Flexible Bag Impeller Support to Prevent Lateral Movement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mixing systems for bioreactors and fermentors face issues with impeller lateral movement, leading to decreased mixing efficiency, potential damage to delicate cells, and risk of bag rupture due to the use of long drive shafts and high rotation speeds.

Innovation Solution

A fluid mixing system with a retainer mechanism that secures a steady support for the impeller, preventing lateral movement by engaging with a retention cavity, and a drive shaft design that ensures stable impeller rotation without displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the drive shaft length and rotation speed are increased to achieve optimal mixing in larger volumes, then mixing efficiency is improved, but the impeller lateral movement increases causing potential bag rupture and product loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoidimpeller stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible bag disposed within a rigid support housing to contain the fluid. The flexible bag can accommodate the impeller's rotational movement while maintaining containment, allowing high-speed mixing without risking rupture of the containment structure itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing system is divided into separate functional components: a rigid support housing that provides structural stability, a flexible bag that contains the fluid, and an impeller assembly that can be positioned optimally without compromising overall system stability. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the drive shaft length is increased to reach the bottom of larger bags, then optimal impeller positioning is achieved, but the risk of lateral movement and bag rupture increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpeller positioning accuracyVSAvoidlateral movement damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible bag acts as a compliant containment structure that can accommodate the long drive shaft and impeller positioning at the bottom of large volumes without transmitting lateral movement forces to rigid boundaries, eliminating the rupture risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible bag serves as an intermediary between the impeller and the rigid support housing, absorbing and isolating lateral movement forces generated by the long drive shaft and high-speed rotation, thereby protecting the system from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If high rotation speeds are used to maintain mixing effectiveness, then productivity is improved, but the lateral movement of impeller increases causing potential system failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing speedVSAvoidlateral movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible bag contains the fluid and impeller, allowing the impeller to rotate at high speeds while the flexibility of the bag absorbs lateral movement forces, preventing transmission of harmful vibrations and movements to the rigid support housing and other system components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The system design anticipates lateral movement forces generated by high-speed rotation and provides a flexible containment structure in advance that can absorb these forces, preventing damage before it occurs rather than relying on rigid constraints that would interfere with mixing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively prevents impeller lateral movement, maintaining optimal mixing and suspension, protecting the integrity of the mixing system and ensuring sterility, even at high speeds and large volumes.

Implementation Method 1

Rotation of the drive shaft and impeller facilitates mixing and/or suspension of the fluid contained within flexible bag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid mixing:

Data Source

PatentUS12558657B2Fluid mixing systems and methods of use

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORP

AI summary

A fluid mixing system includes a flexible bag having a first end, an opposing second end, and an interior surface bounding a compartment; a retainer coupled to the second end of the flexible bag, the retainer having a retention cavity formed thereon that communicates with the compartment of the flexible bag; and an elongated member having a first end rotatably coupled to the first end of the flexible bag and an opposing second end freely disposed within the retention cavity of the retainer so that the second end of the elongated member can rotate within the retention cavity relative to the retainer.