Fluid path set with turbulent mixing chamber, back flow compensator

• US 10,029,220 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2017
• Issued: 07/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Schriver, Ralph H., Maihoefer, Andreas, Dedig, James A., Spohn, Michael A., Grubic, Herbert M., Swantner, Michael J., Caruso, Adam
• Primary Examiner(s): Sorkin, David
• Application Number:
  US15/417,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20170136424A1
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 3661632, 3661815, 366336-340
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0027 for mixing several substances from different containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1077 Adapters, e.g. couplings adapting a connector to one or several other connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/14 Static flow deviators in tubes disturbing laminar flow in tubes, e.g. archimedes screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/16 Rotating swirling helical flow, e.g. by tangential inflows
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/105 Multi-channel connectors or couplings, e.g. for connecting multi-lumen tubes multi-channel connectors in general F16L37/56
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/007 for contrast media
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16827 controlling delivery of multiple fluids, e.g. sequencing, mixing or via separate flow-paths infusion of multiple fluids without using a controller A61M5/1407
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2025/916 Turbulent flow, i.e. every point of the flow moves in a random direction and intermixes
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2025/931 Flow guiding elements surrounding feed openings, e.g. jet nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/2202 Mixing compositions or mixers in the medical or veterinary field
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2215/0459 Numerical values of dimensionless numbers, i.e. Re, Pr, Nu, transfer coefficients
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2215/0468 Numerical pressure values
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/45 using flow mixing
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/105 Mixing heads, i.e. compact mixing units or modules, using mixing valves for feeding and mixing at least two components
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/23 Mixing by intersecting jets
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/431 Straight mixing tubes with baffles or obstructions that do not cause substantial pressure drop; Baffles therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/43141 composed of consecutive sections of helical formed elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/43171 Profiled blades, wings, wedges, i.e. plate-like element having one side or part thicker than the other
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/431971 Mounted on the wall
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/431974 Support members, e.g. tubular collars, with projecting baffles fitted inside the mixing tube or adjacent to the inner wall
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/43231 : the channels or tubes crossing each other several times
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/4334 : Mixers with a converging cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/4336 : Mixers with a diverging cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/4521 : the components being pressed through orifices in elements, e.g. flat plates or cylinders, which obstruct the whole diameter of the tube
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/45241 : through a bed of balls
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/45243 : through a foam or expanded material body
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/111 : Centrifugal stirrers, i.e. stirrers with radial outlets; Stirrers of the turbine type, e.g. with means to guide the flow
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/50 : Pipe mixers, i.e. mixers wherein the materials to be mixed flow continuously through pipes, e.g. column mixers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/55 : with stirrers driven by the moving material
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/50112 : of the syringe or cartridge type
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/51 : characterised by their material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0329 : Mixing of plural fluids of diverse characteristics or conditions

Abstract

A fluid path set includes a first fluid line having a proximal end fluidly connectable to a source of a first fluid and a second fluid line having a proximal end fluidly connectable to a source of a second fluid. A flow mixing device is in fluid communication with distal ends of the first and second fluid lines. The flow mixing device includes a housing, a first fluid port provided for receiving the first fluid, and a second fluid port for receiving the second fluid. A mixing chamber is disposed within the housing and is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid ports. A third fluid port in fluid communication with the mixing chamber for discharging a mixed solution of the first and second fluids. A turbulent flow inducing member is disposed within the mixing chamber for promoting turbulent mixing of the first and second fluids.

Claims

1. A flow mixing device configured for use within a fluid path between a fluid injector and a fluid line connected to a patient, the flow mixing device comprising:

a housing having a proximal end opposite a distal end spaced apart along a longitudinal axis, the housing comprising a first portion and a second portion joined together at a seam extending in a direction along the longitudinal axis around an outer perimeter of lateral sides of the first portion and the second portion;

a first fluid port for receiving a first injection fluid and a second fluid port for receiving a second injection fluid;

a mixing chamber disposed within the housing between the proximal and distal ends of the housing, the mixing chamber being in fluid communication with the first and second fluid ports for mixing the first and second injection fluids;

a third fluid port at the distal end of the housing and in fluid communication with the mixing chamber for discharging a mixture of the first and second injection fluids; and

a turbulent flow inducing member disposed within the mixing chamber for promoting turbulent mixing of the first and second injection fluids,

wherein the seam comprises a groove provided on one of the first portion and the second portion of the housing and a corresponding projection on the other of the first portion and the second portion of the housing such that the projection is received within the groove.

2. The flow mixing device of claim 1, wherein the seam defines a seal between the first portion and the second portion of the housing to prevent fluid leakage from the mixing chamber.

3. The flow mixing device of claim 1, wherein the mixing chamber is adapted to eliminate zones of stagnant fluid flow.

4. The flow mixing device of claim 1, wherein the housing retains its shape without appreciable expansion at an injection pressure of 1200 psi.

5. The flow mixing device of claim 1, wherein the first fluid port and the second fluid port are angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the flow mixing device so a fluid flow of the first injection fluid and the second injection fluid converges or diverges relative to the longitudinal axis.

