Abstract:
A mixing assembly includes an inlet, an outlet and a mixing chamber, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet through a plurality of micro fluid flow paths in a direction perpendicular from the inlet. The micro fluid flow paths fluidly connect to the perpendicular inlet via a transition portion. The micro fluid flow paths are constructed radially inwardly to a concentration area in the mixing chamber. By directing multiple fluid flows to a concentrated area within the mixing chamber at high speeds, the energy dissipated at the point of collision is maximized, which helps to increase consistency and quality of mixing, and to reduce particle size of the fluid in the mixing chamber.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit as a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/085,903, filed Apr. 13, 2011, entitled “Compact Interaction Chamber with Multiple Cross Micro Impinging Jets”, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Any disclaimer that may have occurred during the prosecution of the above-referenced application is hereby expressly rescinded, and reconsideration of all relevant art is respectfully requested. This application also expressly incorporates by reference, and makes a part hereof, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/986,477, entitled “Low Holdup Volume Chamber”, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/085,939, entitled “Interaction Chamber with Flow Inlet Optimization”, filed on behalf of the same inventors. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    For certain pharmaceutical applications, manufacturers need to process and mix expensive liquid drugs for testing and production using the lowest possible volume of fluid to save money. Current mixing devices operate by pumping the fluid to be mixed under high pressure through an assembly that includes two mixing chamber elements secured within a housing. Each of the mixing chamber elements provides fluid paths through which the fluid travels prior to being mixed together. In current mixing chambers, the mixing chamber elements include a plurality of parallel inlet fluid paths on one side of the mixing chamber and a plurality of complimentary parallel inlet fluid paths on the opposite side of the mixing chamber. In current mixing chambers, the flow from each parallel fluid path collides with the flow from the respective opposite-facing fluid path to mix the fluid in the mixing chamber under high pressure, resulting in the high energy dissipation. As the energy dissipated at the time of mixture is increased, the quality and consistency of the resulting mixture is improved. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of an example assembled interaction chamber taken along line X-X of  FIG. 2 , according to one example embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the assembled example interaction chamber according to one example embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the first housing of the example interaction chamber taken along line X-X of  FIG. 2  according to one example embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the second housing of the example interaction chamber taken along line X-X of  FIG. 2  according to one example embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the retaining element of the example interaction chamber taken along line X-X of  FIG. 2  according to one example embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a prior art mixing device. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is a perspective cross-sectional view of an inlet mixing chamber element of a prior art device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is a perspective cross-sectional view of an outlet mixing chamber element of a prior art device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  is a top cross-sectional view of the inlet and outlet mixing chamber elements of the prior art device taken along line IX-IX of  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  is a perspective cross-sectional view of an inlet mixing chamber element according to one example embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 11  is a perspective cross-sectional view of an outlet mixing chamber element according to one example embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 12  is a top cross-sectional view of the inlet and outlet mixing chamber elements taken along line XII-XII of  FIGS. 10 and 11  according to one example embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The present disclosure is generally directed to an interaction chamber that includes mixing chamber elements with a plurality of parallel flow inlets, each of which may be configured to direct fluid along a first parallel path in a first direction, and then along a plurality of second impinging paths in a second direction that may extend substantially perpendicularly to the first direction. Each of the second impinging paths extends from one of the respective first parallel paths. Unlike the plurality of parallel flow paths, the second impinging paths are not arranged parallel to one another, but may be arranged to extend radially outwardly from a concentrated area in the mixing chamber to each of the respective first parallel paths. The orientation of the plurality of second impinging paths cause the multiple fluid flows carried within the paths to converge to the concentrated area in the mixing chamber. By converging each of the multiple fluid flow paths to one single concentrated area in the mixing chamber, the total energy dissipated from the collision of the all of the flow paths is maximized. As discussed above, each parallel flow path in the prior art includes a complementary parallel flow path with which to collide in the mixing chamber. In some prior art devices, there are three or more parallel flow path pairs, and accordingly, three or more associated points of collision of two flows in the mixing chamber. 
