Life Technologies Corporation

Hyclone Laboratories, Inc.

Baxter International Inc.

Baxter Healthcare Sa

Whitt F Woods

Jacob D Lee

Nephi D Jones

Michael E Goodwin

Brandon M Knudsen

Patrick L Draper

Jeremy K Larsen

Steven R Kjar

Derik Remmelle West

Arnold C Bilstad

David V Bacehowski

T Michael Dennehey

Mark A Hayes

Bradley H Buchanan

Robert V Oakley

Kurt T Kunas

Fauad F Hasan

Paul Thacker

Jeffery C Hurd

Paul T Thacker

Robert Oakley

Kurt Thomas Kunas

A method for mixing a fluid includes: dispensing a first volume of a fluid into a flexible container, the flexible container being at least partially disposed within the chamber of a support housing; repeatedly moving the support housing and the flexible container contained therein so as to mix the first volume of fluid within the flexible container; adding further fluid into the flexible container after moving the support housing to form a second volume of fluid; and manipulating a mixing element within the flexible container so as to mix the second volume of fluid.

Methods for fluid mixing systems with tiltable support housing

A method for processing a fluid includes removably securing a retention member to a vessel that bounds a chamber; inserting a collapsible bag within the chamber of the vessel; securing the bag to the retention member so that the bag is supported within the chamber of the vessel; and dispensing a fluid into a compartment of the collapsible bag supported within the chamber of the vessel. The fluid can be mixed within bag while the bag is disposed within the vessel.

Methods and apparatus for processing fluids

A fluid heating system includes a tank assembly having an interior surface bounding a chamber, the tank assembly including a sidewall encircling the chamber and extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the first end bounding an opening to the chamber, and a lid movable between a first position wherein the opening to the chamber is exposed and a second position wherein the lid is disposed over the opening. A collapsible bag is removably disposed within the chamber of the tank assembly, the collapsible bag bounding a compartment adapted to hold a fluid. A mechanism is provided for controlling the temperature of fluid within the collapsible bag when the collapsible bag is positioned within chamber of the tank assembly.

Systems for inactivating fluid cultures through heating

A fluid mixing system that can be used as a bioreactor or fermentor can include a stand and a support housing pivotably mounted to the stand. The support housing bounds a chamber into which a container assembly is removably disposed. The container assembly includes a flexible bag bounding a compartment adapted to hold a fluid and a mixing element disposed within the compartment. The support housing can be tilted relative to the stand for ease in insertion of the container assembly. The support housing can also be repeatedly rocked relative to the stand form mixing fluid within the container assembly.

Fluid mixing system with tiltable support housing

A mixing system includes a housing having a motor mount rotatably coupled thereto, the motor mount having a passage extending therethrough. A drive shaft is removably positioned within the passage of the motor mount. A cap includes a main body removably coupled to the motor mount and an actuator coupled to the main body so as to be pivotable between a first position and a second position with respect to the main body. The actuator producing a camming action when the actuator is pivoted such that when the actuator is in the first position, the actuator pushes the drive shaft against the motor mount so that the main body is locked to the motor mount and so that rotation of the motor mount causes rotation of the drive shaft and when the actuator is in the second position, the actuator is disengaged from the drive shaft and the cap is removable from the motor mount.

Drive shaft locking cap and related mixing system and method

A method for locking out load cells includes dispensing a fluid into a collapsible bag that is supported within a support housing, the support housing resting on a plurality of load cells that sense the weight of the fluid; manipulating a plurality of lockouts located adjacent to corresponding load cells from a first position to a second position so that the lockouts remove at least a portion of the weight of the fluid from the plurality of load cells; moving the support housing containing the collapsible bag with the fluid therein to a new location; and further manipulating the plurality of lockouts from the second position back to the first position so that the plurality of load cells again sense the full weight of the fluid within the collapsible bag.

