WO2024058701A1

WO2024058701A1 - Contrast agent mixer with splash guard

Info

Publication number: WO2024058701A1
Application number: PCT/SE2023/050899
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas FORK; Ingvar ADNERHILL; Lucia CASAL-DUJAT; Liu WENYUN; Olof BÖÖK
Original assignee: Lument Ab
Priority date: 2022-09-15
Filing date: 2023-09-14
Publication date: 2024-03-21
Also published as: SE545579C2; SE2251068A1

Abstract

A contrast agent mixer (100) is presented. The mixer (100) comprises a holding arrangement for supporting a mixing container, a mixer blade (110) for mixing a contrast powder with a liquid in the mixing container, a movement arrangement, a controller configured to control the movement arrangement and thereby the operation of the contrast agent mixer (100). The mixer (100) further comprises a splash guard (180) arranged to at least partly surround the holding arrangement and the mixer blade (110). The holding arrangement is a vertically movable holding arrangement comprising a removable and vertically movable interior member (192) configured to support the mixing container and to be vertically guided along an interior surface (185) of the splash guard (180).

Description

CONTRAST AGENT MIXER WITH SPLASH GUARD

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mixer and more precisely to a contrast agent mixer suitable for providing a per-oral negative contrast agent foam.

BACKGROUND

Computerized tomography (CT) is a diagnostic imaging technique that creates detailed images of a body, e.g., a human body, with its interior by combining series of X-ray captions that create cross-sectional images or slices of parenchymal organs, muscles, fat tissue, bones, vessels, lymph nodules, etc. in health and disease. Today CT is a frequently used tool due to its lower cost and notably faster examinations compared to other tomography techniques such as magnetic resonance tomography, and also due to its higher availability worldwide. In addition to its common use in diagnosing cancer, CT is widely used to facilitate diagnosing a variety of other diseases and disorders, such as inflammatory diseases, trauma, anomalies, etc.

In CT of the abdomen (CT-abd), contrast agents are used for demarcating structures by increasing differences in density between tissue compartments. The enhanced difference in contrast improves visualization of details necessary for the radiologist to detect and follow abnormalities within the abdomen and pelvis over time and thus, with a possible medical diagnosis. The radiodensity of structures and/or materials is measured in Hounsfield Units (HU). The abdominal organs and structures are displayed in a variety of colors in the grey scale depending on the radiodensity of their composition, from white (such as bones; around +1000 HU), to light grey (such as blood vessels; around +70 HU), and black (such as air in the lungs; around -1000 HU).

A patient routinely referred to CT-abd is usually prepared with a per-oral agent for demarcating the gastro-intestinal tract. Up until now, the most commonly used demarcating agent has been a diluted solution of an iodine contrast medium meant for intra-venous application, resulting in a white bowel content, i.e. with positive HU. Other agents are iso-osmotic solutions that provide densities of around 10 HU, exhibiting bowel lumen in grey, close to the color of other body structures. Thus, positive oral filling agents provide no or unsatisfactory contrast between the bowel wall and the lumen of the small intestine on CT images. As a consequence, images of the bowel wall are less easy to read which may result in radiological diagnoses of reduced quality, including both false positive and negative diagnoses. Consequently, a negative, "black" filling, contrast agent, with notably larger contrast against the mucosal lining and of the gut wall, was introduced in EP 3589331 thereby creating an opportunity for improved medical evaluation.

The contrast agent introduced in EP 358933 l is a fluid, aqueous foam of microbubbles. The foam is created from a dispersion obtained by stirring, manually or by magnetic stirrer, a contrast powder with a liquid until a completely homogenous dispersion was obtained. This dispersion was mixed into a foam by manually using a blender. A blade of the blender is continuously kept in the dispersion without creating any air pocket to avoid the incorporation of extra air and the formation of new big bubbles. The foam is whipped until the foam is homogenous and with no visible bubbles. In case visible bubbles are detected by bear eye at the surface of the foam, the bubbles are removed with a spoon or with a suction device such as a Pasteur pipette. If too many bubbles that may not be removed are present at the surface and/or in the bulk, the foam will have to be discarded or re-whipped increasing the preparation time and the cost of the product.

The process of producing a contrast agent foam is sensitive. Excess air will cause an increase in overrun and consequently produce a thicker foam, as well as the formation of big bubbles giving a non-homogenous and high poly dispersity foam. Such a foam would negatively interfere with the quality of the x-ray images. The foam should preferably not comprise any clearly visible bubbles among the microbubbles that the foam is made up of. Further to this, the preparation process of the contrast agent foam should preferably be performed in a hygienic manner and be executable at any, preferably, clinical, environment without risk of contamination.

Thus, from the above it is understood that there is room for improvements. SUMMARY

It is in view of the above considerations and others that the various embodiments of this disclosure have been made. The present disclosure therefor recognizes the fact that there is a need for alternatives to (e.g., improvement of) the existing art described above.

It is an object of some embodiments to solve, mitigate, alleviate, or eliminate at least some of the above or other disadvantages.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new type of mixer which is improved over prior art and which addresses or at least mitigates some of the drawbacks discussed above. More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a contrast agent mixer suitable for providing a per-oral negative contrast agent foam for e.g., abdominal computer tomography that is easy to clean. These objects are addressed by the technique set forth in the appended independent claims with preferred embodiments defined in the dependent claims related thereto.

In a first aspect, a contrast agent mixer is presented. The contrast agent mixer comprises a holding arrangement for supporting a mixing container, a mixer blade for mixing a contrast powder with a liquid in the mixing container, a movement arrangement, a controller configured to control the movement arrangement and thereby the operation of the contrast agent mixer, and a splash guard arranged to at least partly surround the holding arrangement and the mixer blade. The holding arrangement is a vertically movable holding arrangement comprising a removable and vertically movable interior member configured to support the mixing container and to be vertically guided along an interior surface of the splash guard.

In one variant, the movable holding arrangement further comprises a vertically movable exterior member configured to be arranged at an exterior surface of the splash guard and engage the vertically movable interior member through the splash guard. Such a configuration is beneficial as the removable and vertically movable interior member may be removed and a surface behind the removable and vertically movable interior member may be easily cleaned. As the vertically movable exterior member is at the exterior surface of the splash guard, only a small (if any) opening is required in the splash guard through which the vertically movable exterior member may engage and guide the vertically movable interior member.

In one variant, the vertically movable exterior member is configured to magnetically engage the vertically movable interior member through the splash guard. This is beneficial as there is no need to provide an opening in the splash guard through which the vertically movable exterior member may engage and guide the vertically movable interior member. This enables a closed interior surface of the splash guard between the vertically movable exterior member and the vertically movable interior member. This further simplifies cleaning and further reduces a risk that liquid or foam is spilled, splashed or otherwise transferred to an outside of the splash guard.

In one variant, the interior surface comprises a release region at which the vertically movable interior member is configured to be released from the vertically movable exterior member. This is beneficial as it simplifies the operation (usage) of the contrast agent mixer and provides a means to e.g., automatically release the vertically movable interior member when a mixing process is completed.

In one variant, the release region is a region between a vertical portion and a horizontal portion of the interior surface.