         [0017]    As the amount of energy dissipated at the point of collision increases, the quality and consistency of the mixing of the fluid also increases. The impinging flow paths of the present invention therefore result in the superior mixture of fluid using less energy than current mixing devices. By optimizing the quality of the mixture as a result of maximizing energy dissipation in the concentrated area, the fluid flow rate entering the mixing chamber elements can be decreased while keeping all other factors constant in comparison with the more inefficient mixing technology employed in current devices. Increasing the interaction of the flow paths by converging them to a single area results in maximized energy dissipation and increased quality of mixing. 
         [0018]    The impinging fluid flow paths are part of an interaction chamber, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/986,477, which is incorporated herein by reference. Also incorporated herein by reference is U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/085,939 directed to a mixing chamber element with a curved inlet configuration. It should be appreciated, however, that the impinging fluid flow path embodiments described herein can be implemented into any suitable mixing device, and are not limited to the interaction chamber illustrated and discussed or the curved inlet configuration illustrated and discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/085,939. 
         [0019]    The interaction chamber of the present disclosure includes, among other components: a first housing; a second housing; an inlet retaining member; an outlet retaining member; an inlet mixing chamber element; and an outlet mixing chamber element. When assembled, the inlet retaining member and the outlet retaining member are situated facing one another within a first opening of the first housing. The inlet and outlet mixing chamber elements reside adjacent one another and between the inlet and outlet retaining members within the first opening. The second housing is fastened to the first housing such that a male protrusion on the second housing is inserted into the first opening making contact with the second retaining member. When the first and second housings are fastened together, the first retaining member and second retaining member are forced toward one another, thereby compressing the inlet and outlet retaining members and properly aligning the inlet and outlet mixing chamber elements together. The mixing chamber elements are further secured for high pressure mixing by the hoop stress exerted on the inlet and outlet mixing chamber elements by the inner wall of the first opening, as will be explained in further detail below. 
         [0020]    As discussed below, in the interaction chamber of the present disclosure, the mixing chamber elements are secured using both compression from the torque of fastening two housings together as well as hoop stress of the inner walls of the first housing directed radially inwardly on the mixing chamber elements. However, rather than using a tube member that would need to be stretched to hold the mixing chamber elements radially, the first housing is heated prior to insertion of the mixing chamber elements, and allowed to cool and contract once the mixing chamber elements are inserted and aligned. By securing the mixing chamber elements with the hoop stress of the first housing applied as a result of thermal expansion and contraction, the torque required to compress the mixing chamber elements together is significantly reduced. Therefore, the interaction chamber can be reduced in size, number of components, and complexity that results in a significant reduction in holdup volume. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 to 5  and  10  to  12 , various example embodiments of the interaction chamber are illustrated.  FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the assembled interaction chamber assembly  100  taken along the line X-X of the top view shown in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the first housing  102  in detail,  FIG. 4  illustrates the second housing  104  in detail and  FIG. 5  illustrates the inlet/outlet retainer  108 / 110  in detail.  FIG. 10  illustrates the inlet mixing chamber element  112  in detail and  FIG. 11  illustrates the outlet mixing chamber element  114  in detail.  FIG. 12  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the inlet mixing chamber element  112  and the outlet mixing chamber element  114  assembled together. 
         [0022]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , the assembled interaction chamber  100  may include a generally cylindrically shaped first housing  102  and a generally cylindrically shaped second housing  104 . The first housing  102  is configured to be operably fastened to the second housing  104  using any sufficient fastening technology. In the illustrated example embodiment, the first housing  102  is fastened to the second housing  104  with a plurality of bolts  106  arranged in a circular array around a central axis A. It should be appreciated that the generally cylindrically shaped first housing  102  and the generally cylindrically shaped second housing  104  share central axis A when assembled. 
         [0023]    Between the first housing  102  and the second housing  104  resides an inlet retainer  108 , an outlet retainer  110 , an inlet mixing chamber element  112  and outlet mixing chamber element  114 . The inlet retainer  108  is arranged adjacent to the inlet mixing chamber element  112 . The inlet mixing chamber element  112  is arranged adjacent to the outlet mixing chamber element  114 , which is arranged adjacent to the outlet retainer  110 . When the interaction chamber  100  is assembled, bolts  106  clamp the first housing  102  to the second housing  104 , thereby compressing the inlet mixing chamber element  112  and outlet mixing chamber element  114  between the inlet retainer  108  and the outlet retainer  110 . 
