Sartorius Univessel® SU Stirred Tank Single-Use Bioreactors

The UniVessel® SU is a fully disposable, gamma-irradiated stirred-tank bioreactor designed for single-use applications. It serves as a direct, drop-in replacement for the UniVessel® Glass, allowing users to transition to single-use technology without changing their existing Biostat® controller hardware.

 

Design and Material Science

• USP Class VI Plastics: Constructed from medical-grade, transparent polycarbonate that is robust enough for high-speed stirring while providing clear visibility of the culture.

• Pre-Sterilized: Delivered gamma-irradiated and ready-to-use, eliminating the need for autoclaving, cleaning-in-place (CIP), or sterilization-in-place (SIP).

• Integrated Components: Each vessel comes pre-assembled with a stirrer, sparger, and sensors, minimizing the risk of assembly errors or contamination.

 

System Integration

• Controller Compatibility: Fully compatible with Biostat® B, Biostat® B-DCU, and Biostat® Qplus systems.

• Connection Kits: Uses standard connectors and tubing, making it easy to integrate into existing laboratory workflows.

• Motor Drive: Driven by the standard Biostat® motor through a magnetic coupling, which maintains a hermetic seal and prevents mechanical leaks.

 

Sensing and Analytics

• Single-Use Sensors: Features integrated, pre-calibrated optical sensors for pH and Dissolved Oxygen (DO). These sensors are ready for use immediately after connecting to the controller.

• Temperature Measurement: Utilizes a non-invasive pocket for a standard Pt100 temperature probe, ensuring the probe never touches the sterile culture.

• Exhaust Filtration: Includes an integrated sterile filter on the exhaust line to maintain vessel pressure and prevent environmental contamination.

 

Technical Specifications

• Working Volume: 0.6 L to 2 L (Total volume of 2.6 L).

• Impeller Design: Equipped with a 3-blade segment impeller (pitched-blade), optimized for low-shear mixing in mammalian, insect, and plant cell cultures.

• Gassing Options: Features a microsparger for efficient oxygen transfer at low gas flow rates.

• Scalability: Maintains a 1:2 height-to-diameter ratio, ensuring consistent performance when scaling up to larger Sartorius systems like the Biostat® STR (up to 2,000 L).

 

Operational Benefits

• Rapid Turnaround: Reduces the "vessel-to-vessel" time from hours (for cleaning and autoclaving) to minutes.

• Risk Mitigation: Ideally suited for multi-product facilities or labs handling high-value cell lines where cross-contamination must be strictly avoided.

• Utility Savings: Significant reduction in the consumption of high-purity water, electricity (for autoclaving), and cleaning chemicals.

 

Primary Applications

• Cell Line Development: Rapid screening of CHO, HEK293, or hybridoma clones.

• Media Optimization: Efficient testing of different feed strategies and concentrations.

• Seed Train Expansion: Serving as a reliable N-1 or N-2 stage for larger production runs.