The present invention is a disposable bioreactor formed of molded plastic.
The bioreactor is presterilized and has a top and body sealed to each
other. One or more ports are formed in the top and side of the housing.
Preferably at least one port is below the liquid/air level for the
housing. The one or more ports that are below the liquid/air interface
level may be used as sampling ports or access ports for probes or drains
or supply ports for liquids or gases. The bioreactor provides a direct
retrofit for the existing glass or steel assembly that utilizes the
existing support structures and controls. The molded design overcomes
issues of discontinuity, dead spots and the like due to its fixed
dimensions that are built in by the molding process. Reproducible probe
and other equipment location is also guaranteed through the use of the
molded port features. The molded plastic allows for greater flexibility
in material selection to reduce or eliminate lipid or cholesterol
binding.