DESC:TITLE OF THE INVENTION: A PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR CULTIVATING CELLS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure is generally related to tissue engineering or biochemical/bioprocess engineering, and particularly related to cell cultivation. More particularly, the present disclosure is related to a portable apparatus for cultivating cells.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventionally, apparatuses used for cultivating cells are operated and controlled, through programmable logic controllers (PLC), and are very heavy; they generally weigh between about 100 kg and about 120 kg. Further, they consume about 230 Volts per hour of electricity, and require trained resources.
There is, therefore, a need in the art for an automatic and portable apparatus for cultivating cells, which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and shortfalls.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A portable apparatus for cultivating cells is disclosed. Said portable apparatus broadly comprises: an at least an auto calibration member; an at least a pH sensing member; an at least a dissolved oxygen sensing member; an at least a turbidity sensing member; an at least a temperature sensing member; an at least an agitator; a plurality of baffles; an at least a sterilising radiator; an at least a sparger loop; an at least an auto sterilising member; an at least an auto loading and cut-off member; an at least a retrofittable UV light member; a peristaltic pump that pumps acids and bases; an at least a receptacle; an at least an live cell monitoring device; and a human machine interface.
Said at least one auto calibration member comprises provisions, for: said at least one pH sensing member; said at least one dissolved oxygen sensing member; said at least one turbidity sensing member; said at least one temperature sensing member; said at least one agitator; said plurality of baffles; and said at least one sterilising radiator.
Said at least one auto calibration member also comprises provisions, for: nozzles, to carry out functions of medium exchange; nozzles, for acid and base exchange; connecting an air pump, for supply of oxygen; and sensing members.
Said at least one pH sensing member senses pH of said medium, in real-time, while said at least one dissolved oxygen sensing member senses concentration of dissolved oxygen, in said medium, in real-time.
Likewise, said at least one turbidity sensing member senses turbidity of said medium, in real-time, while said at least one temperature sensing member senses temperature of said medium, in real-time.
Said at least one agitator comprises fins, which radiate heat generated, from an at least a torque generating member.
Said plurality of baffles avoids formation of excess froth and improves rate of mixing.
Said at least one sterilising radiator delivers radiation, between about 254 nm and about 265 nm, at a voltage range of between about 3 V and about 5 V.
Said at least one sparger loop comprises an air flow passage, and is configured to resemble the letter “L”, with an opening at a base, and an opening at another end.
Said at least one auto sterilising member comprises provisions, for interlocking UV sterilisation probes.
Said at least one auto loading and cut-off member comprises an automatic volume detection and self-cleaning mechanism.
Said at least one retrofittable UV light member aids sterilisation, along with said at least one auto sterilising member.
Said at least one live cell monitoring device is associated with said apparatus, via pumps and tubes, and performs non-invasive laser imaging of cells, at a wavelength that ranges between about 500 nm and about 550 nm. Data recorded, by said at least one live cell monitoring device, is (or are) transmitted, to said human machine interface.
Said human machine interface is communicatively associated with a microprocessor or microcontroller.
The disclosed apparatus offers at least the following advantages: is cost-effective (costs between about 4.5 lakh Indian Rupees and about 9 lakh Indian Rupees); is efficient; is portable; is handy; is automatic; is easy to use; is user friendly; consumes less power; is eco-friendly; does not require real-time supervision; and is easy to transport.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3 illustrate a portable apparatus for cultivating cells, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates an at least an agitator-direct drive, of a portable apparatus for cultivating cells, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5 illustrates a baffle, of a portable apparatus for cultivating cells, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 6 illustrates an at least a dissolved oxygen sensing member, of a portable apparatus for cultivating cells, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 7 illustrates a human machine interface, of a portable apparatus for cultivating cells, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 8 illustrates an at least a pH sensing member, of a portable apparatus for cultivating cells, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 9 illustrates an at least a sparger loop, of a portable apparatus for cultivating cells, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 10 illustrates a serrated nipple connector for air pump, of a portable apparatus for cultivating cells, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 11 illustrates a serrated nipple, of a portable apparatus for cultivating cells, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 12 illustrates a top plate, of a portable apparatus for cultivating cells, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 13 illustrates an at least a turbidity sensing member, of a portable apparatus for cultivating cells, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 14 illustrates an at least a sterilising radiator, of a portable apparatus for cultivating cells, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 15 illustrates an at least a UV light member, of a portable apparatus for cultivating cells, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 16 illustrates testing results, of a portable apparatus for cultivating cells, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 17 illustrates an at least a live cell monitoring device, of a portable apparatus for cultivating cells, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Throughout this specification, the use of the words “comprise”, “have”, “contain”, and “include”, and variations such as “comprises”, “comprising”, “having”, “contains”, “containing”, “includes”, and “including”, may imply the inclusion of an element (or elements) not specifically recited. The disclosed embodiments may be embodied, in various other forms, as well.
Throughout this specification, the use of the word “apparatus” is to be construed as: a set of technical components (also referred to as “members”) that are communicatively and/or operably associated with each other, and function together as part of a mechanism, to achieve a desired technical result.
