts, to cultivate.

Due to the usually limited space in the laboratory small space requirements, especially low space requirements for both bioreactor systems and bioreactors themselves are sought.

Laboratory bioreactors are often constructed of glass and / or metal, particularly stainless steel, because the bioreactors must be sterilized between different applications, preferably by autoclaving superheated steam. The sterilization and cleaning of reusable bioreactors is time-consuming: the sterilization and purification process may be subject to validation, and its performance must be accurately documented for each bioreactor. Residues in an incompletely sterilized bioreactor can falsify or render useless the results of a subsequent process and interfere with a subsequent process. Furthermore, individual components or materials of the bioreactors can be claimed by the sterilization process and partly damaged. An alternative to reusable bioreactors is disposable bioreactors that are used to perform only a biological or biotechnological process and then disposed of. By providing a new disposable bioreactor, preferably sterilized in the manufacturing process, for each process, the risk of (cross) contamination can be reduced while eliminating the expense of performing and documenting proper cleaning and sterilization of a previously used bioreactor. Disposable bioreactors are often designed as flexible containers, for example as a bag or as a container with at least partially flexible walls, or as dimensionally stable disposable reactors. Dimensionally stable disposable bioreactors are often relatively expensive and their design is adapted to pharmaceutical process development and pharmaceutical production processes. They are used in particular for cell culture processes and are therefore also designed and tuned in particular to such cell culture processes. However, in particular for applications in microbiology, there are often other requirements, both in terms of prices that can be achieved on the market and suitable design and materials, in order to meet the orders of magnitude higher demands on process engineering parameters, such as mixing time, energy input and gas exchange.

The invention is therefore based inter alia on the finding that the multisensor described here, especially when used with disposable bioreactors for use in cell culture and / or microbiology can develop its advantages particularly well, since here by the integration of at least three measuring arrangements in a multisensor on the one hand, the space required to measure various parameters can be significantly reduced and at the same time by the use of electrically conductive plastic, a very cost-effective design can be achieved. The use of a multi-sensor can also reduce the complexity of the connection materials, for example by requiring only cables and / or further connection materials for a multisensor instead of three or more individual sensors.

Furthermore, the parameters can preferably be measured with the multisensor during the process, in particular without the need for sampling in which fluids must be taken from the reaction space and analyzed outside the reaction space. The multi-sensor can have a main extension direction along a longitudinal axis, wherein the extent of the multi-sensor along the longitudinal axis and / or in the main extension direction is preferably greater by a multiple than an extension orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and / or main extension direction. The multi-sensor can be designed, for example, rod-shaped and / or cylindrical. Furthermore, the multi-sensor orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and / or

Main extension direction have a cross-section which is circular, oval or polygonal. The multi-sensor may preferably have a first end and a second, the first opposite end. The at least two electrodes of the first measuring arrangement are preferably arranged on a surface of the multi-sensor and / or arranged such that they can come into contact with the bioreactor in the reaction space of the bioreactor when used as intended in a bioreactor.

According to a preferred embodiment, the multi-sensor comprises an evaluation unit and / or an interface to an, for example, external,

Evaluation unit, wherein the evaluation unit, in particular the evaluation unit of the multi-sensor and / or an external evaluation unit, is designed to derive information about biomass in the bioreactor on the basis of the impedance measurement, in particular information about cell number and / or cell size and / or cell viability. Information about biomass present in the bioreactor is particularly important for processes in cell culture and / or microbiology, which is why the integration of an appropriate impedance measurement into the multisensor can be particularly advantageous here.

An impedance measurement between intracellular and extracellular fluids can serve, for example, for determining the cell size, in particular the mean cell size. An impedance measurement between cell membranes and fluid can be used, for example, to determine the number of living cells and / or cell viability. An impedance measurement between intracellular and extracellular fluids and cell membranes at different frequencies can serve, for example, to determine cell viability. The impedance measurement is also used, for example, as bioelectrical impedance analysis for determining the body composition of humans and other living beings, for example in body fat. Also, a capacitive measurement and / or level measurement and / or foam measurement is particularly important for processes in cell culture and / or microbiology, which is why their integration into the multi-sensor may be particularly preferred. The capacitive measurement and / or level measurement and / or foam measurement is also used, for example, in Cypress's CY8CKIT-022 CapSense® Liquid Level Sensing Shield (http://www.cypress.com/documentation/development-kitsboards/cv8ckit-022-capsense -liguid-level sensinq-shield).

