Small-Volume Mixer Base Assembly with Levitation Impeller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing vessels for bioprocessing require specialized equipment and have limitations in mixing a wide range of fluid volumes efficiently, often occupying a large laboratory footprint and being difficult to use.
Innovation Solution
A mixer base assembly with a rounded and flat side wall configuration, incorporating a rotating ring lock, impeller seat, and a jacketed mixing vessel housing, allowing for rapid mixing of various volumes and temperatures within a compact footprint, featuring a levitating magnetic impeller to reduce shear force and minimize contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional mixing vessels are used for bioprocessing, then they can handle specific fluid volumes, but they require specialized mixer bases and occupy large laboratory footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer base assembly is designed with a universal body that can accommodate mixing vessels of different volumes (20 mL to 10,000 mL) through a single standardized interface. The body includes a mixing chamber with variable volume capability and standardized ports that work across all vessel types, eliminating the need for specialized mixer bases for each volume range and reducing overall laboratory footprint.
2Productivity
If traditional mixing vessels are used, then they can perform mixing functions, but they have difficulty in rapid mixing and temperature adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing chamber is designed with dynamic flow characteristics through strategically positioned inlet and outlet ports that enable rapid fluid exchange. The chamber geometry facilitates turbulent flow patterns that accelerate mixing. Additionally, the chamber includes temperature control interfaces that allow rapid heating or cooling of the mixing fluid, reducing the time required to reach desired temperature conditions.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional mixing vessels are used, then they can mix fluids, but they generate high shear force and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing chamber incorporates a rounded side wall that creates smooth, gentle fluid flow patterns during mixing. This curved geometry eliminates sharp corners and edges that would generate high shear forces, thereby protecting sensitive biological samples from damage. The rounded design also prevents dead zones where contamination could accumulate, maintaining fluid integrity throughout the mixing process.
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
Enables efficient mixing of fluids from 20 mL to 10,000 mL with reduced shear force, rapid temperature adjustment, and compact design suitable for bioprocessing applications, including flexible bags, with minimal contamination and easy operation.
Implementation Method 1
featuring a levitating magnetic impeller to reduce shear force and minimize contamination
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a mixer base assembly comprising: (a) a body having: (i) an upper end including a mating face for mixing vessel connection; (ii) a lower end including a cavity; (iii) a fluid mixing chamber having a bottom wall; (iv) a rounded side wall and a flat side wall, wherein the rounded side wall at a first part is the only wall encasing the fluid mixing chamber and at a second part joins with the flat side wall to encase the fluid mixing chamber; (v) an inlet port arranged in one of the side walls; (vi) an outlet port arranged in one of the side walls, and; (vii) at least one probe port arranged in one of side walls; (b) an impeller seat arranged in the cavity in the lower end of the body; and, (c) an impeller arranged in the impeller seat.