ADJUSTABLE VOLUME MIXER CHAMBER AND METHOD OF USE

• US 20130070555A1
• Filed: 05/30/2011
• Published: 03/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences AB (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences AB (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Akerstrom, Patrik
• Granted Patent: US 9,457,329 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 366/150.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2215/0431 Numerical size values, e.g. diameter of a hole or conduit, area, volume, length, width, or ratios thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2215/045 Numerical flow-rate values
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2215/0481 Numerical speed values
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/45 Magnetic mixers; Mixers with magnetically driven stirrers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/452 using independent floating stirring elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/50 Mixing receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7176 using pumps

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method for mixing two or more solutions. Provided is an integrated system for generating a homogeneous solution from two or more input solutions, comprising: a mixer chamber containing a magnetic stir bar; a means for rotating the magnetic stir bar; and an user interface for input a chosen flow rate. The mixer chamber comprises a mixer chamber body including a movable upper part which defines a mixer chamber volume; one or more solution inlets; an solution outlet; the magnetic stir bar; and a means for adjusting the mixer chamber volume. In response to the input flow rate, the mixing chamber volume is adjusted to an optimal volume, by the movement of the movable upper part, controlled by the means for adjusting the mixer chamber volume. Also provided are methods of using the system to achieve homogeneous mixing of two or more solutions.

Claims

1. A mixer chamber comprising:

a mixer chamber body including a movable upper part which defines a mixer chamber volume;

one or more inlets for solutions to be mixed in said mixer chamber;

a solution outlet;

a magnetic stir bar in said mixer chamber volume; and

a means for adjusting the mixer chamber volume by controlling the movement of the movable upper part.

2. The mixer chamber of claim 1, wherein said one or more inlets is integral of the movable upper part.

3. The mixer chamber of claim 1, wherein said outlet is integral of the mixer chamber body and is on the oppose side of the movable upper part.

4. A mixer module comprising the mixer chamber of claim 1 and means for causing said magnetic stir bar to rotate.

5. The mixer module of claim 4, wherein said means for causing said magnetic stir bar to rotate is a magnetic stirrer.

6. An integrated system for generating a homogeneous solution from two or more input buffers, said system comprising:

the mixer chamber of claim 1;

a means for causing the magnetic stir bar to rotate; and

a user interface for input a chosen flow rate;

wherein in response to the input flow rate, the mixing chamber volume is adjusted to an optimal volume, by the movement of the movable upper part, controlled by said means for adjusting the mixer chamber volume.

7. The integrated system of claim 6, wherein said means for adjusting the mixer chamber volume includes (1) means for converting the chosen flow rate to a desired mixer chamber volume;

and (2) means for moving said movable upper part of said mixer chamber body to arrive at the desired mixer chamber volume.

8. The integrated system of claim 6, wherein the means for moving said movable upper part includes a stepper motor connected to the moveable upper part of said mixer chamber body.

9. A method for generating a homogeneous solution from two or more input buffers, said method comprising:

(a) accepting an user input flow rate;

(b) converting the input flow rate to a desired mixer chamber volume;

(c) moving the movable upper part of the mixer chamber of claim 1 to arrive at the desired mixer chamber volume;

(d) starting, at the input flow rate, a first pumping means to direct said two or more input buffers into said mixer chamber;

(e) causing said magnetic stir bar to rotate to mix said input buffers to generate a homogeneous solution; and

(f) beginning, at the input flow rate, to release the homogeneous solution through said solution outlet.

10. The method for generating a homogeneous solution of claim 9, wherein the flow rate in step (f) is controlled by a second pumping means.