It is further preferred that a second of the three measuring arrangements is designed to carry out an impedance measurement and / or a capacitive measurement and / or a fill level measurement and / or a foam measurement.

In a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the second measuring arrangement has at least two electrodes which comprise or consist of an electrically conductive plastic.

The at least two electrodes of the first and / or the at least two electrodes of the second measuring arrangement can, for example, be arranged below the surface of the multisensor and / or be arranged such that they do not come into direct contact with the intended use in a bioreactor with fluids located in the reaction space of the bioreactor come.

A preferred development is characterized in that a third of the three measuring arrangements is designed to carry out a temperature measurement. Furthermore, the third measuring arrangement preferably has at least one measuring element for the temperature measurement. The measuring element for the temperature measurement can be designed, for example, as a resistance thermometer.

The first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement can preferably have two or more electrodes, which consist wholly or partly of electrically conductive plastic or have electrically conductive plastic. A conductive plastic may be, for example, a plastic with a conductive additive or an intrinsically conductive plastic. In particular, polymers such as polypropylene with a conductive additive (eg carbon black, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, metal powders or fibers, low-melting alloys) or intrinsically conductive polymers (eg polyaniline, polythiophene or polypyrrole) may be used as conductive plastics. In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement has one, two or more insulation sections, which consist wholly or partly of non-electrically conductive and / or insulating plastic or non-electrically conductive and / or having insulating plastic. The insulation sections may be arranged between and / or next to electrodes. The insulating sections can also be arranged on and / or under electrodes, for example to prevent direct contact of the electrodes with the fluids surrounding the multisensor and to form a protective outer surface. As a non-electrically conductive and / or insulating plastic can be used in particular polyolefin, for example polypropylene, polyethylene or a blend of both.

Preferably, the electrodes and the insulation sections contain the same plastic, whereby a cohesive connection is promoted. Particular preference is given to using an electrically conductive polypropylene for the electrode and a non-electrically conductive and / or insulating polypropylene for the insulating section.

Preferably, materials and / or a combination of materials are selected that meet or comply with the requirements of United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Class VI. In particular, it is preferred that the electrically conductive plastic and / or the non-electrically conductive and / or insulating plastic meet the requirements of United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Class VI.

It is further preferred that the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement is wholly or partly made by prototyping. In a preferred embodiment it is provided that one, two or more electrodes of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement are produced by prototyping. It is further preferred that one, two or more insulating sections of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement are produced by prototyping. Preferably, it can also be provided that one, two or more electrodes of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement and one, two or more insulating sections of the first and / or the second measuring arrangement are produced by prototyping.

It is particularly preferred that the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement is wholly or partly produced by injection molding and / or the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement in whole or in part

Multi-component injection molding is made. In a preferred embodiment it is provided that one, two or more electrodes of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement are produced by injection molding. It is further preferred that one, two or more insulating sections of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement are produced by injection molding. Preferably, it can also be provided that one, two or more electrodes of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement and one, two or more insulating sections of the first and / or the second measuring arrangement are produced by multi-component injection molding.

It is particularly preferred that the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement is wholly or partly made by additive manufacturing. In a preferred embodiment it is provided that one, two or more electrodes of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement are produced by additive manufacturing. It is further preferred that one, two or more insulating sections of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement are produced by additive manufacturing. Preferably, it can also be provided that one, two or more electrodes of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement and one, two or more insulating sections of the first and / or the second measuring arrangement are produced by additive manufacturing.

Under archetypes are understood here in particular manufacturing processes in which a solid body is made from a formless material, which has a geometrically defined shape.

Examples of primary molding processes are injection molding and / or multi-component injection molding. Injection molding and / or multi-component injection molding may e.g. also comprise encapsulation and / or sequence encapsulation and / or insert injection molding and / or outsert injection molding and / or hybrid injection molding,

In particular, two-component injection molding is understood here as multi-component injection molding. Multi-component injection molding in particular describes the production of injection molded parts from two or more different plastics or materials and can be used in composite injection molding and / or in assembly injection molding and / or in sandwich injection molding. In a multi-component Injection molding can only be used injection mold or two or more injection molds.

A multi-component injection molding process can be carried out in various ways. In the core retraction process, after injection and solidification of the first plastic component, another cavity is released by retracting one or more elements of a mold cavity into which the second plastic component is injected, but the mold remains closed. In the transfer process, after the injection and solidification of the first plastic component, it is inserted with the tool open into a new cavity which has corresponding recesses for the second plastic component. This can be done with a handling system, wherein the second cavity may be in the same tool or even in a separate mold and on a second machine. An intermediate solution is the implementation in Indexplatten-, turntable or turnaround tools in which the preform either on the core or in the mold cavity of a mold half remains and is implemented with the tool open by rotating a tool area in a second cavity. This solution requires the cohesion of the pre-molded part which remains on the needle.

