Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite sensor assembly includes: providing a port including a high surface tension thermoplastic, the port having a hollow tubular portion and a base having a polymer surface; fusing the polymer surface of the port to a wall of a polymeric bioprocess vessel so that the port communicates with an opening in the wall; and retaining a sensor unit within the hollow tubular portion of the port with an adhesive, at least a portion of the sensor unit being polymeric, wherein the port provides the sensor unit access to an interior of the polymeric bioprocess vessel.

Abstract: A method of determining the identity and concentration of a target analyte present in a biological sample includes: introducing a first target analyte into a hollow core of an optical fiber; introducing a first reference calibrant into the hollow core of the optical fiber; transmitting light from a laser light source through the hollow core of the optical fiber and the first target analyte to generate a first Raman anti-Stokes analyte emission corresponding to the first target analyte; receiving the first Raman anti-Stokes analyte emission at a spectral analysis system optically coupled to the optical fiber; and deriving Raman anti-Stokes spectral peaks or spectra of the first target analyte at the spectral analysis system based on the first Raman anti-Stokes analyte emission.

Abstract: A method for enhancing mixing and aeration of a liquid reaction medium in a toroidal bioreactor vessel includes dispensing a liquid reaction medium into an interior of a toroidal bioreactor vessel, the interior being bounded by an inner surface, a textured surface being arranged on at least a portion of the inner surface, the textured surface having a plurality of upstanding protuberances. The toroidal bioreactor vessel is rotated in an orbital motion such that there is a resonant frequency traveling wave of the fluid orbiting in one direction in the interior of the toroidal bioreactor vessel when a particular orbital speed is imparted to the toroidal bioreactor vessel.

Abstract: A process and/or a bioreactor control system for controlling a bioreactor. The bioreactor control system includes a bioreactor, a sensor, an electronic card, and a bioreactor controller. The sensor is proximate to the bioreactor and configured to generate a signal indicative of an operating condition of the bioreactor. The signal is then transmitted to the electronic card. Receiving the signal, the electronic card processes the signal to generate a converted signal. The converted signal is then transmitted to the bioreactor controller. The bioreactor controller, in turn, processes the converted signal and generates a control signal to modify the operating condition of the bioreactor.

Abstract: A method of carrying out a bioreaction in a multivessel bioreactor system may include flowing a culture medium at an initial flow rate through one or more fluidic paths between a master vessel and one or more slave vessels, detecting a first culture medium parameter value in the master vessel or the slave vessels, transmitting the first culture medium parameter value to a control system, determining an adjusted flow rate of the culture medium at the control system based on the first culture medium parameter value, and controlling a bidirectional fluid transfer device with the control system to adjust the flow rate of the culture medium through the one or more fluidic paths. The control system may adjust the flow rate of the culture medium to maintain a substantially uniform value of the first culture medium parameter value in the master vessel or the one or more slave vessels.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite sensor assembly includes: providing a port including a high surface tension thermoplastic, the port having a hollow tubular portion and a base having a polymer surface; fusing the polymer surface of the port to a wall of a polymeric bioprocess vessel so that the port communicates with an opening in the wall; and retaining a sensor unit within the hollow tubular portion of the port with an adhesive, at least a portion of the sensor unit being polymeric, wherein the port provides the sensor unit access to an interior of the polymeric bioprocess vessel.

Abstract: A bioreactor system may include (a) two or more fluidically coupled vessels configured to collectively carry out a bioreaction; (b) one or more fluidic paths coupling the two or more vessels to one another, where the fluidic paths are configured to provide flow of culture medium between the two or more vessels; (c) one or more fluid transfer devices along at least some of the one or more fluidic paths; and (d) a control system. The control system may be configured to (i) read or receive values of one or more parameters characterizing the culture medium in one or more of the vessels, and (ii) use the values to determine an adjusted flow rate in at least one of the fluidic paths to maintain substantially uniform values of the one or more parameters in the culture medium from vessel-to-vessel among the two or more vessels.

Abstract: A multi-analyte sensor system based on hollow core photonic bandgap fiber and Raman anti-Stokes spectroscopy. The system includes: i) an inlet to introduce an analyte sample into an analyzer chamber which analyzer includes; ii) a measurement system to derive the anti-Stokes spectral peaks and/or spectra of the sample; iii) a set of reference calibrants corresponding to the analytes of which the sample is primarily comprised; iv) a second inlet to introduce said calibrants into the analyzer chamber; v) a second measurement system to derive the anti-Stokes spectral peaks and/or spectra of the calibrants vi) an outlet through which the sample and calibrants are expelled from the analyzer chamber.

Abstract: A composite sensor assembly for monitoring bio-processes which is suitable for use with a polymeric bioprocess vessel or with downstream equipment, and comprises: i) a port comprising a high surface tension thermoplastic having a hollow tubular portion and a base plate portion, the base plate being fusibly sealable to the bioreactor vessel at a hole in the wall thereof; ii) a generally opaque polymeric monitoring sensor assembly including electrical, and/or optical measurement components. The sensor assembly fits inside the bore of the hollow tubular portion of the port, and is adhesively retained therein.