In one variant, wherein the interior surface of the splash guard comprises a vertical guiding portion configured to vertically guide the vertically movable interior member along the guiding portion. This is beneficial as it allows the vertically movable interior member to be accurately guided along the interior surface. Also, it simplifies usage of the contrast agent mixer as the vertically movable interior member will be more intuitive to arrange inside the splash guard (mixing container).

In one variant, the vertical guiding portion is formed by one or more tracks. This is beneficial as it allows the vertically movable interior member to be accurately guided along the interior surface. Also, it simplifies usage of the contrast agent mixer as the vertically movable interior member will be more intuitive to arrange inside the splash guard (mixing container).

In one variant, one or more friction reducing elements are provided between the vertically movable interior member and the interior surface of the splash guard. This is beneficial as it reduces a force required to guide the vertically movable interior member along the interior surface. It also reduces a sound generated by the contrast agent mixer as increased friction may cause e.g., scraping, grinding, squeaking sounds etc., when vertically movable interior member is guided along the interior surface.

In one variant, the vertically movable interior member is provided with one or more friction reducing elements configured to engage the interior surface of the splash guard. This is beneficial as it reduces a force required to guide the vertically movable interior member along the interior surface. It also reduces a sound generated by the contrast agent mixer as increased friction may cause e.g., scraping, grinding, squeaking sounds etc., when vertically movable interior member is guided along the interior surface.

In one variant, the interior surface of the splash guard is provided with one or more friction reducing elements configured to engage the vertically movable interior member. This is beneficial as it reduces a force required to guide the vertically movable interior member along the interior surface. It also reduces a sound generated by the contrast agent mixer as increased friction may cause e.g., scraping, grinding, squeaking sounds etc., when vertically movable interior member is guided along the interior surface.

In one variant, at least one friction reducing element is a wheel element. This is beneficial as it reduces a force required to guide the vertically movable interior member along the interior surface. It also reduces a sound generated by the contrast agent mixer as increased friction may cause e.g., scraping, grinding, squeaking sounds etc., when vertically movable interior member is guided along the interior surface.

In one variant, at least one friction reducing element is a bar element. This is beneficial as it reduces a force required to guide the vertically movable interior member along the interior surface. It also reduces a sound generated by the contrast agent mixer as increased friction may cause e.g., scraping, grinding, squeaking sounds etc., when vertically movable interior member is guided along the interior surface.

In one variant, the movement arrangement comprises a first motor arrangement configured to control a rotational speed of the mixer blade. This is beneficial as control of the speed of the mixer blade increases an accuracy of the homogeneity of the contrast agent foam provided by the contrast agent mixer. In one variant, the first motor arrangement configured to control a rotational direction of the mixer blade. This is beneficial as control of the rotational direction of the mixer blade increases an accuracy of the homogeneity of the contrast agent foam provided by the contrast agent mixer. Changing the rotational direction reduces a risk that comparably large air-bubbles will form underneath the mixer blade.

In one variant, the movement arrangement comprises a second motor arrangement configured to be controlled by the controller to control a vertical movement of the vertically movable holding arrangement, thereby controlling a vertical distance between the vertically movable holding arrangement and the mixer blade. This is beneficial as control of the distance between the vertically movable holding arrangement and the mixer blade allows for control of how deep into the liquid the mixer blade is submerged and thereby increasing an accuracy of the homogeneity of the contrast agent foam provided by the contrast agent mixer.

In one variant, the mixer blade is a detachable mixer blade. This is beneficial as it simplifies cleaning, service and/or replacement of the mixer blade.

In one variant, the contrast agent mixer further comprises a liquid container fixture adapted to receive and releasably hold a liquid container adapted to store the liquid and dispense the liquid to the mixing container. This is beneficial as it simplifies operation of the contrast agent mixer, and reduces a risk of liquid being spilled when e.g., being poured into the mixing container.

In one variant, the contrast agent mixer further comprises a detachable lid arrangement. The lid arrangement comprises a lid adapted to be mounted to the liquid container for sealing an opening of the liquid container and a dispensing tube extending through an aperture of the lid and arranged to extend into the interior of the liquid container when the lid is mounted to said liquid container. The dispensing tube is adapted to pass the liquid from the liquid container towards the mixing container.

In one variant, the controller is configured to control a rotational speed of the mixer blade and a vertical distance between the vertically movable holding arrangement and the mixer blade for mixing the contrast powder with the liquid in the mixing container, thereby providing a homogenous foam type contrast agent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described in the following; references being made to the appended diagrammatical drawings which illustrate non-limiting examples of how the inventive concept can be reduced into practice.

Figs. 1 A-C are perspective views of contrast agent mixers according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Figs. 2A-B are perspective views of contrast agent mixers according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a holding arrangement according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a holding arrangement according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Figs. 5A-B are perspective views of friction reducing elements according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of a contrast agent mixer according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 7 is a partial block diagram of a contrast agent mixer according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Figs. 8A-D are views of a clutch according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a contrast agent mixer according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 10A is a perspective view of a contrast agent mixer according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 1 OB is a cross-sectional side view of a contrast agent mixer according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

Fig. IOC is a perspective view of a dispenser nozzle arrangement according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, certain embodiments will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention, such as it is defined in the appended claims, to those skilled in the art.

The term ’’coupled” is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. Two or more items that are ’’coupled” may be integral with each other. The terms "a” and ”an” are defined as one or more unless this disclosure explicitly requires otherwise. The terms ’’substantially”, ’’approximately”, and ’’about” are defined as largely, but not necessarily wholly what is specified, as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The terms ’’comprise” (and any form thereof, such as "comprises” and ’’comprising”), ’’have” (and any form thereof, such as ’’has” and ’’having”, ’’include” (and any form thereof, such as ’’includes” and ’’including”) and ’’contain” (and any form thereof, such as ’’contains” and ’’containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a method that ’’comprises”, ’’has”, ’’includes” or ’’contains” one or more steps possesses those one or more steps, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps.

Systems composed of air dispersion in aqueous media provide negative density contrast values in the range of -1000 HU to 0 HU, depending on the proportion of dispersed air, and may thus be used as negative contrast agents. Such a contrast agent is usable for MRI, ultrasound and CT. As it is a food-based contrast agent, it is particularly suitable for per-oral administration and therefor for abdominal imaging. The present disclosure is applicable for providing foam type contrast agents for all of these applications, positive and negative, regardless of use. The disclosure is focused on a mixer configured to provide a per-oral contrast agent foam for abdominal CT imaging CT, but this is but one exemplary embodiment. For abdominal CT imaging, the negative density contrast values provided should preferably be in the range -400 to -800 HU corresponding to a fairly high volume proportion of air. Further, a contrast agent for use in CT imaging is preferably sufficiently stable in the gastrointestinal tract to provide essentially the same CT negative density contrast values throughout the gastrointestinal tract. As recognized in the art, dispersion of air in liquids, i.e. foams, may be provided by whipping or beating an aqueous solution or dispersion, comprising a foaming agent. Typical examples of foaming agents are detergents. The type and amount of the foaming agents will affect properties of the final foam. Further, also the amount of air incorporated into the aqueous solution or dispersion will influence in the properties of the final foam. The preparation of a negative contrast agent for abdominal CT involves stirring a dry powder, further contrast powder, or simply powder, with a liquid to obtain a dispersion, typically using a magnetic stirrer. This dispersion is mixed, generally with a blender, to incorporate air into the dispersion thereby creating a foam that is orally administered to a patient. In order to arrive at repeatable and comparable results from e.g., CT involving the negative contrast agent, the foam must be consistent regardless of who, where or when the foam is prepared. In addition to this, the use of dual machinery, i.e. the magnetic stirrer and the blender, is tedious, adds time and requires several manual steps in addition to requiring multiple separate machines to be washed, maintained and services.