Throughout this specification, the use of the phrase “application on a computing device”, and its variations, is to be construed as being inclusive of: application installable on a computing device; website hosted on a computing device; web application installed on a computing device; website accessible from a computing device; and/or web application accessible from a computing device.
Throughout this specification, the use of the phrase “computing device”, and its variations, is to be construed as being inclusive of: the cloud; remote servers; desktop computers; laptop computers; mobile phones; smart phones; tablets; phablets; and/or smart watches.
Throughout this specification, the use of the word “plurality” is to be construed as being inclusive of: “at least one”.
Throughout this specification, the use of the words “communication”, “couple”, and their variations (such as communicatively), is to be construed as being inclusive of: one-way communication (or coupling); and two-way communication (or coupling), as the case may be.
Throughout this specification, where applicable, the use of the phrase “at least” is to be construed in association with the suffix “one” i.e. it is to be read, along with the suffix “one”, as “at least one”, which is used in the meaning of “one or more”. A person skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that the phrase “at least one” is a standard term that is used in Patent Specifications to denote any component of a disclosure that may be present (or disposed) in a single quantity (or more than a single quantity).
Throughout this specification, the word “sensor” and the phrase “sensing member” are used interchangeably. The disclosed sensing members may be of any suitable type known in the art.
Throughout this specification, the phrases “at least a”, “at least an”, and “at least one” are used interchangeably.
Throughout this specification, the words “the” and “said” are used interchangeably.
Throughout this specification, the disclosure of a range is to be construed as being inclusive of: the lower limit of the range and the upper limit of the range.
A portable apparatus for cultivating cells is disclosed (hereafter “apparatus” or “portable apparatus”). As illustrated, in Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3, an embodiment of said portable apparatus broadly comprises: an at least an auto calibration member; an at least a sparger loop (Figure 9); an at least an auto sterilising member; an at least an auto loading and cut-off member; and an at least a UV light member (Figure 15); and an at least a live cell monitoring device (Figure 17).
The at least one auto calibration member is an oscillation header that moves up and down, based on the turbine movement, or based on a specific time that is set, by an operator. The at least one auto calibration member is a top plate (Figure 12) that broadly comprises provisions, for: an at least a pH sensing member (Figure 8); an at least a dissolved oxygen sensing member (Figure 6); an at least a turbidity sensing member (Figure 13); an at least a temperature sensing member; an at least an agitator-direct drive (hereafter “agitator”; Figure 4); a plurality of baffles (Figure 5); and an at least a sterilising radiator (Figure 14).
The top plate also comprises provisions, for: nozzles, to carry out functions of medium (culture medium) exchange (serrated nipple fittings, with provisions for ‘O’ rings, to avoid any unwanted gas exchange); nozzles, for acid and base exchange (serrated nipples); connecting an air pump (Figure 10), for supply of oxygen; and sensing members (CO2, N2, hot and cold water, air supply, and/or the like).
All sensing members are communicatively associated with a human machine interface (for example, a touch screen panel; Figure 7) that is communicatively associated with any microprocessor or microcontroller. Desired acids and bases are pumped, through a peristaltic pump.
The at least one pH sensing member senses pH of the medium, in which, culturing is to be performed, in real-time. Likewise, the at least one dissolved oxygen sensing member senses concentration of dissolved oxygen, in the medium, in which, the culturing is to be performed, in real-time. Along similar lines, the at least one turbidity sensing member and the at least one temperature sensing member sense turbidity of the medium and temperature of the medium, respectively, in which, the culturing is to be performed, in real-time.
The agitator increases efficiency of mixing, reduces energy loss, and improves yield. The agitator comprises specialised fins that radiate heat generated, from an at least a torque generating member (for example, a motor). For example, it is an about 12 V, DC motored, Rushton turbine or pitched blade turbine, with blades varying between about 8 and about 12, in number.
The plurality of baffles avoids formation of excess froth and improves rate of mixing. The plurality of baffles is attached to a wall of the top plate, either screwed or welded. For example, there are a minimum of four baffles and maximum of 8 baffles. These baffles are disposed, at about 60° or about 90°, on the wall surface of the top plate.
The at least one sparger loop comprises an air flow passage (for example, of about 2 mm to about 5 mm). It is configured to resemble the letter “L”, with an opening at a base, and an opening at another end. The openings comprise a threaded orifice (for example, of about 5 mm), to control direction of the air flow, thereby, improving rate of agitation and maximising oxygen transfer rate and oxygen uptake rate. For example, an inlet of the air comprises a base (of about 10 mm) and a serrated nipple (of about 7 mm).
The at least one sterilising radiator comprises a knob that has an orifice of size, which is maximum enough to deliver radiation, between about 254 nm and about 265 nm, at a voltage range of between about 3 V and about 5 V. The at least one sterilising radiator is fixed with curved glass at one end, to maximise passage of UV light radiation.
The at least one auto sterilising member comprises provisions, for interlocking UV sterilisation probes or channels or heads.
