Abstract: A sample purification system includes a container assembly bounding a sample purification compartment and having an upper end and an opposing lower end, the sample purification compartment comprising mixing zones and settling zones. A plurality of shielding elements are positioned within the sample purification compartment so as to at least partially separate adjacent mixing zones and settling zones or separate adjacent mixing zones, the mixing zones being in fluid communication with the settling zones. A mixing element is disposed within each mixing zone. An acoustic wave settler is aligned with a portion of the container assembly, the acoustic wave settler being configured to emit an acoustic wave through the portion of the container assembly and a mixture disposed therein, the acoustic wave coalescing fluid phase droplets disposed in the mixture to increase the buoyancy or density of the fluid phase droplets.

Abstract: A system for performing a gas-liquid mass transfer includes a container bounding a compartment and having a top wall, a bottom wall, and an encircling sidewall extending therebetween. A tube has a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the tube being disposed within the compartment of the container. A nozzle is disposed within the compartment of the container and has at least one outlet, the nozzle being coupled with the tube so that a gas can be passed through the tube and out the at least one outlet of the nozzle. The nozzle is sufficiently buoyant so that when a fluid is disposed within the compartment of the container, the nozzle floats on the fluid.

Abstract: A mixing system for mixing a liquid includes a first impeller segment having a first mount and a first mixing blade secured to the first mount and a second impeller segment having a second mount and a first mixing blade secured to the second mount, the second impeller segment being separate and discrete from the first impeller segment. One or more drive members are secured to the first impeller segment and the second impeller segment for concurrently rotating the first impeller segment and the second impeller segment about a rotational axis. The first impeller segment and the second impeller segment are secured to the one or more drive members so that a plane extending normal to the axis of rotation intersects with the first mixing blade of the first impeller segment and the first mixing blade of the second impeller segment.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Bilateral stimulation devices, systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a bilateral stimulation device can include a housing, a tactile stimulator coupled to the housing, a communications module configured to receive wireless communication from a remote device; and a controller module configured to independently and selectively control at least one tactile setting of the tactile stimulator based on wireless communication received from the remote device.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A liquid mixing system includes a support housing at least partially bounding a compartment. A mount is secured to the support housing. A drive motor assembly is configured to engage a drive shaft for moving the drive shaft within the compartment of the support housing. A four bar linkage system extends between the mount and the drive motor assembly, the four bar linkage system being movable between a first position wherein the drive motor assembly is disposed at a first elevation and a second position wherein the drive motor assembly is disposed at a second elevation that is different from the first elevation.

Abstract: A container assembly includes a flexible bag having an interior surface bounding a chamber and an opposing exterior surface. The bag has a bottom end wall that includes a first sparger and a second sparger. The first sparger and the second sparger each have a flexible first sheet overlying a flexible second sheet, the first sheet and the second sheet being secured together so as to form a sparging area bounded between the first sheet and the second sheet, at least a portion of the first sheet overlying the sparging area being gas permeable so that gas can pass from the sparging area, through the first sheet, and into the chamber.

Abstract: A method for collecting a sterilized fluid includes passing a fluid through an inlet stem and into a chamber of a storage container so that the fluid collects within the chamber of the storage container; and applying a beam of radiation to the inlet stem so that the beam of radiation passes through the inlet stem and through at least a portion of the fluid passing through the inlet stem, the beam of radiation at least partially sterilizing the fluid passing through the inlet stem and into the chamber of the storage container.

Abstract: A method for filtering a gas includes delivering a gas into a compartment of a gas filter assembly; applying a partial vacuum to the gas filter assembly so that the partial vacuum assists in drawing the gas through a porous filter body of the gas filter assembly that is at least partially disposed within the compartment of the gas filter assembly; and regulating the application of the partial vacuum based on a pressure reading of the gas upstream or downstream of the gas filter assembly.

Abstract: A liquid mixing system includes a support housing at least partially bounding a compartment. A mount is secured to the support housing. A drive motor assembly is configured to engage a drive shaft for moving the drive shaft within the compartment of the support housing. A four bar linkage system extends between the mount and the drive motor assembly, the four bar linkage system being movable between a first position wherein the drive motor assembly is disposed at a first elevation and a second position wherein the drive motor assembly is disposed at a second elevation that is different from the first elevation.