Another example of a master molding process is additive manufacturing, which is also referred to as generative manufacturing or 3D printing. An example of the additive manufacturing using plastics is the FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) method or FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) method.

The multi-sensor may also include one or more other measurement arrangements. These further one or more further measuring arrangements can be completely or partially designed differently from the first and / or the second measuring arrangement and / or the third measuring arrangement or entirely or partially.

The production by injection molding and / or in the multi-component injection molding process has the advantage, in addition to the advantage of inexpensive production, that the elements can be manufactured in one piece and / or integrally so that joints and / or gaps and / or connection points can be avoided or reduced , In this way, for example, the use of adhesive can be reduced or avoided, whereby the risk of contamination of the reaction space of a bioreactor can be further reduced. The multi-sensor is preferably designed as a disposable multi-sensor. A disposable multisensor is characterized in particular in that it is intended for a single use. For this purpose, the multisensor can be designed so that it is no longer suitable for further use after the single use. This can be realized, for example, in such a way that the multisensor is wholly or partially made of materials which do not survive unscathed a sterilization process required for reuse, since for example the temperatures occurring during stabilization completely or partially destroy or deform the materials. The multi-sensor may also contain, for example, warnings and / or usage statements which preclude multiple use. Also, the mechanical and / or electrical connection can be designed such that it allows only a single use.

Another characteristic may be that the (in the operating state) located in the bioreactor sensor elements as one-way units (electronics envelope), the measuring electronics but designed as a multi-way unit. Preferably, the measuring electronics is introduced during the experiment in the enveloping sensor unit, locked and transferred after the trial in a new disposable vessel with another enveloping sensor unit or stored.

The multi-sensor can be designed as a separate element, which can be introduced, for example, into a vessel and / or a bioreactor and / or connected thereto, and preferably can be removed therefrom and / or removed therefrom.

The multi-sensor may be formed in one piece or comprise two or more modules which are detachably or non-detachably connected to each other. A one-piece design of the multi-sensor can preferably be obtained by prototyping.

The multi-sensor may also comprise two or more modules, wherein a module may for example comprise a measuring arrangement. A module may also comprise two or more measuring arrangements. A module may also comprise one, two or more parts of a measuring arrangement. Two or more modules can be connected to each other, for example via a plug connection. The compound can be detachable or non-detachable, in particular not non-destructively detachable. The connections of different modules to each other can be designed differently. The different modules can each be obtained through prototypes. The two or more modules may also be formed as a base module and one or more expansion modules. The base module preferably comprises a connection head (described in more detail below) and / or an evaluation unit and / or an interface to an evaluation unit and / or one or more further elements of the multi-sensor. An expansion module preferably comprises one, two or more measuring arrangements or parts thereof.

One of the advantages of a modular design of the multisensor is that, with little effort, different multisensors can be equipped with different sensors

Measuring arrangements can be made and thus flexibly respond to customer requirements.

A preferred development is characterized in that the multi-sensor comprises a connection head which is fastened to a connection device of the bioreactor bar. The connection head can, for example, have a thread, in particular an internal thread and / or an external thread, in order to cooperate with a corresponding thread of the connection device of the bioreactor. The connection head is preferably arranged at a first end of the multi-sensor. The connection head can furthermore have an interface, in particular an interface to an evaluation unit, in particular an external evaluation unit. The interface may preferably be designed for an electrical and / or communication connection. Preferably, the multisensor comprises one or more further measuring arrangements, in particular for measuring further parameters, such as pH and / or dissolved oxygen and / or carbon dioxide content and / or educt / product or metabolite concentrations such as: glucose, glutamate, glutamine, ammonium, etc .. One or more further measuring arrangements may preferably be arranged at a second end of the multi-sensor. The one or more further measuring arrangements may preferably comprise one or more electrodes and / or comprise electrically conductive plastic and / or non-electrically conductive and / or insulating plastic or consist of one or more such materials. The integration of more than three measuring arrangements in a multi-sensor has the advantage that further space requirements can be saved. Furthermore, with a cost-effective design of the multi-sensor costs for the provision of further individual sensors can be omitted. Further advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention will become apparent by combining the preferred features discussed herein.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or microbiology comprising a previously described multisensor.

