Mixing bag with integral sparger and sensor receiver

• US 7,992,846 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2008
• Issued: 08/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pall Technology Uk Limited (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ATMI Packaging Incorporated (Entegris Incorporated)
• Inventors: Terentyev, Sergey, Terentiev, Alexandre N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bushey; Scott
• Application Number:
  US12/341,478
• Publication Number:
  US 20090135667A1
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 261/121.1, 261/122.1, 261/122.2, 356/239.6, 356/246, 356/440, 435/288.7
• US Class Current: 261/122.1
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/23 Mixing of laboratory samples e.g. in preparation of analysing or testing properties of materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/23121 having injection means, e.g. nozzles with circumferential outlet
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/23123 consisting of rigid porous or perforated material
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/233 using driven stirrers with completely immersed stirring elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/808 with stirrers driven from the bottom of the receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/00 Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/45 Magnetic mixers; Mixers with magnetically driven stirrers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/453 using supported or suspended stirring elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/4534 using a rod for supporting the stirring element, e.g. stirrer sliding on a rod or mounted on a rod sliding in a tube
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/20 Measuring; Control or regulation
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/21 Measuring
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/213 of the properties of the mixtures, e.g. temperature, density or colour
• 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: C12M 23/14 Bags
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/22 Transparent or translucent parts glassware for laboratory use B01L3/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 27/02 Stirrer or mobile mixing elements
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 29/06 Nozzles; Sprayers; Spargers; Diffusers per se B01F23/231, B01J19/26

Abstract

A mixing bag for use in bioprocessing receives a fluid and includes a sensing element for measuring at least one property thereof. The bag may include an internal fluid-agitating element and an integral sparger. Related methods are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for receiving a fluid and sensing a characteristic thereof using a sensor element in contact with the fluid, said sensor element adapted for being illuminated by light from a source, comprising:

a vessel having a flexible sidewall at least partially defining an interior compartment for receiving the fluid and for associating with the sensor element, a portion of the vessel formed by the flexible sidewall having no predetermined shape and capable of assuming a particular shape based on the presence of the fluid in the interior compartment; and

a receiver secured to the vessel adjacent to the sensor element, said receiver adapted for receiving and delivering light from the source to the sensor element.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a first portion adapted for being secured to the flexible sidewall and a second portion for contacting the sensor element.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second portion of the receiver includes a window adapted for transmitting light to the sensor element.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the window includes an inner surface for contacting the sensor element.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiver includes a cavity adapted for at least partially receiving the source of light for illuminating the sensor element.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the receiver includes a window bounding the cavity for allowing the light from the source to reach the sensor element.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vessel comprises a bag including the flexible sidewall, and said receiver is connected to the flexible sidewall.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vessel comprises a bag having a rigid portion connected to the flexible sidewall.

7. An apparatus intended for receiving a fluid and sensing a characteristic of the fluid, comprising:

a vessel having a flexible sidewall at least partially defining an interior compartment for receiving the fluid, a portion of the vessel formed by the flexible sidewall having no predetermined shape and capable of assuming a particular shape based on the presence of the fluid in the interior compartment; and

a sensor assembly carried by the vessel, the sensor assembly including an at least translucent portion in optical communication with a sensor element for contacting the fluid when the fluid is present in the interior compartment of the vessel.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least translucent portion of the sensor assembly comprises a closed end of a tube.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the tube is adapted for insertion into an opening of a receiver secured to the vessel.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the receiver is welded to the flexible sidewall of the vessel to form a fluid-impervious seal.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sensor assembly further includes a cable for transmitting light to the sensor element.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sensor assembly further includes a receiver for receiving the cable for transmitting light to the sensor element.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least translucent portion of the sensor assembly is transparent.

14. An apparatus intended for receiving a fluid and sensing a characteristic of the fluid, comprising:

a vessel having a flexible sidewall at least partially defining an interior compartment for receiving the fluid, said vessel including an opening, a portion of the vessel formed by the flexible sidewall having no predetermined shape and capable of assuming a particular shape based on the presence of the fluid in the interior compartment;

a sensor element for contacting the fluid when the fluid is present in the interior compartment of the vessel; and

a window secured adjacent the opening of the vessel, said window adapted for communicating with the sensor element.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a receiver carried by the vessel for receiving the window.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the receiver is positioned in the opening of the vessel.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the receiver is more rigid than the flexible sidewall of the vessel.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the sensor element is positioned within the interior compartment of the vessel.

19. An apparatus for receiving a fluid and a sensor element in contact with the fluid, said sensor element adapted for being illuminated by light from a source, comprising:

a vessel having a flexible sidewall at least partially defining an interior compartment for receiving the fluid, said flexible sidewall providing the vessel with a portion having no predetermined shape and capable of assuming a particular shape based on the presence of the fluid in the interior compartment; and

an optical port carried by the vessel, said optical port comprising a window adapted for transmitting light from the source to the sensor element.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the optical port comprises a cavity forming a passage providing a reference location external to the interior compartment for delivering the light to the sensor element via the window.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the window includes a rigid portion connected to the sidewall and adapted for supporting the sensor element.

24. An apparatus for receiving a fluid and sensing a characteristic of the fluid comprising:

a bag at least partially forming an interior compartment for receiving the fluid;

a sensor element for contacting the fluid when the fluid is in the interior compartment;

a receiver connected to the bag adjacent to the sensor element, said receiver adapted for receiving and delivering light to the sensor element;

a sparger connected to the bag for forming bubbles in the fluid; and

an agitator for agitating the fluid and assisting in distributing the bubbles throughout the fluid when present in the interior compartment.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the bag further comprises a rigid receiver for receiving the agitator.

26. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the receiver comprises a window for transmitting light to the sensor element.