OVERVIEW

The HexaScreen^® automatic multiple minibioreactor system enables parallel cell growth studies to be carried out by combining the performance of laboratory-scale bioreactors with the speed of multiwell plates.

The HexaBatch version has been developed to perform 6 cell growth experiments in parallel with on-line monitoring of the temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and optical density. These measurements are acquired by means of innovatory non-invasive measuring systems.

Main Features

• Designed specifically for animal cell culture.
• Multiple simultaneous experimentation capability.
• Low working volume minibioreactors (10-15 ml).
• Single-use minibioreactors made from biocompatible plastic.
• Simple to use.
• Fully automated on-line measurements.
• High reproducibility in results.

SPECIFICATIONS

The system is composed of two parts:

Single use minibioreactor plates made of biocompatible plastic. Sterile provided, it contains six individual minibioreactors (10 to 15 ml each) and is equipped with gas filters (inlet and outlet), two optical ports for DO, OD and pH non invasive measurements, a septum for inoculation, a low shear magnetic pendulum for agitation and a common bath.

WorkStation that provides common stirring, temperature regulation and individual aeration, while measuring pH, pO2, optical density and visible absorption spectrum

APPLICATIONS

The HexaBatch line of the Hexascreen^® platform englobes a wide range of applications and cell lines:

OVERVIEW

The FedBatch MonoScreen^® system is the real single-use scalable minibioreactor for microbial and cell cultures. The system has been designed to feature all standard bench-scale bioreactor characteristics in order to ease scaling-up configurations and attained results to higher volumes.

General Features:

• Cell line compatibility: Microbial cultures as well as animal cell cultures.
• Scalability to higher volumes: standard geometry and similar kla ranges than a laboratory bioreactor.
• Automation of all standard and advanced laboratory bioreactor features: fed-batch, ph and pO₂ controls, sample uptake, on-line measurements for physicochemical, cellular concentration and cellular activity parameters, reports...
• Stirring, aeration and measurements ranges compatible with high cell concentration cultures.
• Internal web server software: compatibility with any computer or wireless device.
• Wide range of applications: cell screening and characterization, basal and feed media definition and optimization, process optimization, pharmacological tests…

All its features and applications combined with its high automation converts the FedBatch MonoScreen to the best single-use scalable minibioreactor in the market.

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

The system is composed of two parts:

A single use minibioreactor containing a stirring system by means of a 6-blade Rushton for microbial or a helix turbine for animal cell cultures, an aerating system compatible for both sparging and head-space aeration, single use sensor spots for dissolved oxygen and pH measurements, two connected syringes for automatic feeding and pH control and an integrated automatic sample uptakes system, all of them made with biocompatible materials.

A WorkStation in charge of measuring and controlling minibioreactor, feed media and humidifier temperatures, aeration, agitation, pH, dissolved oxygen, feeding strategy and sampling. Furthermore, it is also in charge of measuring cell concentration (turbidimetry) and cell activity (OUR) information of the culture. All this characteristics are controlled by means of user-friendly web server software.

• pH Control is measured by means of non-invasive optical proves, can be controlled through aeration and by the addition of basic or acidic solutions.
• Dissolved Oxygen Control is measured by means of non-invasive optical proves, is controlled by varying the composition of a gas mixture of N₂, CO₂ and air or O₂.
• Media Feeding is controlled by means of an infusion pump plunging a syringe containing the feed media, which is kept at fridge temperature.
• Sampling Uptake is automated through pressure variations inside the minibioreactor and collected into a sample 1.5 ml tube.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

OVERVIEW

Low Volume Spinner Flasks for cell culture

The HexaScreen^® Spinner Flasks have been designed and developed to fast and easy perform cultures of suspension cell lines, adherent cells growing on microcarrier and embryoid bodies.

The spinners, which are made of borosilicate glass, teflon and USP class VI compliant silicone o-rings, are fully autoclavable and ready to be used with a standard stirring plate inside an incubator.

Main Features and Design Objectives

• High scalability to higher volumes enabling scale up of attained results to commercial higher volume spinners.
• Improved relation between shear force and shear stress for standard but also delicate cell lines.
• Maximum reduction of death volumes.
• Low working volume leading to lower experimental costs.
• Capable to be used with standard incubator agitation plates.
• Fully autoclavable.
• Easy and fast operability.

SPECIFICATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

The HexaScreen^® Spinner Flasks optimal design makes this spinner flask suitable for culturing a wide range of cell lines using very low volumes. From standard and robust cell lines growing in suspension or on microcarriers to much more delicated cell lines requiring very low shear stress forces.

Optional stirring blades can also be used in order to enhance the agitation force while maintaining a similar shear stress to make it optimal for heavier microcarrier cultures.