Regarding the contrast powder, among the food-based proteins, egg white protein has been found to have exceptional functional properties on gelation and foam formation. Egg white protein, or egg albumen, is comprised of several globular proteins (ovalbumin, ovotransferrin, ovomucoid, ovomucin, lysozyme, globulin, avidin). Even though ovalbumin is one of the critical proteins, the combination of different proteins contained in egg albumen is advantageous in foaming and foam stability properties. A mixture of opposed charges and the formation of intermolecular bonds improve the stabilization of food foams. The mixture may thus preferably comprise at least ovalbumin, ovomucin and ovoglobulin. In the dispersion, the surfactant, e.g., egg albumen, permits the formation of air bubbles and stabilization thereof, due to their amphiphilic nature. Albumen proteins turn out to have exceptional functional properties on foam formation and gelation and here hence preferred. However, in order to enhance the stabilization of the dispersed air bubbles, a foam stabilizer, e.g., a hydrocolloid acting as foam stabilizer, such as natural gum is preferably present in the liquid composition. Although the term “contrast powder” is used throughout this application, the powder does not need to have contrast enhancing properties itself. The term “contrast powder” refers to powder used for providing a contrast agent, or in other words, a contrast agent in powder form. As further elaborated below, the contrast powder may have stabilizing properties for a foam, wherein the air bubbles of the foam are contrast enhancing, and the contrast powder may hence be described as contrast facilitating.

In Fig. 1 A, a contrast agent mixer 100, or mixer 100, according to some embodiments is shown in a perspective view. The contrast agent mixer 100 comprises a housing 101 provided with mixing chamber door 102D opening up to a mixing chamber 102. The mixing chamber 102 is preferably internal to the housing 101. The housing 101 may be made from any suitable material. In some embodiments, the housing 101 may be a plastic casing allowing the mixer 100 to, in at least some countries, be powered by mains power without a need for protective ground. The housing 101 makes the mixer 100 esthetically pleasing, dampens sounds from the mixer 100, reduced the risk of splashes, provides protection for the mixer 100 etc. As mentioned, the housing 101 is preferably provided with the openable mixing chamber door 102D. The mixing chamber door 102D is in Fig. 1 shown as a hingedly attached to the housing 101, but this is one exemplifying embodiment and the mixer chamber door 102D may be any suitable means for closing the mixing chamber, e.g., a sliding door, a hatchet etc. In some embodiments, the mixer chamber 102 is provided without any means 102D of closing the mixing chamber 102. The contrast agent mixer 100 may further be provided with a user interface 170. In Fig. 1 A, the user interface is exemplified as a push button 170 used to operate the contrast agent mixer 100. The user interface 170 may comprise one or more indicators, e.g., LEDs, informing a user of a state, progress, status etc. of the contrast agent mixer 100.

Although the present disclosure is mainly made with reference to a contrast agent mixer 100, it should be emphasized already now that such mixer may be used also for other purposes such as, but not limited to, ultrasonic gels etc. An ultrasonic gel may be composed of a mixture of propylene glycol and water and such a mixture may very well be obtained by the mixer 100 of the present disclosure. In Fig. IB, the corresponding contrast agent mixer 100 as in Fig. 1 A is shown, but without a mixing chamber door 102D, or with the mixing chamber door 102D opened. The contrast agent mixer 100 in Fig. IB is perspective view looking into the mixing chamber 102. Inside the mixing chamber 102, a mixer blade 110 is arranged on a mixer shaft 120 extending from a top, e.g., an upper section, of the mixing chamber 102. The mixer blade 110 and the mixer shaft 120 may be fixedly attached (e.g., welded) to each other and are preferably removable form the mixer chamber 102. In some embodiments, the mixer blade 110 is removable from the mixer shaft 120. The mixing chamber 102 is formed from, clad with, or otherwise proved with a splash guard 180. The splash guard 180 may be described as an interior surface 185 of the mixing chamber 102. In embodiments of the contrast agent mixer 100 comprising a door 102D, a surface of the door 102D facing an inside of the mixing chamber 102, i.e. facing the mixer blade 110 (when mounted), may form part of the splash guard 180. The splash guard 180 and its features will be further detailed elsewhere. In Fig. IB, below, e.g., under, the mixer blade 110, along a longitudinal extension of the mixer shaft 120, a mixing container 400 is arranged. It should be mentioned that the mixing container 400 may be any vessel suitable for holding the liquid, a contrast agent and allowing them to be mixed into a foam. The mixing container 400 may be a glass, metal or plastic container and in a preferred embodiment, the mixing container is a paper material mixing container 400. The mixing container 400 is supported by a vertically movable interior member 192 of the contrast agent mixer 100. The vertically movable interior member 192, is, as the name implies, a member that is arranged inside the mixing chamber 102, i.e. at an interior of the contrast agent mixer 100, and vertically movable. The vertical movability will be further explained elsewhere. The vertically movable interior member 192 is configured to move vertically inside the mixing chamber 102 such that a vertical distance VD (see Fig. 1C) between the vertically movable interior member 192 and the mixer blade 110 may be controlled. The contrast agent mixer 100 may further be provided with a removable drawer member 104. The removable drawer member 104 is preferably configured to form part of a ceiling, e.g., top region, upper section, of the mixing chamber 102 and thereby also the splash guard 180. In other words, as will be clear from explanations given elsewhere, a bottom surface of the removable drawer member 104 may form part of the interior surface 185 of the splash guard 180. Also shown in Fig. IB is a dispensing tube 242 configured to dispense liquid into the mixing container 400.

It should be mentioned that, although embodiments and examples of the vertically movable interior member 192 are given with respect to its vertical movability, the skilled person will understand that the teachings of the present disclosure may very well be used to provide a vertically movable interior member 192 that is movable both vertically and horizontally. The vertical movement is in a direction of the mixer shaft 120, and the horizontal movement may be any direction in a plane to which the mixer shaft 120 is normal.

In order to ensure a consistent and efficient foaming of the negative contrast agent foam, the inventors behind this disclosure has, through inventive thinking, concluded that the mixer blade 110 is preferably arranged on the mixer shaft 120 such that a blade angle is formed between a plane of the mixer blade 110 and a reference plane. Wherein the reference plane is perpendicular to the mixer shaft 120. A large blade angle will incorporate more air compared to a small blade angle and thus provide a larger foam volume assuming all other conditions are the same. Substantive research and experimenting has concluded that a blade angle in the range of 0,5 to 5° provides an acceptable per-oral negative contrast agent foam for abdominal CT. If the blade angle a is within the range of 2 to 4°, a better contrast agent foam is provided and a blade angle at substantially 3° have been shown to be most preferable when preparing per-oral negative contrast agent foam for abdominal CT.

