Patent Grant
7481572
The present invention relates generally to vessels in which fluids are agitated and, more particularly, to a vessel or bag including at least one receiver for receiving and holding a fluid-agitating element at a home location.
Most pharmaceutical solutions and suspensions manufactured on an industrial scale require highly controlled, thorough mixing to achieve a satisfactory yield and ensure a uniform distribution of ingredients in the final product. Agitator tanks are frequently used to complete the mixing process, but a better degree of mixing is normally achieved by using a mechanical stirrer or impeller (e.g., a set of mixing blades attached to a metal rod). Typically, the mechanical stirrer or impeller is simply lowered into the fluid through an opening in the top of the vessel and rotated by an external motor to create the desired mixing action.
One significant limitation or shortcoming of such an arrangement is the danger of contamination or leakage during mixing. The rod carrying the mixing blades or impeller is typically introduced into the vessel through a dynamic seal or bearing. This opening provides an opportunity for bacteria or other contaminants to enter, which of course can lead to the degradation of the product. A corresponding danger of environmental contamination exists in applications involving hazardous or toxic fluids, or suspensions of pathogenic organisms, since dynamic seals or bearings are prone to leakage. Cleanup and sterilization are also made difficult by the dynamic bearings or seals, since these structures typically include folds and crevices that are difficult to reach. Since these problems are faced by all manufacturers of sterile solutions, pharmaceuticals, or the like, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has consequently promulgated strict processing requirements for such fluids, and especially those slated for intravenous use.
In an effort to overcome these problems, others have proposed alternative mixing technologies. Perhaps the most common proposal for stirring a fluid under sterile conditions is to use a rotating, permanent magnet bar covered by an inert layer of TEFLON, glass, or the like. The magnetic “stirrer” bar is placed on the bottom of the agitator vessel and rotated by a driving magnet positioned external to the vessel. An example of such an arrangement where the vessel is a flexible bag is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,703 to Nojiri et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Of course, the use of such an externally driven magnetic bar avoids the need for a dynamic bearing, seal or other opening in the vessel to transfer the rotational force from the driving magnet to the stirring magnet. Therefore, a completely enclosed system is provided. This of course prevents leakage and the potential for contamination created by hazardous materials (e.g., cytotoxic agents, solvents with low flash points, blood products, etc.), eases clean up, and allows for the desirable sterile interior environment to be maintained, all of which are considered significant advantages.
Despite the advantages of this type of mixing systems and others where the need for a shaft penetrating into the vessel or dynamic seal is eliminated, a substantial, but heretofore unsolved problem with such systems is the difficulty in coupling a fluid-agitating element with an external motive device providing the rotation and/or levitation force. For example, when a vessel in the form of a flexible bag containing an unconfined fluid-agitating element is positioned in proximity to the motive device, the relative location of the fluid-agitating element is generally unknown. In the case of a small (10 liter or less) transparent bag, it is possible to manipulate the bag relative to the motive device in an effort to ensure that the fluid-agitating element is “picked up” and the desired coupling is formed. However, this is considered inconvenient and time consuming, especially if fluid is already present in the bag. Moreover, in the case where the bag is relatively large (e.g., capable of holding 100 liters or more) or formed of an opaque material (e.g., black), achieving the proper positioning of the fluid-agitating element relative to the external motive device is at a minimum difficult, and in many cases, impossible. In the absence of fortuity, a significant amount of time and effort is required to lift and blindly reposition the bag relative to the motive device, without ever truly knowing that the coupling is properly formed. Also, even if the coupling is initially formed, the fluid-agitating element may become accidentally decoupled or disconnected from the motive device during the mixing operation. In view of the semi-chaotic nature of such an event, the ultimate resting place of the fluid-agitating element is unknown and, in cases where the fluid is opaque (e.g., blood) or cloudy (e.g. cell suspensions), not easily determined. If the coupling ultimately cannot be established in the proper fashion, the desired fluid agitation cannot be achieved in a satisfactory manner, which essentially renders the set up useless. These shortcomings may significantly detract from the attractiveness of such fluid agitation systems from a practical standpoint.
