Flexible Container Baffles for Bioreactor Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing devices with flexible containers and baffles face limitations in variability, stability, and heat transfer due to fixed baffle arrangements and mechanical loads, which affect intermixing efficiency and biological material handling.
Innovation Solution
A mixing device with baffles mounted on the inside of a flexible container, allowing for variable design and placement, stabilized by welding or gluing, and optionally reinforced with rigid elements or fluid stabilization, enabling adaptable baffle configuration and improved heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If baffles are mounted on the inner wall of the support container, then intermixing efficiency is improved, but the disposable container wall is greatly deformed and exposed to great load
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mounting baffles on the rigid support container wall (external to flexible container), the invention inverts the approach by mounting baffles directly on the inner surface of the flexible disposable container itself. This allows the flexible container to carry its own baffles without transmitting deformation loads to the support container structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle system is segmented into multiple individual baffles that can be independently mounted on the flexible container. This segmentation allows for optimized distribution of mechanical loads across different mounting points, preventing concentration of stress on any single location of the flexible container wall.
2Productivity
If baffles are mounted on the support container, then stirring speed can be increased, but heat transfer from disposable container to support container is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional baffle mounting location from the support container to the flexible disposable container itself. This ensures that the flexible container maintains full circumferential contact with the support container wall for optimal heat transfer, while still providing baffles for enhanced stirring performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed baffle arrangements are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from fixed, static baffle arrangements to a dynamic system where baffles can be selectively mounted, removed, or repositioned on the flexible container. This allows the baffle configuration to be adapted to different process conditions, container sizes, and application requirements while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized baffle components.
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 solution provides a material-saving, adaptable baffle arrangement that enhances intermixing efficiency, reduces mechanical stress on the container, and improves heat transfer, while preventing shear forces harmful to biological materials.
Implementation Method 1
obstacles in the form of flow spoilers, so-called baffles, can be mounted on the container wall. These components protruding into the container 'disturb' the uniform course of the flow of the liquid in the container and thereby can considerably improve intermixing
Implementation Method 2
at least one stirring element (22) arranged in the flexible container (14) to ensure intermixing of the liquid present in the flexible container (14)
Implementation Method 3
stabilized by welding or gluing
Implementation Method 4
stabilized by welding or gluing
Data Source
AI summary
A mixing device (10) comprises a flexible container (14), at least one stirring element (22) and at least one baffle (24). The baffle (24) is formed on the inside on a circumferential side wall (16) of the flexible container (14) and has a free end protruding into the interior of the container (14). A main application of the mixing device (10) is considered to be the use as disposable bioreactor.