Configurable port assembly

Abstract

A configurable port plate having a flange having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, wherein a channel projects from the top surface and a boss projecting from the bottom surface; a plurality of apertures disposed within the flange; and a plurality of cantilever beams projecting around a perimeter of the plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of cantilever beams is capable of receiving and joining, or releasably joining, an associated port component therewith is disclosed herein.

Description

CONFIGURABLE PORT ASSEMBLYRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority of US Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 608,424, filed December 11, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUNDField of the Technology

[0002] Embodiments of the technologies disclosed herein relate to containers. More specifically, the embodiments described herein describe plates for incorporation within standard two- and three-dimensional containers for the storage, mixing, and / or processing of biological fluids, wherein the plates comprise customizable apertures for accommodating differing sizes and types of sensors and connectors and samplers for custom assemblies.Description of Related Art

[0003] The use of single use bioreactors, bags, and other biocontainers is growing in the bioprocessing industry. These bioreactors, bags, and biocontainers, which comprise films, contact biological fluids, e.g., living cells, proteins, viral vectors, etc. Single-use devices, bioreactors, bags, and biocontainers, and the like, have replaced stainless steel tanks in that biological fluids need not contact a steel shell, which is difficult and expensive to clean and sterilize.

[0004] Single-use bags are typically manufactured from multilayered plastic film coextrusions or laminates. Past and current bags are formed from diecut panels that are welded and / or adhesively joined. These bags have different designs and may be formed of different polymeric materials and / or have different or variable thicknesses. For example, cylindrical bags, having circular top and bottom panels and a rectangular panel therebetween joined with itself to form a cylinder. Other bags are rectangular in shape and comprise panels of film differing in size and shape, i.e., some panels are square, some rectangular, some triangular, and some rhombohedral joined in various combinations and patterns to form bag / containers. Two-dimensional bags are pillowshaped and, accordingly, limited in incorporating other requisite features, i.e., ports for sampling, addition of ingredients, etc.

[0005] Current two-dimensional and three-dimensional single use bags are made using labor-intensive manufacturing processes. This is an expensive process. Manufacturers have therefore tried to automate bag making processes, which has not been successful. Moreover, all bags comprise ports for introducing ingredients into the bags, e.g., cell culture media, adjuvants, oxygen, etc. Particularly within perfusion processes, spent media and dead biological cells must be removed during processing, requiring exit ports as well as recirculation loops. Ports for sampling and for housing multi- and single-use sensors (e.g., dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH, etc.) are incorporated within the bags. However, current single use bags use single-position, permanently-installed ports of one type and size. And, these ports are different for different bag sizes, e.g., 50L, 200L, 500L, lOOOL, 2000L and greater volumes. Customization of port size and types for bags requires investing capital for building custom bags and bag assemblies, i.e., nonstandard bag bodies. In other words, past ports have not been configurable to differing sizes and styles of these needs, i.e., different sensors, sampling devices, connectors, ports for tubing, etc. Other problems include that popular assembly methods, e.g., spin or ultrasonic welding require the support of the back of components, which is virtually impossible after a bag is otherwise completely assembled.

[0006] To date, there has been no solution that can accommodate various port sizes and functions in standardized and sized plates while realizing high-speed, and therefore relatively inexpensive, automation processes across bags of many sizes and styles. A port plate having a low-profile, customizable port assembly that can be joined to standard bags, containers, and bioreactors - easily and repeatably - would represent an advance in the art.