         [0024]    After assembly, an unmixed fluid flow is directed into inlet  116  of the first housing  102 , and through an opening  118  in inlet retainer  108 . As discussed in more detail below, the unmixed fluid flow is then directed though a plurality of small pathways in the inlet mixing chamber element  102  in the direction of the fluid path. The fluid then flows in a direction parallel to the face of the inlet mixing chamber element  112  and the face of the adjacent outlet mixing chamber element  114  through a plurality of microchannels formed between the inlet mixing chamber element  112  and the outlet mixing chamber element  114 . The fluid is mixed when the plurality of micro channels converge. The mixed fluid is directed through a plurality of small pathways in the outlet mixing chamber element  114 , through an opening  120  in outlet retainer  110 , and through outlet  122  of the second housing  104 . As discussed in greater detail below, the plurality of small pathways of one embodiment converge to a concentrated area in the mixing chamber for to maximize and optimize mixing. 
         [0025]    It should be appreciated that the plurality of bolts  106  used to fasten the first housing  102  to the second housing  104  provide a clamping force sufficient to compress the inlet mixing chamber element  112  and the outlet mixing chamber element  114  so that the microchannels formed between the two faces are fluid tight. However, due to the high pressure and the high energy dissipation resulting from the mixing taking place between the inlet mixing chamber element  112  and the outlet mixing chamber element  114 , the compression force applied by the torqued bolts  106  alone may not be sufficient to hold the mixing chamber elements static within the first opening of the first housing  102  during mixing. Thus, in addition to the compressive force applied by the bolts  106 , the mixing chamber elements  112 ,  114  are held circumferentially by the inner wall  117  of the first opening  115  of the first housing  102 , which applies a large amount of hoop stress directed radially inwardly on the mixing chamber elements, as will be further discussed below. This secondary point of retention and security reduces the required amount of compressive force to hold the mixing chamber elements in place during high pressure and high energy mixing. 
         [0026]    For example, due to the hoop stress applied to the mixing chamber elements, each of six bolts  106  in one embodiment need only a torque force of 100 inch-pounds to hold the mixing chamber elements together to create a seal. Prior art devices that use primarily compression to secure the mixing chamber elements as discussed above, however, tend to require significantly higher amounts of torque force to hold the mixing chamber elements together to create a seal (about 130 foot-pounds of torque). Because the prior art devices use a tube member that must be stretched to decrease its diameter and clamp down on the mixing chamber elements, the prior art devices require larger housings, more components and therefore, a higher hold-up volume of approximately 0.5 ml. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the mixing chamber elements are secured within the first opening of the first housing and achieve the high hoop stress imparted from the inner wall of the first housing onto the outer circumference of the mixing chamber elements, the present disclosure takes advantage of precision fit components and the properties of thermal expansion. The hold-up volume of the interaction chamber of the present disclosure is around 0.05 ml. 
         [0027]    An example procedure for assembling one embodiment of the interaction chamber of the present disclosure are now described with reference to the assembled interaction chamber in  FIG. 1  and each individual component illustrated in  FIGS. 3 to 5  and  10  to  12 . 
         [0028]    First, the inlet retaining member  108 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , may be inserted into the first opening of the first housing, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The inlet retaining member  108  has a substantially cylindrical shape, and fits concentrically within the first opening of the first housing. When inserted, the inlet retaining member  108  includes a chamfered surface  130  that is configured contact a complimentary chamfered interior surface  119  of the first housing  102 . This chamfered mating between the first housing  102  and the inlet retaining member  108  ensures that the inlet retaining member  108  self-centers within the first opening and lines up properly and squarely to the inner wall  117  of the first opening  115 . It should be appreciated that the inlet retaining member  108  includes a concentric passageway  132  which allows fluid to flow through the inlet retaining member  108 . The passageway  132  lines up with flow path  116  of the first housing  102 , through which the unmixed fluid is pumped from a separate component in the mixing system. 
         [0029]    Second, the first housing  102  may be heated to at least a predetermined temperature, at which point the first opening  115  expands from a first opening diameter to at least a first opening expanded diameter. In some example embodiments, the first housing is made of stainless steel, and the first housing is heated using a hot plate or any other suitable method of heating stainless steel. In one such embodiment, the predetermined temperature at which the first housing is heated is between 100° C. and 130° C. It should be appreciated that, when the first opening  115  is at the first diameter, the mixing chamber elements  112 ,  114  are unable to fit within the first opening  115 . However, the mixing chamber components  112 ,  114  are manufactured and toleranced such that, after the first housing  102  is heated and the first diameter expands to the first expanded diameter, the mixing chamber elements  112 ,  114  are able to fit within the first opening  115 . In one embodiment, the first expanded diameter is between 0.0001 and 0.0002 inches larger than the first diameter. 
