US20230093940A1 - Bioreactor with addition tube - Google Patents
Bioreactor with addition tube Download PDFInfo
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- US20230093940A1 US20230093940A1 US18/062,481 US202218062481A US2023093940A1 US 20230093940 A1 US20230093940 A1 US 20230093940A1 US 202218062481 A US202218062481 A US 202218062481A US 2023093940 A1 US2023093940 A1 US 2023093940A1
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- bioreactor
- vessel
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- addition tube
- inner volume
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- 238000013019 agitation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000003153 chemical reaction reagent Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 229920002457 flexible plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000006193 liquid solution Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 235000015097 nutrients Nutrition 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000003102 growth factor Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 210000004027 cell Anatomy 0.000 description 11
- 238000004113 cell culture Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000002609 medium Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000006143 cell culture medium Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000007654 immersion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- -1 pH regulators Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- VHUUQVKOLVNVRT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonium hydroxide Chemical compound [NH4+].[OH-] VHUUQVKOLVNVRT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000238631 Hexapoda Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000405070 Percophidae Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N ammonia Natural products N QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 210000004102 animal cell Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000002518 antifoaming agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229960000074 biopharmaceutical Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 230000030833 cell death Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001627 detrimental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001038 ethylene copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000002706 hydrostatic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012092 media component Substances 0.000 description 1
- 244000005700 microbiome Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000003534 oscillatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 102000004169 proteins and genes Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010561 standard procedure Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000000130 stem cell Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001225 therapeutic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000331 toxic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000002588 toxic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001052 transient effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229960005486 vaccine Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 210000005253 yeast cell Anatomy 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- 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
- C12M29/00—Means for introduction, extraction or recirculation of materials, e.g. pumps
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- 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
- C12M21/00—Bioreactors or fermenters specially adapted for specific uses
- C12M21/08—Bioreactors or fermenters specially adapted for specific uses for producing artificial tissue or for ex-vivo cultivation of tissue
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- 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
- C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
- C12M23/02—Form or structure of the vessel
- C12M23/14—Bags
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- 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
- C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
- C12M23/26—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges flexible
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- 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
- C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
- C12M23/38—Caps; Covers; Plugs; Pouring means
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- 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
- C12M27/00—Means for mixing, agitating or circulating fluids in the vessel
- C12M27/02—Stirrer or mobile mixing elements
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- 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
- C12M27/00—Means for mixing, agitating or circulating fluids in the vessel
- C12M27/16—Vibrating; Shaking; Tilting
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- 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
- C12M29/00—Means for introduction, extraction or recirculation of materials, e.g. pumps
- C12M29/14—Pressurized fluid
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
- C12N1/00—Microorganisms, e.g. protozoa; Compositions thereof; Processes of propagating, maintaining or preserving microorganisms or compositions thereof; Processes of preparing or isolating a composition containing a microorganism; Culture media therefor
- C12N1/14—Fungi; Culture media therefor
- C12N1/16—Yeasts; Culture media therefor
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
- C12N1/00—Microorganisms, e.g. protozoa; Compositions thereof; Processes of propagating, maintaining or preserving microorganisms or compositions thereof; Processes of preparing or isolating a composition containing a microorganism; Culture media therefor
- C12N1/20—Bacteria; Culture media therefor
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
- C12N5/00—Undifferentiated human, animal or plant cells, e.g. cell lines; Tissues; Cultivation or maintenance thereof; Culture media therefor
- C12N5/04—Plant cells or tissues
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
- C12N5/00—Undifferentiated human, animal or plant cells, e.g. cell lines; Tissues; Cultivation or maintenance thereof; Culture media therefor
- C12N5/06—Animal cells or tissues; Human cells or tissues
- C12N5/0601—Invertebrate cells or tissues, e.g. insect cells; Culture media therefor
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
- C12N5/00—Undifferentiated human, animal or plant cells, e.g. cell lines; Tissues; Cultivation or maintenance thereof; Culture media therefor
- C12N5/06—Animal cells or tissues; Human cells or tissues
- C12N5/0602—Vertebrate cells
Definitions
- the present invention relates to bioreactors, and more particularly to addition tubes for bioreactors.