In many past mixing arrangements, a rigid vessel is used with a fluid-agitating element directly supported by a post carrying a roller bearing, with the rotational force being supplied by an external device (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,259 to Rains et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference). While this direct support arrangement prevents the fluid-agitating element from being lost in the event of an accidental decoupling, the use of such post or like structure in a bag for receiving and holding a fluid-agitating element has not been proposed. The primary reason for this is that, in a typical flexible bag, neither the sidewalls nor any other structure is capable of providing the direct support for the fluid-agitating element or a corresponding bearing.
Thus, a need is identified for an improved manner of ensuring that the desired coupling may be reliably achieved between a fluid-agitating element in a vessel such as a bag and an external motive device, such as one supplying the rotational force that causes the element to agitate the fluid, even in large, industrial scale mixing bags or vessels (greater than 100 liters), opaque bags or vessels, or where the fluid to be agitated is not sufficiently clear, and even after an accidental decoupling occurs. The improvement provided by the invention would be easy to implement using existing manufacturing techniques and without significant additional expense. Overall, a substantial gain in efficiency and ease of use would be realized as a result of the improvement, and would greatly expand the potential applications for which advanced mixing systems may be used.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a vessel intended for receiving a fluid and a fluid-agitating element is provided. The vessel comprises a bag capable of receiving and holding the fluid. The bag includes a rigid portion having a first receiver for receiving and holding the fluid-agitating element at a home location when positioned in the vessel.
In one embodiment, the first receiver is a first inwardly-projecting post for positioning in an opening or recess in the fluid-agitating element. The first post may include an oversized portion for capturing the fluid-agitating element. The oversized portion is preferably the head of the first post and is T-shaped, cross-shaped, Y-shaped, L-shaped, spherical, cubic, or otherwise formed having a shape that confines the fluid-agitating element to adjacent the post.
The bag may further include a second receiver projecting outwardly from the bag. The second receiver facilitates aligning the fluid-agitating element with an external structure, such as a motive device for levitating or rotating the fluid-agitating element. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the first receiver is a first, inwardly-projecting post and the second receiver is a second, outwardly-projecting post coaxial with the first inwardly-projecting post.
The first receiver may include a peripheral flange mating with a portion of the bag to create an interface along which a seal is formed. Instead of comprising a post, the first receiver may be cap-shaped and include a cavity facing the interior of the bag. Still another option is for the first receiver to include an generally upstanding peripheral sidewall over which the fluid-agitating element is received and a cavity adapted for receiving a portion of an external structure for rotating the fluid-agitating element. The first receiver may also include a bearing for directly engaging and supporting the fluid-agitating element in a non-levitating fashion.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a vessel intended for use in receiving a fluid and a fluid-agitating element, such as a magnetic impeller, positioned adjacent to an external structure, such as a housing of a motive device for levitating and/or rotating the fluid-agitating element, is disclosed. The vessel comprises a bag capable of receiving and holding the fluid. The bag includes a first inwardly-projecting post for receiving and holding the fluid-agitating element at a home location when positioned in the bag and a receiver adapted for receiving at least a portion of the external structure and aligning the fluid-agitating element relative thereto.
In one embodiment, the body comprises a flexible portion and a rigid portion in which the first post and the receiver are formed. The receiver may take the form of a second outwardly projecting post, with the first and second posts being coaxial. Alternatively, the receiver may be defined by a rigid, cap-shaped portion having a cavity and a peripheral flange connected to the flexible portion, with the cavity facing an interior of the body for receiving the fluid-agitating element when positioned therein. The first inwardly directed post may be positioned at least partially in the cavity of the receiver or may include a bearing for directly supporting the fluid-agitating element.
In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, the combination of a vessel and a fluid-agitating element is disclosed. The vessel comprises a flexible portion and a rigid portion including a receiver for receiving and holding a fluid-agitating element at a home location or expected position within the vessel. The combination may further include a motive device for at least rotating the fluid-agitating element in the vessel. The fluid-agitating element used in the combination may be at least partially magnetic and may also include at least one blade or vane. The vessel may be at least initially hermetically sealed with the fluid-agitating element positioned therein.