         [0030]    Third, the inlet mixing chamber element  112  is inserted into the first opening  115  of the heated first housing  102 . The top surface  304  of the inlet mixing chamber element  112  is configured to be in contact with the bottom surface  132  of inlet retaining member  108 . Because the inlet retaining member  108  is self-aligned with the chamfered mating surfaces of  119  and  130 , the inlet mixing chamber element  112  is also properly aligned when surface  304  makes complete contact with surface  132  of inlet retaining member  108 . 
         [0031]    Fourth, the outlet mixing chamber element  114  is inserted into the first opening  115  of the heated first housing  102 . The top surface  310  of the outlet mixing chamber element  114  is configured to be in contact with the bottom surface  306  of the inlet mixing chamber element  112 . It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the surface  306  and surface  310  include complimentary features that ensure the inlet mixing chamber element  112  is properly oriented and aligned with the outlet mixing chamber element  114 . For example, in one embodiment, the inlet mixing chamber element  112  includes one or more protrusions that fit one or more complimentary recesses in the outlet mixing chamber element  114  so as to ensure proper rotational alignment of the two mixing chamber elements. 
         [0032]    Fifth, once the mixing chamber elements  112 ,  114  are arranged within the first opening  115  of the heated first housing  102 , the outlet retaining member  110  may be inserted into the first opening  115 . The outlet retaining member  110  is substantially similar in structure to the inlet retaining member  108 . Similar to the inlet retaining member  108 , surface  132  of the outlet retaining member  110  is configured to make contact with surface  312  of the outlet mixing chamber element  114 . 
         [0033]    Sixth, the second housing  104  is aligned with the first housing  102  and the assembled first and second housings are operatively fastened together. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the second housing  104  includes protrusion  125  extending from top surface  126 . When the first housing  102  is aligned with the second housing  104 , protrusion  125  fits into the first opening  115 . Similar to the opposite end of the first opening  115 , the protrusion  125  includes a complimentary chamfered surface  123 , which is configured to contact the chamfered surface  130  of the outlet retaining member  110 . Also similar to the first housing&#39;s contact with the inlet retaining member  108 , the chamfered surface  123  of protrusion  125  ensures that the outlet retaining member  110  is square to the inner surface  117  of opening  115 . When both the inlet retaining member  108  and the outlet retaining member  110  are properly aligned by the first housing  102  and the protrusion  125  of the second housing  104  respectively, the inlet mixing chamber element  112  and the outlet mixing chamber element  114  are correctly aligned within the first opening  115 . If the mixing chamber elements  112 ,  114  are even slightly misaligned, the elements may be damaged due to incorrect holding forces and the high pressure of the mixing. Additionally, the mixing results will be less consistent and reliable if the mixing chamber elements are not perfectly aligned by the retaining members and the first and second housings. 
         [0034]    Seventh, the first housing may be operatively fastened to the second housing so that the inlet retainer, the inlet mixing chamber element, the outlet mixing chamber element, the outlet retainer, and the male member of the second housing are in compression. In the illustrated embodiment, six bolts  106  may be used to fasten the first housing  102  to the second housing  104 . To ensure equal clamping force between the first housing  102  and the second housing  104 , the bolts  106  are spaced sixty degrees apart and equidistant from central axis A. As discussed above, the fastening of six bolts  106  provides sufficient clamping force to seal surface  306  of the inlet mixing chamber element with surface  310  of the outlet mixing chamber element. It will be appreciated that any appropriate fastening arrangement or numbers of bolts may be used. 
