Adjustable volume mixer chamber and method of use

• US 9,457,329 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2011
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences AB (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences AB (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Akerstrom, Patrik
• Primary Examiner(s): Sorkin, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): RASHID, FAZLE A
• Application Number:
  US13/700,194
• Publication Number:
  US 20130070555A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,954 Days
• Field of Search: 366273-274, 435/302.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 rotatable lid;

a mixer chamber body including a movable upper part which defines a mixer chamber volume through movement of the rotatable lid configured to translate about the mixer chamber body;

a sealing mechanism comprising an o-ring and configured to maintain a position of the upper part to move in a vertical direction during rotation of the rotatable lid by generating a frictional force between the upper part and the rotatable lid;

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

a solution outlet;

a magnetic stir bar at least partially positioned within the mixer chamber volume; and

an adjusting means configured to adjust the mixer chamber volume in response to a selected input flow rate by moving the rotatable lid and thus moving the movable upper part in the vertical direction.

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

3. The mixer chamber of claim 1, wherein the outlet is integral of the mixer chamber body and is disposed on a surface of the mixing chamber body on an opposite side from where the movable upper part is disposed.

4. The mixer chamber of claim 1, wherein the frictional force is a first frictional force and a second frictional force exerted by the sealing means, and wherein the second frictional force is greater than the first frictional force.

5. The mixer chamber of claim 1, wherein the adjusting means adjusts the mixer chamber volume in response of an input flow rate into the one or more inlets.