In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, the combination of a vessel and a fluid-agitating element is disclosed, with the vessel comprising a first receiver for receiving the fluid-agitating element. The first receiver includes an oversized portion for capturing the fluid-agitating element on the receiver, but the fluid-agitating element is free of direct attachment to the receiver. The vessel may further include a second receiver for receiving a portion of an external structure to assist in aligning the fluid-agitating element relative thereto. The first receiver is preferably a post and the oversized portion is a head end of the post that is T-shaped.
In accordance with a fifth aspect of the invention, a vessel for receiving a fluid and a fluid-agitating element, such as an impeller, is disclosed. The vessel comprises a bag capable of receiving and holding the fluid and a rigid receiver connected to the bag. The receiver receives and holds the fluid-agitating element at a home location when positioned in the bag.
In one embodiment, the rigid receiver is cap-shaped and includes a peripheral flange connected to the bag to form a seal. Alternatively, the rigid receiver is positioned in contact with an interior surface of the bag. Still another alternative is to position the rigid receiver in contact with an exterior surface of the bag.
In accordance with a sixth aspect of the invention, a system for agitating a fluid is disclosed. The system comprises a fluid-agitating element and a vessel for receiving the fluid, the vessel including a flexible portion and a rigid portion. The rigid portion includes a receiver for receiving and holding the fluid-agitating element at a home location in the vessel. A motive device for at least rotating the fluid-agitating element may also form part of the system.
In one embodiment, the motive device also levitates the fluid-agitating element in the vessel. The fluid-agitating element is at least partially magnetic or ferromagnetic and the motive device includes a rotating drive magnet structure for forming a magnetic coupling with the fluid-agitating element, an electromagnetic structure for rotating and levitating the fluid-agitating element, or a superconducting element for both levitating and rotating the fluid-agitating element.
In accordance with a seventh aspect of the invention, a method of positioning a fluid-agitating element in a bag intended for receiving a fluid in need of agitation is disclosed. The method comprises the step of providing the bag with a rigid portion including a receiver for receiving and holding the fluid-agitating element at a home location when positioned in the bag. Preferably, the receiver includes a post projecting toward an interior of the bag, the fluid-agitating element includes an opening, and the providing step comprises inserting the post through the opening. Alternatively, the receiver may include a peripheral sidewall and a cavity facing an interior of the bag, in which case the providing step comprises positioning the fluid-agitating element in the cavity. Still another alternative is for the receiver to include a peripheral sidewall and a cavity facing an exterior of the bag, in which case the fluid agitating element includes an opening or recess and the providing step comprises positioning the peripheral sidewall of the receiver in the opening or recess.
In accordance with a seventh aspect of the invention, a method of agitating a fluid is disclosed. The method comprises providing a bag with a receiver for receiving and holding a fluid-agitating element at a home location within the bag, placing a fluid in the bag, and rotating the fluid-agitating element. In one embodiment, the bag comprises a flexible portion and a rigid portion including the receiver, and the providing step includes connecting the rigid portion to the flexible portion. The step of placing a fluid in the bag is completed after the fluid-agitating element is received in the receiver. The fluid-agitating element may be at least partially magnetic or ferromagnetic, and the step of rotating may include forming a non-contact coupling with a motive device external to the bag. The providing step may include providing a bearing on the receiver for directly engaging and supporting the fluid-agitating element. The method may further include the steps of folding the bag for storage or shipping with the fluid-agitating element in the receiver and unfolding the bag before the placing step, or hermetically sealing the bag after the providing step. The placing step may also comprise introducing the fluid through a sterile fitting provided in the bag.
a is a partially schematic, partially cross-sectional, enlarged cutaway side view of the rigid portion of the vessel in the embodiment of
b is a partially schematic, partially cross-sectional, enlarged cutaway side view of the fluid-agitating element in the embodiment of
c is an enlarged partially cutaway side view showing one possible manner of attaching a first receiver in the form of a post to the rigid portion of the vessel;
a is partially schematic, partially cross-sectional side view showing another embodiment of the vessel, including a hat or cap-shaped rigid portion having a cavity facing inwardly,
b is a side view similar to
a is partially schematic, partially cross-sectional side view showing another embodiment of the vessel, including a hat or cap-shaped rigid portion having a cavity facing outwardly;
b is a side view similar to
a, 5b, 6a, 6b, and 7a, 7b are each partially schematic, partially cross-sectional side views of a vessel with a rigid portion for aligning a fluid-agitating element with a external structure, wherein the fluid-agitating element is directly supported by a slide bearing;
a and 8b are enlarged, partially cross-sectional, partially cutaway side views of yet another embodiment of the vessel of the present invention;
a and 9b are cutaway bottom views of the vessel of
a and 10b are cutaway bottom views of the vessel of
a and 11b are cutaway bottom views of the vessel of
a and 13b are cutaway bottom views of the vessel of
a is a bottom view of the vessel of
a and 16b are enlarged, cross-sectional cutaway side views showing two different ways in which the rigid receiver may be connected to the bag forming the vessel.