It should be mentioned that the mixer blade 110 may be formed in various shapes, but experimental tests and research has concluded that a homogenous mixer blade 110 provides a suitable negative contrast agent foam. Adding holes or cavities to the mixer blade 110 reduces the effect of the mixing blade 110 as the increased turbulence caused by the holes provides a foam that is less homogeneous and with many visible bubbles compared to a homogenous mixer blade 110. Further to this, the mixer blade 110 may be formed in a substantially circumferential circular shape; preferably with the mixer shaft 120 centered on the mixer blade 110 as this provides a balanced load and reduces the risk of vibrations when the mixer blade 110 is rotated. A lower surface of the mixer blade 110 may comprise a bulge, or a stud. The lower surface may be saucer shaped. This is beneficial as it facilitates more turbulence during operation of the mixer 100, which is advantageous for mixing and foam formation.

In Fig. 1C, the corresponding contrast agent mixer 100 as in Fig. IB is shown, but without the mixing container 400 and looking into the mixing chamber 102. The vertically movable interior member 192 comprises, in the embodiment of Fig. 1C, a support element 193 and a clip element 191. The Support element 193 is configured to support the mixing container 400 (not shown in Fig. 1C). That is to say, the mixing container 400 may be placed onto the support element 193, and as the vertically movable interior member 192 moves vertically, the mixing container 400 moves with the vertically movable interior member 192, i.e. the mixing container 400 is guided by the vertically movable interior member 192. Similarly, the clip element 191 is preferably configured to horizontally fix the mixing container 400 to ensure that it does not slide off the support element 193 during a mixing process. The clip element 191 is preferably configured to partially match a circumference of the mixing container 400 and with a circumferential length being longer than half a circumferential length of the mixing container 400. This means that the clip element 191 is radially flexible such that it may be biased, increasing a radius of the clip element 191 when receiving a mixing container 400 and snuggly fit about the mixing container 400 when the mixing container 400 is arranged (partly) within the clip element 191. In some embodiments, the clip element 191 may be formed from two substantially parallel members (not shown) arranged at a distance that is configured to receive a diameter of the mixing container 400. Such embodiments are generally less costly, but comes at a trade off with regards to the stability of the fixation of the mixing container 400.

In Fig. 2A, the contrast agent mixer 100 is shown with the housing 101 removed. In this view, the interior of the contrast agent mixer 100 according to some embodiments is visible. The contrast agent mixer 100 comprises a first motor arrangement 131 configured to rotatably drive the mixer blade 110. In this embodiment, the mixer shaft 120 is connected to the first motor arrangement 131 via a clutch 150 which will be further explained elsewhere. Rotation of the mixer blade 110 is controlled by the first motor arrangement 131. Further to this, the contrast agent mixer 100 comprises a vertically movable exterior member 194. The vertically movable exterior member 194 is, as the name implies, vertically movable and, as seen in Fig. 2A, external to the mixing chamber 102. That is to say, the vertically movable exterior member 194 is preferably arranged outside the mixing chamber 102, but inside the housing 101. The vertically movable interior member 192 (not shown in Fig. 2A) is, preferably releasably, connected to the vertically movable exterior member 194 such that, as the vertically movable exterior member 194 is vertically moved, the vertically movable interior member 192 is guided by the vertically movable exterior member 194. This will be explained in further detail elsewhere. The contrast agent mixer 100 may further comprise a second motor arrangement 130 configured to vertically move the vertically movable exterior member 194. The second motor arrangement 132 may be configured to engage and vertically move the vertically movable exterior member 194 by means of a chain drive, one or more cog-wheels, a belt drive and/or a lead screw 133. The lead screw 133 may be referred to as an acme screw. In Fig. 2A, the drive is exemplified by the second motor arrangement 132 controlling rotation of the lead screw 133 which, at one end, distal from the second motor arrangement 132 is connected to the vertically movable exterior member 194. As the second motor arrangement 132 is driven to rotate, the lead screw will rotate and vertically move the vertically movable exterior member 194 along a vertical column 105 of the contrast agent mixer 100.

In Fig. 2B, the corresponding view of the contrast agent mixer 100 in Fig. 2A is shown, but with the vertically movable interior member 192 visible. As will be explained elsewhere, the housing 101, or rather a wall of the mixing chamber 102, will be provided between the vertically movable interior member 192 and the vertically movable exterior member 194. As seen in Fig. 2B, as the vertically movable exterior member 194 is moved vertically, the vertically movable interior member 192 will follow. As a consequence, the vertical distance VD between the mixer blade 110 and the vertically movable interior member 192 will change. The mixing container 400 provided at the vertically movable interior member 192 (arranged on the support element 193 and fixed by the clip element 191) will be vertically moved together with the vertically movable interior member 192. This means that the vertical distance VD between the mixer blade 110 and the mixing container 400 will change, or rather that an insertion depth of the mixer blade 110 into the mixing container 400 may be controlled. Consequently, a vertical position of the mixer blade 110 inside the mixing container 400 may be controlled by the vertically movable exterior member 194.

The embodiment of the contrast agent mixer 100 shown in Figs. 2A and 2B is an exemplary preferred embodiment. In some embodiments, the contrast agent mixer 100 may comprise a third motor arrangements (not shown) configured to move the mixer blade 110 horizontally such that a horizontal distance between the mixer blade 110 and the holding arrangement 190 is controlled. In some embodiments, the third motor arrangement is configured to move the holding arrangement 190 horizontally in order to control the horizontal distance between the mixer blade 110 and the holding arrangement 190. As will be explained, the horizontal distance between the holding arrangement 190 and the mixer blade may, in some embodiments, be controlled by the second motor arrangement 132.

Although not illustrated, the contrast agent mixer 100 may comprise more than one mixer blade 110. The contrast agent mixer 100 may comprise more than one mixer shaft 120. The mixer blades 110 may be arranged on the same mixer shaft 120 or distributed among several mixer shafts 120. The control of the rotational speed and/or a rotational direction of each mixer shaft 120 may be synchronous or asynchronous, i.e., all shafts 120 may be controlled to rotate at the same speed or some or more mixer shaft 120 may be individually controlled.

In Fig. 3, a partial cross-sectional view of a holding arrangement 190 according to a preferred embodiment is shown. The holding arrangement 190 is a vertically movable holding arrangement 190 comprising the vertically movable interior member 192. Preferably, the holding arrangement 190 further comprises the vertically movable exterior member 192, but it should be emphasized that other means of controlling the vertical position of the vertically movable interior member 192 may be considered. For instance, in some embodiments, an acme screw or lead screw may be configured to vertically move the vertically movable interior member 192 directly. However, in Fig. 3, the holding arrangement comprises the vertically movable exterior member 194. The two members 192, 194 of the holding arrangement 190 is arranged at opposite sides of the splash guard 180. The vertically movable interior member 192 is arranged at an inside of the splash guard 180 and configured to be vertically guided along an interior surface 185 of the splash guard 180. The vertically movable exterior member 194 is preferably arranged at an outside of the splash guard 180 and configured to be vertically movable along an exterior surface 187 of the splash guard 180. As the vertically movable exterior member 194 is preferably internal to the housing 101 (for esthetic, protection etc.), this implies that there is an internal cavity of the housing 101 between the splash guard 180 and an inner surface of the housing 101. The vertically movable exterior member 194 is configured to engage the vertically movable interior member 192 through the splash guard 180 and guide the vertically movable interior member 192 vertically along the interior surface 185 of the splash guard 180. The engagement of the vertically movable interior member 192 by the vertically movable exterior member 194 through the splash guard 180 may be provided in numerous ways. In one embodiment, the splash guard 180 is provided with a vertically elongate slit (not shown) though which a member of the vertically movable exterior member 194 engages a mating member of the vertically movable interior member 192. In a preferred embodiment, the vertically movable exterior member 194 and/or the vertically movable interior member 192 are provided with one or more magnets 196. The magnets 196 are configured to attract metal portions or magnets of opposite polarity of the other one of the vertically movable exterior member 194 or the vertically movable interior member 192.

