Reinforced bioreactor component structure system for cell cultivation

Abstract

The present invention involves a reinforced tubing structure that is particularly useful for reinforcing tubing that is present inside disposable bioreactor bags, including for example thermowell tubing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bioprocess bag comprising:
 a bag wall defining an enclosed volume for holding biomaterials, the bag wall comprising at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port; and   a tube structure comprising a first opened-end proximate the bag wall and a second distal end, the tube extending into the enclosed volume, and the tube structure comprising a reinforced portion proximate the first opened-end.   
     
     
         2 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 1 , wherein the second distal end is a closed-end, and the tube is adapted to accept a probe for measuring one or more properties of the biomaterials. 
     
     
         3 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 2 , wherein the probe is a thermocouple. 
     
     
         4 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 1 , wherein the tube structure comprises a first opened-end proximate the bag wall and a second distal end extending into the enclosed volume, the reinforced portion proximate the first opened-end. 
     
     
         5 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 4 , wherein the tube structure is adapted to accept a sparging wand. 
     
     
         6 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforced portion comprises a ribbed structure. 
     
     
         7 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 1 , wherein the ribbed structure comprises a pattern of sections that are raised relative to the tube outer surface, and the raised sections contacting each other when the tube structure is bent. 
     
     
         8 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 7 , wherein the contact of the raised sections prevents crimping of the tube structure. 
     
     
         9 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 1 , wherein the tube structure comprises a predominantly cylindrical inner wall, and a notch extending at least a portion of the length of the inner wall. 
     
     
         10 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 9 , wherein the notch defines a channel that allows air to flow out when a probe is inserted into the tube structure. 
     
     
         11 . A reinforced probe housing, the probe housing comprising;
 a tip portion having a first outer diameter and an first inner diameter defining a thickness, the inner diameter adapted to accept a probe, the probe housing having a closed-end proximate the tip portion;   a reinforced portion sharing the same inner diameter as the tip portion, wherein the outside diameter of the reinforced portion includes raised sections that provide reinforcement through contact with one another when the probe housing is bent, the probe housing having an opened-end proximate the reinforced portion, the opened-end adapted to accept the probe.   
     
     
         12 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 11 , wherein the probe is a thermocouple. 
     
     
         13 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 11 , wherein the reinforced portion comprises a ribbed structure. 
     
     
         14 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 11 , wherein the ribbed structure comprises a pattern of sections that are raised relative to the tube outer surface, and the raised sections contacting each other when the tube structure is bent. 
     
     
         15 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 14 , wherein contact of the raised sections during a bend prevents crimping of the tube structure. 
     
     
         16 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 11 , wherein the tube structure comprises a predominantly cylindrical inner wall, and a notch that extends at least a portion of the length of the inner wall. 
     
     
         17 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 16 , wherein the notch defines a channel that allows air to flow out when a probe is inserted into the tube structure. 
     
     
         18 . A bioprocess bag comprising:
 a bag wall defining an enclosed volume for holding biomaterials, the bag wall comprising at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port; and   a tube structure comprising a first opened-end proximate the bag wall and a second closed-end distal to the bag wall, the tube extending into the enclosed volume, the tube structure comprising a predominantly cylindrical inner wall and a notch that extends at least a portion of the length of the inner wall, wherein the notch defines a channel that allows air to flow out when a probe is inserted into the tube structure.   
     
     
         19 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 18 , wherein the tube structure comprising a reinforced portion proximate the first opened-end. 
     
     
         20 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 19 , wherein the ribbed structure comprises a pattern of sections that are raised relative to the tube outer surface, and the raised sections contacting each other when the tube structure is bent. 
     
     
         21 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 1 , wherein the bag wall comprises one or more of an impeller, a heater, and/or a gas outlet. 
     
     
         22 . The bioprocess bag of  claim 18 , wherein the bag wall comprises one or more of an impeller, a heater, and/or a gas outlet.