         [0035]    Eighth, the first housing is allowed to cool down from its heated state. In various embodiments, the first housing is cooled down by allowing it to return to room temperature or actively causing it to cool with an appropriate cooling agent. When the first housing is cooled, the material of the first housing contracts back, and the first housing expanded diameter is urged to contract back to the first housing diameter. Because the mixing chamber elements are already arranged and aligned inside of the first opening of the first housing, the contracting diameter of the first opening exerts a high amount of force directed radially inwardly on the mixing chamber elements. This force, in combination with the compressive force applied from the six bolts  106 , is sufficient to hold the mixing chamber elements in place for the high pressure mixing. It should be appreciated that the mixing chamber elements can be made of any suitable material to withstand the radially inward stress of 30,000 pounds per square inch applied when the first opening diameter contracts. In one embodiment, the mixing chamber elements are constructed with 99.8% alumina. In another embodiment, the mixing chamber elements are constructed with polycrystalline diamond. 
         [0036]    In operation, when the inlet mixing chamber element  112  and the outlet mixing chamber element  114  are secured and held in the first housing between the inlet and outlet retaining members, surface  306  makes a fluid-tight seal with surface  310 . The unmixed fluid is pumped through flow path  116  of the first housing  102 , and through inlet retainer  108  to inlet mixing chamber element  112 . At inlet mixing chamber element  112 , the fluid is pumped at high pressure into ports  300  and  302 , and then into the plurality of converging microchannels  308 , described in more detail below. Due to the decrease in fluid port size from flow path  116  to ports  300 ,  302  to microchannels  308 , the pressure and shear forces on the unmixed fluid becomes very high by the time it reaches the microchannels  308 . As discussed above, and because of the secure holding between the inlet and outlet mixing chamber elements, microchannels  308  and  318  combine to form micro flow paths, through which the unmixed fluid travels. When the micro flow paths converge on one another, the high pressure fluid experiences a powerful reaction, and the constituent parts of the fluid are mixed as a result. After the fluid has mixed in the micro flow paths, the mixed fluid travels through outlet ports  314 ,  316  of outlet mixing chamber element  114 . 
         [0037]    Referring now specifically to  FIGS. 6 to 9 , a prior art mixing chamber is illustrated and discussed. As seen in  FIG. 6 , a prior art mixing assembly is illustrated. The mixing assembly  200 , which includes an inlet cap  202  and an outlet cap  204 . The inlet cap  202  includes threads that are configured to engage complimentary threads on the outlet cap  204 . The mixing assembly  200  also includes an inlet flow coupler  220 , an outlet flow coupler  222 , an aligning tube  221 , an inlet retainer  224 , an outlet retainer  226 , an inlet mixing chamber element  228  and an outlet mixing chamber element  230 . 
         [0038]    The inlet flow coupler  220  is arranged within the inlet cap  202 , and the outlet flow coupler  222  is arranged within the outlet flow cap  204 . When assembled, the tube  221  stays aligned with both the inlet flow coupler  220  and the outlet flow coupler  222  with the use of a plurality of pins  229 . The inlet retainer  224  and the outlet retainer  226  are arranged within the tube  221 , and serve to align and retain the inlet mixing chamber element  228  and the outlet mixing chamber element  230 . The inlet and outlet retainers  224  and  226  make contact with the inlet flow coupler  220  and the outlet flow coupler  222  respectively. 
         [0039]    When the device is fully assembled, a flow path is formed between the inlet flow coupler  220 , the inlet retainer  224 , the inlet mixing chamber element  228 , the outlet mixing chamber element  230 , the outlet retainer  226  and the outlet flow coupler  222 . The unmixed fluid enters the inlet flow coupler  220  and travels through the inlet retainer  224  and to the inlet mixing chamber element  228 . Under high pressure and as a result of the high energy reaction, the unmixed fluid is mixed between the inlet mixing chamber element  228  and the outlet mixing chamber element  230 . The mixed fluid then travels through the outlet retainer  226  and the outlet flow coupler  222 . As will be described in greater detail below and illustrated in  FIGS. 7 to 9 , the pre-mix flow of the fluid follows a substantially right-angular flow path as it travels from the inlet port downward and makes an approximately ninety degree turn toward the mixing chamber. 
         [0040]    In  FIG. 7 , a prior art inlet mixing chamber element  228  corresponds to the inlet mixing chamber element  228  depicted in  FIG. 6 . The illustrated prior art inlet mixing chamber element  228  includes a top surface  404 , a bottom surface  412  and a plurality of ports  406 ,  408  extending from the top surface  404  toward the bottom surface  412 . On bottom surface  412  of the inlet mixing chamber element  228 , one or more microchannels  410   a ,  410   b ,  410   c ,  410   d ,  410   e  and  410   f  are etched substantially parallel to one another. The ports  406 ,  408  are in fluid communication with microchannels  410   a  to  410   f.    
