IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,404,496
Granted Patent B2
US 12,404,496 · App. 17/623,391 · Granted Sep 2, 2025

Bioreactor systems

Inventors: Ethan S. Lippmann (Nashville, TN); Alejandra I. Romero-Morales (Nashville, TN); Brian J. O'Grady (Nashville, TN); Kylie M. Balotin (Nashville, TN); Leon M. Bellan (Nashville, TN); Vivian Gama (Nashville, TN)
Assignee: Vanderbilt University
C12N5/0697C12M23/12C12M27/06C12M41/14C12M41/42
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,404,496
App. No.
17/623,391
Granted
Sep 2, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Bioreactor systems can include a first frame and a second frame, a well plate, a motor plate, a motor, and a controller. The first frame may define a well plate inset and standoff insets for a first set of metal standoffs. The second frame may define a plurality of mounts and a plurality of insets for a second set of metal standoffs. A gear may be positioned in each of the plurality of mounts. A paddle may be coupled to each of the gears. The well plate can be positioned within the well plate inset. The motor plate can be supported by and connected to the first set of metal standoffs and the second set of metal standoffs. The motor can be mounted on the motor plate and operatively connected to one of the plurality of gears.

Claims (66)

1. A bioreactor system, comprising:

a first frame and a second frame connected to the first frame,

the first frame defining a well plate inset and standoff insets for a first set of metal standoffs;

a well plate positioned within the well plate inset, the well plate defining a plurality of wells;

the second frame defining a plurality of mounts;

the second frame defining a plurality of insets for a second set of metal standoffs,

wherein a polymer collar is coupled to each of the plurality of mounts;

wherein a gear is positioned in each of the plurality of mounts;

wherein each of the plurality of gears is in communication with at least one adjacent gear;

wherein a paddle is coupled to each of the plurality of gears;

wherein each paddle is positioned within one of the plurality of wells;

a motor plate supported by and connected to the first set of metal standoffs and the second set of metal standoffs,

wherein the first set of metal standoffs extend between the first frame and the motor plate,

wherein the second set of metal standoffs extend between the second frame and the motor plate, and

wherein a length of the first set of metal standoffs is greater than a length of the second set of metal standoffs;

a motor mounted on the motor plate, the motor being operatively connected to one of the plurality of gears; and

a controller in communication with the motor, the controller programmed to control a speed of the motor.

2. The bioreactor system according to claim 1 , wherein the motor plate is arranged parallel to the second frame.

3. The bioreactor system according to claim 2 , wherein the first set of metal standoffs and the second set of metal standoffs are stainless steel.

4. The bioreactor system according to claim 1 , wherein the well plate defines 12 wells; and

wherein the second frame defines 12 mounts.

5. The bioreactor system according to claim 1 , wherein the motor is connected to the gear in a second row and a second column of the mounts defined by the second frame.

6. The bioreactor system according to claim 1 , wherein the first frame and the second frame are made from acrylic additive manufacturing resin.

7. The bioreactor system according to claim 6 , wherein the acrylic additive manufacturing resin includes polyetherimide.

8. The bioreactor system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first frame, the second frame, the motor plate, and the motor include a parylene coating.

9. The bioreactor system according to claim 1 , wherein the polymer collar is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

10. The bioreactor system according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is programmed to operate the motor at a speed between 10 RPM and 100 RPM.

11. The bioreactor system according to claim 1 , further comprising an incubation device configured to control a temperature and a humidity during operation of the bioreactor system.

12. A method of using a bioreactor system according to claim 1 , the method comprising:

adding media to each of the plurality of wells;

initiating motor activation at a predetermined rotational speed:

adjusting a temperature of an environment surrounding the bioreactor system to a predetermined temperature range;

adjusting a humidity of the environment to a predetermined humidity range;

continuing motor activation for at least 60 days;

ceasing motor activation after at least 60 days; and

removing the well plate from the first frame.

13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the predetermined rotational speed is between 10 RPMs and 100 RPMs.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the predetermined temperature range is between 40° C. and 70° C.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the predetermined humidity range is between 40% and 90%.

16. A bioreactor system, comprising:

a first frame and a second frame connected to the first frame,

the first frame defining a well plate inset and standoff insets for a first set of metal standoffs;

a well plate positioned within the well plate inset, the well plate defining a plurality of wells;

the second frame defining a plurality of mounts;

the second frame defining a plurality of insets for a second set of metal standoffs,

wherein a polymer collar is coupled to each of the plurality of mounts;

wherein a gear is positioned in each of the plurality of mounts;

wherein each of the plurality of gears is in communication with at least one adjacent gear;

wherein a paddle is coupled to each of the plurality of gears, each paddle being located on an opposite side of the second frame from the plurality of gears;

wherein each paddle is positioned within one of the plurality of wells;

a motor plate supported by and connected to the first set of metal standoffs and the second set of metal standoffs,

wherein each of the first frame, second frame, and motor plate are arranged parallel to each other,

wherein the first set of metal standoffs extend between the first frame and the motor plate,

wherein the second set of metal standoffs extend between the second frame and the motor plate, and

wherein a length of the first set of metal standoffs is greater than a length of the second set of metal standoffs;

a motor mounted on the motor plate, the motor being operatively connected to one of the plurality of gears; and

a controller in communication with the motor, the controller programmed to control a speed of the motor.

17. The bioreactor system according to claim 16 , wherein the first frame and the second frame are made from acrylic additive manufacturing resin;

wherein each of the first frame, the second frame, the motor plate, and the motor include a parylene coating; and

wherein the polymer collar is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

18. The bioreactor system according to claim 17 ,

wherein the controller is programmed to operate the motor at a speed between 10 RPM and 100 RPM.

19. The bioreactor system according to claim 16 , wherein the first set of metal standoffs and the second set of metal standoffs are stainless steel;

wherein the well plate defines 12 wells;

wherein the second frame defines 12 mounts; and

wherein the motor is connected to the gear in a second row and a second column of the mounts defined by the second frame.

Assignments (2)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Aug 12, 2022
From: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
To: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH), U.S. DEPT. OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS), U.S. GOVERNMENT
Reel/Frame 061163/0452 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 28, 2021
From: LIPPMANN, ETHAN S.; ROMERO-MORALES, ALEJANDRA I.; O'GRADY, BRIAN J.; BALOTIN, KYLIE M.; BELLAN, LEON M.; GAMA, VIVIAN
To: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 058491/0439 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62868332 · Jun 28, 2019
Related Publication 20220364061A1 · Nov 17, 2022
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