Apparatus, system and method for agitating fluids

Abstract

A vessel (126, 26) includes an interior volume (28) configured to contain a liquid and a rotatable impeller (30) located within the interior volume (28). The vessel (126, 26) further includes an impeller guide (100, 32) configured to receive the impeller (108, 10, 30), the impeller guide (100, 32) located within the interior volume (28) and defining a substantially horizontal impeller (108, 10, 30) travel path. Wherein, as the impeller (108, 10, 30) travels along a substantially horizontal impeller (108, 10, 30) travel path, the impeller (108, 10, 30) rotates axially to agitate the liquid in the interior volume (28).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to bioprocessing apparatus, systems, and methods, and more particularly to impellers for agitating fluids in mixers or bioreactor bags. Background Art

[0002] Mixers and bioreactors are usually used to perform biochemical and / or biological processes and / or manipulate liquids and other products of such processes. Such mixers usually include flexible or collapsible single-use disposable bags supported by an external rigid structure (such as a stainless steel housing or shell). The bag is made of a thin flexible plastic film sheet and is positioned within a rigid housing and filled with the desired fluid for processing. The fluid in the bag requires mixing or stirring to prevent the sedimentation of particles at the bottom of the bag.

[0003] Known mixing devices typically include a rotatable agitator or impeller fixedly mounted at the bottom of a disposable bag held within a rigid canister or support structure. Such an impeller typically has a base portion that houses a permanent magnet that is magnetically coupled to and driven by a motor. In use, the motor magnet rotates, which causes the base portion of the impeller to rotate about an axis, thereby agitating the fluid within the bag.

[0004] In known systems, however, the fixed impeller is centrally located in the bottom of the bag. This fixed impeller position can result in inefficient mixing. Specifically, the impeller stirs only a small volume of the total liquid and creates suction, which promotes the settling of particles from the liquid, typically to a location below the impeller and / or in a corner of the tank / vessel.

[0005] In some known systems, it may be desirable or necessary to have multiple impellers rotating about an axis within the bag to facilitate efficient mixing of larger volumes. However, such impellers must be replaced with single-use disposable bags, and multiple impellers (which typically include permanent magnets) can result in extremely expensive bags.

[0006] In view of the above, a need exists for an apparatus, system, and method for agitating fluids in a mixer / bioreactor bag that provides efficient mixing, prevention of particle settling, and lower manufacturing costs. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed subject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter, but rather are intended only to provide a brief overview of possible embodiments. Indeed, the present disclosure may encompass a wide variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments described below.

[0008] In an embodiment, a vessel includes an interior volume configured to contain a liquid and a rotatable impeller positioned within the interior volume. The vessel further includes an impeller guide configured to receive the impeller, the impeller guide positioned within the interior volume and defining a substantially horizontal impeller travel path. When the impeller travels along the substantially horizontal impeller travel path, the impeller rotates axially to agitate the liquid in the interior volume.

[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, a stirring pot includes an interior configured to receive a vessel that houses an impeller capable of axial rotation and traveling along a substantially horizontal impeller travel path, the vessel being configured to receive a fluid. The stirring pot further includes an exterior defining the interior and a coupling guide secured to the exterior of the stirring pot. The coupling guide defines a substantially horizontal coupling travel path. The coupling guide is configured to receive an actuator coupling that houses at least one magnet, the actuator coupling being configured to magnetically engage the impeller such that when the actuator coupling travels within the coupling travel path within the coupling guide, the impeller travels along the substantially horizontal impeller travel path and rotates.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, a method of agitating a fluid in a vessel includes moving a rotatable impeller in a substantially horizontal impeller travel path defined by an impeller guide within an interior volume of the vessel, wherein the impeller rotates axially to agitate the liquid in the interior volume while the impeller moves in the substantially horizontal impeller travel path. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present invention will be better understood by reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a known mixer depicting the stationary impeller and drive assembly.