         [0041]    Similar to the prior art inlet mixing chamber element  228 , a prior art outlet mixing chamber element  230  illustrated in  FIG. 8  corresponds to the outlet mixing chamber element  230  depicted in  FIG. 6  and discussed briefly above. The prior art outlet mixing chamber element  230  includes top surface  414 , bottom surface  426  and a plurality of ports  422 ,  424  extending from top surface  414  to bottom surface  426 . On top surface  414 , one or more microchannels  418   a ,  418   b ,  418   c ,  418   d ,  418   e  and  418   f  are etched substantially parallel to one another. The ports  422  and  424  are in fluid communication with the microchannels  418   a  to  418   f . It should be appreciated that the microchannels  418   a  to  418   f  of the outlet mixing chamber element  230  and the microchannels  410   a  to  418   f  of the inlet mixing chamber element  228  complement one another such that, when the inlet mixing chamber element  228  and the outlet mixing chamber element  230  are pressed sealingly together in the mixing assembly, as shown in  FIG. 1 , microchannels  410   a  to  410   f  and correspondingly  418   a  to  418   f  create parallel fluid pathways. In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid pathways are defined by  410   a / 418   a ,  410   b / 418   b ,  410   c / 418   c ,  410   d / 418   d ,  410   e / 418   e  and  410   f / 418   f . In the illustrated prior art embodiment, three parallel fluid pathways are arranged on either side of the mixing chamber. For example, a first trio of fluid pathways  410   a / 418   a ,  410   b / 418   b  and  410   c / 418   b  are arranged in parallel to one another on the port  406  side of the mixing chamber  401 . Similarly, a second opposing trio of fluid pathways  410   d / 418   d ,  410   e / 418   e  and  410   f / 418   f  are arranged in parallel to one another on the port  408  side of the mixing chamber  401  facing the first trio of parallel fluid pathways. Each parallel fluid pathway in the first trio of fluid pathways has a complementary parallel fluid pathway directly opposite the mixing chamber in the second trio of fluid pathways. For example, fluid pathway  410   a / 418   a  is complementary to fluid pathway  410   d / 418   d ; fluid pathway  410   b / 418   b  is complementary to fluid pathway  410   e / 418   e ; and fluid pathway  410   c / 418   c  is complementary to fluid pathway  410   f / 418   f.    
         [0042]    In one example of the assembled prior art device, the fluid is pumped under high pressure through the fluid pathway defined from the top surface  404  of the inlet mixing chamber element  228  through ports  406  and  408  to the fluid pathways  410   a / 418   a  to  410   f / 418   f . The fluid discharged from each of the parallel fluid pathways flows under high pressure and high speed so that when it collides with fluid flowing from its complementary parallel fluid path, the two fluid streams mix in the mixing chamber  401 . In the mixing chamber  401 , the force of the collision causes the fluid to break down into small particles and become mixed together. The mixed fluid from each of the three collisions defined by flow path  410   a / 418   a  with flow path  410   d / 418   d ; flow path  410   b / 418   b  with flow path  410   e / 418   e ; and flow path  410   c / 418   c  with flow path  410   f / 418   f , then exits the output mixing chamber element  230  through ports  422  and  424 . 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a top cross-sectional view of the inlet mixing chamber element  228  and the outlet mixing chamber element  230  of a prior art device are illustrated. As more clearly illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the cross section of the microchannels  410  exiting from the ports  406  and  408  travel parallel to one another from the ports to the mixing chamber  401 . The fluid passes through port  406  and  408  of the inlet mixing chamber element  228  until it encounters the top of the outlet mixing chamber element  230 . When the fluid flow reaches the top of the outlet mixing chamber element, it is interrupted and is forced to flow through the parallel flow paths  410   a / 418   a  to  410   f / 418   f  into the mixing chamber  401 . In the prior art device, the parallel flow paths  410   a / 418   a  to  410   f / 418   f  have a constant cross-sectional shape, and terminate at the outer radial end of port  406  and port  408  respectively. This prior art construction of the parallel flow paths enables the fluid flowing through flow path  410   a / 418   a  at high pressure to collide in the mixing chamber  401  with the fluid flowing through flow path  410   d / 418   d . Similarly, the fluid flowing through flow path  410   b / 418   b  at high pressure collides in the mixing chamber  401  with the fluid flowing through flow path  410   e / 418   e . The fluid flowing through flow path  410   c / 418   c  at high pressure collides in the mixing chamber  401  with the fluid flowing through flow path  410   f / 418   f . At each one of these points of collision within the mixing chamber  401 , the fluid is mixed and directed out of the outlet mixing chamber element  230  through ports  422  and  424 . 
