Single-use Flexible Containment

For critical sterile liquid handling needs

Thermo Scientific BioProcess Containers (BPCs) and transfer assemblies are ready-to-use single-use flexible container systems for critical liquid handling applications in the biopharmaceutical and Biomanufacturing operations.

The Thermo Scientific single-use BPC product portfolio includes stocked catalog BPCs as well as custom BPCs in a variety of sizes and configurations that are manufactured at multiple facilities. This provides users with BPCs for at any step in the workflow and at any scale. Our multiple manufacturing sites help ensure an assurance of supply.

Advantages of single-use flexible containment

The benefits of ready-to-use single-use systems are well documented and include:

  • Scalable—BPC systems are well suited for use from benchtop to production scale processes.
  • Ready integration—BPC components work well in all steps in the production of therapeutic biologics and vaccines.
  • Operational—Help reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Additionally, the elimination of cleaning-in-place and sterilization-in-place (CIP/SIP) systems reduces setup, maintenance, and validation times, enabling increased output.
  • Economic—Help reduce capital investment and labor costs, leading to a reduction in cost of goods sold.
  • Strategic—Enable shorter time to market and reduction of risk earlier in the product development cycle, due to lower investment.
Featured flexible containment products

Films that are engineered to meet the most demanding requirements of your bioproduction processes.

Catalog 2D and 3D BPC products useful for a full range of applications are available with a variety of connection systems in sizes from 50 mL to 5,000 L.

Custom-configured BPCs to meet specific needs and specific processes including: storage, sampling, harvesting and separation; cell culture, powder containment and transportation applications.

Bring your bioproduction processes together seamlessly with an extensive range of catalog and customized fluid transfer products.

BPC components and applications

The bioprocess container (BPC) system consists of:

  1. Chamber—A flexible container/bag constructed of specially-designed plastic film with ports to connect with other components of the system. The main selection criteria are working volume, film type, number of ports, and outer container type.
  2. Tubing—Flexible tubing used to link the chamber with the other components of the assembly. The choice of tubing can determine the functionality and economics of the system. Single-use clamps are normally included to control liquid flow.
  3. Connectors—The choice of connection system is critical to the functionality of the BPC. BPC systems can include most commonly accepted connector types, aseptic connectors, as well as sterilizing filters. Selection of the connection system depends on the application and customer preference.
  4. BPC assembly—This term encompasses components 1–3. It is normally sold as a sterile, ready-to-use final single-use product. There are both standard products and custom options available.
  5. Outer support container—Apart from some small volume systems, the BPC assembly requires a solid outer support container. This has to be matched to the chamber dimensions, the weight of the contents, and the functionality required. Outer support containers are available as standard products and are typically reusable items.
  6. Accessories—These provide additional functionality to the system. The most common example is a dolly to provide mobility. Accessories are available as standard products and are typically multiple-use items.
240x-bio-container
Support operationsApplicationsBPC solution
Media or buffer preparation
  • Powder delivery
  • Hydration in open-top vessel
  • Hydration in closed system
  • Thermo Scientific Powdertainer BPC systems
  • Tank liners with outer support containers
  • Thermo Scientific Mixtainer BPCs
  • Thermo Scientific HyPerforma and imPULSE Single-Use Mixers (S.U.M.s)
Filtration
  • Filtration of media and buffers
  • BPC assembly or manifold/transfer assembly including a filter option
Mixing
  • Mixing of media or buffers, protein solutions after chromatography, preparations, and final drug formulations
  • HyPerforma and imPULSE S.U.M.s
Harvest
  • Collection and storage of harvest from a bioreactor or fermentor
  • HyPerforma and imPULSE S.U.M.s
Filling
  • Bulk reservoir for filling systems
  • Catalog top- and bottom-drain BPCs from 50 L to 3,000 L with outer support containers
  • Transfer assemblies to transfer liquid from reservoir to filling system
Purification
  • Feeding buffers to the purification system
  • Fraction collection and storage
  • Catalog top- and bottom-drain BPCs from 50 L to 2,000 L with outer support containers
  • Catalog Labtainer systems from 50 mL to 50 L
  • Custom BPCs with and without transfer assemblies and/or manifolds
Bulk storage
  • Storage of media, buffers, and intermediates
  • Catalog BPCs from 50 mL to 3,000 L and outer
  • Support containers (custom BPCs also available)
Waste collection
  • Non-aseptic collection of waste liquid
  • Tank liners, catalog BPCs, or custom BPCs
Sampling
  • Collection of sample volumes from bioreactors, mixers, and storage containers
  • Catalog BPCs from 50 mL to 50 L
  • Custom manifolds and transfer assemblies
  • Thermo Scientific Three60 Sampling System
Shipping
  • Shipping of bulk liquids, buffers, process liquids, and intermediates between facilities
  • Bulk solutions or suspensions requiring mixing after shipping
  • Top- and bottom-drain BPCs up to 3,000 L with shipping configurations up to 1,000 L
  • Mixtainer BPCs available in 50 L, 100 L, and 200 L
  • Thermo Scientific imPULSE MDS (mixing, docking, and shipping) System
Components of a BPC System