[0013] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An enlarged cross-sectional view of the mixer's stationary impeller and drive assembly.

[0014] Figure 3 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of a mixer / bioreactor having a substantially horizontal impeller travel path according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An enlarged cross-sectional side view of the impeller and impeller guide of a mixer / bioreactor.

[0016] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an actuator, coupling guide, and impeller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the exterior surface of a mixer / bioreactor depicting actuators and coupling guides according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the interior of a mixer / bioreactor depicting the impeller, impeller guide, and substantially horizontal impeller travel path, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 8 is an elevational cross-sectional view of a mixer / bioreactor having a substantially horizontal impeller travel path according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, reference will be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0021] As used herein, the terms "flexible" or "collapsible" refer to structures or materials that are pliable or capable of bending without breaking, and may also refer to compressible or expandable materials. An example of a flexible structure is a bag formed from polyethylene film. The terms "rigid" and "semi-rigid" are used interchangeably herein to describe a "non-collapsible" structure, that is, a structure that does not fold, collapse, or otherwise deform to significantly reduce its extended dimension under a normal force. Depending on the context, "semi-rigid" may also refer to a structure that is more flexible than a "rigid" element, such as a bendable tube or catheter, but still a structure that does not collapse longitudinally under normal conditions and forces.

[0022] As used herein, the term "vessel" means a flexible bag, a flexible container, a semi-rigid container, or a rigid container, as appropriate. The term "vessel" as used herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, mixer or bioreactor vessels having flexible or semi-rigid walls or wall portions, single-use flexible bags, and other containers or conduits typically used in biological or biochemical processes, including, for example, cell culture / purification systems, fermentation systems, media / buffer preparation systems, and filtration / purification systems.

[0023] As used herein, the term "bag" refers to a flexible or semi-rigid container or vessel used, for example, as a mixer or bioreactor for the contents therein. While the embodiments are described and depicted in conjunction with a single-use stirred tank mixer system, they are not limited thereto and may be used with a wide variety of vessels and associated equipment used in biological or biochemical processing. Additionally, the embodiments may be adapted for mixing or stirring fluids in other non-biological / biochemical contexts.

[0024] Now refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , depicts a known mixer 2. The mixer 2 includes a rigid tank or support structure 16, which can be formed, for example, from stainless steel, polymers, composite materials, glass, or other metals, and can be rectangular or cylindrical in shape, although other shapes can be utilized as long as the rigid tank or support structure 16 is capable of supporting a single-use flexible mixer or bioprocessing / bioreactor bag. The tank 16 has an interior 4 configured to receive a vessel, such as a flexible, single-use bag 6.

[0025] The vessel / bag 6 includes a rotatable agitator or impeller assembly 10 that is fastened (e.g., welded) to the bottom surface of the bag 6 in a fixed position. As shown, the position is approximately at the centerline M of the tank 16. The impeller assembly 10 has a base portion 12 mounted on an axis 23. The base portion 12 includes one or more blades 13 and a permanent magnet 18 that, in use, is magnetically coupled to and driven by a permanent magnet 20 of a motor 22. In use, the motor magnet 20 rotates, which causes the base portion 12 of the impeller 10 to rotate about the axis 23, thereby causing agitation of the fluid within the bag.

[0026] As mentioned, the fixed position of the impeller 10 within the bag can result in inefficient mixing due to the suction caused by the impeller's rotation and the agitation of only a small volume of the total liquid, both of which promote settling of particles from the liquid, typically to a location below the impeller 10. Modifying the impeller 10 to act on more liquid, for example by increasing its size, requires larger magnets, which is prohibitively expensive.

[0027] Now refer to Figure 3 , depicts an agitated tank mixer / bioreactor 24 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mixer / bioreactor 24 includes an interior 25 configured to receive and house a vessel / bag 26 for fluid processing / mixing. As shown, the interior 25 of the mixer / bioreactor 24 is defined by an exterior, which, in the depicted embodiment, includes a plurality of side and bottom panels and an open top or upper surface configured to receive the vessel (e.g., bag) 26. The bottom panel or surface 33 of the mixer / bioreactor 24 is substantially horizontal.