The vertically movable interior member 192 is preferably removably connected (by means of e.g., mating members or magnets 196) to the vertically movable exterior member 194. That is to say, the vertically movable interior member 192 is preferably a removable vertically movable interior member 192. This is beneficial as it allows the vertically movable interior member 192 to be removed from the splash guard 180 making cleaning, e.g., wiping, washing etc., of the splash guard 180, and interior surface 185 of the easier and more efficient. Further to this, the vertically movable interior member 192 may be removed for replacement or (preferred) easy cleaning in e.g., a dishwasher. This reduces a risk of residual components being trapped e.g., behind the vertically movable interior member 192 or on the vertically movable interior member 192 and thereby increasing the hygiene of the contrast agent mixer 100. Further to this, if the engagement between the vertically movable interior member 192 and the vertically movable exterior member 194 is by means of magnets 196, it is not required to provide an elongate vertical slit in the splash guard 180 which further simplifies cleaning and reduces a risk of components splashing, spilling or otherwise spreading through the slit and ending up at an inside of the housing 101.

As seen in Fig. 3, the vertically movable interior member 192 may optionally be provided with one or more friction reducing elements 198. These friction reducing elements 198 are configured to engage the interior surface 185 of the splash guard 180, thereby reducing friction between the vertically movable interior member 192 and the interior surface 185 of the splash guard 180.

In Fig. 4, another arrangement of the friction reducing elements 198 is presented. In this embodiment, the interior surface 185 of the splash guard 180 is provided with one or friction reducing elements 198. This means that the vertically movable interior member 192 will be vertically moved along the friction reducing elements 198.

It should be mentioned that, in some embodiments, friction reducing elements 198 may be provided both at the vertically movable interior member 192 and at the interior surface 185 of the splash guard 180.

In Fig. 5 A, a friction reducing element 5 A in the form of a wheel element 198 is shown. The wheel element 198 may be provided at either one or both of the vertically movable interior member 192 or the interior surface 185 of the splash guard 180. If wheel elements 198 are provided, it is beneficial to arrange more than one wheel element 198 along a horizontal extension of the vertically movable interior member 192 and/or the horizontal extension of a portion of the interior surface 185 which the vertically movable interior member 192 engages. This increases stability of the engagement between the vertically movable interior member 192 and the interior surface 185 of the splash guard 180. In Fig. 5B, a friction reducing element 198 in the form of a bar element 198 is shown. The bar element 198 may be provided at either one or both of the vertically movable interior member 192 or the interior surface 185 of the splash guard 180. The bar element 198 has a, compared to the wheel element 198, longer horizontal extension such that one bar element 198 is sufficient as a horizontal engagement surface. In some embodiments, bar elements 198 are wheel elements 198 are combined. As is understood by the skilled person, the bar elements 198 and/or wheel elements 198 are rotationally connected to the vertically movable interior member 192 or interior surface 185 of the splash guard 180.

In Fig. 6, a cross-sectional view of a contrast agent mixer is shown. In Fig. 6, the splash guard 180 is seen in cross-section showing an optional release region 185R of the interior surface 185. The release region 185R is a region configured such that, when the vertically movable interior member 192 reaches the release region 185R, it is released from the vertically movable exterior member 194. The release region 185R may be provided at any suitable portion of the interior surface 185 of the splash guard 180. The release region may be formed as a region having an increased thickness such that as the vertically movable interior member 192 enters the release region 185R, it is forced apart, e.g., spaced further from, the vertically movable exterior member 194 and thereby released from the engagement there between. Preferably, the release region 185R is a region between a vertical portion 185 V and a horizontal portion 185H of the interior surface 185. The vertical portion 185 V and the horizontal portion 185H are marked with dashed lines in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, the release region 185R may be formed as an arch connecting the vertical portion 185 V and the horizontal portion 185H. This means that, as the vertically movable interior member 192 approaches the horizontal portion 185H, a lower end (the end first reaching the release region 185R) will, by the arch of the release region 185R, be horizontally distanced from the vertically movable exterior member 194, causing the vertically movable interior member 192 to be released from the vertically movable exterior member 194. The arch forming the release region 185R may be provided by forming the comer between the vertical portion 185 V and the horizontal portion 185H with a radius. The configuration of this radius may be determined based in e.g., strength and configuration of the mating members or magnets 196, a dimension of any friction reducing element 198 etc. Preferably, the vertically movable interior member 192 is guided along an inner surface 185 of the splash guard that is opposite the mixing chamber door 102D, or an opening of the mixing chamber 102 if no door is present. In such embodiments, the vertically movable interior member 192 will be urged towards the opening 102 of the mixing chamber 100 simplifying and making it more convenient to remove the vertically movable interior member 192 and/or the mixing container 400 from the mixing chamber 102.

It should be mentioned that, in some embodiments, the splash guard 180 may, at regions configured to be between the vertically movable interior member 192 and the vertically movable exterior member 194 be configured with an increased thickness. These regions with increased thickness are provided to effectively control the horizontal distance between the vertically movable interior member 192 and the mixer blade 110. In such configurations, the horizontal distance between the vertically movable interior member 192 and the mixer blade 110 will depend on the vertical position of the vertically movable interior member 192.

Fig. 7 shows a partial schematic block diagram of a contrast agent mixer 100 according to this disclosure. The contrast agent mixer 100 comprises a controller 160 that is operatively connected to the movement arrangement 130. The controller 160 may be configured to control the vertical position of the mixer blade 110 and/or vertically movable interior member 192. The vertically movable interior member 192 may be controlled by the controller 160 controlling the second motor arrangement 132 and thereby the vertically movable exterior member 194. The controller 130 may further be configured to control a rotational speed of the mixer blade 110. The rotational speed of the mixer blade 110 may be controlled by the controller 160 controlling the first motor arrangement 131. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller 130 may be configured to control a rotational direction of the mixer blade 110. The rotational speed and/or direction of the mixer blade 110 may be controlled by the controller 160 controlling the first motor arrangement 131. The controller 160 may further be operatively connected to a user interface 170 such that a user may control the contrast agent mixer 100. The user interface 170 may be the previously exemplified push buttons and/or indicator lights, but may, in some embodiments, be a more advanced user interface 170 comprising e.g., a (touch) display and/or a plurality of buttons. In some embodiments, the user interface 170 may be provided through an external electronic device such as a computer or specifically through a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone. The external electronic device may be directly connected to the contrast agent mixer 100 through a wired (serial, parallel etc.) or wireless (Bluetooth, IR etc.) interface, or indirectly through a server, the Internet etc.

