CONTAINER OR BAG MIXING APPARATUSES AND/OR METHODS
A mixing system, apparatus and/or method. Pathogen reduction of and/or mixing storage solutions into blood or blood components are useful purposes for these. Squeezing or clapping devices may be used to activate the mixing process, as may rotational devices or laterally movable, rotational and/or orbital devices. Constriction elements may also be used to create useful vortex mixing actions. Photoradiation may be provided while the components continue to be mixed together for pathogen reduction of blood or blood components.
1 . A mixing system for use in mixing a fluid contained in a fluid container, the system comprising:
a rotational support structure which is substantially vertical;
an irradiation source for irradiating the fluid contained in the fluid container;
a holding device disposed in operable relationship with the support structure;
whereby the holding device is adapted to hold the fluid container; and
whereby when the fluid container is disposed in the rotational support structure;
whereby the rotational support structure may be rotated to thereby rotate the fluid container, and thereby mix the fluid contained therein.
2 . The mixing system according to claim 1 wherein the irradiation source irradiates the fluid while the rotational support structure is rotated to mix the fluid contained in the container.
3 . A mixing system according to claim 1 in which the mixing system further includes:
a roller housing; and
at least one roller mechanism disposed in said roller housing;
whereby the rotational support structure is adapted to be disposed in operable rotational engagement with the at least one roller mechanism such that at least one roller mechanism imparts a rotational movement to the rotational support structure.
4 . A mixing system according to claim 3 in which the mixing system further includes:
a motor disposed in operable relationship with the at least one roller mechanism;
whereby the motor is adapted to impart a rotational movement to the rotational support structure.
5 . A mixing system according to claim 4 in which the mixing system further includes:
a motor; and
a motor connection assembly disposed in operable relationship with the motor; and
whereby the motor connection assembly is disposed on operable rotational drive relationship with the rotational support structure.
6 . A mixing system according to claim 1 which further comprises a constriction element disposed in operative relationship with the fluid container.
7 . A mixing system according to claim 1 wherein the irradiation source further comprises LEDs.
8 . A mixing system according to claim 1 wherein the irradiation source further comprises fluorescent bulbs.
9 . A mixing system according to claim 1 wherein the irradiation source emits light in the visible region.
10 . A mixing system according to claim 1 wherein the irradiation source emits light in the ultraviolet region.
11 . A mixing system according to claim 1 which the fluid to be mixed includes a blood product.
12 . A mixing system for use in mixing a fluid contained in a fluid container, the system comprising:
a lateral support structure;
a double sided movable squeezing element operably disposed relative to said lateral support structure;
wherein the moveable squeezing element is a rotatable squeezing or clapping assembly connected via a pivot assembly to the lateral support structure in a relative central position and preferably has one or two flappers;
an irradiation source; and
whereby said fluid container contains a fluid to be mixed; and
whereby the double sided movable squeezing element is adapted to move so as to squeeze the fluid container against said lateral support structure to thereby mix the fluid contained in the fluid container.
13 . A mixing system for use in mixing a fluid, the system comprising:
a lateral support structure;
an irradiation source;
a holding device disposed in operable relationship with the lateral support structure;
whereby the holding device is adapted to hold a fluid container;
whereby the fluid container contains a fluid to be mixed; and
whereby when a fluid container is disposed in said lateral support structure, said lateral support structure may be moved in lateral or longitudinal rotations in at least two dimensions to thereby move the fluid container, and thereby mix the fluid contained therein; and
whereby the irradiation source irradiates the fluid in the fluid container while the fluid container is being mixed.
14 . A mixing system according to claim 13 in which the lateral support structure is laterally moveable to laterally move the fluid container.
15 . A mixing system according to claim 13 in which the lateral support structure is rotationally moveable to rotationally move the fluid container
16 . A mixing system according to claim 15 in which the rotational movement is about a transverse axis.
17 . A mixing system according to claim 15 in which the rotational movement is about a longitudinal axis.
18 . A mixing system according to claim 13 in which the lateral support structure is circularly moveable to circularly move the fluid container
19 . A mixing system according to claim 13 in which the lateral support structure is elliptically moveable to elliptically move the fluid container
20 . A mixing system according to claim 13 in which the fluid to be mixed includes a blood product.