Reference is now made to
The bag 10 may be hermetically sealed and may have one or more openings or fittings (not shown) for introducing or recovering a fluid. Alternatively, the bag 10 may be unsealed or open-ended. The particular geometry of the bag 10 employed normally depends on the application and is not considered critical to the invention. For example, in the case of a sterile fluid, a hermetically sealed, pre-sterilized bag with an aseptic fitting might be desirable; whereas, in the case where sterility is not important, an open-ended or unsealed bag might be suitable. The main important point is that the bag 10 is capable of receiving and at least temporarily holding a fluid (which is used herein to denote any substance capable of flowing, as may include liquids, liquid suspensions, gases, gaseous suspensions, or the like, without limitation).
The rigid portion 14 includes a first receiver 16 for receiving and holding a fluid-agitating element 18 at a home location (or expected position), when positioned in the bag 10. It is noted that “holding” as used herein defines both the case where the fluid-agitating element 18 is directly held and supported by the first receiver 16 (see below) against any significant side-to-side movement (save tolerances), as well as where the first receiver 16 merely limits the fluid-agitating element to a certain degree of side-to-side movement within the bag 10. In this embodiment, an opening 18a is provided in the fluid-agitating element 18 and the first receiver 16 is a post 20 projecting toward the interior of the bag 10 (see
The flexible portion 12 of the bag 10 may be made of thin (e.g., having a thickness of between 0.1 and 0.2 millimeters) polyethylene film. The film is preferably clear or translucent, although the use of opaque or colored films is also possible. The rigid portion 14 including the post 20 may be formed of plastic materials, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), ultrahigh molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene, or like materials. Of course, these materials do have some inherent flexibility when used to form relatively thin components or when a moderate amount of bending force is applied thereto. Despite this flexibility, the rigid portion 14 is distinguished from the flexible portion 12, in that it generally maintains its shape under the weight of any fluid introduced in the bag 10.
Optionally, the post 20 may include a portion 20a for capturing the fluid-agitating element 18 and assisting in holding it thereon. The portion 20a is preferably oversized and forms the head or end of the post 20. By “oversized,” it is meant that at least one dimension (length, width, diameter) of this portion 20a of the post 20 is greater than the corresponding dimension of the opening 18a in the fluid-agitating element 18. For example, the portion 20a is shown in
Alternatively, this portion 20a of the post 20 need not be oversized, as defined above, but instead may simply be sufficiently close in size to that of the opening 18a such that the fluid-agitating element 18 must be precisely aligned and register with the post 20 in order to be received or removed. In any case, it is again important to note that the fluid-agitating element 18 is held in place in the vicinity of the post 20, but remains free of direct attachment. In other words, while the first receiver 16 (post 20) confines or holds the fluid-agitating element 18 at a home location or expected position within the bag 10, it is still free to move side-to-side to some degree (which in this case is defined by the size of the opening 18a), and to move along the first receiver 16 in the axial direction (vertical, in the embodiment shown in
As perhaps best shown in
As should be appreciated, the bag 10 shown in
When ready for use, the bag 10 is then unfolded. It may then be placed in a rigid or semi-rigid support structure, such as a container C, partially open along at least one end such that at least the rigid portion 14 remains exposed (see
An external motive device 24 is then used to cause the fluid-agitating element 18 (which is at least partially magnetic or ferromagnetic) to at least rotate to agitate any fluid F in the bag 10. In the embodiment of
The fluid-agitating element 18 is also depicted as including a plurality of vanes or blades B to improve the degree of fluid agitation. If present, the vanes or blades B preferably project in a direction opposite the corresponding surface of the rigid portion 14. The particular number, type, and form of the vanes or blades B is not considered important, as long as the desired degree of fluid agitation for the particular application is provided. Indeed, in applications where only gentle agitation is required, such as to prevent damage to delicate suspensions or to merely prevent stagnation of the fluid F in the bag 10, the vanes or blades B need not be provided, as a rotating smooth-walled annular element 18 still provides some degree of agitation.