As previously mentioned, the mixer shaft 120 may in some embodiment be connected to the first motor arrangement 131 by means of the clutch 150. The clutch 150 is beneficial as it may be configured to allow simple and quick connection and disconnection of the mixer blade 110 to the contrast agent mixer 100. If, for instance, the mixer blade 110 is reusable, it may be easily removed and cleaned. Additionally, if the mixer blade 110 is disposable, it may be easily removed and replaced. It should be mentioned that the mixer blade 110 may, depending on embodiment, be interpreted as comprising also the mixer shaft 120. In one embodiment, the mixer blade 110 is a stainless-steel mixer blade 110 which is beneficial as it is easy to clean and durable. In another embodiment, the mixer blade 110 is a plastic mixer blade 110 which is beneficial as it reduces the need of cleaning. The clutch 150 may be formed in any suitable way that allows release of the mixer blade 110 from the first motor arrangement 131. With reference to Figs. 8 A to 8D, one preferred embodiment of the clutch 150 will be explained in further detail. In this embodiment, the clutch 150 comprises an upper member 153 and a lower member 156. The upper member 153 is operatively connected to the first motor arrangement 131 and the lower member 156 operatively connected to the mixer blade 110. The operative connection of the lower member 156 to the mixer blade 110 may be via the mixer shaft 120. The operative connection of the upper member 153 to the first motor 131 may comprise a drive shaft 135 of the first motor arrangement 131. The upper member 153 and the lower member 156 may, as best illustrated in the cross sectional view of Fig. 8B, be connected to respective shaft 135, 120 by any suitable fastening means 152 (screw, pin, adhesive, weld etc.) or formed integral with the shafts 135, 120. The upper member 153 and the lower member 156 are detachably attached to each other by one or more attachment means 155, see Figs. 8C and 8D illustrating the upper member 153 and the lower member 156 separated. The attachment means 155 may be any suitable attachment means 155 such as a bayonet mount, a click mount, nut and bolt configuration etc. One of the upper member 153 or the lower member 156 may be formed with guiding protrusions (not shown) and the other of the upper member 153 and the lower member 156 with mating notches (not shown).

Additionally, or alternatively, as previously mentioned, the mixer blade 110 may be removable from the mixer shaft 120. In such embodiments, the mixer blade 110 may be attached to the mixer shaft 120 by means of e.g., a twist lock, a snap-in or other suitable attachment means. Such arrangements are beneficial as the mixer blade 110 and the mixer shaft 120 may be provided from different materials. In one embodiment, the mixer blade 110 is a plastic mixer blade 110 and the mixer shaft 120 is a metal mixer shaft. The mixer blade 110 may be a disposable mixer blade 110 and the mixer shaft 120 may be a reusable mixer shaft 120.

However, in order to keep the surfaces of the upper member 153 and the lower member 156 smooth and avoid difficult cleaning and buildup of dirt, the attachment means 155 are, in a preferred embodiment, formed as magnets 155. The attachment means 155 may be one single magnet 155 provided in either of the upper member 153 or the lower member 156 provided that the other of the upper member 153 or the lower member 156 is magnetic. As the upper member 153 will transfer rotation about the longitudinal axis L of the mixer shaft 120, the clutch 150 will be subjected to torque; and the attachment means 155 has to be sufficiently strong to withstand this torque. The torque, and also Euler forces, subjected to the clutch 150, will depend on an acceleration provided by the first motor arrangement 131. A comparably weaker attachment means 155 may be compensated by configuring the controller 160 to reduce the torque exerted by the first motor 131. The inventors behind this disclosure have realized that a sufficiently strong clutch 150 is provided by arranging a plurality of magnets 155 at each of the upper member 153 and the lower member 156. Preferably the magnets 155 are embedded in cavities of the upper member 153 and the lower member 156 and arranged such that, when the clutch 150 is assembled, a south pole of magnets 155 in the upper member 153 face a north pole of magnets 155 the lower member 156 or vice versa. In a preferred embodiment, the upper member 153 and the lower member 156 are provided with three magnets each. The magnets 155 and their associated cavities are preferably covered with a suitable coating to reduce the presence of hard to clean nooks and crannies. As seen in the cross sectional view of the clutch 150 as presented in Fig. 8B and in the isolated views of the upper member 153 in Fig. 8C and the lower member 156 in Fig. 8D, the lower member 156 may be formed with a convex shape and the upper member 153 with a mating concave shape. Although not illustrated, the opposite setup is also possible wherein the upper member 153 is formed with a convex shape and the lower member 156 with a mating concave shape although the convex shape is generally easier to clean and preferred for the lower member 156. It should be noted that albeit shown together, the attachment means 155 provided as magnets 155 and the shape of the upper member 153 and the lower member 156 are not directly linked and e.g., any suitable attachment means 155 may be combined with any suitable shape of the upper member 153 and the lower member 156.

As indicated, in order to ensure that the mixing chamber 102 may be easily cleaned, and to ensure that it protect the inner part of the contrast agent mixer 100 (e.g., Fig. 2A) from splashes, it is beneficial if the splash guard 180 comprises as few, or as small as possible, openings into the inner parts of the contrast agent mixer 100. As the mixer shaft 120 extends into the mixing container 102, it will generally require some form of opening in the splash guard 180. In embodiments wherein the mixer blade 110 is fixed to the first motor arrangement 131, the opening is preferably configured to match a circumference of the mixer shaft 120. A gasket may be provided at the opening to reduce a risk of leakage and splashes entering an inside of the contrast agent mixer 100. However, it is preferred, but not mandatory, to have the mixer blade 110 removably connected to the first motor arrangement 131. In some embodiments, the clutch 150 may be configured such that the splash guard 180 is arranged between the upper member 153 and a lower member 156 of the clutch 150.

However, in a preferred embodiment shown in the perspective view of the contrast agent mixer 100 in Fig. 9, the clutch 150 is internal to the housing 101 of the contrast agent mixer 100. In order to facilitate disconnection of the lower member 156 of the clutch 150 and removal of the mixer blade 110, an opening 183 may be provided at an upper, preferably substantially horizontal, surface of the splash guard 180. This opening 183 may be configured to match, or be slightly larger than, a circumference of the lower member 156 of the clutch 150 to facilitate removal and mounting of the mixer blade 110 though the opening 183. However, as the mixer shaft 120 passes through the splash guard 180 in the upper surface of the splash guard 180, it may be beneficial to, as shown in Fig. 9, form the opening 183 for the mixer shaft 120 as an elongated opening 183. The elongated opening 183 may start at any suitable position of the upper surface of the splash guard 180 and preferably extends to the front of the splash guard 180, i.e., to the opening of the mixing chamber 102. This allows the lower member 156 of the clutch 150 to be inserted into the elongated opening 183 at an end of the elongated opening 183 that is visible from an outside of the mixing chamber 102. This makes it easier to mate the lower member 156 to the upper member 153 of the clutch 150. A lid member 184 opening up into the elongated opening 183 may be provided at a front end of the housing 101. The lid member 184 is preferably arranged such that, when engaged by the lower member 156 of the clutch 150, it opens up into the elongate opening 183. This further simplifies the insertion of the lower member 156 of the clutch 150 into the elongate opening 183 and a breadth of the elongate opening may be configured to match a diameter of the mixer shaft 120 rather than the lower member 156 of the clutch 150. The lid member 184 is preferably pivotally connected to the housing 101 and configured to pivot either clockwise or counter clockwise depending on insertion or removal of the mixer blade 110. In some embodiments, the elongate opening 183 is provide with elongated gaskets configured to snuggly fit about the mixer shaft 120 to reduce a risk of spill, splatter and/or splashes into the difficult to clean inner part of the contrast agent mixer 100.