Abstract: The present set of embodiments relate to an environmental condition monitoring and control system employing a software based virtual transmitter for a bioreactor or mixer. The system includes a probe for measuring a condition in a bioreactor that can generate a signal. Measured conditions may include pH, DO, temperature, and pressure. The signal can travel to an electronic card capable of converting the signal from analog to digital and the card can then send the converted signal to a digital controller. The condition monitoring and control system eliminates hardware redundancies and increases versatility by then displaying the converted signal in a software-based virtual transmitter on a non-dedicated human machine interface.

Abstract: A multi-analyte sensor system based on hollow core photonic bandgap fiber and Raman anti-Stokes spectroscopy. The system includes: i) an inlet to introduce an analyte sample into an analyzer chamber which analyzer includes; ii) a measurement system to derive the anti-Stokes spectral peaks and/or spectra of the sample; iii) a set of reference calibrants corresponding to the analytes of which the sample is primarily comprised; iv) a second inlet to introduce said calibrants into the analyzer chamber; v) a second measurement system to derive the anti-Stokes spectral peaks and/or spectra of the calibrants vi) an outlet through which the sample and calibrants are expelled from the analyzer chamber.

Abstract: A composite sensor assembly for monitoring bio-processes which is suitable for use with a polymeric bioprocess vessel or with downstream equipment, and comprises: i) a port comprising a high surface tension thermoplastic having a hollow tubular portion and a base plate portion, the base plate being fusibly sealable to the bioreactor vessel at a hole in the wall thereof; ii) a generally opaque polymeric monitoring sensor assembly including electrical, and/or optical measurement components. The sensor assembly fits inside the bore of the hollow tubular portion of the port, and is adhesively retained therein.

Abstract: The present set of embodiments relate to an environmental condition monitoring and control system employing a software based virtual transmitter for a bioreactor or mixer. The system includes a probe for measuring a condition in a bioreactor that can generate a signal. Measured conditions may include pH, DO, temperature, and pressure. The signal can travel to an electronic card capable of converting the signal from analog to digital and the card can then send the converted signal to a digital controller. The condition monitoring and control system eliminates hardware redundancies and increases versatility by then displaying the converted signal in a software-based virtual transmitter on a non-dedicated human machine interface.

Abstract: A multi-analyte sensor system based on hollow core photonic bandgap fiber and Raman anti-Stokes spectroscopy. The system includes: i) an inlet to introduce an analyte sample into an analyzer chamber which analyzer includes; ii) a measurement system to derive the anti-Stokes spectral peaks and/or spectra of the sample; iii) a set of reference calibrants corresponding to the analytes of which the sample is primarily comprised; iv) a second inlet to introduce said calibrants into the analyzer chamber; v) a second measurement system to derive the anti-Stokes spectral peaks and/or spectra of the calibrants vi) an outlet through which the sample and calibrants are expelled from the analyzer chamber.

Abstract: A bioreactor monitoring and/or control system utilizing only non-dedicated user input and information display devices, a digital controller and software, which system comprises: i) at least one diagnostic probe for measuring operating conditions in a bioreactor; ii) signal conditioning and communication electronics which supply operating current and/or voltage to the probe and which convert the diagnostic signal into a format accessible by a digital controller which directly receives the format converted signal and transmits it to software which enables the display device to show the converted signal, and also instruct the controller to implement changes in the operating conditions in the reactor, and iii) a software-based virtual transmitter which substantially replicates the keyboard, display, menu-tree and response of a physical sensor transmitter.

Abstract: A cylindrical or annular polymeric bioreactor is disclosed which provides enhanced mixing and aeration of the growth medium while simultaneously offering reduced mechanical shear force.

Abstract: A data management system for a biological process, comprising: a. a single-use component, b. a tag assembly, including a non-volatile memory storage component, that is associated with the single-use component, c. the memory storage component including a unique identification and a memory, and at least one data element that describes a key performance, calibration or control parameter of the single-use component d. a memory reader useable to obtain the identification from the memory storage component.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for installing a sterilized peripheral in a bio-processing vessel. One aspect is an aseptic peripheral connection assembly for installing a sterilized peripheral in a bio-processing vessel via an aseptic connector affixed to the vessel. The aseptic peripheral connection assembly may include a carrier, an applicator, a plunger, and a removable hermetic sealing tab.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for installing a sterilized peripheral in a bio-processing vessel or component. One aspect is an aseptic peripheral connection assembly for installing a sterilized peripheral in a bio-processing vessel or component via an aseptic connector affixed to the vessel or component. The aseptic peripheral connection assembly may include a carrier, an applicator, and a removable hermetic sealing tab.

Abstract: A composite sensor assembly for monitoring bio-processes which is suitable for use with a polymeric bioprocess vessel or with downstream equipment, and comprises: i) a port comprising a high surface tension thermoplastic having a hollow tubular portion and a base plate portion, the base plate portion being fusibly sealable to the bioreactor vessel at a hole in the wall thereof; ii) a generally opaque polymeric monitoring sensor assembly including electrical, and/or optical measurement components. The sensor assembly fits inside the bore of the hollow tubular portion of the port, and is adhesively retained therein.