6. The flow mixing device of claim 1, wherein the turbulent flow inducing member comprises two sinusoidal fluid paths extending through the mixing chamber, and wherein the two sinusoidal fluid paths intersect at a plurality of intersection points within the mixing chamber.

7. The flow mixing device of claim 6, wherein, at each of the plurality of intersection points, fluid flow is combined from upstream portions of the two sinusoidal fluid paths and divided prior to continuing downstream of each of the intersection points.

8. The flow mixing device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of intersection points are spaced apart at regular intervals over a longitudinal length of the mixing chamber.

9. The flow mixing device of claim 1, wherein the turbulent flow inducing member comprises a first arcuate tube in fluid communication with the first fluid port and a second arcuate tube in fluid communication with the second fluid port, wherein the first arcuate tube and second arcuate tube are curved radially inward toward a central axis of the mixing chamber.

10. The flow mixing device of claim 9, wherein the mixing chamber has a cross-section that is circular, elliptical, or shaped to define a curved cross-section.

11. The flow mixing device of claim 9, wherein the mixing chamber has an interior portion that narrows from the proximal end to the distal end of the housing to define a conical profile.

12. The flow mixing device of claim 9, wherein fluid mixing at a juncture between the first and second arcuate tubes is influenced by a Coanda effect caused by the first injection fluid and the second injection fluid flowing through the first arcuate tube and the second arcuate tube.

13. A fluid path set comprising:

a first fluid line having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end fluidly connectable to a source of a first injection fluid;

a second fluid line having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end fluidly connectable to a source of a second injection fluid;

a flow mixing device in fluid communication with the distal ends of the first and second fluid lines at a proximal end of the flow mixing device, the flow mixing device comprising;

a housing having a proximal end opposite a distal end spaced apart along a longitudinal axis, the housing comprising a first portion and a second portion joined together at a seam extending in a direction along the longitudinal axis around an outer perimeter of lateral sides of the first portion and the second portion;

a first fluid port provided at the proximal end of the housing for receiving the first injection fluid and a second fluid port provided at the proximal end of the housing for receiving the second injection fluid;

a mixing chamber disposed within the housing between the proximal and distal ends, the mixing chamber being in fluid communication with the first and second fluid ports for mixing the first and second injection fluids;

a third fluid port provided at the distal end of the housing and in fluid communication with the mixing chamber for discharging a mixture of the first and second injection fluids; and

a turbulent flow inducing member disposed within the mixing chamber for promoting turbulent mixing of the first and second injection fluids; and

a third fluid line in fluid communication with the flow mixing device at a distal end of the flow mixing device,

wherein the seam comprises a groove provided on one of the first portion and the second portion of the housing and a corresponding projection on the other of the first portion and the second portion of the housing such that the projection is received within the groove.

14. The fluid path set of claim 13, wherein the seam defines a seal between the first portion and the second portion of the housing to prevent fluid leakage from the mixing chamber.

15. The fluid path set of claim 13, wherein the turbulent flow inducing member comprises two sinusoidal fluid paths extending through the mixing chamber, and wherein the two sinusoidal fluid paths intersect at a plurality of intersection points within the mixing chamber.

16. The fluid path set of claim 13, wherein the turbulent flow inducing member comprises a first arcuate tube in fluid communication with the first fluid port and a second arcuate tube in fluid communication with the second fluid port, wherein the first arcuate tube and the second arcuate tube are curved radially inward toward a central axis of the mixing chamber and fluid mixing at a juncture between the first and second arcuate tubes is influenced by a Coanda effect caused by the first injection fluid and the second injection fluid flowing through the first arcuate tube and the second arcuate tube.

18. The fluid path set of claim 14, wherein the turbulent flow inducing member comprises two sinusoidal fluid paths extending through the mixing chamber, and wherein the two sinusoidal fluid paths intersect at a plurality of intersection points within the mixing chamber.

17. A flow mixing device configured for use within a fluid path between a fluid injector and a fluid line connected to a patient, the flow mixing device comprising:

a housing having a proximal end opposite a distal end spaced apart along a longitudinal axis, the housing comprising a first portion and a second portion joined together at a seam extending in a direction along the longitudinal axis around an outer perimeter of lateral sides of the first portion and the second portion;

a first fluid port provided at the proximal end of the housing for receiving a first injection fluid and a second fluid port provided at the proximal end of the housing for receiving a second injection fluid;

a mixing chamber disposed within the housing between the proximal and distal ends, the mixing chamber being in fluid communication with the first and second fluid ports for mixing the first and second injection fluids;

a third fluid port provided at the distal end of the housing and in fluid communication with the mixing chamber for discharging a mixture of the first and second injection fluids; and

a turbulent flow inducing member disposed within the mixing chamber for promoting turbulent mixing of the first and second injection fluids,

wherein the seam defines a seal between the first portion and the second portion of the housing to prevent fluid leakage from the mixing chamber,

wherein the seam comprises a groove provided on one of the first portion and the second portion of the housing and a corresponding projection on the other of the first portion and the second portion of the housing such that the projection is received within the groove to provide the seal,

wherein the turbulent flow inducing member comprises two sinusoidal fluid paths extending through the mixing chamber, and

wherein the two sinusoidal fluid paths intersect at a plurality of intersection points within the mixing chamber.