The bioprocess container (BPC) system consists of:

  1. Chamber—A flexible container/bag constructed of specially-designed plastic film with ports to connect with other components of the system. The main selection criteria are working volume, film type, number of ports, and outer container type.
  2. Tubing—Flexible tubing used to link the chamber with the other components of the assembly. The choice of tubing can determine the functionality and economics of the system. Single-use clamps are normally included to control liquid flow.
  3. Connectors—The choice of connection system is critical to the functionality of the BPC. BPC systems can include most commonly accepted connector types, aseptic connectors, as well as sterilizing filters. Selection of the connection system depends on the application and customer preference.
  4. BPC assembly—This term encompasses components 1–3. It is normally sold as a sterile, ready-to-use final single-use product. There are both standard products and custom options available.
  5. Outer support container—Apart from some small volume systems, the BPC assembly requires a solid outer support container. This has to be matched to the chamber dimensions, the weight of the contents, and the functionality required. Outer support containers are available as standard products and are typically reusable items.
  6. Accessories—These provide additional functionality to the system. The most common example is a dolly to provide mobility. Accessories are available as standard products and are typically multiple-use items.
240x-bio-container
BPC Application Solutions
Support operationsApplicationsBPC solution
Media or buffer preparation
  • Powder delivery
  • Hydration in open-top vessel
  • Hydration in closed system
  • Thermo Scientific Powdertainer BPC systems
  • Tank liners with outer support containers
  • Thermo Scientific Mixtainer BPCs
  • Thermo Scientific HyPerforma and imPULSE Single-Use Mixers (S.U.M.s)
Filtration
  • Filtration of media and buffers
  • BPC assembly or manifold/transfer assembly including a filter option
Mixing
  • Mixing of media or buffers, protein solutions after chromatography, preparations, and final drug formulations
  • HyPerforma and imPULSE S.U.M.s
Harvest
  • Collection and storage of harvest from a bioreactor or fermentor
  • HyPerforma and imPULSE S.U.M.s
Filling
  • Bulk reservoir for filling systems
  • Catalog top- and bottom-drain BPCs from 50 L to 3,000 L with outer support containers
  • Transfer assemblies to transfer liquid from reservoir to filling system
Purification
  • Feeding buffers to the purification system
  • Fraction collection and storage
  • Catalog top- and bottom-drain BPCs from 50 L to 2,000 L with outer support containers
  • Catalog Labtainer systems from 50 mL to 50 L
  • Custom BPCs with and without transfer assemblies and/or manifolds
Bulk storage
  • Storage of media, buffers, and intermediates
  • Catalog BPCs from 50 mL to 3,000 L and outer
  • Support containers (custom BPCs also available)
Waste collection
  • Non-aseptic collection of waste liquid
  • Tank liners, catalog BPCs, or custom BPCs
Sampling
  • Collection of sample volumes from bioreactors, mixers, and storage containers
  • Catalog BPCs from 50 mL to 50 L
  • Custom manifolds and transfer assemblies
  • Thermo Scientific Three60 Sampling System
Shipping
  • Shipping of bulk liquids, buffers, process liquids, and intermediates between facilities
  • Bulk solutions or suspensions requiring mixing after shipping
  • Top- and bottom-drain BPCs up to 3,000 L with shipping configurations up to 1,000 L
  • Mixtainer BPCs available in 50 L, 100 L, and 200 L
  • Thermo Scientific imPULSE MDS (mixing, docking, and shipping) System

Specialty BioProcess Containers

The Harvestainer BPC is part of a closed, self-contained, single-use solution for harvesting and separating cell cultures grown on microcarrier beads.

The Powdertainer II BPC is specifically designed for powder containment and dust-free powder transfer operations.

The Three60 Sampling System allows you to take samples of your product with minimal effort in a closed system.

Resources

Single-use flexible containment

Bioprocessing resources

Access a targeted collection of scientific application notes, case studies, posters, white papers and more for bioprocessing:

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