The at least one auto-loading and cut-off member comprises an automatic volume detection and self-cleaning mechanism that measures volume of the medium that gets filled (for example, through an ultrasonic sensing member).
The at least one UV light member is a retrofittable attachment that may be used, before and after completing a bio-process. The at least one UV light member aids sterilisation, along with the at least one auto sterilising member. For example, between about 3 baffles and about 8 baffles are disposed, along an inner wall surface of the apparatus. Each baffle is disposed, at: about 45 degrees; about 60 degrees; or about 120 degrees.
Said at least one live cell monitoring device is associated with said apparatus, via pumps and tubes, and performs non-invasive laser imaging of cells, at a wavelength that ranges between about 500 nm and about 550 nm. Data recorded, by said at least one live cell monitoring device, is (or are) transmitted, to said human machine interface.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the portable apparatus further comprises: an at least a receptacle (for example, a vessel container); an at least a communicating member; and an at least an application on a computing device.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, capacity (for example, volume) of the at least one receptacle is customizable, starting from about 3 kg.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the portable apparatus further comprises: an at least an imaging member (for example, a camera) that is coupled with an enlarging member (for example, a microscope); and an at least an optical density sensing member. The least one imaging member that is coupled with an enlarging member facilitates identifying accuracy of cell culture. The at least one optical density sensing member facilitates monitoring growth of cells.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the least one imaging member that is coupled with an enlarging member may be an add-on to the apparatus, thus, can be attached and/or detached, to/from the apparatus, as per requirements.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a body of the portable apparatus is made of sturdy and transparent material, such as solid glass.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one communication member facilitates communicating of the portable apparatus with an at least an external computing device. The at least one communication member establishes communication with the at least one external computing device, through either wired or wireless technologies, such as wireless internet, mobile data, GSM, Bluetooth, LoRa, ZigBee, or the like.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one application on a computing device is configured to control, monitor, and track the portable apparatus remotely.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the portable is configured to run on solar power and consumes about 24 Volts per hour.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the weight of the apparatus is ranges between about 20 kg and about 25 kg.
The disclosed apparatus was tested, as follows: NA agar plates, for bacteria, were prepared and sterilised; NB broth media was prepared, for swab test and sterilised; the apparatus was tested, using Swab method, before sterilisation, and the plates were incubated, at about 37 degrees Centigrade overnight; the apparatus was filled with water and sterilised, at about 121 degrees Centigrade, for about 15 minutes; on the next day, the apparatus was tested, using swab method, and autoclaved water was taken, for serial dilution; and the plates were incubated, at about 37 degrees Centigrade overnight. The results are illustrated, in Figure 16.
The disclosed apparatus offers at least the following advantages: is cost-effective (costs between about 4.5 lakh Indian Rupees and about 9 lakh Indian Rupees); is efficient; is portable; is handy; is automatic; is easy to use; is user friendly; consumes less power; is eco-friendly; does not require real-time supervision; and is easy to transport.
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations and improvements, without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the disclosure, may be made by a person skilled in the art. Such modifications, additions, alterations and improvements, should be construed as being within the scope of this disclosure. ,CLAIMS:1. A portable apparatus for cultivating cells, comprising:
an at least an auto calibration member that comprises provisions, for: an at least a pH sensing member; an at least a dissolved oxygen sensing member; an at least a turbidity sensing member; an at least a temperature sensing member; an at least an agitator; a plurality of baffles; an at least a sterilising radiator; nozzles, to carry out functions of medium exchange; nozzles, for acid and base exchange; connecting an air pump, for supply of oxygen; and sensing members;
said at least one pH sensing member that senses pH of said medium, in real-time;
said at least one dissolved oxygen sensing member that senses concentration of dissolved oxygen, in said medium, in real-time;
said at least one turbidity sensing member that senses turbidity of said medium, in real-time;
said at least one temperature sensing member that senses temperature of said medium, in real-time;
said at least one agitator that comprises fins, which radiate heat generated, from an at least a torque generating member;
said plurality of baffles that avoids formation of excess froth and improves rate of mixing;
said at least one sterilising radiator that delivers radiation, between 254 nm and 265 nm, at a voltage range of between 3 V and 5 V;
an at least a sparger loop that comprises an air flow passage, and is configured to resemble the letter “L”, with an opening at a base, and an opening at another end;
an at least an auto sterilising member that comprises provisions, for interlocking UV sterilisation probes;
an at least an auto loading and cut-off member that comprises an automatic volume detection and self-cleaning mechanism;
an at least a retrofittable UV light member that aids sterilisation, along with said at least one auto sterilising member;
an at least a live cell monitoring device that performs non-invasive laser imaging of cells, at a wavelength that ranges between 500 nm and 550 nm;
a peristaltic pump that pumps acids and bases;
an at least a receptacle; and
a human machine interface that is communicatively associated with a microprocessor or microcontroller.
2. A portable apparatus for cultivating cells, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said portable apparatus comprises:
an at least a communicating member that facilitates communicating of said portable apparatus with an at least an external computing device; and
an at least an application on a computing device that is configured to control, monitor, and track said portable apparatus remotely.