[0028] As will be understood, although depicted as having a quadrilateral shape, the mixer / bioreactor 24 need not be of any particular shape or form, and a cylindrical agitated tank mixer / bioreactor may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, embodiments may be used with agitated tanks of varying sizes, however, in a particular embodiment, the agitated tank is a 2500 L mixer tank.

[0029] The vessel 26 has an interior volume 28 configured to hold liquid for mixing and / or bioprocessing, for example. The interior volume 28 of the vessel 26 further includes a rotatable impeller 30 and, as shown, may include an impeller guide 32. The impeller guide 32 is secured to a bottom portion or surface 27 of the vessel 26. In embodiments, the impeller guide 32 may be secured to the bottom surface 27 of the vessel 26 via heat welding or an adhesive, although other attachment means may be employed. In certain embodiments, the impeller guide 32 may be integral with the vessel, for example, formed from the vessel material as part of the bottom surface 27 of the vessel 26.

[0030] As depicted, in an embodiment, impeller 30 is movably received within impeller guide 32 such that impeller guide 32 defines a substantially horizontal impeller travel path P1 along bottom surface 27 of vessel 26. More specifically, impeller 30 includes a generally circular base portion 40 attached to a shaft 42 to which a plurality of blades 44 are secured. In a particular embodiment, there may be four blades, but as will be appreciated, other numbers, shapes, and sizes of blades may be utilized without departing from this invention.

[0031] Base portion 40 is received within impeller guide 32 such that shaft 42 extends from an open channel 46 in impeller guide 32. Open channel 46 faces away from bottom surface 27 and opens to the interior volume 28 of the vessel. Open channel 46 may have two rims or shoulder portions 48 that extend along the length of impeller guide 32 to narrow open channel 46, thereby allowing shaft 42 to extend out of guide 32 while retaining base portion 40 within guide 32.

[0032] In embodiments, attachment mechanisms for retaining the base portion 40 within the guide 32 (other than the shoulder portion 48 ) may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0033] As described in greater detail below, the impeller guide 32 is configured (e.g., sized and shaped) to allow the base portion 40 to bi-directionally rotate and travel along a substantially horizontal impeller travel path within the guide 32. In particular, as the impeller 30 travels within the impeller guide 32, the impeller 30 rotates axially about the screw axis 42 to mix or otherwise agitate the liquid in the interior volume 28.

[0034] In an embodiment, the movement of the impeller 30 within the impeller guide 32 can be facilitated by one or more impeller magnets 50 located within the base portion 40 of the impeller 30. In a specific embodiment, the impeller magnets 50 are a plurality of permanent magnets that magnetically engage corresponding actuator magnets 52 located on the exterior of the vessel 26. The actuator magnets 52 can be a plurality of permanent magnets. That is, in an embodiment, the magnet(s) 50, 52 can be permanent or temporary and can be made of steel, iron, cobalt, nickel, and alloys thereof. The magnet(s) 50, 52 can be of a variety of shapes, sizes, and locations.

[0035] Now refer to Figure 3-6 , the actuator magnet 52 is operably connected to an actuator 54, such as a linear actuator, which allows the actuator 54 to move the impeller 30 bi-directionally along a substantially horizontal impeller travel path.

[0036] In an embodiment, the actuator magnet 52 is located within a generally circular, rotatable actuator coupling 56. In an embodiment, the actuator coupling 56 includes a plurality of teeth 58 arranged circumferentially around a portion of the actuator coupling 56. The teeth 58 are configured to engage a rack 60 located within a coupling guide 62 that defines a substantially horizontal coupling travel path P2. The actuator coupling 56 is connected to a rotatable actuator shaft 63, which is in turn connected to the actuator 54.