As explained above, it may in some situations be important to not only know the general location or position of the fluid-agitating element 18 within the bag 10, but also to assure its position relative to the motive device 24. To do so, and in accordance with a second aspect of the invention, the rigid portion 14 may be provided with a second receiver 26 to facilitate the correct positioning of the motive device 24 relative to the fluid-agitating element 18 when held at the home location. In the embodiment shown in
Preferably, the second receiver 26, such as second post 28, has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the shape of the opening 24a. For example, the second post 28 maybe square in cross-section for fitting in a correspondingly-shaped opening 24a or locator bore. Likewise, the second post 28 could have a triangular cross-sectional shape, in which case the opening 28 would be triangular. Myriad other shapes could also be used, as long as the shape of the second receiver 26 compliments that of the opening 24a such that it may be freely received therein. In this regard, it is noted that a system of matching receivers and openings may be used to ensure that the fluid-agitating element 18 in the bag 10 corresponds to a particular motive device 24. For example, in the case where the fluid-agitating element 18 includes a particular arrangement of magnets producing a magnetic field that corresponds to a particular superconducting element or drive structure, the second receiver 26 maybe provided with a certain shape that corresponds only to the opening 24 in the motive device 24 having that type of superconducting element or drive structure. A similar result could also be achieved using the relative sizes of the second receiver 26 and the opening 24a, as well as by making the size of the opening 18a in the fluid-agitating element 18 such that it only fits on a first receiver 16 having a smaller width or diameter, and then making the second receiver 26 correspond only to an opening 24a in a motive device 24 corresponding to that fluid-agitating element 18.
In many past arrangements where a rigid vessel is used with a fluid-agitating element directly supported by a bearing, an external structure is provided to which a motive device could be directly or indirectly attached and held in a suspended fashion (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,259 to Rains et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference). This structure serves to automatically align the motive device with the fluid-agitating element supported therein. However, a bag 10 per se is generally incapable of providing reliable support for the motive device 24, which can weigh as much as twenty kilograms. Thus, the motive device 24 in the embodiments disclosed herein for use with a vessel in the form of a bag 10 is generally supported from a stable support structure (not shown), such as the floor, a wheeled, height adjustable platform, or the like. Since there is thus no direct attachment with the bag 10, the function performed by the second receiver 26 in aligning this device with the fluid-agitating element 18 may be an important one in situations where such alignment is desired.
Another embodiment of the vessel forming one aspect of the present invention is shown in
Thus, in the manner similar to that described above with respect to the first embodiment, the fluid-agitating element 18 may be positioned in the first receiver 16 in the bag 10. The bag 10 may then be sealed, folded for storage or shipping, stored or shipped, and ultimately unfolded for use. The folding is preferably completed such that the fluid-agitating element 18 is captured in the cavity 30 and remains held in place during shipping by an adjacent portion of the bag 10. Consequently, upon unfolding the bag 10, the fluid-agitating element 18 is at the expected or home location, but remains free of direct attachment and ready to be rotated (and possibly levitated). If levitated, the levitation height established by the superconducting bearing or hydrodynamic bearing is preferably such that at least a portion of the body 18b of the fluid-agitating element 18 remains within the confines of the cavity 30. This helps to assure that the fluid-agitating element 18 remains held at the home location (that is, in the vicinity of the first receiver 16), even in the case of accidental decoupling from the motive device 24. In other words, in the event of an accidental decoupling, the fluid-agitating element 18 will engage the sidewall of the cavity 30 and simply come to rest therein, which defines the home location. This not only improves the chance of an automatic recoupling, but also makes the task of manually reforming the coupling an easy one.
