B01F2215/0459

BIFURCATING MIXERS AND METHODS OF THEIR USE AND MANUFACTURE

Disclosed herein are fluidic mixers having bifurcated fluidic flow through toroidal mixing elements. The mixers operate, at least partially, by Dean vortexing. Accordingly, the mixers are referred to as Dean Vortex Bifurcating Mixers (DVBM). The DVBM utilize Dean vortexing and asymmetric bifurcation of the fluidic channels that form the mixers to achieve the goal of optimized microfluidic mixing. The disclosed DVBM mixers can be incorporated into any fluidic (e.g., microfluidic) device known to those of skill in the art where mixing two or more fluids is desired. The disclosed mixers can be combined with any fluidic elements known to those of skill in the art, including syringes, pumps, inlets, outlets, non-DVBM mixers, heaters, assays, detectors, and the like.

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING FLUID ACCURACY AND BACKFLOW COMPENSATION

A method for controlling fluid ratio accuracy during a dual flow injection with a powered injection system is described. The method includes predicting a first capacitance volume of a first syringe comprising a first medical fluid and a second capacitance volume of a second syringe comprising a second medical fluid with a first capacitance correction factor and a second capacitance correction factor, respectively, selecting a ratio of the first medical fluid and the second medical fluid to be administered to a patient in the dual flow injection, determining a relative acceleration ratio of a first piston of the first syringe and a second piston of a second syringe based on the predicted first capacitance volume and the predicted second capacitance volume, wherein the relative acceleration ratio is selected to maintain the selected ratio of the first medical fluid and the second medical fluid during the dual flow injection, and injecting a mixture of a first medical fluid and a second medical fluid having the selected ratio with the powered injection system.

Machine and process for providing a pressurized liquid stream with dissolved gas

A machine and process for providing a gas liquid mixture are described. The process can include providing a pressurized fluid stream; and subjecting the fluid stream to a series of alternating flow regions that include a plurality of laminar flow regions and turbulent flow regions. The machine can include a flow path from a pressure vessel to an ejection point, where the flow path includes a plurality of alternating flow characteristic regions.

Bifurcating mixers and methods of their use and manufacture

Disclosed herein are fluidic mixers having bifurcated fluidic flow through toroidal mixing elements. The mixers operate, at least partially, by Dean vortexing. Accordingly, the mixers are referred to as Dean Vortex Bifurcating Mixers (DVBM). The DVBM utilize Dean vortexing and asymmetric bifurcation of the fluidic channels that form the mixers to achieve the goal of optimized microfluidic mixing. The disclosed DVBM mixers can be incorporated into any fluidic (e.g., microfluidic) device known to those of skill in the art where mixing two or more fluids is desired. The disclosed mixers can be combined with any fluidic elements known to those of skill in the art, including syringes, pumps, inlets, outlets, non-DVBM mixers, heaters, assays, detectors, and the like.

HIGH EFFICIENCY, NON-RAGGING, FORMED AXIAL IMPELLER

An axial impeller has blades formed from sheet metal blanks that are configured from taking a desired impeller blade and mathematically unwinding the blade to its flat counterpart. Preferably, the impeller blade is formed from a single rolling operation. The result of a thin, elongate blade, preferably having a trailing edge that defines a helix with rearwardly skewed, forwardly raked blades, provides an efficient impeller having good anti-ragging properties.

Fluid path set with turbulent mixing chamber, back flow compensator

A fluid path set includes a first fluid line having a proximal end fluidly connectable to a source of a first fluid and a second fluid line having a proximal end fluidly connectable to a source of a second fluid. A flow mixing device is in fluid communication with distal ends of the first and second fluid lines. The flow mixing device includes a housing, a first fluid port provided for receiving the first fluid, and a second fluid port for receiving the second fluid. A mixing chamber is disposed within the housing and is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid ports. A third fluid port in fluid communication with the mixing chamber for discharging a mixed solution of the first and second fluids. A turbulent flow inducing member is disposed within the mixing chamber for promoting turbulent mixing of the first and second fluids.