[0037] In an embodiment, the coupler guide 62 has an open channel 64 that faces downwardly away from the bottom surface 33 of the mixer / bioreactor 24. The actuator coupler 56 is received within the coupler guide 62 such that the shaft 63 extends from the open channel 64 in the coupler guide 62. The open channel 64 can have two edges or shoulder portions 66 that extend along the length of the coupler guide 62 to narrow the open channel 64, thereby allowing the shaft 63 to extend out of the coupler guide 62 while retaining the actuator coupler 56 within the coupler guide 62.

[0038] In an embodiment, the coupling guide 62 and / or the actuator 54 are secured to the exterior bottom surface of the mixer / bioreactor 24. The guide 62 and the actuator 54 can be welded to the bottom surface of the mixer / bioreactor 24 or secured via an adhesive or other mechanical or chemical means. In certain embodiments, the guide 62 and / or the actuator 54 can be secured to a surface other than the depicted bottom exterior surface 33 of the tank 24. In other embodiments, the coupling guide 62 and the bottom surface of the mixer / bioreactor 24 can be integral, for example, the bottom surface can be manufactured to include the guide 62.

[0039] In use, the linear actuator 54 includes a motor 51 that extends and retracts a piston-shaped rod portion 53. The rod portion 53 is operably connected to a shaft 63, which is substantially perpendicular to the rod portion 53 and about which a rotatable coupling 56 rotates. As the rod portion 53 extends and retracts, the circumferential teeth 58 of the coupling 56 engage a rack 60 within a coupling guide 62, thereby causing the coupling 56 to rotate as it travels in a substantially horizontal coupling travel path defined by the coupling guide 62. The actuator magnet 52 of the coupling 56 is magnetically coupled to the impeller magnet 50 so that the movement and rotation of the coupling 56 causes the impeller 30 within the vessel 26 to rotate and travel in a substantially horizontal impeller travel path within the impeller guide 32.

[0040] In particular, rotation of the coupling 56 causes the impeller 30 to rotate about the longitudinal axis A. As will be appreciated, a change in the direction of travel of the coupling 56 in the coupling guide 62 results in a change in the orientation of the impeller 30 within the impeller guide 32 , which reverses the direction of rotation of the impeller 30 about the longitudinal axis A.

[0041] Now refer to Figure 7 In embodiments, the impeller guide 32 and / or impeller 30 may be located in a central position within the mixer / bioreactor 24. As will be appreciated, however, the guide 32 and impeller 30 may be located anywhere on the bottom surface 27 of the vessel 26 (e.g., adjacent a sidewall or extending diagonally) without departing from the invention.

[0042] In other embodiments, the guide 32 and impeller 30 may be located on the sidewall of the vessel 26. In such embodiments, the impeller 30 may travel bidirectionally along the sidewall in a substantially horizontal impeller travel path. In the case of a vessel that is round and has a continuous sidewall, the guide 32 and related components may be curved to match the sidewall and may extend (in a substantially horizontal path) over a portion (or all) of the circumference of the sidewall.

[0043] Similarly, the substantially horizontal impeller travel path need not be linear and may be non-linear, e.g., curved or of various other shapes. In certain embodiments, there may be multiple impellers 30 and / or impeller couplings 32 within the vessel 26. As will be appreciated, the length of the impeller guide 32 may vary depending on the size / volume of the vessel 26 or other criteria.

[0044] Impeller 30 and impeller guide 32 can be manufactured from a variety of materials, including but not limited to plastic and metal. In embodiments, guide 32 and / or impeller 30 can include a coating to reduce the emission of particles caused by contact of impeller 30 within guide 32 during use. In embodiments, a ceramic coating, such as a titanium-based coating, can be utilized. In other embodiments, a polymer coating or a composite material can be employed. The coating can be located on impeller 30 and / or guide 32 and can be applied via known techniques, including but not limited to additive manufacturing.

