Small-Volume Bioprocess Mixer With Magnetic Impeller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing vessels for bioprocessing require specialized equipment and have limitations in handling a wide range of fluid volumes and configurations, necessitating improved mixer systems with a small laboratory footprint and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A bioprocess mixer system comprising a mixer base assembly with a body having multiple side walls, ports, and a fluid mixing chamber, combined with a mixer drive system featuring a locking mechanism and a levitating magnetic impeller, allowing for rapid mixing of various fluid volumes and temperatures within a compact footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mixer system is designed to handle a wide range of fluid volumes (20 mL to 10,000 mL), then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer base assembly is designed with a universal interface that accepts different mixing vessel types and configurations. The drive system can accommodate various impeller types and speeds to handle fluids ranging from 20 mL to 10,000 mL, making a single device capable of performing multiple mixing functions across different volume ranges without requiring specialized equipment for each volume category.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates adjustable parameters including variable impeller speeds, adjustable mixing vessel positions, and configurable drive mechanisms that can dynamically adapt to different fluid volumes and viscosities. This dynamic adjustability allows the same hardware platform to optimize mixing performance across a wide volume range without physical reconfiguration.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to ensure alignment, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the insertion and removal of the mixing vessel. As the vessel is inserted into the mixer base, the locking mechanism self-activates to secure the alignment, and releases when the vessel is removed. This self-service functionality eliminates the need for manual locking operations while ensuring consistent alignment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the mixing vessel and the mixer base assembly, providing a reliable connection that ensures proper alignment during operation. This intermediate locking component transfers and maintains the positional relationship between the vessel and base without requiring direct mechanical coupling, simplifying the overall design while ensuring reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a levitating magnetic impeller is used, then shear force is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical impeller driven by direct mechanical coupling is replaced with a levitating magnetic impeller that uses magnetic fields to suspend and rotate the impeller without physical contact. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and reduces shear forces on the fluid, while the magnetic field control system maintains precise alignment through electromagnetic actuation rather than mechanical precision requirements.
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 enables efficient mixing of fluids from 20 mL to 10,000 mL with reduced shear force, rapid temperature adjustments, and minimal contamination, supporting a variety of vessel shapes and configurations while ensuring alignment and leak-proof operation.
Implementation Method 1
a levitating magnetic impeller
Implementation Method 2
levitating magnetic impeller
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a bioprocess mixer system, comprising: 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 plurality of side walls, the plurality of side walls comprising a rounded side wall and a flat side wall; (iv) an inlet port arranged in one of the one or more side walls; (v) an outlet port arranged in one of the one or more side walls; (vi) at least one probe port arranged in one of the one or more side walls; and, (vii) a fluid mixing chamber having a bottom wall; (b) an impeller seat arranged in the cavity in the lower end of the body; and, (c) an impeller arranged in the impeller seat; and a mixer drive system comprising: (a) a drive system configured to drive the impeller; and (b) a housing containing the drive system, the housing comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the mixer base assembly into an aligned position when connected to the housing. Also provided herein is a method of mixing a fluid using the system provided herein.