High efficiency, non-ragging, formed axial impeller

An axial impeller has blades formed from sheet metal blanks that are configured from taking a desired impeller blade and mathematically unwinding the blade to its flat counterpart. Preferably, the impeller blade is formed from a single rolling operation. The result of a thin, elongate blade, preferably having a trailing edge that defines a helix with rearwardly skewed, forwardly raked blades, provides an efficient impeller having good anti-ragging properties.

BIFURCATING MIXERS AND METHODS OF THEIR USE AND MANUFACTURE

Disclosed herein are fluidic mixers having bifurcated fluidic flow through toroidal mixing elements. The mixers operate, at least partially, by Dean vortexing. Accordingly, the mixers are referred to as Dean Vortex Bifurcating Mixers (DVBM). The DVBM utilize Dean vortexing and asymmetric bifurcation of the fluidic channels that form the mixers to achieve the goal of optimized microfluidic mixing. The disclosed DVBM mixers can be incorporated into any fluidic (e.g., microfluidic) device known to those of skill in the art where mixing two or more fluids is desired. The disclosed mixers can be combined with any fluidic elements known to those of skill in the art, including syringes, pumps, inlets, outlets, non-DVBM mixers, heaters, assays, detectors, and the like.

MULTIPLE EMULSIONS CREATED USING JETTING AND OTHER TECHNIQUES

The present invention generally relates to emulsions, and more particularly, to multiple emulsions. In one aspect, multiple emulsions are formed by urging a fluid into a channel, e.g., by causing the fluid to enter the channel as a jet. Side channels can be used to encapsulate the fluid with a surrounding fluid. In some cases, multiple fluids may flow through a channel collinearly before multiple emulsion droplets are formed. The fluidic channels may also, in certain embodiments, include varying degrees of hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity. As examples, the fluidic channel may be relatively hydrophilic upstream of an intersection (or other region within the channel) and relatively hydrophobic downstream of the intersection, or vice versa. In some cases, the average cross-sectional dimension may change, e.g., at an intersection. For instance, the average cross-sectional dimension may increase at the intersection. Surprisingly, a relatively small increase in dimension, in combination with a change in hydrophilicity of the fluidic channel, may delay droplet formation of a stream of collinearly-flowing multiple fluids under certain flow conditions; accordingly, the point at which multiple emulsion droplets are formed can be readily controlled within the fluidic channel. In some cases, the multiple droplet may be formed from the collinear flow of fluids at (or near) a single location within the fluidic channel. In addition, unexpectedly, systems such as those described herein may be used to encapsulate fluids in single or multiple emulsions that are difficult or impossible to encapsulate using other techniques, such as fluids with low surface tension, viscous fluids, or viscoelastic fluids. Other aspects of the invention are generally directed to methods of making and using such systems, kits involving such systems, emulsions created using such systems, or the like.

MULTIPLE EMULSIONS CREATED USING JETTING AND OTHER TECHNIQUES

The present invention generally relates to emulsions, and more particularly, to multiple emulsions. In one aspect, multiple emulsions are formed by urging a fluid into a channel, e.g., by causing the fluid to enter the channel as a jet. Side channels can be used to encapsulate the fluid with a surrounding fluid. In some cases, multiple fluids may flow through a channel collinearly before multiple emulsion droplets are formed. The fluidic channels may also, in certain embodiments, include varying degrees of hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity. As examples, the fluidic channel may be relatively hydrophilic upstream of an intersection (or other region within the channel) and relatively hydrophobic downstream of the intersection, or vice versa. In some cases, the average cross-sectional dimension may change, e.g., at an intersection. For instance, the average cross-sectional dimension may increase at the intersection. Surprisingly, a relatively small increase in dimension, in combination with a change in hydrophilicity of the fluidic channel, may delay droplet formation of a stream of collinearly-flowing multiple fluids under certain flow conditions; accordingly, the point at which multiple emulsion droplets are formed can be readily controlled within the fluidic channel. In some cases, the multiple droplet may be formed from the collinear flow of fluids at (or near) a single location within the fluidic channel. In addition, unexpectedly, systems such as those described herein may be used to encapsulate fluids in single or multiple emulsions that are difficult or impossible to encapsulate using other techniques, such as fluids with low surface tension, viscous fluids, or viscoelastic fluids. Other aspects of the invention are generally directed to methods of making and using such systems, kits involving such systems, emulsions created using such systems, or the like.