In order to further ensure that no splashes reach an interior of the housing 101, the housing 101 may be provided with the previously mentioned drawer member 103. The drawer member is preferably removable from the housing 101 for e.g., cleaning or replacement. A bottom part of the drawer member 103 preferably forms part of the splash guard 180. That is to say, a bottom surface of the drawer member 103 preferably faces an interior of the mixing chamber 102 and forms a part of the interior surface 185 of the splash guard 180. Preferably, the drawer member 103 comprises the elongate opening 183. In some embodiments, the drawer member 103 further comprises the lid member 184. Since the drawer member 103 may be removed for cleaning or replacement, any splashes or drips entering the interior of the contrast agent mixer 100 have to pass also the drawer member. Preferably, the drawer member 103, when removed, reveals the upper member 153 of the clutch 150. The upper member 153 of the clutch 150 may be connected to the first motor arrangement 131 through a portion (not shown) of the housing 101 sealing the mixing chamber 102 also when the drawer member 103 is removed. As the clutch 150 generally has a diameter being greater than the diameter of the mixer shaft 120 and/or the drive shaft 135, the clutch 150 itself, or specifically the upper member 153 and/or lower member 156, will effectively hinder any splashes to travel past the clutch 150.

In order to ensure that the vertically movable interior member 192 is correctly guided along the interior surface 185 of the splash guard 180, the interior surface 185 of the splash guard 180 may be provided with one or more vertical guiding portions 186. In Fig. 9, one guiding portion 186 is provided in the form of one track 186 configured with a width based on a distance between wheel elements 198 of the vertically movable interior member 192. However, this is but one example, in some embodiments separate tracks may be provided for the each row of vertically aligned wheel elements 198 of the vertically movable interior member 192. The vertical guiding portion 186 may be provided in any suitable form, shape or size configured to vertically guide the vertically movable interior member 192 along the interior surface 185 of the splash guard 180. In some embodiments, the vertical guiding portion 186 may be formed as a rim configured to match a track, or a pair of rims, of the vertically movable interior member 192.

In embodiments wherein the vertically movable interior member 192 is movable also in a horizontal direction in a plane of the interior surface 185 of the splash guard 180, the vertical guiding portion 186 is preferably replaced with a general guiding portion (not shown) permitting both horizontal and vertical movement of the vertically movable interior member 192. In some embodiments, the general guiding portion is a guiding portion formed with a curvature in the plane of the interior surface 185 such that, when the vertically movable interior member 192 is guided along the general guiding portion, it is guided vertically and horizontally along the plane of the interior surface 185. Alternatively, the guiding portion may be a guiding area within which the vertically movable interior member 192 may be guided freely (preferably by the vertically movable exterior member 194) in any direction in the plane of the interior surface 185 of the splash guard 180. As seen in Fig. IB and 9, the dispensing tube 242 may be configured to extend into the mixing chamber 102. In order to ensure that the dispensing tube 242 may be removed for e.g., cleaning or replacement, the dispensing tube 242 may be provided as a removable dispensing tube 242. This will be further explained in the following.

As shown in Figs. 10A-C, the contrast agent mixer 100 may comprise means to provide for dispensing of a liquid 3 for the mixing with the contrast powder in a hygienic and splash-free manner.

Hence, the contrast agent mixer 100 may comprise a liquid container fixture 280. The liquid container fixture 280 is adapted to receive and releasably hold a liquid container 220. The liquid container 220 is preferably configured to store the liquid 3 and dispense the liquid 3 into the mixing container 400 via a dispenser nozzle arrangement 300, see Fig. 10C. The liquid container 220 may be of any suitable shape, size or form and is not limited to the bottle-shape as illustrated in Fig. 10A. However, it is recognized that bottles such as the one depicted in Fig. 10 A, are readily available for a relatively low cost and are therefore preferable. The liquid container fixture 280 may comprise a movable fixture arm 281. The movable fixture arm 281 is adapted to be fix relative the liquid container 220 when the liquid container 220 is held by the liquid container fixture 280; such that movement of the movable fixture arm 281 causes tilting of the liquid container 220, thereby controlling the dispensing of the liquid 3 to the mixing container 400. A removable tube member (not shown) may be connected between the liquid container 220 and the dispenser nozzle arrangement 300 such that a portion of the tube member extends into the dispenser nozzle arrangement 300 to ensure that no liquid 3 is spilled. Further, the arrangement with the movable fixture arm 281 allows for the dispensing of liquid 3 into the mixing container 400 without a need for expensive and hard to clean (i.e. not hygienic) valves or similar.

The movable fixture arm 281 may be a motor controlled movable fixture arm 281 such that movement of the motor controlled fixture arm 281 is controlled by a further motor arrangement. In a preferred embodiment, the fixture arm 281 is moved from a lower position, at which liquid 3 is not poured into the mixing container 400 into an upper position at which liquid 3 is poured into the mixing container 400 manually. With reference to Fig, 10B, the contrast agent mixer 100 may further comprise a lid arrangement 240 configured to be connected to the liquid container 220. The lid arrangement 240 may comprises a detachable lid 241. The detachable lid 241 is configured to be mounted to the liquid container 220 for sealing an opening of the liquid container 220. The detachable lid 241 may be mounted to the liquid container 220 via for example a threaded connection or a snap connection. In one embodiment, the detachable lid 241 is adapted to be releasably connected to the retaining part 283 (not shown in Fig. 10B) of the movable fixture arm 181. The detachable lid 241 and the retaining part 283 may be releasably connected by means of a snap connection or a threaded connection. The lid arrangement may 240 further comprises the dispensing tube 242. The dispensing tube 242 is configured to extend through an aperture of the lid 241. The dispensing tube 242 may be arranged to extend into the interior of the liquid container 220 when the lid 241 is mounted to the liquid container 220. The dispensing tube 242 is adapted to pass the liquid 3 from the liquid container 220 towards the mixing container 400. Thus a first end of the dispensing tube 242, e.g., an inlet of the dispensing tube 242, is adapted to extend inside the liquid container 220 when the lid 241 is connected to the liquid container 220. A second end of the dispensing tube 242, e.g., an outlet of the dispensing tube 242, is adapted to extend into the mixing chamber 102 and towards the mixing container 400 to guide the liquid 3 towards the mixing container 400 when the movable fixture arm 181 is in a dispensing position.

The lid arrangement 240 may further comprises an aeration opening 243. The aeration opening extends through the lid 241. The aeration opening 243 is arranged to provide air release from the liquid container 220 during dispensing of the liquid 3 via the dispensing tube 242. The aeration opening 243 may be provided as a hole in the lid 241 or an opening provided on a tube extending through an aperture of the lid 241. The aeration opening 243 is preferably arranged such that air may freely pass through said aeration opening 243 without any liquid 3 reaching it when the movable fixture arm 281 is in the dispensing position.

