The bioprocessing industry is poised to change the world for years to come. Novel manufacturing technologies such as single-use and continuous processing will enhance high production in both, upstream and downstream processing. However, rapid progress and the ever-increasing complexity of medicines confront bioprocessing equipment with significant challenges.
Process Overview
1. Inline Buffer Dilution
With increasing yield in upstream processing, buffer preparation, and delivery must increase in proportion to keep pace with demand. Inline buffer dilution eliminates the need for large buffer tank farms and expensive cleaning.
Levitronix® pump systems generate a completely pulsation-free flow, resulting in accurate dilution of buffer concentrate with WFI. With its very small footprint and high turndown ratio, a continuous flow is generated over a wide flow range, allowing the use of one pump size for different levels of inline buffer dilution.
2. Inline Powder Mixing
Powder-based culture media and buffers remain the preferred physical form, being highly cost-effective and preferred for large-scale bioprocessing. Compared to conventional mixing only, additional inline powder mixing helps to reduce process time. Furthermore, the added mixing line eliminates the need to insert powder at the top of the tank.
Levitronix® pumps are ideally suited for inline powder mixing due to their very high flow capabilities at a very small footprint. Furthermore, the centrifugal pump principle of a Levitronix pump head further helps to reduce mixing time
3. Perfusion
High cell density and viability are the major goals in the perfusion process. Proven by both Academia and Industry, Levitronix® pump systems are a perfect fit for shear sensitive cells. Because the levitating impeller rotates contact-free inside the pump casing, there are no obstructions or any movements that can damage your cells, ensuring your process the highest cell viability.
Also, avoid any risk of tube rupture by limiting the maximum pressure with the user-friendly touch panel. The pump systems are very easy to install and simple to use. The Levitronix® pump systems will run as long as your process requires. No tube adaption is necessary and there is no reduction in performance, making Levitronix® products ideal for continuous processing.
4. Depth Filtration
Cell harvesting and clarification are crucial steps for the outcome in downstream processing. Levitronix® pump systems generate a completely pulsation free flow, resulting in optimal filter performance. With its very high turn down ratio, a continuous flow is generated over a wide flow range, allowing the use of one pump size for different levels of depth filtration. With the integrated pressure controller and an external sensor, the filter can safely be operated at the optimal pressure. The additional pressure limiting feature assures that the pressure never exceeds the maximum pressure rating of the tubing specification. Levitronix® pumps deliver an optimal flow for your depth filtration process, very compact in size and extremely quiet.
5. Transfer
Time is a critical parameter in today’s bioprocessing applications. Levitronix® pump systems offer the
fastest liquid transfer, the smallest footprint and the lowest amount of noise generation. Due to the efficient pump technology, a pulsation free flow is generated that allows a continuous discharge of liquid. With a user-friendly control unit, the maximum pressure can be adjusted to your hydraulic loop specification, enabling fast liquid transfer without any risk of product loss or rupture of tubing.
6. TFF
Filtration processes such as UF/DF applications require a system design that ensures the highest product yield. Levitronix® pump systems ensure that no protein is trapped or damaged by valve interaction or tube compression, eliminating virtually all shear. With optional pressure or flow sensors, the Levitronix® control unit will keep the pressure/TMP or flux constant, independent of fluid or filter properties.
7. Filling
At the end of your process there is nothing more catastrophic than tube rupture. The integrated pressure limiting feature in a Levitronix® pump system ensures that the pump pressure will never exceed your specification and the product will be safely delivered. Because there is no physical contact between rotating and static parts of the pump head, the result is a virtual particle-free product with the lowest possible contamination level.
