Device and bioreactor monitoring system and method
A device for monitoring a bioreactor includes a sample tube for withdrawing a sample from a bioreactor into a sample cell and elements for analyzing the sample, in the NIR region, for example. Collecting and releasing the sample from and into the bioreactor is conducted using a peristaltic pump that is operated as a reversible/reciprocating pump. A sterile filter separates sample cell tubing from tubing connecting to the peristaltic pump.
1 . A device for monitoring a bioreactor, the device comprising:
a sample cell including:
a first end connectable for fluid communication with a sample tube for collecting a sample from a bioreactor; and
a second end connectable for fluid communication with a pump,
wherein the sample cell is mountable onto a tether head which includes one or more optical elements for analyzing the sample.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the sample cell is disposable.
3 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a sterile filter at the second end.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the sample cell includes a round cuvette.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the sample cell includes a tortuous fluid path.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the sample cell includes a straight fluid path.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the pump is a peristaltic pump.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the optical elements include elements for near infrared interrogation and/or detection of analytes.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the optical elements form an optical path that intersects the sample cell at a scan area.
10 . A method for monitoring a bioreactor process, the method comprising:
a. operating a pump to generate a negative pressure in a sample cell;
b. drawing medium from a bioreactor through a sample tube to collect a sample in the sample cell;
c. analyzing the sample; and
d. operating the pump to generate a positive pressure, thereby releasing the sample from the sample cell, through the sample tube, and into the bioreactor.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the sample is analyzed by near infrared spectrometry.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the sample is analyzed by a spectroscopic or a non-spectroscopic method.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein a. through d. are repeated.
14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein cells in the sample are not circulated through a pumping system.
15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein access of contaminants from a pumping system into the sample cell is prevented by a sterile filter.
16 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising assembling and/or disassembling the sample tube, the sample cell, the peristaltic pump and a tether head containing one or more elements for analyzing the sample.
17 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising autoclaving the sample tube and/or the sample cell.
18 . A device for monitoring a bioreactor in-situ, the device comprising:
a sample tube for extracting a sample from a bioreactor;
a tether head housing one or more optical components;
a peristaltic pump;
a sample cell that is mountable onto or into the tether head, the sample cell having a first end that is connectable to the sample tube and a second end that is connectable to the peristaltic pump; and
a sterile filter at the second end.
19 . The device of claim 18 , wherein the sample cell includes a round cuvette.
20 . The device of claim 18 , wherein the sample cell includes a tortuous fluid path.
21 . The device of claim 18 , wherein the sample cell includes a straight fluid path.
22 . The device of claim 18 , wherein the optical components include components for NIR interrogation and/or detection of analytes.
23 . A system comprising:
a bioreactor;
a probe that includes:
a sample tube immersible in the bioreactor;
a sample cell having a first end configured for fluid communication with the sample tube and a second end configured for fluid communication with a pump;
a sterile filter separating the sample cell from the pump;
a tether head containing elements for analyzing a sample in the sample cell and configured to cover the sample cell;
a controller for operating the pump, analyzing the sample, or both.
24 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the pump is operated as a reciprocal pump.
25 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the elements for analyzing the sample define an optical pathway that intersects the sample cell at a scan area.
26 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the elements for analyzing the sample are configured for NIR spectrometry.
27 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the bioreactor is or contains a cell culture system for the three-dimensional assembly, growth and differentiation of cells and/or tissues.
28 . A device for monitoring a bioreactor, the device comprising:
a sample cell having:
a first end connectable for fluid communication with a sample tube for collecting a sample from a bioreactor;
a second end connectable for fluid communication with a peristaltic pump configured for operating as a reciprocal pump;
a sterile filter at the second end; and
a system for analyzing the sample.