Helical Mixing Assembly With Impeller Attachment for Flexible Bags
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mixing systems face limitations such as rigid drive shafts that hinder bag collapse for transportation and storage, height restrictions, inefficient mixing in cylindrical vessels, and the need for complex baffling systems, especially in disposable systems.
Innovation Solution
A bioproduction mixing system utilizing a helical assembly with a flexible container, a stabilizer, and an impeller, which can accommodate various vessel sizes and provide mixing forces from any height, enhancing mixing efficiency and bulk fluid flow without requiring complex baffles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid drive shaft is used in the mixing system, then the mixing system provides structural support, but the rigid drive shaft prevents the flexible bag from collapsing for transportation and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The drive shaft is divided into two separate components: a rigid external drive shaft that provides structural support and a flexible internal drive shaft that allows the bag to collapse. These segmented components perform different functions independently, resolving the contradiction between structural support and bag collapse capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the rigid drive shaft and the impeller. This coupling allows rotational motion transmission while accommodating the flexible bag's collapse, enabling both structural support and adaptability during transportation and storage.
2Length of stationary object
If a rigid drive shaft system is used to accommodate taller mixing vessels, then the mixing system can handle increased height, but the drive shaft becomes exponentially thicker due to increased shear forces
Solution Approach 1:
The drive transmission is segmented into an external rigid drive shaft for structural support and an internal flexible drive shaft for motion transmission. This segmentation allows the external shaft to remain thin while the internal flexible shaft accommodates the height requirements without increasing external thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal drive shaft is made flexible to match the flexible bag's characteristics. This flexible internal shaft can accommodate taller vessels without requiring an exponentially thicker external rigid shaft, as the flexible component conforms to the vessel geometry.
3Shape
If a cylindrical mixing vessel is used, then the vessel provides simple geometry, but the vessel requires complex baffles to increase bulk fluid flow or suffers from reduced mixing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller assembly is made dynamically adjustable, allowing it to be positioned at different heights and orientations within the cylindrical vessel. This dynamic positioning creates effective bulk fluid flow patterns without requiring complex baffles, maintaining both geometric simplicity and mixing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing action is extended into the vertical dimension through adjustable impeller positioning at different heights. This three-dimensional mixing approach replaces the need for horizontal baffles, achieving effective bulk fluid flow while maintaining simple cylindrical vessel geometry.
4Ease of operation
If magnetic mixing elements are used near the bottom of the vessel, then the mixing system can operate without internal drive shafts, but the magnetic element must be near the bottom to magnetically interact with an element outside the sterile system
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing system is segmented into an external magnetic drive element and an internal impeller assembly. The external magnetic element provides the driving force while the internal impeller can be positioned optimally for mixing efficiency, separating the sterile mixing function from the non-sterile drive mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field acts as an intermediary that transmits rotational force through the vessel wall. This allows the magnetic element to remain outside the sterile system while still effectively driving the internal impeller, maintaining both sterile operation and mixing efficiency.
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 allows for efficient mixing in irregularly shaped vessels, reduces the need for complex baffling, and accommodates different vessel sizes, improving mixing efficiency and flexibility in bioproduction processes.
Implementation Method 1
a bioproduction mixing system disclosed. The mixing system may include a helical assembly including a first line and a second line... rotating the helical assembly causes the first and second lines to wrap about a driveline axis
Implementation Method 2
an impeller including a second portion, a first attachment, and a second attachment... the first portion interacts with the second portion to orient the impeller relative to the first and second lines
Implementation Method 3
the flexible bag disposed within a rigid support housing... the rigid drive shaft limits the ability to collapse or fold the flexible bag
Data Source
AI summary
A bioproduction mixing system includes a flexible compartment having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending therebetween, a center axis passing through the flexible compartment between the first end and the second end. A helical assembly is disposed within the flexible compartment and is suspended between the first end and the second end, the helical assembly being offset from the center axis of the flexible compartment.