- the invention also relates to cultivation of cells in bioreactors with addition tubes.
- cells are commonly cultivated with the purpose either to recover products expressed by the cells, such as proteins, vaccine components etc. or to recover e.g. stem cells for therapeutic use.
- the cultivation conditions need to be carefully controlled and it is common practice to add reagents such as pH regulators, gases, nutrients, antifoam etc. to the culture during cultivation. This is done by pumping through an addition tube, which can have a delivery orifice (usually the end of the tube) either immersed in the cell culture medium or suspended above the cell culture medium.
- the pump is typically run intermittently, either controlled by a feedback loop or by a fixed addition program.
- reagent may be delivered by dripping or diffusion even when the pump is stopped, causing poor control of the reagent supply.
- a further issue is also that cell culture medium and cells may enter the tube and be subjected to highly toxic conditions leading to cell death and release of detrimental signal substances.
- the reagent may also go primarily into the foam layer on top of the medium, preventing proper distribution in the culture.
- One aspect of the invention is to provide a means for well-controlled addition of reagents to cell cultures. This is achieved with a bioreactor as defined in claim 1 .
- reagents are only delivered when intended and in the amounts intended. Further advantages are that the reagents are evenly distributed and that cells are not exposed locally to high transient reagent concentrations.
- Another aspect of the invention is to provide a method of cultivating cells with well-controlled addition of reagents. This is achieved with a cell cultivation method as defined in the claims.
- FIG. 1 shows a bioreactor according to the invention.
- FIG. 2 shows a bioreactor according to the invention, with a plastic bag supported by a rigid structure.
- FIG. 3 shows a bioreactor according to the invention, with an inflatable bag resting on a movable platform.
- FIG. 4 shows a detailed picture of an addition tube of the invention, with a split disk check valve.
- FIG. 5 shows a detailed picture of an addition tube of the invention, with a lip (duckbill) check valve.
- FIG. 6 shows a detailed picture of an addition tube of the invention, with a tubular check valve.
- FIG. 7 shows a detailed picture of an addition tube of the invention, with a flap check valve.
- the present invention discloses a bioreactor 1 ; 11 ; 21 comprising a vessel 2 ; 22 which defines an inner volume 3 ; 23 .
- the bioreactor further comprises agitation means 4 ; 24 and at least one addition tube 5 ; 25 , where a delivery orifice 6 ; 26 in the addition tube is located within the inner volume of the vessel and a check valve 7 ; 27 is arranged in proximity of, or adjacent, the delivery orifice such that it allows flow of a fluid in the direction from the addition tube into the inner volume 3 ; 23 and blocking flow in the reverse direction.
- check valve 7 ; 27 is arranged in proximity of delivery orifice 6 ; 26 , the distance between the check valve and the orifice may be e.g.
- the vessel can typically have a volume from 0.1 litres up to several thousand litres and the diameter of the addition tube can correspondingly be from about 1 mm up to several cm.
- the addition tube can be connected with a port in a wall of the vessel and this port can during use of the bioreactor be connected, e.g. with tubing, to a fluid supply vessel and to a pressure-generating delivery means.
- the delivery means can e.g. be a pump, a pressurized fluid supply vessel or a fluid supply vessel placed above the bioreactor to generate a hydrostatic pressure.
- the delivery of fluid can be controlled e.g by switching or regulating a pump or by opening/closing a regulator valve in the tubing.
- the delivery orifice 6 ; 26 of the addition tube is arranged to be immersed in liquid during use of the bioreactor. This has the advantage that the fluid is added directly into the cell culture liquid and there is no risk of fluid being trapped in the foam layer formed on top of the liquid during cultivation.