Abstract: A bag assembly for use with a heat exchanger includes a flexible bag having of one or more sheets of polymeric material, the bag having a first end that bounds a first compartment and an opposing second end that bounds a second compartment, a support structure being disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment so that the first compartment is separated and isolated from the second compartment. A first inlet port, a first outlet port, and a first drain port are coupled with the flexible bag so as to communicate with the first compartment. A second inlet port, a second outlet port, and a second drain port are coupled with the flexible bag so as to communicate with the second compartment.

Abstract: A container assembly includes a flexible bag having an interior surface bounding a chamber and an opposing exterior surface. The bag has a bottom end wall that includes a first sparger and a second sparger. The first sparger and the second sparger each have a flexible first sheet overlying a flexible second sheet, the first sheet and the second sheet being secured together so as to form a sparging area bounded between the first sheet and the second sheet, at least a portion of the first sheet overlying the sparging area being gas permeable so that gas can pass from the sparging area, through the first sheet, and into the chamber.

Abstract: A sample purification system includes a container assembly bounding a sample purification compartment and having an upper end and an opposing lower end, the sample purification compartment comprising mixing zones and settling zones. A plurality of shielding elements are positioned within the sample purification compartment so as to at least partially separate adjacent mixing zones and settling zones or separate adjacent mixing zones, the mixing zones being in fluid communication with the settling zones. A mixing element is disposed within each mixing zone. An acoustic wave settler is aligned with a portion of the container assembly, the acoustic wave settler being configured to emit an acoustic wave through the portion of the container assembly and a mixture disposed therein, the acoustic wave coalescing fluid phase droplets disposed in the mixture to increase the buoyancy or density of the fluid phase droplets.

Abstract: A method for filtering a gas includes delivering a gas into a compartment of a gas filter assembly; applying a partial vacuum to the gas filter assembly so that the partial vacuum assists in drawing the gas through a porous filter body of the gas filter assembly that is at least partially disposed within the compartment of the gas filter assembly; and regulating the application of the partial vacuum based on a pressure reading of the gas upstream of the gas filter assembly.

Abstract: A container includes a first wall and an opposing second wall that extend between a first end and an opposing second end, a first fluid flow path being bounded between the first wall and the second wall. An inlet is formed at the first end and communicates with the first fluid flow path. An outlet is formed at the second end and communicates with the first fluid flow path. The first wall includes a primary wall portion having a first opening extending therethrough in alignment with the first fluid flow path. A secondary wall portion extends over the first opening and is secured to the primary wall portion so as to seal the first opening closed, the secondary wall portion being comprised of a film having a thickness that is less than a thickness of the primary wall portion.

Abstract: A reactor system includes a support housing having an interior surface bounding a chamber, the chamber having a vertically extending central longitudinal axis. A flexible bag is disposed within the chamber of the support housing and has an interior surface bounding a compartment. A mixing element is disposed within the compartment of the flexible bag. A drive element, such as a drive shaft, is secured the mixing element, wherein the mixing element is laterally offset from and/or is angled relative to the vertically extending central longitudinal axis of the support housing.

Abstract: A method for mixing a biological suspension includes disposing a biological suspension within a compartment of a container, the biological suspension comprising cells or microorganisms suspended within a nutrient growth medium; and rotating a first drive line and laterally spaced apart second drive line within the compartment of the container so as to cause the drive lines to twist into a helical configuration and mix the biological suspension.

Abstract: A method for filtering a gas includes passing a gas into a compartment of a casing that includes a polymeric film, the casing having: a first sleeve having a first outlet opening, a first filter being at least partially disposed within the first sleeve so that gas passing through the first sleeve must pass through the first filter; and a second sleeve having an second outlet opening, a second filter being at least partially disposed within the second sleeve so that gas passing through the second sleeve must pass through the second filter, the second sleeve being closed so that the gas passing into the compartment of the casing passes through the first sleeve and the first filter and directly contacts at least a portion of the first sleeve comprised of the polymeric film but does not pass through the second sleeve. Opening the second sleeve when a predetermined condition is met so that the gas passes through the second sleeve and the second filter.

Abstract: A system for performing a gas-liquid mass transfer includes a container bounding a compartment and having a top wall, a bottom wall, and an encircling sidewall extending therebetween. A tube has a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the tube being disposed within the compartment of the container. A nozzle is disposed within the compartment of the container and has at least one outlet, the nozzle being coupled with the tube so that a gas can be passed through the tube and out the at least one outlet of the nozzle. The nozzle is sufficiently buoyant so that when a fluid is disposed within the compartment of the container, the nozzle floats on the fluid.