Methods for mixing solutions

• US 6,981,794 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2003
• Issued: 01/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Advanced Scientifics, Inc. (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Hynetics, LLC
• Inventors: Goodwin, Michael, Elgan, Gregory P., Bibbo, Kenneth L., Austin, Jim, Buchanan, Bradley
• Primary Examiner(s): SOOHOO, TONY GLEN
• Application Number:
  US10/402,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20050073908A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 366/332, 366/333, 366/334, 366/335, 366/276, 366/275, 366/278, 366/277, 366/255, 366/258, 366/257, 366/260, 366/314, 366/316, 366/149, 604/408, 604/416, 383/217, 206/219
• US Class Current: 366/149
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/10 Bag-type containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1475 Inlet or outlet ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 3/002 Compounding apparatus specially for enteral or parenteral nutritive solutions bottling liquids B67C
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/02 using physical phenomena
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/07 Steam
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/08 Radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/18 Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/20 Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/14 Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/53 using driven stirrers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/911 forcing the material through orifices or slits, e.g. in a stationary part
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/441 performing a rectilinear reciprocating movement
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/449 Stirrers constructions
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/71 working at super-atmospheric pressure, e.g. in pressurised vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/50 Mixing receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/513 Flexible receptacles, e.g. bags supported by rigid containers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/712 for feeding fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7173 using gravity, e.g. from a hopper
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/7179 using sprayers, nozzles or jets
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/71805 : using valves, gates, orifices or openings
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/71815 : using vibrations, e.g. standing waves or ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/14 : Bags
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 27/00 : Means for mixing, agitating or circulating fluids in the vessel by introduction of gas C12M29/06, C12M29/14, mixing in general or mixers per se B01F; mixing in apparatus for chemical or physical processes B01J

Abstract

A method for mixing a solution includes positioning a collapsible container within a chamber of a substantially rigid tank. The collapsible container bounds a compartment. A mixer is disposed within the compartment of the container. Two or more components are fed into the compartment of the container. At least one of the components is a liquid. The mixer is raised and lowered within the compartment of the container so as to mix the components.

Claims

1. A method for mixing a solution, the method comprising:

positioning a collapsible container within a chamber of a substantially rigid tank, the collapsible container bounding a compartment, a mixer being disposed within the compartment of the container;

feeding two or more components into the compartment of the container, at least one of the components being a liquid; and

raising and lowering the mixer within the compartment of the container so as to mix the components.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising raising or lowering a floor of the tank before or after inserting the collapsible container within the chamber of the tank so as to adjust the size of the chamber of the tank.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising heating or cooling at least a portion of the tank so as to correspondingly heat or cool the components within the compartment of the container.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising inflating the collapsible container with a gas within the chamber of the tank.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the collapsible container has a volume of at least 20 liters.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the collapsible container has a volume of at least 500 liters.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the act of feeding the at least two or more components comprises at least one of the components being a substantially dry material.

8. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the dry material comprises culture media, buffers, or reagents.

9. A method as recited in claim 7, further comprising maintaining a positive gas pressure within the compartment of the collapsible container while at least a portion of the substantially dry material is fed into the compartment.

10. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a shaft has a first end coupled with the mixer disposed within the compartment of the collapsible container and an opposing second end disposed outside of the collapsible container, the method further comprising connecting the second end of the shaft to a driver for selectively raising and lower the shaft.

11. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising spraying a liquid into the compartment of the collapsible container so as to capture any component suspended in air within the compartment or resting on the collapsible container.

12. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

removing the mixed components from the compartment of the collapsible container; and

injecting gas into the compartment of the collapsible container as the mixed components are removed therefrom.

13. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

removing the mixed components from the compartment of the collapsible container;

withdrawing the collapsible container with the mixer therein from the chamber of the tank; and

inserting a new collapsible container with a new mixer therein into the chamber of the tank.

14. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

draining the mixed components from the collapsible container through an exit tube;

passing the mixed components through a sterilizing filter; and

dispensing the sterile mixed components into a sterile container.