         [0044]    It should be appreciated that, when the fluid is mixed by colliding one flow path  410   a / 418   a  with a second flow path  410   d / 418   d , the energy dissipated at the point of collision is limited by the speed and trajectory of the liquid flowing in each of the associated flow paths. When collisions of this nature results in increased dissipated energy, the particles in the fluid are broken down further, and the resulting mixture of the fluid is more thorough and consistent. Therefore, it is advantageous to maximize the amount of energy dissipated at the collision point of mixture within the mixing chamber. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIGS. 10 to 12 , an example mixing chamber embodiment of the present invention is discussed and illustrated. In  FIG. 10 , the inlet mixing chamber element  112  includes a top surface  304 , configured to contact the inlet retaining element  108  when inserted into the first opening  115  of the first housing  102 . The inlet mixing chamber element  112  also includes a plurality of ports  300 ,  302  extending from surface  304  toward bottom surface  306 . Ports  300 ,  302  may be small, and it should be appreciated that  FIGS. 10 to 12  have been drawn out of scale for illustrative and explanatory purposes. On bottom surface  306  of the inlet mixing chamber element  112 , a plurality of microchannels  308   a ,  308   b ,  308   c ,  308   d ,  308   e  and  308   f  are etched. The ports  300 ,  302  are in fluid communication with microchannels  308   a  to  308   f . The microchannels extend from an area of fluid communication with the ports  300 ,  302  toward a concentration area  317  within the mixing chamber  301 . It should be appreciated that, in various embodiments, the microchannels  308   a  to  308   f  are each oriented radially outwardly from the concentration area  317  toward the outer circumferential edge of the inlet mixing chamber element  112 . In other various embodiments, the microchannels  308   a  to  308   f  extend radially outwardly from the concentration area  317  toward the outer edge of each respective port  300 ,  302 . 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 11 , the outlet mixing chamber element includes a top surface  310 , a bottom surface  311  and a plurality of ports  314 ,  315  extending from top surface  310  to bottom surface  311 . In one embodiment, a plurality of microchannels  312   a ,  312   b ,  312   c ,  312   d ,  312   e  and  312   f  are etched into top surface  310  of the outlet mixing chamber element  114 . The microchannels  312   a  to  312   f  are in fluid communication with outlet ports  314  and  315  through mixing chamber  301 . Similar to channels  308   a  to  308   f , the microchannels  312   a  to  312   f  are each oriented radially outwardly from the concentration area  317  toward the outer circumferential edge of the outlet mixing chamber element  114 . 
         [0047]    In operation, the inlet mixing chamber element  112  and the outlet mixing chamber element  114  of one embodiment are abutted against one another under high pressure in the mixing assembly. In one embodiment, the microchannels  308   a  to  308   f  of the inlet mixing chamber element  112  and the corresponding microchannels  312   a  to  312   f  of the outlet mixing chamber element  114  complement one another to create fluid-tight micro flow paths when the mixing chamber elements  112 ,  114  are fully assembled. Microchannels  312   a  to  312   f  on surface  310  of the outlet mixing chamber element  114  are configured to line up with corresponding microchannels  308   a  to  308   f  on surface  306  of the inlet mixing chamber element  112  of  FIG. 10  when the two mixing chamber elements are aligned and sealingly abutted against one another. The resulting micro flow paths are defined by flow path  308   a / 312   a , flow path  308   b / 312   b , flow path  308   c / 312   c , flow path  308   d / 312   d , flow path  308   e / 312   e  and flow path  308   f / 312   f . The flow paths created provide a fluid path leading from the top surface of the inlet mixing chamber element  112 , through the ports  300 ,  302 , through the flow paths  308   a / 312   a ,  308   b / 312   b ,  308   c / 312   c ,  308   d / 312   d ,  308   e / 312   e  and  308   f / 312   f  into the mixing chamber  301 , and out the ports  314 ,  315  of the outlet mixing chamber element  114 . 