- the addition tube can e.g. be connected with a port in a top wall of the vessel and the addition tube can have a length sufficient to reach down at least halfway to a bottom wall of the vessel, such as at least 80% or at least 90% of the distance from the top wall to the bottom wall, with the delivery orifice located at or in proximity of a bottom end of the addition tube.
- the bioreactor should in these cases be supplied with an instruction to fill the vessel with sufficient liquid for immersion of the delivery orifice during use.
- the addition tube can alternatively also be connected with a port in a side wall or a bottom wall of the vessel and even in these cases the vessel should be filled with sufficient liquid for immersion of the delivery orifice during use.
- the position of the delivery orifice in the vessel is adjustable. This can be achieved e.g. with a telescopic addition tube, bellows in a vessel wall port to which the addition tube is connected, etc. and has the advantage that the delivery orifice can be immersed and positioned at a point of high turbulence regardless of the degree of filling of the vessel.
- the delivery orifice 6 ; 26 of the addition tube is covered by the check valve 7 ; 27 .
- An advantage of this is that the cell culture liquid is in direct contact with the check valve and no stagnant zones are formed outside the check valve.
- the check valve itself can suitably be constructed such that no stagnant zones are formed on its outside. Examples of such check valves are illustrated in FIGS. 4 - 7 .
- the check valve is inserted in the addition tube, e.g. at a position in proximity of the delivery orifice.
- the opening pressure of said check valve is below or equal to 10 kPa, such as between 10 Pa and 10 kPa, between 100 Pa and 10 kPa or between 1 kPa and 10 kPa.
- a too high opening pressure can give rise to pressure build-up and uncontrolled burst of fluid, while a too low opening pressure may cause the valve to open e.g. from pressure fluctuations induced by the agitation.
- the opening pressure is the minimum pressure difference between the two sides (inlet side and outlet side) of the check valve, which will cause the check valve to open. It can easily be determined with standard method, e.g. by gradually increasing the pressure on the inlet side and noting at which pressure the valve opens.
- the check valve comprises an elastomeric closing member 38 ; 48 ; 58 ; 68 .
- Elastomeric closing members facilitate the construction of check valves without stagnant zones and are well compatible with single use bioreactor vessels. It is also possible to have an addition tube with an integrally formed elastomeric check valve closing member, such that no separate assembly of valve parts is needed.
- the elastomeric closing member is selected from the group consisting of tubes, lips, flaps and split disks.
- An example of a tubular closing member 58 is shown in FIG. 6 , an example of lips 48 in FIG. 5 , a flap 68 in FIG. 7 and a split disk 38 in FIG. 4 . All these constructions can be made with no or minimal outside stagnant zones and they are suitable for use in bioreactors.
- the vessel comprises a flexible plastic bag 2 ; 22 .
- the flexible plastic bag 2 can e.g. be supported by a rigid support structure 18 during use.
- the rigid support structure can be made from e.g. stainless steel.
- the agitation means comprises an impeller 4 .
- the impeller is suitably located in the inner volume of the vessel and can be arranged to rotate or oscillate, e.g. by the action of an external magnetic drive.
- the flexible plastic bag 22 is inflatable and the agitation means comprises a movable support platform 24 for the flexible plastic bag. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the inflated bag can be self-supporting and can rest on the platform 24 , which can be movable around an axis 28 to generate an oscillatory rocking agitation.
- the bioreactor or the vessel, including the addition tube and optionally the agitation means is radiation sterilized. This is convenient for single-use bioreactors and can be achieved when all the components are made from radiation stable materials.
- Suitable materials for the vessel and the addition tube can be e.g. polyethylene and ethylene copolymers, while suitable elastomers for the closing member of the check valve can be e.g. radiation stable silicones.
- the addition tube is fluidically connected to a supply vessel containing a liquid solution comprising a pH regulator, a nutrient and/or a growth factor.
