Passive automatic antifoam delivery system for use with single-use bioreactors

Abstract

The aspects of the disclosed embodiments generally relate to an apparatus which allows for the controlled addition of antifoam to the foam present in the headspace of a disposable single-use bioreactor in a reliable manner. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments also generally relate to a method of using such apparatus which allows for the controlled addition of antifoam to the foam present in the headspace of a disposable single-use bioreactor in a reliable manner. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments generally relate to antifoam systems, methods and apparatus, and more particularly, to an antifoam device operably connected to a single use biobag.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A passive automatic antifoam delivery system for use with a single-use bioreactor comprising:
 a medical grade porous non-reactive object secured proximally to the exhaust port of the bioreactor;   wherein said porous object absorbs an antifoam substance from a bioreactor reservoir connected to the bioreactor and the porous object, and   wherein said porous object retains said antifoam substance therein until foam from the bioreactor rises to the level wherein it makes contact with the antifoam absorbed porous object which releases small quantities of an antifoam substance sufficient to neutralize the foam and clear the exhaust port.   
     
     
         2 . A passive automatic antifoam delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said medical grade porous non-reactive object is in the shape of a cylindrical wick or a ring. 
     
     
         3 . A passive automatic antifoam delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said medical grade porous non-reactive object is in direct contact with a small reservoir attached to the bag or tubing and the antifoam is introduced into the reservoir by a user via a sterile syringe fitting or by tube welding of a small container of antifoam. 
     
     
         4 . A passive automatic antifoam delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said antifoam is selected from polydimethylsiloxane, block copolymer of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, polypropylene based polyether dispersions, fatty acid esters, insoluble oils, polydimethylsiloxanes, mineral oil, vegetable oil, and EO/PO based defoamers contain polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol copolymers. 
     
     
         5 . A passive automatic antifoam delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said medical grade porous non-reactive object comprises open cell porous foams, fibrous mesh or pads or sintered bead foams. 
     
     
         6 . A passive automatic antifoam delivery system according to  claim 5  wherein said medical grade porous non-reactive object comprises polymeric plastic materials, metals or metal alloys or ceramics. 
     
     
         7 . A passive automatic antifoam delivery system according to  claim 6  wherein said medical grade porous non-reactive object comprises polymeric plastic materials selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyolefins, polyamides, polyurethane, acrylics, and styrenics. 
     
     
         8 . A passive automatic antifoam delivery system according to  claim 6  wherein said medical grade porous non-reactive object comprises metals or metal alloys selected from titanium and stainless steel. 
     
     
         9 . A passive automatic antifoam delivery system according to  claim 6  wherein said medical grade porous non-reactive object comprises ceramics selected from silicon nitride and zirconium dioxide. 
     
     
         10 . A medical grade porous object in the shape of a cylindrical wick or ring; wherein said porous object is absorbed/wicked with antifoam and retains said antifoam therein until exposed to a mass of foam which causes the release of small quantities of antifoam sufficient to neutralize the foam from the mass. 
     
     
         11 . A method of controlling foam formation in a single use bioreactor bag comprising:
 securing a medical grade porous object around or adjacent to the exhaust port in the top of a single-use bioreactor bag;   absorbing/wicking antifoam onto the porous object;   retaining antifoam absorbed/wicked porous object therein until exposed to a mass of foam, and   neutralizing foam in a bioreactor reservoir by the release of small quantities of antifoam.   
     
     
         12 . The use of a medical grade porous object in the shape of a cylindrical wick or ring to neutralize foam in a bioreactor reservoir comprising:
 securing a medical grade porous object around or adjacent to the exhaust port in the top of a single-use bioreactor bag;   absorbing/wicking antifoam onto the porous object;   retaining antifoam absorbed/wicked porous object therein until exposed to a mass of foam, and   neutralizing foam in a bioreactor reservoir by the release of small quantities of antifoam.