[0045] As will be appreciated, the number of teeth per linear unit of measure (eg, centimeters or inches) of the rack 60 in the link guide 62 and / or the circumferential teeth 58 of the actuator link 56 may vary without departing from the present invention.

[0046] Likewise, the shape and size of the teeth may vary without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0047] Still further, while the aforementioned embodiment illustrates the use of teeth 58, 60 to achieve axial rotation of impeller 30, the present invention is not so limited. For example, a belt and pulley type mechanism may be implemented. In such an embodiment, motor 51 may be connected to the belt so that when the motor is actuated, the pulley rotates, which causes the belt to rotate. The belt is connected to the pulley and to a rotatable actuator shaft 63. In this manner, actuation of motor 51 causes rotation of rotatable actuator shaft 63, thereby achieving axial rotation of impeller 30. In embodiments, various other push / pull or similar motor / actuator arrangements may be utilized.

[0048] Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the axial rotation of the impeller 30 can be accomplished using a pressurized fluid (e.g., a turbine). In such embodiments, the pressurized fluid can be directed to the blades 44 of the impeller 30 via a nozzle or the like to cause the blades 44 to rotate axially and / or move the impeller about its path of travel. The nozzle(s) can be located within the vessel / bag or can be external to the mixer / bioreactor 24, and the fluid (e.g., pressurized air) can be directed toward an actuator coupling or similar structure to cause it to rotate axially. In embodiments, the pressurized fluid can be a fluid commonly used in bioprocessing.

[0049] In still other embodiments, it may be feasible to utilize one or more electromagnets proximate to the coupling guide 62 (e.g., at one or both of the distal ends of the guide 62) to move the coupling 56 along its substantially horizontal coupling travel path. As will be appreciated, reversing the polarity of the electromagnets effects a push / pull change to bi-directionally energize the coupling 56 within the guide 62, thereby causing axial rotation of the coupling 56 and the impeller 30.

[0050] The mixing efficiency of the rotating impeller 30 disclosed herein is significantly better than that of a fixed impeller because the impeller 30 moves back and forth bi-directionally along the bottom of the vessel about a substantially horizontal path of travel. This back-and-forth movement of the impeller 30 (whereby the direction of rotation changes as the direction of travel of the impeller 30 within the impeller guide 32 changes) creates a pumping motion that removes particles that may have settled in the bottom of the vessel 26 (typically, beneath the fixed impeller in known systems).

[0051] This movement of the impeller 30 also allows a single impeller 30 to perform the work of multiple stages of fixed position impellers (not depicted) where multiple impellers are stacked axially about the axis at the bottom of the interior of the vessel.

[0052] While embodiments present an alternative to multiple stacked stationary impellers, in various aspects, multiple rotatable impellers 30 may travel along a substantially horizontal path of travel within an impeller guide 32. In other embodiments, multiple separate impeller guides 32 and / or impellers 30 within a single impeller guide 32 may be employed.

[0053] In embodiments, the speed of the linear actuator may be selectively variable. As will be appreciated, in these embodiments, the speed may be increased or decreased to vary the RPM of the impeller.

[0054] In certain embodiments, it may be possible for the impeller to travel about a substantially horizontal path of travel without the need for an impeller guide. More specifically, the linear actuator 60 may be operably connected to a superconducting magnetic material. In such embodiments, the magnetic strength may be sufficient such that movement of an actuator coupling equipped with superconducting magnetic material about a substantially horizontal coupling travel path may cause an impeller equipped with a permanent magnet to reliably rotate and travel about a corresponding impeller travel path within the vessel without the need for an impeller guide.

[0055] In embodiments, particularly embodiments where the path of travel is not non-linear, the actuator may not be a linear actuator.In embodiments, the path of travel may be curved or arcuate.

