# US 11,999,930 B2 · Fluid mixing systems with adjustable mixing element

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- Number: US 11,999,930 B2
- Document ID: US11999930B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/336,338
- Filed: 2023-06-16
- Published: 2023-10-19
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2011-10-25
- Assignees: Life Technologies Corporation
- Applicants: Life Technologies Corporation
- Inventors: Michael E. Goodwin; Nephi D. Jones
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11999930B2

## CPC

- C12M 23/14: {Bags}
- B01F 27/071: {Fixing of the stirrer to the shaft}
- B01F 27/113: Propeller-shaped stirrers for producing an axial flow, e.g. shaped like a ship or aircraft propeller
- B01F 27/2121: composed of interconnected parts
- B01F 27/213: characterised by the connection with the drive
- B01F 27/2312: {the position of the rotating shaft being adjustable in the interior of the receptacle, e.g. to locate the stirrer in different locations during the mixing}
- B01F 27/61: about an inclined axis
- B01F 33/86: {Mixing heads comprising a driven stirrer}
- B01F 35/2209: {Controlling the mixing process as a whole, i.e. involving a complete monitoring and controlling of the mixing process during the whole mixing cycle}
- B01F 35/513: Flexible receptacles, e.g. bags supported by rigid containers
- C12M 23/26: {flexible (flexible containers for laboratory use B01L3/505)}
- C12M 23/48: {Holding appliances; Racks; Supports (holding devices for laboratory apparatus B01L9/00)}
- C12M 23/52: {Mobile; Means for transporting the apparatus (transportable laboratories B01L1/52)}
- C12M 27/02: {Stirrer or mobile mixing elements}
- C12M 27/06: {with horizontal or inclined stirrer shaft or axis}
- C12M 41/00: {Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation (controlling or regulating chemical, physical or physicochemical processes B01J19/0006; heating or cooling apparatus for laboratory use B01L7/00; electro optical investigation of individual particles, flow cytometers G01N15/14; automatic analysis G01N35/00; controlling or regulating in general G06N)}
- B01F 35/715: {Feeding the components in several steps, e.g. successive steps}
- C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS}
- B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06)

## Abstract

A fluid mixing system includes a support housing having an interior surface bounding a chamber. A flexible bag is disposed within the chamber of the support housing, the flexible bag having an interior surface bounding a compartment. An impeller is disposed within the chamber of the flexible bag. A drive shaft is coupled with the impeller such that rotation of the drive shaft facilitates rotation of the impeller. A drive motor assembly is coupled with the draft shaft and is adapted to rotate the drive shaft. An adjustable arm assembly is coupled with the drive motor assembly and is adapted to move the drive motor assembly which in turn moves the position of the drive shaft and impeller. An electrical controller can control movement of the adjustable arm.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fluid mixing system comprising:
a support housing having an interior surface bounding a chamber;
an impeller disposed within the chamber; a drive shaft coupled with the impeller such that rotation of the drive shaft facilitates rotation of the impeller;
a drive motor assembly coupled with the drive shaft and being adapted to rotate the drive shaft;
an adjustable arm assembly mounted on the support housing and coupled with the drive motor assembly for providing three-dimensional movement to the impeller, the arm assembly comprising:
a lower base coupled to the support housing, an upper base mounted on the lower base by a first swivel joint for rotation around a first axis, and
a first arm having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the first arm coupled to the upper base by a second swivel joint for rotation around a second axis, the second axis being orthogonal to the first axis.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a second arm having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the second arm rotatably mounted to the second end of the first arm by a third swivel joint for rotation around a third axis, the third axis being parallel to the second axis.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 2, further comprising a fourth swivel joint interposed between the second end of the second arm and the drive motor assembly for rotation around a fourth axis, the fourth axis being parallel to the second axis.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 3, further comprising a fifth swivel joint coupled to the second arm for rotation of the drive motor assembly around a fifth axis, the fifth axis being orthogonal to the second, third, and fourth axes.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 4, further comprising one or more motors to drive the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth swivel joints through a pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 2, wherein the second arm is a telescopic arm configured to lengthen or contract selectively.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 1, wherein a movement of the adjustable arm assembly is controlled by an electrical controller.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 7, further comprising means for sensing a fluid volume or change in fluid volume within the chamber, the electrical controller being in electrical communication with the means for sensing.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 7, wherein the electrical controller is programmable.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 7, wherein the electrical controller is programmed to automatically adjust a position, tilt, or movement pattern of the impeller based on one or more fluid properties of a fluid within the chamber.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a flexible bag at least partially disposed within the chamber of the support housing, a rotational assembly mounted to the flexible bag, the rotational assembly comprising:
a casing secured to the flexible bag;
a hub rotatably mounted to the casing, the hub having a passageway extending therethrough, the drive shaft extending through the passageway of the hub; and
an elongated tubular connector extending between the hub and the impeller, the drive shaft being disposed within the tubular connector.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 11, further comprising a compartment bounded by an interior surface of the flexible bag, the interior compartment of the flexible bag being closed and sterile.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 11, wherein the flexible bag comprises an open top liner.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 11, further comprising a dynamic seal formed directly between the drive shaft and the flexible bag.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The fluid mixing system as recited in claim 12, further comprising a fluid disposed within the compartment of the flexible bag, the fluid comprising media and cells or microorganisms.