- the liquid solution can be e.g. aqueous ammonia for pH control, but it can also be more complex media component solutions.
- the present invention discloses a method of cell cultivation, which comprises the steps of:
- the cells can be e.g. i) animal cells, such as mammalian or insect cells, ii) microorganisms such as bacteria or yeast cells or iii) plant cells.
- the amount of cell cultivation medium in step b) is sufficient to immerse the delivery orifice of the addition tube.
- the liquid solution comprises a pH regulator, a nutrient and/or a growth factor.
Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/910,824, filed on Feb. 8, 2016, which claims the priority benefit of PCT/SE2013/051001, filed on Aug. 27, 2013. The entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to bioreactors, and more particularly to addition tubes for bioreactors. The invention also relates to cultivation of cells in bioreactors with addition tubes.
- In the biopharmaceutical and Life Sciences industries, cells are commonly cultivated with the purpose either to recover products expressed by the cells, such as proteins, vaccine components etc. or to recover e.g. stem cells for therapeutic use. The cultivation conditions need to be carefully controlled and it is common practice to add reagents such as pH regulators, gases, nutrients, antifoam etc. to the culture during cultivation. This is done by pumping through an addition tube, which can have a delivery orifice (usually the end of the tube) either immersed in the cell culture medium or suspended above the cell culture medium. The pump is typically run intermittently, either controlled by a feedback loop or by a fixed addition program. One issue is then that reagent may be delivered by dripping or diffusion even when the pump is stopped, causing poor control of the reagent supply. When the delivery orifice is immersed, a further issue is also that cell culture medium and cells may enter the tube and be subjected to highly toxic conditions leading to cell death and release of detrimental signal substances. When the delivery orifice is suspended above the medium, the reagent may also go primarily into the foam layer on top of the medium, preventing proper distribution in the culture.
- Accordingly there is a need for a well-controlled method of adding reagents to a cell culture with no risk of cells being subjected to overly high local reagent concentrations.
- One aspect of the invention is to provide a means for well-controlled addition of reagents to cell cultures. This is achieved with a bioreactor as defined in
claim 1. - One advantage is that reagents are only delivered when intended and in the amounts intended. Further advantages are that the reagents are evenly distributed and that cells are not exposed locally to high transient reagent concentrations.
- Another aspect of the invention is to provide a method of cultivating cells with well-controlled addition of reagents. This is achieved with a cell cultivation method as defined in the claims.
- Further suitable embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.
-
FIG. 1 shows a bioreactor according to the invention. -
FIG. 2 shows a bioreactor according to the invention, with a plastic bag supported by a rigid structure. -
FIG. 3 shows a bioreactor according to the invention, with an inflatable bag resting on a movable platform. -
FIG. 4 shows a detailed picture of an addition tube of the invention, with a split disk check valve. -
FIG. 5 shows a detailed picture of an addition tube of the invention, with a lip (duckbill) check valve. -
FIG. 6 shows a detailed picture of an addition tube of the invention, with a tubular check valve. -
FIG. 7 shows a detailed picture of an addition tube of the invention, with a flap check valve. - In one aspect the present invention discloses a