The bioreactor is preferably designed as a disposable bioreactor. A disposable bioreactor is characterized in particular in that it is intended for a single use. For this purpose, the bioreactor can be designed so that it is no longer suitable for further use after the single use. This can be realized, for example, in such a way that the bioreactor is wholly or partly made of materials which do not survive unscathed a sterilization process required for reuse, since for example the temperatures occurring in the stabilization destroy or deform the materials completely or partially. The bioreactor may also contain, for example, warnings and / or indications of use which preclude multiple uses.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the above-mentioned object is achieved by a method for producing a multisensor described above, the method comprising integrating at least three measuring arrangements into a multi-sensor, wherein a first of the three measuring arrangements is formed, an impedance measurement and / or a capacitive Carrying out measurement, and wherein the first measuring arrangement comprises at least two electrodes which comprise or consist of an electrically conductive plastic.

The method for producing a multisensor described above preferably further comprises - original forms of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement in whole or in part, and / or

Urformen of one, two or more electrodes of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement wholly or partly of electrically conductive plastic, in particular electrically conductive polypropylene, and / or Urformen of one, two or more insulating portions of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement wholly or partly wholly or partly made of non-electrically conductive and / or insulating plastic, and / or - prototypes of one, two or more electrodes first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement and one, two or more insulating sections of the first measuring arrangement,

The method for producing a multisensor described above comprises in particular - injection molding of the first and / or the second and / or the third

Measuring arrangement wholly or partly and / or multi-component injection molding of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement wholly or partly, and / or

Injection molding of one, two or more electrodes of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement wholly or partly made of electrically conductive plastic, in particular electrically conductive polypropylene, and / or

Injection molding of one, two or more insulating portions of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement wholly or partly wholly or partly of non-electrically conductive and / or insulating

Plastic, and / or

Multi-component injection molding of one, two or more electrodes of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement and of one, two or more insulating sections of the first measuring arrangement, - Additive manufacturing of the first and / or the second and / or the third

Measuring arrangement in whole or in part, and / or

Additive manufacturing of one, two or more electrodes of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement in whole or in part electrically conductive plastic, in particular electrically conductive polypropylene, and / or

Additive manufacturing of one, two or more insulating portions of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement wholly or partly entirely or partially made of non-electrically conductive and / or insulating

Plastic, and / or

Additive manufacturing of one, two or more electrodes of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement and of one, two or more insulating sections of the first measuring arrangement. According to a further aspect of the invention, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by the use of a previously described multisensor for measuring at least three parameters in a bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or microbiology.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a method for measuring at least three parameters in a bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or microbiology, comprising the method,

Providing a previously described multisensor,

Performing an impedance measurement and / or a capacitive measurement with a first of the three measuring arrangements, - Performing two further measurements with the second and third of the three

Measuring arrangements.

For the advantages, embodiments and details of execution of further aspects of the invention and its further developments, reference is made to the preceding description of the corresponding features of the multi-sensor. The methods described here for the production of a previously described multisensor and for the measurement of at least three parameters in a bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or microbiology as well as their respective further training have in particular features or method steps which they do make it suitable to be used for and / or with a multisensor and its training described here.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional representation of a multi-sensor;

FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional illustration of a part of a multisensor with a first measuring arrangement;

Figure 3: a three-dimensional representation of a part of a multi-sensor with a

Section of a second measuring arrangement; and FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional representation of a disposable bioreactor with a

Multisensor.

Similar or substantially functionally identical elements are denoted by the same reference numerals in the figures.

1 shows a three-dimensional representation of an embodiment of a multisensor 1. The multisensor 1 shown here has a main extension direction along the longitudinal axis X, wherein the extent of the multisensor 1 along the longitudinal axis X is greater by a multiple than an extension orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. The multi-sensor 1 is rod-shaped and formed in the example shown here and has substantially the shape of a cylinder. The cross section of the multi-sensor orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and main extension direction has a circular cross-section.

At a first end of the multi-sensor 1, a connection head 600 is arranged with an interface 610, which is preferably suitable for electrical and / or communication connections.

The multi-sensor 1 has a first measuring arrangement 100, which is designed for an impedance measurement. Furthermore, the multisensor 1 has a second measuring arrangement 200, which is designed to carry out a capacitive measurement and / or a fill level measurement and / or a foam measurement. The multisensor 1 also has a third measuring arrangement 300, which is designed to carry out a temperature measurement.

