Mixing systems and methods for research, industrial and medical uses

Abstract

Mixing systems and methods include a mixing device comprising a primary tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface and an inner lumen and at least one secondary tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface and an inner lumen. The at least one secondary tube is substantially parallel to the primary tube. The distal end of the at least one secondary tube is fluidly connected to the primary tube at a junction located on the primary tube close to the distal end of the primary tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mixing device comprising:
 a primary tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface and defining an inner lumen;   at least one secondary tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface and defining an inner lumen, the at least one secondary tube being substantially parallel to the primary tube;   the distal end of the at least one secondary tube being fluidly connected to the primary tube at a junction, the junction being located close to the distal end of the primary tube.   
     
     
         2 . The mixing device of  claim 1  wherein the primary tube and the at least one secondary tube have separate and distinct entry points at their proximal ends. 
     
     
         3 . The mixing device of  claim 1  further comprising a back-flow prevention mechanism coupled to the mixing device. 
     
     
         4 . The mixing device of  claim 1  further comprising a connector apparatus attached to the distal end of the primary tube. 
     
     
         5 . The mixing device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one primary tube and at least one secondary tube are in a co-axial arrangement. 
     
     
         6 . The mixing device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one secondary tube comprises a plurality of secondary tubes. 
     
     
         7 . The mixing device of  claim 6  wherein at least one of the plurality of secondary tubes is attached to the outer surface of the primary tube and extends longitudinally along the outer surface of the primary tube. 
     
     
         8 . The mixing device of  claim 7  wherein at least one of the plurality of secondary tubes peels away from the primary tube at or near the proximal end of the secondary tube. 
     
     
         9 . The mixing device of  claim 1  further comprising at least one tertiary tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the at least one tertiary tube being substantially parallel to the primary tube and the secondary tube;
 the distal end of the at least one tertiary tube having a separate and distinct exit point from an exit point of the primary tube. 
 
     
     
         10 . The mixing device of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the primary tube and the at least one secondary tube is color-coded. 
     
     
         11 . The mixing device of  claim 1  further comprising a sealing clamp coupled to one or more of the primary tube and the at least one secondary tube. 
     
     
         12 . An intravenous fluid delivery system, comprising:
 at least one carrier line having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface and defining an inner lumen;   at least one administration line having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface and defining an inner lumen, the at least one administration line being substantially parallel to the at least one carrier line;   the distal end of the at least one administration line being fluidly connected to the at least one carrier line at a junction, the junction being located close to the distal end of the at least one carrier line.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the at least one carrier line and the at least one administration line have separate and distinct fluid entry ports at their proximal ends. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the at least one administration line comprises a plurality of administration lines. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein at least one of the plurality of administration lines is attached to the outer surface of the at least one carrier line and extends longitudinally along the outer surface of the at least one carrier line. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a connector apparatus attached to the distal end of the carrier line, the connector apparatus being configured to connect the carrier line to an intravenous fluid transfer component. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising at least one secondary administration line having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface and an inner lumen, the at least one secondary administration line being substantially parallel to the at least one carrier line;
 the distal end of the at least one secondary administration line having a separate and distinct exit point from an exit point of the at least one carrier line such that a fluid traveling through the at least one secondary administration line does not mix with a fluid in the at least one carrier line. 
 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the at least one carrier line comprises two or more bundled carrier lines, each carrier line having at least one associated administration line fluidly connected thereto. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising an occlusion clamp assembly coupled to one or more of the at least one carrier line and the at least on administration line. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12  wherein one or more of the carrier line and the at least one administration line is made of a low absorption material.