An option to assure that a magnetic fluid-agitating element 18 remains associated with the first receiver 16, even if inverted, is to attach an attractive structure, such as a magnet 32 (shown in phantom in
Yet another option is to provide a frangible adhesive on the fluid-agitating element 18 to hold it in place temporarily in the first receiver 16 prior to use. The strength of any adhesive used is preferably such that the bond is easily broken when the fluid-agitating element 18 is levitated in the first receiver 16. Of course, the use of such an adhesive might not be possible in situations where strict regulations govern the purity of the fluid being mixed.
With reference to
a and 4b show an embodiment similar in some respects to the one shown in
Additionally, the outwardly-facing cavity 30 is adapted to serve as the second receiver 26 for receiving a portion of a motive device 24 used to levitate and rotate the fluid-agitating element 18 and serving to align the two. Specifically, the motive device 24 may include a head end 24d adapted for insertion in the cavity 30 to form the desired coupling with the fluid-agitating element 18 positioned adjacent thereto. As with the embodiments described above, the spacing between the head end 24d and at least the sidewall 34 is preferably minimized to maximize the strength of the coupling between the motive device 24 and the fluid-agitating element 18. Moreover, in view of the rigid nature of the rigid portion 14, the end face 24b of the head end 24d may rest against and assist in supporting the bag 10 (which, as described above, maybe positioned in a separate, semi-rigid container (not shown)).
In each of the above-referenced embodiments, the possible use of a levitating fluid-agitating element 18 with a superconducting bearing or a hydrodynamic bearing is described. In such systems, a real possibility exists that the fluid-agitating element 18 might accidentally decouple or disconnect from the motive device 24, such as if the fluid is viscous or the amount of torque transmitted exceeds the strength of the coupling. In a conventional bag, the process of reestablishing the coupling is extraordinarily difficult, since the location of the fluid-agitating element 18 within the bag 10 is unknown. In a sterile environment, opening the bag 10 and using an implement to reposition or “fish” out the fluid-agitating element 18 is simply not an option. Thus, an added advantage of the use of the first receiver 16 in each of the above-referenced embodiments is that, despite being free from direct attachment, it still serves the function of holding the fluid-agitating element 18 at the home location in instances where accidental decoupling occurs. This significantly reduces the downtime associated with such an event, since the general position of the fluid-agitating element 18 is known. The use of a first receiver in the bag 10 also improves the chances of automatic recoupling, since the fluid-agitating element 18 remains generally centered relative to the motive device 14 and held generally at the home location, even when decoupling occurs.
A related advantage is provided by forming the first receiver 16 in or on a rigid portion 14 of the bag 10. Specifically, in the case where a fluid-agitating element rests on a surface of a bag, the contact over time could result in damage and could even lead to an accidental perforation, which is deleterious for obvious reasons. The possibility for such damage or perforation also exists when a levitating fluid-agitating element 18 accidentally decouples. Advantageously, the potential for such damage or perforation is substantially eliminated in the foregoing embodiments, since the first receiver 16 helps to keep the fluid-agitating element 18 adjacent to the flange 22 of the rigid portion 14, which is generally thicker and less susceptible to being damaged or perforated. In other words, if the fluid-agitating element 18 becomes decoupled, it only engages or contacts the rigid portion 14 of the bag 10. Thus, it is preferable for the flange 22 to be oversized relative to the fluid-agitating element 18
While the embodiments of
Up to this point, the focus has been on a fluid-agitating element 18 capable of levitating in the vessel. However, as briefly noted above, the inventions described herein may also be applied to a bag 10 in combination with a fluid-agitating element 18 directly supported by one or more bearings. For example, as shown in
In view of the direct nature of the support, the material forming the slide bearing 40 is preferably highly wear-resistant with good tribological characteristics. The use of a slide bearing 40 is preferred in applications where the bag 10 is disposable and is merely discarded, since it is less expensive than a corresponding type of mechanical roller bearing (and is actually preferred even in the case where the bag 10 is reused, since it is easier to clean). However, it is within the broadest aspects of the invention to provide the first receiver 16 with a conventional roller bearing for providing direct, low-friction, rolling support for the rotating fluid-agitating element 18, although this increases the manufacturing expense and may not be acceptable in certain applications.