The multisensor 1 can also have further measuring arrangements for measuring further parameters, such as pH and / or dissolved oxygen and / or carbon dioxide content and / or educt / product or metabolite concentrations such as: glucose, glutamate, glutamine, ammonium, etc. , which may be arranged, for example, at a second, the first opposite end 500 of the multi-sensor 1.

The third measuring arrangement 300 is arranged on a component 400 with integrated electronics with a microcontroller and an analog front end. The integrated electronics of the component 400 may serve as an evaluation unit, optionally also together with an external evaluation unit connected via the interface arranged in the connection head 600.

In FIG. 2, a part of a possible embodiment of a multisensor with a first measuring arrangement 100 is shown enlarged. The first measuring arrangement 100 preferably comprises four electrodes 101, 102, 103, 104, which are each formed from electrically conductive plastic or comprise electrically conductive plastic. Separated and / or surrounded are the electrodes 101, 102, 103, 104 of insulating sections 111, 112, 113, 114, which consist of non-electrically conductive and / or insulating plastic or have such. The first measuring arrangement 100 is designed to perform an impedance measurement. The electrodes 101, 102, 103, 104 are equidistant from one another in the main extension direction of the multisensor 1. The electrodes 101 and 104 have a greater extent in the main direction of extension of the multisensor 1 than the two electrodes 102 and 103. The electrodes 101, 102, 103, 104 are arranged on a surface of the multisensor 1 and arranged such that, when used as intended a bioreactor with fluids in the reaction chamber of the bioreactor come into contact.

Preferably, an evaluation unit of the multisensor 1 is provided and / or an interface 600 of the multisensor 1 to an evaluation unit, this evaluation is designed based on the impedance measurement to derive information about biomass located in the bioreactor, in particular information about cell number and / or cell size and / or cell viability. FIG. 3 shows a part of a multisensor with a section of a second measuring arrangement 200 enlarged. The second measuring arrangement 200 is designed to perform a capacitive measurement and / or a fill level measurement and / or a foam measurement. Furthermore, the second measuring arrangement 200 has a plurality of electrodes 201 which are equidistantly spaced apart in the main extension direction of the multi-sensor 1 in the example shown here and which comprise or consist of an electrically conductive plastic. These electrodes 201 are also separated by insulating sections 202 and / or surrounded by insulating sections 202, wherein the insulating sections 202 consist of or comprise non-electrically conductive and / or insulating plastic. By means of the arrangement, in particular the spacing along the longitudinal axis X, of the electrodes of the second measuring arrangement 200, the resolution of the fill level measurement and / or foam measurement can be influenced. The electrodes 201 are arranged below the surface of the multisensor and arranged such that they do not come into direct contact with the intended use in a bioreactor with fluids located in the reaction chamber of the bioreactor. For this purpose, insulating sections are preferably also formed on the electrodes 201 in order to prevent direct contact of the electrodes 201 with the fluids surrounding the multisensor 1 and to form a protective outer surface. In FIG. 4, the multisensor 1 can be seen arranged in a disposable bioreactor 900. The disposable bioreactor 900 includes a top plate 920, a dimensionally stable container 910, and a stirrer 930. The top plate 920 and the container 910 include a reaction space. The top plate 920 has an inner side facing the reaction space, on which a plurality of dip tubes 940, 950 are arranged, which protrude into the reaction space. On a side facing away from the reaction space outside of the top plate 920 a plurality of connections are arranged, on which hoses and connection materials 970 and sterile filter 960 are arranged.

The multi-sensor 1 is arranged substantially vertically aligned in the installed state in the disposable bioreactor 900, so that the connection head 600 of the multi-sensor 1 is arranged on the top plate 920 of the disposable bioreactor 900 and the multi-sensor 1 from there along its main extension direction into the reaction space of the disposable - Bioreactor 900 sticks out.

The stirrer 930 has a stirrer shaft 310 with a rotation axis and two stirrer elements, which are here formed with blades inclined by 45 °, for example as a pitch blade impeller. Alternatively, for example, at least one Rushton impeller can also be used as the stirring element. The stirring elements are rigidly attached to the stirrer shaft, so that rotate during a rotation of the stirrer shaft on the stirring elements. The top plate 920 and the container 910 may be formed of polyamide, for example, or include polyamide and be connected to each other by means of ultrasonic welding inextricably. The agitator 930, in particular the stirring shaft and / or the stirring elements, may for example be formed from polystyrene or comprise polystyrene. Hoses and fittings 970 used with the disposable bioreactor 900, which may come in contact with reaction media, are preferably formed of materials certified to United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Class VI, such as polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyamide, or silicone. The hoses to be used are preferably flexible hoses made of thermoplastic elastomers.