bioreactor 1;11;21 comprising avessel 2;22 which defines aninner volume 3;23. The bioreactor further comprises agitation means 4;24 and at least oneaddition tube 5;25, where adelivery orifice 6;26 in the addition tube is located within the inner volume of the vessel and acheck valve 7;27 is arranged in proximity of, or adjacent, the delivery orifice such that it allows flow of a fluid in the direction from the addition tube into theinner volume 3;23 and blocking flow in the reverse direction. Whencheck valve 7;27 is arranged in proximity ofdelivery orifice 6;26, the distance between the check valve and the orifice may be e.g. up to 20 times the diameter oftube 5;25, such as up to 10 times, up to 5 times or up to 2 times the diameter oftube 5;25 (or the average diameter if the diameter varies along the length oftube 5;25). Short distances are advantageous due to the smaller dead volumes, but it can be easier to accommodate the check valve in the tube if some distance is allowed, When a fluid, such as a pH regulating solution, a nutrient solution, a growth factor solution or a gas is supplied to the inner volume via the addition tube and the delivery orifice, the check valve opens and when no fluid is supplied the valve is closed, blocking any convective or diffusive permeation of fluid from the inner volume into the addition tube. The vessel can typically have a volume from 0.1 litres up to several thousand litres and the diameter of the addition tube can correspondingly be from about 1 mm up to several cm. The addition tube can be connected with a port in a wall of the vessel and this port can during use of the bioreactor be connected, e.g. with tubing, to a fluid supply vessel and to a pressure-generating delivery means. The delivery means can e.g. be a pump, a pressurized fluid supply vessel or a fluid supply vessel placed above the bioreactor to generate a hydrostatic pressure. The delivery of fluid can be controlled e.g by switching or regulating a pump or by opening/closing a regulator valve in the tubing. - In some embodiments, the
delivery orifice 6;26 of the addition tube is arranged to be immersed in liquid during use of the bioreactor. This has the advantage that the fluid is added directly into the cell culture liquid and there is no risk of fluid being trapped in the foam layer formed on top of the liquid during cultivation. The addition tube can e.g. be connected with a port in a top wall of the vessel and the addition tube can have a length sufficient to reach down at least halfway to a bottom wall of the vessel, such as at least 80% or at least 90% of the distance from the top wall to the bottom wall, with the delivery orifice located at or in proximity of a bottom end of the addition tube. The bioreactor should in these cases be supplied with an instruction to fill the vessel with sufficient liquid for immersion of the delivery orifice during use. The addition tube can alternatively also be connected with a port in a side wall or a bottom wall of the vessel and even in these cases the vessel should be filled with sufficient liquid for immersion of the delivery orifice during use. - In certain embodiments, the position of the delivery orifice in the vessel is adjustable. This can be achieved e.g. with a telescopic addition tube, bellows in a vessel wall port to which the addition tube is connected, etc. and has the advantage that the delivery orifice can be immersed and positioned at a point of high turbulence regardless of the degree of filling of the vessel.
- In some embodiments, the
delivery orifice 6;26 of the addition tube is covered by thecheck valve 7;27. An advantage of this is that the cell culture liquid is in direct contact with the check valve and no stagnant zones are formed outside the check valve. The check valve itself can suitably be constructed such that no stagnant zones are formed on its outside. Examples of such check valves are illustrated inFIGS. 4-7 . - In some embodiments, the check valve is inserted in the addition tube, e.g. at a position in proximity of the delivery orifice.
- In certain embodiments, the opening pressure of said check valve is below or equal to 10 kPa, such as between 10 Pa and 10 kPa, between 100 Pa and 10 kPa or between 1 kPa and 10 kPa. A too high opening pressure can give rise to pressure build-up and uncontrolled burst of fluid, while a too low opening pressure may cause the valve to open e.g. from pressure fluctuations induced by the agitation. The opening pressure is the minimum pressure difference between the two sides (inlet side and outlet side) of the check valve, which will cause the check valve to open. It can easily be determined with standard method, e.g. by gradually increasing the pressure on the inlet side and noting at which pressure the valve opens.