         [0048]    As discussed generally above and illustrated in detail in  FIGS. 10 to 12 , the microchannels  308   a  to  308   f  and  312   a  to  312   f  may be specifically constructed in the inlet mixing chamber element  112  and the outlet mixing chamber element  114  respectively to encourage a convergent flow of the liquid from the ports  300 ,  302  to each of the micro fluid paths toward a single area in the mixing chamber to be mixed and then through mixing chamber element  314 . Specifically, due to the orientation of the flow paths  308   a / 312   a  to  308   f / 312   f , the fluid exiting each of the flow paths collide in a single concentration area  317  in the mixing chamber  301 . In  FIG. 12 , a top cross-sectional view of the inlet mixing chamber element  112  and the outlet mixing chamber element  114  of one example embodiment of the present invention are illustrated. In various embodiments, after the fluid is pumped into the ports  300 ,  302  of the inlet mixing chamber element, it travels downward toward the top surface  310  of the outlet mixing chamber element  114 . When the fluid flow encounters the outlet mixing chamber element  114 , it changes direction and is discharged out of the plurality of micro flow paths  308   a / 312   a ,  308   b / 312   b ,  308   c / 312   c ,  308   d / 312   d ,  308   e / 312   e  and  308   f / 312   f , where the fluid from each of the flow paths are mixed together in the concentration area  317 . 
         [0049]    As seen in  FIG. 12 , one example embodiment of the present invention includes flow paths that are not parallel to one another in the area bounded by the lower exit of the ports  300 ,  302  and the entrance to the mixing chamber  301 . In various embodiments, the microchannels are etched into the inlet mixing chamber element  112  to direct the fluid flowing through each of the six respective micro flow path toward a single concentration area  317  in the mixing chamber. In one embodiment of the present invention, the micro flow paths  308   a / 312   a  to  308   f / 312   f  have a generally rectangular cross-section. In another embodiment, the micro flow paths  308   a / 312   a  to  308   f / 312   f  have a generally round cross-section. 
         [0050]    It should be appreciated that in various embodiments, because the plurality of micro fluid paths direct the respective fluid to a concentration area  317 , each of the flow paths converge and interact with one another in the mixing chamber  301 . In various embodiments, the fluid flowing through each of the converging micro flow paths  308   a / 312   a  to  308   f / 312   f  is travelling at very high speeds. Distinguishable from current devices, in which the high speed fluid flow of each micro flow path only interacts initially with the complementary opposing micro flow path, the converging micro flow paths of the present disclosure provide a much greater impact zone at the concentration area of the mixing chamber. As discussed above and generally understood, as the energy dissipated in the collision of fluid flows in the mixing chamber increases, the breakdown of the particles is optimized, therefore resulting in desirable fluid mixing consistency and reliability. In current devices, each point of collision includes only two high-speed fluid flows, and therefore the energy dissipated at the collision point in the mixing chamber is limited. However, it should be appreciated that in various embodiments of the present disclosure, the concentration area in the mixing chamber includes the convergence six high-speed fluid flows, thereby increasing the impact force of the fluid against other fluid flows, and maximizing energy dissipation and particle breakdown. In various embodiments, the number of converging micro flow paths is more than six. 
         [0051]    It should be appreciated that in various embodiments, given the consistency of mixing required, the flow rate of the fluid and the pressure can be decreased compared to prior art devices requiring the same mixing consistency. As the number of high-speed impinging fluid flows converging on a concentration area increases, the speed of the fluid flow required for a threshold level of energy dissipation is reduced. For example, in current devices, to achieve a given level of energy dissipation and quality of mixing in the mixing chamber, the fluid flowing through the parallel micro flow paths must travel at a certain high speed. However, in the device of one embodiment disclosed herein, to achieve the same level of energy dissipation and quality of mixing in the mixing chamber, the fluid flowing through the converging micro flow paths toward the concentration area may travel at a lower speed than the current device due to the multiple paths interacting with one another in the concentration area. In addition to saving cost and resources, the present disclosure performs consistently and reliably, and can advantageously be configured to operate with current machines needing no modification. 
         [0052]    It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.