By using a multisensor 1 in the disposable bioreactor 900, a port on the head plate 920 can be used to measure three (or more) parameters. As can be seen by way of example in FIG. 4, the space on the top plate is limited, with a large number of elements to be connected at the same time. The integration of three sensors in a multi-sensor is thus particularly advantageous, in particular if the first measuring arrangement is suitable for an impedance measurement and / or a capacitive measurement.

The use of electrically conductive plastic in the electrodes, moreover, a cost-effective design for the multi-sensor can be achieved, which in particular also allows its formation as a disposable multi-sensor. In this way, further applications can be developed.

Claims

1. Multi-sensor for a bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or microbiology, comprising the multi-sensor

at least three measuring arrangements, which are designed to measure at least three parameters,

wherein a first of the three measuring arrangements is designed to perform an impedance measurement and / or a capacitive measurement, and

- Wherein the first measuring arrangement comprises at least two electrodes which comprise or consist of an electrically conductive plastic.

2. Multi-sensor according to at least one of the preceding claims,

comprising an evaluation unit and / or an interface to a

Evaluation unit, wherein the evaluation unit is designed based on an impedance measurement to derive information about biomass in the bioreactor, in particular information about the number of cells and / or cell size and / or cell viability.

3. Multi-sensor according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that a second of the three measuring arrangements is designed to perform an impedance measurement and / or a capacitive measurement and / or a fill level measurement and / or a foam measurement.

4. Multi-sensor according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the second measuring arrangement comprises at least two electrodes which comprise or consist of an electrically conductive plastic.

5. Multi-sensor according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that a third of the three measuring arrangements is designed to carry out a temperature measurement.

6. Multi-sensor according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement comprises one, two or more insulating sections, which consist wholly or partly of non-electrically conductive and / or insulating plastic or do not have electrically conductive and / or insulating plastic.

Multi-sensor according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement is made entirely or partially by prototyping, and / or

one, two or more electrodes of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement are produced by prototyping, and / or

one, two or more insulating portions of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement are produced by prototyping, and / or

one, two or more electrodes of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement and one, two or more insulating portions of the first and / or the second measuring arrangement are produced by prototyping.

Multi-sensor according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the multi-sensor is designed as a disposable multi-sensor.

9. Multi-sensor according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the multi-sensor is integrally formed or comprises two or more modules which are detachably or non-detachably connected to each other.

10. Multi-sensor according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that located in a bioreactor

Sensor elements are designed as disposable units and a

Measuring electronics is designed as a multi-way unit.

11. Multi-sensor according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising a connection head which can be fastened to a connection device of the bioreactor.

12. Multi-sensor according to at least one of the preceding claims,

comprising one or more further measuring arrangements, in particular for measuring further parameters, such as, for example, pH and / or dissolved oxygen and / or carbon dioxide content and / or educt / product or metabolite concentrations, such as, for example: glucose, glutamate, glutamine,

Ammonium, etc.

13. bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or microbiology

comprising a multi-sensor according to at least one of the preceding claims.

14. bioreactor according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the bioreactor is designed as a disposable bioreactor

15. A method for producing a multi-sensor according to at least one of the preceding claims comprising the method

Integrating at least three measuring arrangements in a multi-sensor, wherein a first of the three measuring arrangements is designed to perform an impedance measurement and / or a capacitive measurement, and wherein the first measuring arrangement comprises at least two electrodes which comprise or consist of an electrically conductive plastic.

16. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims,

full

- Archetypes of the first and / or the second and / or the third

Measuring arrangement whole or, and / or

Urformen of one, two or more electrodes of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement wholly or partly of electrically conductive plastic, in particular electrically conductive polypropylene, and / or

Archetypes of one, two or more insulating sections of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement completely or partially wholly or partially made of non-electrically conductive and / or insulating plastic, and / or

Archetypes of one, two or more electrodes of the first and / or the second and / or the third measuring arrangement and of one, two or more insulating sections of the first measuring arrangement.

17. Use of a multisensor after at least one of

previous claims for measuring at least three parameters in a bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or the

Microbiology.

18. Method for measuring at least three parameters in a bioreactor for use in cell culture and / or microbiology, comprising the method,

- Providing a multi-sensor for at least one of

previous claims,

Performing an impedance measurement and / or a capacitive measurement with a first of the three measuring arrangements,

Performing two more measurements with the second and third of the three measurement arrangements.