CN-122003492-A - Bioreactor system

Abstract

A bioreactor system includes a bioreactor vessel and a coupling module. The bioreactor vessel comprises a first coupling member and the coupling module comprises a second coupling member. The second coupling member is adapted to couple with the first coupling member when the bioreactor vessel rotates relative to the coupling module.

Inventors

• Mark Vali
• STUART MILNE
• IAN JONES

Assignees

• 奥瑞生物技术有限公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260508

Application Date

20240813

Priority Date

20230814

Claims (20)

1. 1. A bioreactor system comprising a bioreactor vessel and a coupling module, wherein the bioreactor vessel comprises a first coupling member and the coupling module comprises a second coupling member adapted to couple with the first coupling member when the bioreactor vessel is rotated relative to the coupling module.
2. 2. The bioreactor system of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second coupling members comprises a protrusion, and wherein the other of the first and second coupling members comprises a recess adapted to receive the protrusion.
3. 3. The bioreactor system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first coupling member comprises a first edge having a first series of alternating notches and protrusions formed around the first edge, and wherein the second coupling member comprises a second edge having a second series of alternating notches and protrusions formed around the second edge.
4. 4. The bioreactor system of claim 3, wherein the first and second series of protrusions are capable of passing through the second and first series of notches, respectively, to couple the bioreactor vessel to the coupling module.
5. 5. The bioreactor system according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the first and second coupling members are adapted to couple the bioreactor vessel to the coupling module when the first and second series of protrusions are aligned with each other by relative rotation of the bioreactor vessel and the coupling module.
6. 6. The bioreactor system of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first coupling member comprises a coupling plate having an outer edge with a first series of alternating recesses and protrusions, and wherein the second coupling member comprises a coupling ring having an inner edge with a second series of alternating recesses and protrusions.
7. 7. The bioreactor system of claim 6, wherein the coupling plate is configured to pass through the coupling ring when the first series of protrusions are aligned with the second series of recesses.
8. 8. The bioreactor system according to any one of claims 3 to 7, further comprising an abutment arranged such that when the first coupling member is coupled to the second coupling member, one of the first and second series of protrusions is disposed between the abutment and the other of the first and second series of protrusions.
9. 9. The bioreactor system of claim 8, wherein the coupling module includes the abutment, and wherein the abutment is spaced apart from a second series of protrusions on the second coupling member such that when the second coupling member is coupled to the first coupling member, the first series of protrusions on the first coupling member are disposed between the abutment and the second series of protrusions.
10. 10. The bioreactor system of claim 8, wherein the bioreactor vessel includes the abutment, and wherein the abutment is spaced apart from a first series of protrusions on the first coupling member such that a second series of protrusions on the second coupling member is disposed between the abutment and the first series of protrusions when the first coupling member is coupled to the second coupling member.
11. 11. The bioreactor system according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the abutment is spaced apart from the first or second coupling member such that the second or first series of protrusions are free to move between the abutment and the other of the first or second series of protrusions, respectively, when the bioreactor vessel is rotated relative to the coupling module.
12. 12. The bioreactor system according to any preceding claim, wherein the bioreactor vessel comprises a base plate and a compressible container, and wherein the base plate comprises the first coupling member.
13. 13. The bioreactor system of claim 12, wherein the coupling module is operably connected to an agitation module such that the agitation module is operable to move the coupling module and the base plate when coupled to the coupling module.
14. 14. The bioreactor system according to any preceding claim, wherein the bioreactor vessel comprises an expansion vessel, and wherein the expansion vessel comprises the first coupling member.
15. 15. The bioreactor system of claim 14, wherein the bioreactor vessel further comprises a dilating frame surrounding the dilating container and configured to move as the dilating container expands and compresses, and wherein the dilating frame comprises the first coupling member.
16. 16. The bioreactor system according to claim 13 or claim 14, further comprising a expansion module operable to move the expansion vessel, and wherein the expansion module comprises a coupling module adapted to couple with the expansion vessel.
17. 17. The bioreactor system according to any preceding claim, wherein the bioreactor system comprises a first coupling module adapted to couple with a base plate of the bioreactor vessel and a second coupling module adapted to couple with an expansion vessel of the bioreactor vessel.
18. 18. The bioreactor system according to any preceding claim, wherein the coupling module comprises a support adapted to hold the bioreactor vessel, and wherein the support comprises an actuator operable to rotate the bioreactor vessel about an axis relative to the coupling module.
19. 19. The bioreactor system of claim 18, wherein the bioreactor vessel comprises a plurality of ports providing access to the bioreactor vessel.
20. 20. The bioreactor system of claim 19, wherein the bioreactor vessel comprises an interface plate arranged to be supported by the support, the interface plate comprising the plurality of ports.