[0056] In certain embodiments, the path of travel may include multiple linear paths that differ in angle / direction.In such embodiments, the path of travel may have a substantially V or Z shape, among other possible shapes.

[0057] Still further, while the aforementioned embodiment illustrates the use of teeth 58, 60 to achieve axial rotation of impeller 30, the present invention is not so limited. For example, a belt and pulley type mechanism may be implemented. In such an embodiment, motor 51 may be connected to the belt such that when the motor is actuated, the pulley rotates, which causes the belt to rotate. The belt is connected to the pulley and to a rotatable actuator shaft 63. In this manner, actuation of motor 51 causes rotation of rotatable actuator shaft 63, thereby achieving axial rotation of impeller 30.

[0058] Also disclosed herein is a method of agitating a fluid in a vessel 26. The method includes moving a rotatable impeller 30 in a substantially horizontal impeller travel path defined by an impeller guide 32 within the interior volume 28 of the vessel such that as the impeller bi-directionally moves in the substantially horizontal impeller travel path, the impeller rotates axially to agitate the liquid in the interior volume.

[0059] In an embodiment, the rotatable impeller is moved in a substantially horizontal path of travel via a linear actuator 54. The method further includes varying the speed of the linear actuator 54 to vary the RPM of the rotatable impeller.

[0060] Now refer to Figure 8 , depicts an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an impeller guide 100 within a vessel 126 includes a rack 102 that mates with circumferential teeth 104 located on a portion of an impeller 108 that is rotatable about an axis 106, which is fixed to an impeller base 134. In this embodiment, the actuator coupling 110 and coupling guide 112 do not include teeth, and the actuator coupling does not rotate. That is, the actuator coupling 110 is fixed to a linearly extending rod 130 of an actuator 132.

[0061] In this embodiment, the actuator coupling 110 magnetically engages the base 134 of the impeller 108 via magnets 140. The base 134 also does not rotate, but simply moves back and forth along the substantially horizontal impeller travel path. This movement causes the shaft to move without rotating, which causes the impeller's circumferential teeth 104 to engage the rack 102 in the impeller guide 100, thereby causing the impeller 108 to rotate.

[0062] As will be appreciated, this embodiment is capable of bi-directional movement and, when the direction of travel of the base 132 within the impeller guide 100 is reversed, the direction of rotation of the impeller 108 is correspondingly reversed.

[0063] As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded by the word "one" or "an" should be understood as not excluding the plural form of the element or step, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. In addition, reference to "one embodiment" of the present invention is not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments that "comprise," "include," or "have" an element or multiple elements having a particular property may include additional such elements that do not have that property.

[0064] While the sizes and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the present invention, they are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the above description. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0065] In the following claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain-language equivalents of the corresponding terms "comprising" and "wherein." Moreover, in the following claims, terms such as "first," "second," "upper," "lower," "bottom," "top," etc. are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical or positional requirements on their objects. Moreover, the following claim limitations are not written in a means-plus-function format and are not intended to be so interpreted unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase "means for..." followed by a statement of function without additional structure.

[0066] This written description uses examples to disclose several embodiments of the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims and may include other examples that occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A vessel comprising: an internal volume configured to contain a liquid; a rotatable impeller positioned within the interior volume; an impeller guide configured to receive the impeller, the impeller guide being located within the interior volume and defining a substantially horizontal impeller travel path; and, wherein the impeller rotates axially to agitate the liquid in the interior volume as the impeller travels along the substantially horizontal impeller travel path.

2. The vessel according to claim 1, wherein The substantially horizontal path of travel may be linear or non-linear.

3. The vessel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The rotatable impeller comprises: a base portion and at least one blade; and, wherein the base portion is received within the impeller guide.

4. The vessel according to claim 3, wherein The impeller guide is located on a bottom surface of the vessel and includes an open channel facing away from the bottom surface, the open channel being configured to retain the base portion of the impeller as the impeller rotates axially as it travels along the substantially horizontal impeller travel path.

