Fluid path set with turbulent mixing chamber, backflow compensator

• US 9,555,379 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Dedig, James A, Grubic, Herbert M, Schriver, Ralph H, Maihoefer, Andreas, Spohn, Michael A, Swantner, Michael J, Caruso, Adam
• Primary Examiner(s): SORKIN, DAVID L
• Application Number:
  US13/799,426
• Publication Number:
  US 20140261713A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,420 Days
• Field of Search: 366/163.2, 366/181.5, 366336-340
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 in fluid communication with a first injection fluid and a second injection fluid and a fluid line connected to a patient for injecting a mixture of the first injection fluid and the second injection fluid into the patient, the flow mixing device comprising:

a housing having a proximal end opposite a distal end along a longitudinal axis, and a first portion at the distal end and a second portion at the proximal end, the first portion and the second portion joined together at a seam extending around an outer perimeter of the housing about the longitudinal axis;

a first fluid port extending through the second portion and configured for receiving the first injection fluid from the fluid injector and a second fluid port extending through the second portion and configured for receiving the second injection fluid from the fluid injector, the first fluid port and the second fluid port being substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis and radially offset relative to the longitudinal axis;

a mixing chamber disposed within the first portion 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 extending through the first portion at the distal end and in fluid communication with the mixing chamber for discharging the mixture of the first and second injection fluids to the fluid line; 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 has a radial collar surrounding a base surface on one of the first portion and the second portion, and a flange on the other of the first portion and the second portion such that the flange is received within the radial collar, and

wherein the second portion encloses an open end of the first portion at the seam.

2. The flow mixing device of claim 1, wherein the turbulent flow inducing member comprises a flow dispersion device having at least one deflection member extending over at least a portion of one of the first and second fluid ports for deflecting a fluid flow of the first injection fluid or the second injection fluid.

3. The flow mixing device of claim 2, wherein the flow dispersion device comprises two deflection members, wherein a first deflection member extends over at least a portion of the first fluid port for deflecting the first injection fluid radially outward with respect to the longitudinal axis, and wherein a second deflection member extends over at least a portion of the second fluid port for deflecting the second injection fluid radially outward with respect to the longitudinal axis.

4. The flow mixing device of claim 1, wherein the turbulent flow inducing member comprises a plurality of mixing balls having a diameter larger than a diameter of a smallest of the first, second, and third fluid ports, and wherein the plurality of mixing balls are agitated within the mixing chamber by a flow of the first and second injection fluids.

5. The flow mixing device of claim 1, wherein the turbulent flow inducing member comprises a porous filter having a plurality of open cell elements disposed within at least a portion of the mixing chamber.

6. The flow mixing device of claim 1, wherein the turbulent flow inducing member comprises a disc disposed across a portion of the mixing chamber in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis, the disc having a plurality of recesses extending radially inward from an outer circumference of the disc and at least one opening extending through a central portion of the disc.

7. The flow mixing device of claim 1, wherein the turbulent flow inducing member comprises a tubular insert fixed within the mixing chamber and at least one hydrofoil element extending across an interior of the tubular insert substantially parallel to a direction of fluid flow through the mixing chamber.

8. The flow mixing device of claim 7, wherein the at least one hydrofoil element has a leading edge oriented toward the proximal end of the housing, a trailing edge oriented toward the distal end of the housing, an upper chord extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge, and a lower chord extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge opposite the upper chord.

9. The flow mixing device of claim 1, wherein the turbulent flow inducing member comprises a plurality of tubular flow dispersion members fixed relative to the housing to define the mixing chamber, each of the plurality of tubular flow dispersion members having a plurality of wings extending radially inward from an interior sidewall of the tubular flow dispersion members.

10. The flow mixing device of claim 9, wherein the plurality of wings are spaced apart at equal intervals around an inner circumference of each of the plurality of tubular flow dispersion members, and wherein adjacent tubular flow dispersion members are radially aligned such that the plurality of wings of one tubular flow dispersion member are angularly offset with regard to the plurality of wings of the adjacent tubular flow dispersion member.

11. The flow mixing device of claim 1, further comprising a fourth fluid port for receiving a third injection fluid.

12. A fluid path set configured for delivering a mixture of a first injection fluid and a second injection fluid from a fluid injector to a patient, the fluid path set comprising:

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

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

a flow mixing device in fluid communication with the distal ends of each 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 along a longitudinal axis, and a first portion at the distal end and a second portion at the proximal end, the first portion and the second portion joined together at a seam extending around an outer perimeter of the housing about the longitudinal axis;

a first fluid port extending through the second portion and in fluid communication with the distal end of the first fluid line for receiving the first injection fluid from the fluid injector and a second fluid port extending through the second portion and in fluid communication with the distal end of the second fluid line for receiving the second injection fluid from the fluid injector, the first fluid port and the second fluid port being substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis and radially offset relative to the longitudinally axis;

a mixing chamber disposed within the first portion 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 extending through the distal end of the housing and in fluid communication with the mixing chamber for discharging the mixture of the first and second injection fluids;

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 the third fluid port at the distal end of the flow mixing device,

wherein the seam has a radial collar surrounding a base surface on one of the first portion and the second portion, and a flange on the other of the first portion and the second portion such that the flange is received within the radial collar, and

wherein the second portion encloses an open end of the first portion at the seam.