To accommodate the dispensing tube 242 and allow for passage of the liquid into the mixing container 400, the mixer 100 may comprise the dispenser nozzle arrangement 300 which is depicted in further detail in Fig. 10C. The dispenser nozzle arrangement 300 may replace an end of the dispensing tube 242 in Fig. 10B such that the tube member referenced (but not shown) in Fig. 10A extend into the dispenser nozzle arrangement 300, providing a path for the liquid 3 from the liquid container 220, through the lid arrangement 240 and into the dispenser nozzle arrangement 300 for dispensing into the mixing container 400. The dispenser nozzle arrangement 300 may be arranged to guide the liquid 3 dispensed from the liquid container 220 into the mixing container 400. The dispensing tube 242 may extend into a dispenser nozzle 284. The dispenser nozzle 284 is thus adapted to guide the liquid 3 from the liquid container 220 and preferably the dispenser tube 242 towards the mixing container 400. The dispensing tube 242 may extend into the dispenser nozzle 284. The dispenser nozzle 284 is thus adapted to guide the liquid 3 from the liquid container 220 and preferably the dispenser tube 242 towards the mixing container 400.

The dispenser nozzle arrangement 300 may be detachably mounted to the housing 101 of the contrast agent mixer 100. This allows the dispenser nozzle arrangement 300 to be removed for cleaning and/or replacement. This may be achieved for example by means of providing an outer surface of the dispenser nozzle arrangement 300 with threads for engaging corresponding threads in the housing 101 or by means of providing the housing 101 and/or the dispenser nozzle arrangement 300 with retention features for retaining the dispenser nozzle arrangement 300 to the housing 101. In the depicted embodiment, the dispenser nozzle arrangement 300 is provided with a retention flange 320 for this purpose. The dispenser nozzle arrangement 300 may, in some embodiments, be provided with an umbrella portion 242R configured to be arranged at the exterior surface 187 of the splash guard 180, or specifically at an upper portion of the exterior surface 187 of the splash guard 180. The umbrella portion 242R effectively covers any gap formed the dispensing tube 242 and opening provided in the splash guard 180 through which the dispensing tube 242 is inserted.

It is beneficial, from a mixing perspective, to dispense the liquid 3 into the mixing container 400 along the mixer shaft 120, in some embodiments, onto the mixer blade 110. If the mixer blade 110 is a horizontally movable mixer blade 110, the dispensing tube 242 is preferably configured to be moved together with the mixer blade 110. In such embodiment, the opening in the splash guard 180 configured to receive the dispensing tube 242 may be an elongated opening and the umbrella portion 242R is preferably configured to cover the entire elongated opening regardless of the position of the dispensing tube 242 along the elongated opening.

The present disclosure comprises numerous embodiments, each adding to simplified cleaning, maintenance and service of the contrast agent mixer 100. Many of the features herein are presented in conjunction with other features, and it should be emphasized that this is for efficiency of disclosure and any suitable features may be selectively isolated or combined.

Modifications and other variants of the described embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art having benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the specific example embodiments described in this disclosure and that modifications and other variants are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. For example, while embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to a contrast agent mixer, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the invention can equivalently applied to any other device where there is a need to ensure cleanliness and hygiene. Furthermore, although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, a person skilled in the art would recognize numerous variations to the described embodiments that would still fall within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, although individual features may be included in different claims (or embodiments), these may possibly advantageously be combined, and the inclusion of different claims (or embodiments) does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. Finally, reference signs in the claims are provided merely as a clarifying example and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any way.

Claims

1. A contrast agent mixer (100), comprising a holding arrangement (190) for supporting a mixing container (400), a mixer blade (110) for mixing a contrast powder with a liquid (3) in the mixing container (400), a movement arrangement (130), a controller (160) configured to control the movement arrangement (130) and thereby the operation of the contrast agent mixer (100), and a splash guard (180) arranged to at least partly surround the holding arrangement (190) and the mixer blade (110), wherein the holding arrangement (190) is a vertically movable holding arrangement (190) comprising a removable and vertically movable interior member (192) configured to support the mixing container (400) and to be vertically guided along an interior surface (185) of the splash guard (180).

2. The contrast agent mixer (100) of claim 1, wherein the movable holding arrangement (190) further comprises a vertically movable exterior member (194) configured to be arranged at an exterior surface (187) of the splash guard (185) and engage the vertically movable interior member (192) through the splash guard (180).

3. The contrast agent mixer (100) of claim 2, wherein the vertically movable exterior member (194) is configured to magnetically engage the vertically movable interior member (192) through the splash guard (180).

4. The contrast agent mixer (100) of claim 2 or 3, wherein the interior surface (185) comprises a release region (185R) at which the vertically movable interior member (192) is configured to be released from the vertically movable exterior member (194).

5. The contrast agent mixer (100) of claim 4, wherein the release region (185R) is a region between a vertical portion (185 V) and a horizontal portion (185H) of the interior surface (185).

6. The contrast agent mixer (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interior surface (185) of the splash guard (180) comprises a vertical guiding portion (186) configured to vertically guide the vertically movable interior member (192) along the vertical guiding portion (186).

7. The contrast agent mixer (100) of claim 6, wherein the vertical guiding portion (186) is formed by one or more tracks (186).

8. The contrast agent mixer (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more friction reducing elements (198) are provided between the vertically movable interior member (192) and the interior surface (185) of the splash guard (180).

9. The contrast agent mixer (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vertically movable interior member (192) is provided with one or more friction reducing elements (198) configured to engage the interior surface (185) of the splash guard (180).

10. The contrast agent mixer (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interior surface (185) of the splash guard (180) is provided with one or more friction reducing elements (198) configured to engage the vertically movable interior member (192).

11. The contrast agent mixer (100) of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein at least one friction reducing element (198) is a wheel element. The contrast agent mixer (100) of any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein at least one friction reducing element (198) is a bar element. The contrast agent mixer (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement arrangement (130) comprises a first motor arrangement (131) configured to control a rotational speed of the mixer blade (110). The contrast agent mixer (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement arrangement (130) comprises a second motor arrangement (132) configured to be controlled by the controller (160) to control a vertical movement of the vertically movable holding arrangement (190), thereby controlling a vertical distance (VD) between the vertically movable holding arrangement (190) and the mixer blade (110). The contrast agent mixer (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mixer blade (110) is a detachable mixer blade (110). The contrast agent mixer (100) of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a liquid container fixture (280) adapted to receive and releasably hold a liquid container (220) adapted to store the liquid (3) and dispense the liquid (3) to the mixing container (400). The contrast agent mixer (100) of claim 16, further comprising a detachable lid arrangement (240), the lid arrangement (240) comprising a lid (241) adapted to be mounted to the liquid container (220) for sealing an opening of the liquid container (220) and a dispensing tube (242) extending through an aperture of the lid (241) and arranged to extend into the interior of the liquid container (220) when the lid (241) is mounted to said liquid container (220), wherein the dispensing tube (242) is adapted to pass the liquid (3) from the liquid container (220) towards the mixing container (400). The contrast agent mixer (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (160) is configured to control a rotational speed of the mixer blade (110) and a vertical distance (VD) between the vertically movable holding arrangement (190) and the mixer blade (110) for mixing the contrast powder with the liquid (3) in the mixing container (400), thereby providing a homogenous foam type contrast agent.