5. The vessel according to claim 3 or 4, wherein The base portion of the impeller includes at least one impeller magnet that allows control of travel of the impeller along the substantially horizontal impeller travel path.

6. The vessel according to claim 5, wherein The at least one impeller magnet is configured for magnetic engagement with an actuator magnet located on the exterior of the vessel, the actuator magnet being operably connected to an actuator to allow the actuator to bi-directionally move the impeller along the substantially horizontal impeller travel path.

7. The vessel according to claim 6, wherein the actuator magnet being located within a rotatable coupling having a plurality of teeth arranged about a circumference of the coupling, the coupling teeth being configured to engage a rack in a coupling guide located on an exterior of the vessel, thereby causing the coupling to rotate, the coupling guide further defining a substantially horizontal coupling travel path; and, wherein, when the impeller magnet and actuator magnet are magnetically engaged and the coupling travels along the coupling travel path in the coupling guide, the coupling teeth engage the rack and the coupling rotates, causing the impeller to correspondingly travel and rotate along the substantially horizontal impeller travel path.

8. The vessel according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the actuator magnet being located within a coupling, the coupling being configured to be received in a coupling guide located on the exterior of the vessel, the coupling guide defining a substantially horizontal coupling travel path, the impeller comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged impeller teeth, and the impeller guide comprising a rack configured to engage the plurality of impeller teeth; and, wherein when the impeller magnet and the actuator magnet are magnetically engaged and the coupling travels in the coupling travel path, the impeller correspondingly travels in the impeller travel path, thereby causing the impeller teeth to engage the rack to rotate the impeller.

9. The vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein The vessel is a collapsible bioreactor bag.

10. A stirring tank comprising: an interior configured to receive a vessel housing an impeller capable of axial rotation and traveling along a substantially horizontal impeller travel path, the vessel configured to receive a fluid; an exterior defining the interior volume; a coupler guide secured to the exterior of the agitation jar, the coupler guide defining a substantially horizontal coupler travel path; and, wherein the coupling guide is configured to receive an actuator coupling housing at least one magnet, the actuator coupling being configured for magnetic engagement with the impeller such that the impeller travels along the substantially horizontal impeller travel path and rotates as the actuator coupling travels within the coupling guide in the coupling travel path.

11. The agitator tank of claim 10, further comprising: An actuator is secured to the exterior of the agitation jar, the actuator being operatively connected to the actuator coupling and operable to bi-directionally move the actuator coupling along the coupling travel path.

12. The stirring tank according to claim 10 or 11, wherein The coupling guide includes a rack, and the coupling includes a plurality of circumferentially arranged coupling teeth configured to engage the rack to cause the coupling to rotate; and wherein, when the impeller and actuator magnet are magnetically engaged and the coupling travels in the coupling guide, the coupling teeth engage the rack and rotate, thereby causing the impeller to correspondingly travel and rotate along the substantially horizontal impeller travel path.

13. The stirring tank according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein: the vessel including an impeller guide defining the substantially horizontal impeller travel path and including a rack configured to engage a plurality of impeller teeth circumferentially arranged on the impeller; and, wherein when the impeller and actuator magnet are magnetically engaged and the coupling travels in the coupling travel path, the impeller correspondingly travels in the impeller travel path, thereby causing the impeller teeth to engage the rack to rotate the impeller.

14. A method for stirring a fluid in a vessel, comprising: moving a rotatable impeller in a substantially horizontal impeller travel path defined by an impeller guide within an interior volume of the vessel; and, wherein the impeller rotates axially to agitate the liquid in the interior volume as the impeller moves in the substantially horizontal impeller travel path.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: The rotatable impeller is bi-directionally moved along the substantially horizontal path of travel.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein The rotatable impeller is moved in the substantially horizontal path of travel via a linear actuator.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: The speed of the linear actuator is varied to change the RPM of the rotatable impeller.

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