Load cell overload protection by a relieving mechanism for fluid dispensing systems

A method for mixing includes releasably coupling a first container station to a docking station, the first container station having a shipping vessel bounding a compartment, the docking station having a stand and a drive motor assembly adjustably mounted to the stand. The vertical or horizontal position of the drive motor assembly is adjusted relative to the stand so that the drive motor assembly is in a first position. A drive shaft is advanced through the drive motor assembly and into a chamber of a first collapsible bag disposed within the compartment of the shipping vessel. The drive motor assembly is activated so that the mixer rotates the drive shaft causing mixing of the fluid within the first collapsible bag.

Methods and apparatus for mixing and shipping fluids

A fluid heating system includes a tank assembly having an interior surface bounding a chamber, the tank assembly having: a sidewall encircling the chamber and extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the first end bounding an opening to the chamber; and a lid movable between a first position wherein the opening to the chamber is exposed and a second position wherein the lid is disposed over the opening. A collapsible bag is removably disposed within the chamber of the tank assembly, the collapsible bag bounding a compartment adapted to hold a fluid. Systems are provided for controlling the temperature of fluid within the collapsible bag when the collapsible bag is positioned within chamber of the tank assembly. A mixing element is disposed within the compartment of the collapsible bag.

A method for inactivating a fluid culture includes inserting a collapsible bag within a chamber of a tank assembly. A fluid is dispensed into a compartment of the collapsible bag, the fluid including a culture containing live cells or microorganisms. A lid is positioned over an opening of the tank assembly so that the collapsible bag is substantially enclosed within the tank assembly. The fluid within the collapsible bag is heated to an inactivation temperature that is sufficiently high to kill all of the live cells or microorganisms within the fluid. In one embodiment, the fluid within the flexible bag is mixed while the fluid is being heated to the inactivation temperature.

Methods for inactivating fluid cultures through heating

A system for forming a fluid connection includes a first connector and a second connector. Both connectors include a tubular body having a membrane mounted on a distal end thereof. A support member facilitates the coupling of the connectors together so that the membranes are abutted together. Radiant energy is applied to the abutted membranes so as to first sterilize the membranes and then melt the membranes so that a passage is formed therethrough.

Sterile connector systems

A quick coupling for a shaft includes a male coupling having a locking portion with a locking groove formed thereon. A female coupling includes a female body having an interior surface bounding a socket. A tapered port is formed on the female body and extending from the exterior surface to the interior surface thereof. The locking portion of the male coupling is received within the socket so that the tapered port is aligned with the locking groove. A ball bearing is disposed within the tapered port so that a portion of the ball bearing can project into the socket and into the locking groove. A locking sleeve is slidably mounted along the female body so as to cover and interact with the ball bearing.

Quick coupling for drive shaft

A fluid heating system includes a tank assembly having an interior surface bounding a chamber, the tank assembly including a sidewall and a lid. A collapsible bag is removably disposed within the chamber of the tank assembly, the collapsible bag bounding a compartment adapted to hold a fluid. A boiler can be used for pumping heated fluid through the wall of the tank assembly for heating the fluid within the collapsible bag. An impeller is disposed within the compartment of the collapsible bag. An elongated drive shaft is removably coupled with the impeller such that rotation of the drive shaft facilitates rotation of the impeller within the compartment of the collapsible bag. A drive motor assembly is coupled with the drive shaft, the drive motor assembly being adapted to rotate the drive shaft when the lid is in an open or closed position.

Methods and systems for heating and mixing fluids

A mixing system includes a housing and a motor mount disposed on the housing and having a passage extending therethrough. A dive motor is coupled with the motor mount for selectively rotating the motor mount relative to the housing. A rotational assembly includes a hub having a passageway extending therethrough and a casing at least partially encircling the hub, the hub being rotatable to the casing. The rotational assembly is removably coupled to the housing so that the passageway of the hub aligns with the passage of the motor mount.

Growing community of inventors

North Ogden, UT, United States of America

Whitt F Woods