Patent ID: 8895291

Claim:
A method of controlling a process in a protocol for use with a closed cell expansion system, the method comprising: providing the closed cell expansion system; providing a fluid conveyance assembly, wherein the fluid conveyance assembly comprises a bioreactor; engaging the fluid conveyance assembly; providing an air removal chamber, wherein the air removal chamber is mounted on the fluid conveyance assembly, and wherein the air removal chamber comprises a fluid containment chamber, the fluid containment chamber comprising: a fluid entrance aperture; a fluid exit aperture, wherein the fluid exit aperture is coupled to a fluid exit tube; and a vent aperture, wherein the vent aperture is located above the fluid entrance aperture and the fluid exit aperture; providing a pump to pump a fluid through the fluid entrance aperture and into the fluid containment chamber of the air removal chamber; initiating a first process of a first protocol, the first process comprising a load reagent step from the first protocol, wherein the first protocol comprises coating the bioreactor, and wherein the initiating comprises: operating the pump to pump the fluid through the fluid entrance aperture and into the fluid containment chamber, wherein the fluid reaches a fluid level in the fluid containment chamber; allowing the fluid to pass through the fluid exit aperture to enter the fluid exit tube; providing a first sensor to detect the fluid level in the fluid containment chamber; detecting the fluid level using the first sensor; providing a stop condition for the first process of the first protocol, wherein the stop condition for the first process of the first protocol involves the air removal chamber, comprising: meeting the stop condition for the first process of the first protocol when the fluid level in the fluid containment chamber reaches a predetermined level as detected by the first sensor; and when the fluid level in the fluid containment chamber is at the predetermined level, stopping the first process of the first protocol based on meeting the stop condition; initiating a second process of the first protocol, wherein the second process comprises an air removal chamber chase step from the first protocol, and wherein a stop condition for the second process of the first protocol involves the air removal chamber; and initiating a third process of the first protocol, wherein the third process comprises a circulate step from the first protocol, and wherein a stop condition for the third process of the first protocol involves a selected time or a manual stop.