- In some embodiments, the check valve comprises an
elastomeric closing member 38;48;58;68. Elastomeric closing members facilitate the construction of check valves without stagnant zones and are well compatible with single use bioreactor vessels. It is also possible to have an addition tube with an integrally formed elastomeric check valve closing member, such that no separate assembly of valve parts is needed. - In certain embodiments, the elastomeric closing member is selected from the group consisting of tubes, lips, flaps and split disks. An example of a
tubular closing member 58 is shown inFIG. 6 , an example oflips 48 inFIG. 5 , aflap 68 inFIG. 7 and asplit disk 38 inFIG. 4 . All these constructions can be made with no or minimal outside stagnant zones and they are suitable for use in bioreactors. - In some embodiments, the vessel comprises a flexible
plastic bag 2;22. This allows for single use bioreactors. The flexibleplastic bag 2 can e.g. be supported by arigid support structure 18 during use. The rigid support structure can be made from e.g. stainless steel. - In certain embodiments the agitation means comprises an
impeller 4. The impeller is suitably located in the inner volume of the vessel and can be arranged to rotate or oscillate, e.g. by the action of an external magnetic drive. - In some embodiments the flexible
plastic bag 22 is inflatable and the agitation means comprises amovable support platform 24 for the flexible plastic bag. As illustrated inFIG. 3 , the inflated bag can be self-supporting and can rest on theplatform 24, which can be movable around anaxis 28 to generate an oscillatory rocking agitation. - In certain embodiments the bioreactor or the vessel, including the addition tube and optionally the agitation means, is radiation sterilized. This is convenient for single-use bioreactors and can be achieved when all the components are made from radiation stable materials. Suitable materials for the vessel and the addition tube can be e.g. polyethylene and ethylene copolymers, while suitable elastomers for the closing member of the check valve can be e.g. radiation stable silicones.
- In some embodiments the addition tube is fluidically connected to a supply vessel containing a liquid solution comprising a pH regulator, a nutrient and/or a growth factor. The liquid solution can be e.g. aqueous ammonia for pH control, but it can also be more complex media component solutions.
- In one aspect the present invention discloses a method of cell cultivation, which comprises the steps of:
- a) providing a bioreactor as described above;
- b) adding cell cultivation medium and cells to the inner volume of the vessel;
- c) providing agitation by the agitation means, and
- d) adding a liquid solution and/or a gas to the inner volume via the addition tube.
- The cells can be e.g. i) animal cells, such as mammalian or insect cells, ii) microorganisms such as bacteria or yeast cells or iii) plant cells.
- In certain embodiments the amount of cell cultivation medium in step b) is sufficient to immerse the delivery orifice of the addition tube.
- In some embodiments the liquid solution comprises a pH regulator, a nutrient and/or a growth factor.
- This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. Features from different embodiments may be combined to form new embodiments.
Claims (20)
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US18/062,481 US20230093940A1 (en) | 2013-08-27 | 2022-12-06 | Bioreactor with addition tube |
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PCT/SE2013/051001 WO2015030639A1 (en) | 2013-08-27 | 2013-08-27 | Bioreactor with addition tube |
US201614910824A | 2016-02-08 | 2016-02-08 | |
US18/062,481 US20230093940A1 (en) | 2013-08-27 | 2022-12-06 | Bioreactor with addition tube |
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PCT/SE2013/051001 Continuation WO2015030639A1 (en) | 2013-08-27 | 2013-08-27 | Bioreactor with addition tube |
US14/910,824 Continuation US11549091B2 (en) | 2013-08-27 | 2013-08-27 | Bioreactor with addition tube |
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US20230093940A1 true US20230093940A1 (en) | 2023-03-30 |
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US (2) | US11549091B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3039115B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2016531578A (en) |
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WO (1) | WO2015030639A1 (en) |
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EP3039115B2 (en) | 2013-08-27 | 2022-04-06 | Cytiva Sweden AB | Bioreactor with addition tube |
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CN105473701A (en) | 2016-04-06 |
WO2015030639A1 (en) | 2015-03-05 |
EP3039115B1 (en) | 2019-06-12 |
JP2016531578A (en) | 2016-10-13 |
EP3039115A4 (en) | 2017-04-26 |
US20160194591A1 (en) | 2016-07-07 |
US11549091B2 (en) | 2023-01-10 |
EP3039115B2 (en) | 2022-04-06 |
EP3039115A1 (en) | 2016-07-06 |
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