Modular bio-processing unit and a bio-processing system employing plural units

1 . A modular bio-processing unit operable with like units to provide a bio-processing system, comprising:

a housing having one or more internal fluid paths, the housing having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, each in fluid communication with the fluid path or one or more of the fluid paths;

one or more sensor elements operatively associated with the or each path, said sensor(s) elements including elements of one or more of: a flow rate or flow direction sensor, a conductivity sensor, a pressure sensor, a pH sensor, an air trap and a light absorbance sensor;

one or more pneumatically operable fluid flow inducing components operatively associated with the or each fluid path; and

plural valves for preventing or reducing flow in the or each path,

the housing, inlet(s), outlet(s), flow inducing component(s) and valve(s) being arranged to operate together as a bio-processing unit within or substantially within the housing,

wherein the modular bio-processing unit is formed from three layers of substantially plastic material that are heat/diffusion bonded together, the at least one inlet being present in a first outer layer, the one or more fluid paths being present in a middle layer, and the at least one outlet being present in a second outer layer, the first outer layer and the second outer layer being positioned on opposite sides of the middle layer.

2 . The modular bio-processing unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the unit includes a selection valve for selecting input into the path(s) from plural sources.

3 . The modular bio-processing unit as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the flow inducing component provides a direction of intended flow in the unit, and wherein the selection valve is upstream of the flow inducing component and said sensors and said plural valves and downstream of the selection valve.

4 . The modular bio-processing unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the valves comprise respective valve stems.

5 . The modular bio-processing unit as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the valve stems comprise an arcuate duct, each side of which provides a seal for sealing against a respective stem orifice.

6 . The modular bio-processing unit as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the valve stems comprise a selection valve channel for diverting fluid flow from a desired inlet to an internal fluid flow path arcuate duct.

7 . The modular bio-processing unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the valves are one-way valves that are driven by a piston within a chamber in a reciprocating manner.

8 . The modular bio-processing unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the valves are electrically or pneumatically driven by an actuator.

9 . The modular bio-processing unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inlets and outlets are arranged on both sides of a cassette.

10 . The modular bio-processing unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of said least one inlet and at least one outlet is terminated with a quick coupling.

11 . The modular bio-processing unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a back plate thereof has a front face which carries electrical conductors for carrying power and signals to respective sensors.

12 . The modular bio-processing unit as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the back plate has an opening for holding a pump motor and/or carries a connector block for connecting said electrical conductors to an external control via complementary connectors located in a holder.

13 . The modular bio-processing unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least two layers comprise a fluidic layer and a pneumatic layer separated by a support layer, and wherein a flexible elastomeric layer is provided between said support layer and said fluidic layer.

14 . The modular bio-processing unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the light absorbance sensor comprises a UV light absorbance sensor.