FLUID MIXING SYSTEMS WITH ADJUSTABLE MIXING ELEMENT
First Claim
1. A method for growing cells or microorganisms, the method comprising:
- operating a mixing element at a first location within a compartment of a container so that the mixing element mixes a solution within the compartment, the solution having a first volume and comprising media and cells or microorganisms, the mixing element being operated for a first time period during growth of the cells or microorganisms;
dispensing an additional solution into the compartment of the container so as to mix with the first volume of solution and thereby form a second solution having a second volume;
raising the mixing element to a second location within the compartment; and
operating the mixing element at the second location within the second solution during further growth of the cells or microorganisms while the second solution is being mixed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid mixing system includes a support housing having an interior surface bounding a chamber. A flexible bag is disposed within the chamber of the support housing, the flexible bag having an interior surface bounding a compartment. An impeller is disposed within the chamber of the flexible bag. A drive shaft is coupled with the impeller such that rotation of the drive shaft facilitates rotation of the impeller. A drive motor assembly is coupled with the draft shaft and is adapted to rotate the drive shaft. An adjustable arm assembly is coupled with the drive motor assembly and is adapted to move the drive motor assembly which in turn moves the position of the drive shaft and impeller. An electrical controller can control movement of the adjustable arm.
70 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for growing cells or microorganisms, the method comprising:
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operating a mixing element at a first location within a compartment of a container so that the mixing element mixes a solution within the compartment, the solution having a first volume and comprising media and cells or microorganisms, the mixing element being operated for a first time period during growth of the cells or microorganisms; dispensing an additional solution into the compartment of the container so as to mix with the first volume of solution and thereby form a second solution having a second volume; raising the mixing element to a second location within the compartment; and operating the mixing element at the second location within the second solution during further growth of the cells or microorganisms while the second solution is being mixed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for growing cells or microorganisms, the method comprising:
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operating a mixing element within a compartment of a container so that the mixing element mixes a solution within the compartment, the solution having a first volume and comprising media and cells or microorganisms, the mixing element being operated during growth of the cells or microorganisms; sensing one or more processing variables of the solution within the compartment, the one or more processing variables being selected from the group consisting of a volume, gassing rate, pH, dissolved O2, dissolved CO2, conductivity, optical density, viscosity, or flow pattern of the solution; and adjusting a position, tilt, or movement pattern of the mixing element within the compartment based on the sensed one or more processing variables of the solution. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of mixing a fluid comprising:
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placing a flexible bag within a chamber of a support housing; activating a drive motor assembly so that the drive motor assembly rotates a drive shaft which in turn rotates an impeller located within a compartment of the flexible bag, the impeller mixing fluid disposed within the flexible bag; and operating an adjustable arm assembly coupled with the drive motor assembly through an electrical controller so that the adjustable arm assembly moves the drive motor assembly, drive shaft and impeller. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A method for growing cells or microorganisms, the method comprising:
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dispensing media and cells or microorganisms into a sterile compartment of a flexible container; activating a mixing element with the compartment so that the mixing element mixes the media; and moving the mixing element in a 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional path within the container while the mixing element is mixing the media. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification