An in-situ localized cell density monitoring method for adherent cells in hollow fiber bioreactors

This paper presents the development and implementation of an innovative sensor system for non-invasively monitoring localized cell densities in hollow fiber bioreactors. Traditional monitoring methods relied on inferential technologies and expensive equipment, which were not well-suited for these bioreactors due to their inherent opacity. Prior attempts to integrate impedance-based sensors encountered reliability issues when used with hollow fiber bioreactors. Herein, we demonstrate how to overcome these challenges by leveraging an in-depth understanding of the electrical properties of hollow fiber bioreactors. The proposed sensor offers minimal disruption to the cell culture system while demonstrating impedance-based sensing capabilities. Its unique design harnesses the closely packed hollow fibers’ compact structure, allowing localized sensing and providing insights into cell growth throughout the bioreactor. This novel approach to cell density monitoring holds great potential for optimizing bioreactor operations and enhancing cell production processes.