Description

Bioreactor system Technical Field The present invention relates to a bioreactor system comprising a bioreactor vessel and an instrument for accommodating the bioreactor vessel during use. The invention further relates to a bioreactor vessel and an instrument. In an example, the bioreactor system is used for biological treatment applications, such as cell and gene therapy manufacturing. Background The cell and gene therapy manufacturing process is often very complex and involves manual or semi-automatic steps across several devices. The device system used in the various steps or unit operations of the manufacture of a cell-based therapeutic product (CTP) may include means for various functions. These various functions may be, for example, cell collection, cell separation, cell selection, cell expansion, cell washing, volume reduction, cell storage or transport. The unit operations may vary widely based on the manufacturing model (i.e., autologous versus allogeneic), the cell type, the intended purpose, and other factors. In addition, cells are "active" entities that are sensitive to even the simplest manipulations, such as differences in cell transfer procedures, for example. The role of cell manufacturing equipment in ensuring scalability and reproducibility is an important factor in the manufacture of cells and gene therapy. In addition, cell-based therapeutic products (CTPs) have gained significant momentum and thus there is a need for improved cell manufacturing equipment for use in various cell manufacturing procedures. These manufacturing procedures may include, for example, stem cell enrichment, production of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells, and various cell manufacturing processes such as collection, purification, genetic modification, incubation, recovery, washing, infusion into a patient, or freezing. The culture or processing of cells generally requires the use of a device to contain the cells in an appropriate medium while the cells are being cultured. Known devices include shake flasks, roller bottles, T-flasks, bags, and the like. Such devices typically need to be connected to other devices (such as containers, interfaces, etc.) so that various media can be introduced to or removed from the cell-containing device. Typically, cells in the medium may be added to the device from a flexible bag attached using a connecting tube. Alternatively, the cells may be transferred by pipette or by syringe. The culture or processing of cells generally requires the use of a device to contain the cells in an appropriate medium while the cells are being cultured. Known devices include shake flasks, roller bottles, T-flasks and bags. Such bottles or flasks are widely used, but have several disadvantages. These problems include the need for non-contaminating transfer of cells at passage or subsequent processing and sterile addition of media such as supplements and factors. In addition, cell cultures often require agitation or mixing during cell processing, which must be tightly controlled to avoid placing excessive stress on the cells. Some known devices have agitators or impellers that move or rotate within the device to agitate the contents. Other known devices are placed on an agitation platform (e.g., a shake platform) that moves the entire device to agitate the contents. Disclosure of Invention According to the present disclosure there is provided a bioreactor system comprising a bioreactor vessel and a coupling module, wherein the bioreactor vessel comprises a first coupling member and the coupling module comprises a second coupling member adapted to couple with the first coupling member when the bioreactor vessel is rotated relative to the coupling module. In an example, the bioreactor vessel is rotatable relative to the coupling module. An actuator may be provided to rotate the bioreactor vessel relative to the coupling module. Rotation of the bioreactor vessel may couple the bioreactor vessel to the coupling module via the first coupling member and the second coupling member. In an example, one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member includes a protrusion, and the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling element includes a recess adapted to receive the protrusion. In one example, the recess may be a dog leg shaped or L shaped recess adapted to receive the protrusion. The recess and the protrusion may form a bayonet-type connection between the coupling module and the bioreactor vessel. In an example, the first coupling member includes a protrusion and the second coupling member includes a recess adapted to receive the protrusion. In an example, the first coupling member includes a plurality of protrusions and the second coupling member includes a plurality of recesses, each recess adapted to receive one of the plurality of protrusions. In an example, the protrusion(s) and recess(s) may be of complementary shape and/or size. In some examples, the protrusion (or