The rigid portion 14 of the bag 10 in this embodiment may further include a second receiver 26 in the form of a second post 28 coextensive and coaxial with the first post 20. The second post 28 is received in an opening 24a formed in an end face 24b of a motive device 24. In view of the direct support provided for the fluid-agitating element 18 by the bearing 40, the motive device 24 in this case includes only a drive structure DS (shown in phantom in
a and 6b show an embodiment of the bag 10 in which the first receiver 16 is in the form of a cavity 30 formed in the rigid portion 14 and facing inwardly. A bearing 40 is provided in the cavity 30 for providing direct support for a fluid-agitating element 18 positioned therein. As with the embodiment described immediately above, the bearing 40 may be a slide bearing adapted for insertion in the opening 18a of the fluid-agitating element 18 formed on the head end of a post 42. The post 42 may be supported by or unitarily formed with the end wall 36. Despite the depiction of a slide bearing 40, it is reiterated that the particular type of bearing used is not considered critical, as long as rotational support is provided for the fluid-agitating element 18 and the other needs of the particular fluid-agitating operation are met (e.g., low friction, reduced expense, easy clean-up, etc.).
The body 18b of the fluid-agitating element 18, which is at least partially magnetic or ferromagnetic, is sized to fit within the sidewall 34 defining the cavity 30 and, thus, is capable of rotating therein as the result of an externally-applied, non-contact motive force. The periphery of the sidewall 34 also defines a second receiver 26 for receiving a corresponding opening 24a in a motive device 24, which in view of the direct support provided by bearing 40 need only provide the force necessary to rotate the fluid-agitating element 18 in a non-contact fashion.
As should be appreciated, the embodiment shown in
The motive device 24 includes a head end 24d adapted for insertion in a second receiver 26 defined by the cavity 30. This head end 24d preferably includes the drive structure DS that provides the force for causing the at least partially magnetic or ferromagnetic fluid-agitating element 18 to rotate about bearing 40. In
Various other modifications may be made based on the foregoing teachings. For example,
In this particular embodiment, the post 120 is shown as being defined by an elongated, rigid or semi-rigid, rod-like structure inserted through an opening typically found in the flexible plastic bags frequently used in the bioprocessing industry (pharmaceuticals, food products, cell cultures, etc.), such as a rigid or semi-rigid fitting or nipple 134. Despite the general rigidity of the post 120, the oversized portion 120a, which is shown as being T-shaped in cross-section, is preferably sufficiently thin and/or formed of a material that may flex or deform to easily pass through the opening in the nipple 134, as well as through the opening 118a in the fluid-agitating element 118. A conventional clamp 136, such as a cable tie, may be used to form a fluid-impervious seal between the nipple 134 and the post 120. Any other nipples or fittings present may be used for introducing the fluid F prior to mixing, retrieving a fluid during mixing or after mixing is complete, or circulating the fluid. Advantageously, the use of the rod/nipple combination allows for easy retrofitting. The oversized head portion 120a may be cross-shaped, L-shaped, Y-shaped, spherical, cubic, or may have any other shape, as long as the corresponding function of capturing the fluid-agitating element 118 is provided. The head portion 120a maybe integrally formed, or maybe provided as a separate component clamped or fastened to the post 120.
In accordance with another aspect of this embodiment of the invention, the bag 110 may also include a second receiver 126 that helps to ensure that proper alignment is achieved between the fluid-agitating element 118 and an adjacent structure, such as a support structure or a device for rotating and/or levitating the element. In the embodiment of
a also shows the post 120 forming the first receiver 116 as projecting upwardly from a bottom wall of the vessel 110, but as should be appreciated, it could extend from any wall or other portion thereof. For example, as illustrated in
Other possible embodiments are shown in
Another embodiment is shown in
In the embodiment of
Yet another embodiment is shown in
Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, instead of forming the rigid portion 14 as part of the bag 10 by forming a seal at an interface between the two, it could also be positioned in contact to an inner or outer surface of the bag and attached using vacuum-forming techniques, adhesives, or the like. For example, in the cap-shaped embodiment of
The foregoing descriptions of various embodiments of the present inventions have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. These descriptions are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. The embodiments described provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/326,833, filed Oct. 3, 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US02/31478 | 10/2/2002 | WO | 00 | 4/1/2004 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO03/028869 | 4/10/2003 | WO | A |
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| 20050002274 A1 | Jan 2005 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 60326833 | Oct 2001 | US |