15. A method for mixing a solution, the method comprising:

positioning a flexible mixing bag within a chamber of a substantially rigid tank, the flexible mixing bag bounding a compartment, a mixer being disposed within the compartment of the mixing bag;

inflating the mixing bag with a gas;

feeding two or more components into the compartment of the mixing bag, at least one of the components being a liquid; and

mixing the components within the compartment of the mixing bag using the mixer.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the act of mixing the components comprises raising and lowering the mixer within the compartment.

17. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein a shaft has a first end coupled with the mixer disposed within the compartment of the mixing bag and an opposing second end disposed outside of the mixing bag, the method further comprising connecting the second end of the shaft to a driver for selectively raising and lower the shaft.

18. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising raising or lowering a floor of the tank before or after inserting the mixing bag within the chamber of the tank so as to adjust the size of the chamber of the tank.

19. A method as recited in claim 18, further comprising maintaining a positive gas pressure within the compartment of the mixing bag while at least a portion of the substantially dry material is fed into the compartment.

20. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising heating or cooling at least a portion of the tank so as to correspondingly heat or cool the components within the compartment of the mixing bag.

21. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the mixing bag has a volume of at least 1,000 liters.

22. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the act of feeding the at least two or more components comprises at least one of the components being a substantially dry material.

23. A method for mixing a solution, the method comprising:

positioning a first disposable mixing bag within a chamber of a substantially rigid reusable tank, the first disposable mixing bag bounding a compartment, a first disposable mixer being disposed within the compartment of the first disposable mixing bag, a disposable shaft having a first end coupled with the first disposable mixer disposed within the compartment of the first disposable mixing bag and having an opposing second end disposed outside of the first disposable mixing bag;

feeding two or more components into the compartment of the first disposable mixing bag, at least one of the components being a liquid;

mixing the components within the compartment of the first disposable mixing bag using the first disposable mixer, the act of mixing further comprising connecting the second end of the disposable shaft to a driver that selectively raises and lowers the disposable shaft;

removing the mixed components from the compartment of the first disposable mixing bag;

disposing of the first disposable mixing bag and the first disposable mixer; and

inserting a second disposable mixing bag within the chamber of the reusable tank, the second disposable mixing bag bounding a compartment, a second disposable mixer being disposed within the compartment of the second disposable mixing bag.

24. A method as recited in claim 23, further comprising removably connecting a first end of a reusable shaft to the first disposable mixer disposed within the compartment of the first disposable mixing bag such that a second end of the shaft is disposed exterior of the first disposable mixing bag.

25. A method as recited in claim 24, further comprising attaching the second end of the reusable shaft to a driver that selectively raises and lowers the reusable shaft so as to raise and lower the first disposable mixer, thereby mixing the components.

26. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein the act of feeding the at least two or more components comprises at least one of the components being a substantially dry material.

27. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein the act of feeding the at least two or more components comprises at least one of the components being a culture media, buffer, or reagent.

28. A method for mixing a solution, the method comprising:

positioning a first disposable mixing bag within a chamber of a substantially rigid reusable tank, the first disposable mixing bag bounding a compartment, a first disposable mixer being disposed within the compartment of the first disposable mixing bag;

removably connecting a first end of a reusable shaft to the first disposable mixer disposed within the compartment of the first disposable mixing bag such that a second end of the shaft is disposed exterior of the first disposable mixing bag;

attaching the second end of the reusable shaft to a driver

feeding two or more components into the compartment of the first disposable mixing bag, at least one of the components being a liquid;

activating the driver so that the driver selectively raises and lowers the reusable shaft so as to raise and lower the first disposable mixer, thereby mixing the components within the compartment of the first disposable mixing bag using the first disposable mixer;

removing the mixed components from the compartment of the first disposable mixing bag;

disposing of the first disposable mixing bag and the first disposable mixer; and

inserting a second disposable mixing bag within the chamber of the reusable tank, the second disposable mixing bag bounding a compartment, a second disposable mixer being disposed within the compartment of the second disposable mixing bag.