[0007] Customizable port plates for standard biocontainers, bags, liners, mixing bags, and bioreactors of all sizes, and which comprises effective, easy, and practical bonding methods to the standard bags for inexpensive manufacturability, are disclosed herein.SUMMARY

[0008] Embodiments described within this disclosure include port plates, the port plates comprising a flange having a flat first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a plurality of apertures disposed within the flange; and two or more cantilever beams projecting from a perimeter of each of the plurality of apertures. In some embodiments, the port plates are made as a single integrated piece. In other words, the flange, the apertures, and the cantilever beams are made in a single manufacturing operation. For example, a polymeric, injection molding operation may be employed.The plurality of cantilever beams is / are intended to be snap fits to be joined with ports or port holes for sampling, sensors, etc., and other components. The port plates can be joined to a window in a biocontainer, bag, liner, bioreactor, or the like. For example, a flexible, single-use, polymeric bag. Embodiments described herein comprise port plates, comprising a flat flange having a first surface and a second surface that is opposite the first surface; a plurality of apertures disposed within the flat flange; and a gasket disposed within a space between a port and the aperture, wherein the gaskets are overmolded within the port plate and the port plate can be joined to a window formed within a flexible, polymeric bag. Embodiments described herein comprise a port plate having open port sockets that can be populated with various different port types and sizes, depending on application needs. The base port plate may be a sub-assembly installed or otherwise incorporated within single-use, 2D or 3D polymeric bags. Another favorable aspect of embodiments of the disclosure is that ports can be populated after the bag is otherwise completely assembled and enclosed when there is no access to the back of the plate opposite the port attachment side.

[0009] The bag assembly is capable of being used in the single use bioprocessing industry, where a robust disposable carrier liner is needed that produces no leaks and is of low cost. The bag may be placed in a customer carrier and filled with several differing biological, liquid materials. At least one method includes manufacturing standard bags with only the base plate using high-speed automation. Later in the manufacturing process, the plate may then be populated with a suitable port size and type for the specific application desired.

[0010] These and other provisions within this disclosure will become clear from the description, claims, and figures below. Various benefits, aspects, novel and inventive features of the present disclosure, as well as details of exemplary embodiments thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. So the manner in which the features disclosed herein can be understood in detail, more particular descriptions of the embodiments of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the described embodiments may admit to other equally effective port plates and assemblies for use within bioreactors, bags, biocontainers, films and / or materials. It is also to be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be found in otherembodiments without further recitation and that, where possible, identical reference numerals have been used to indicate comparable elements that are common to the figures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of a configurable port plate, according to some embodiments of the disclosure; and

[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-section view taken along line 2-2 of the configurable port plate of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments of the disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a top view of a connector for mating with a configurable port plate, according to some embodiments of the disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a right section view taken along line 4-4 of the connector, according to some embodiments of the disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of the connector of FIG. 3, according to embodiments of the disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 6 depicts a bottom view of a configurable port plate having a gasket disposed within the port plate and further comprising an overmolded area to form a port assembly, according to embodiments of the disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 7 show FIGS. 7A-7C, which depict a diecut panel having a window combined with a port assembly to form an integrated panel, according to some embodiments of the disclosure; and

[0018] FIG. 8 depicts a bioreactor, biocontainer, or mixing bag having a port assembly attached thereto, according to embodiments of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0019] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these embodiments pertain. Also, the following terms used herein are subject to the following definitions, unless the context indicates otherwise.

[0020] Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of the embodiments selected for illustration in the drawings. In the drawings and the followingdescription below, it is to be understood that like numeric designations refer to components of like structure and / or function.

[0021] As used in the specification, various devices and parts may be described as "comprising" other components. The terms “comprise(s),” “include(s),” “having,” “is,” “has,” “can,” “contain(s),” and variants thereof, as used herein, are intended to be open-ended transitional phrases, terms, or words that do not preclude the possibility of additional components.

[0022] As used herein, approximating language may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that may vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” may not be limited to the precise value specified, in some cases. The modifier “about” should also be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the expression “from about 2 to about 4” also discloses the range “from 2 to 4.”

[0023] The term “sterile” is defined as a condition of being free, or substantially free, from contaminants and, particularly within the bioprocessing industry, free from bacteria, germs, and other microorganisms.

[0024] It should be noted that some terms used herein are relative terms. For example, the terms “upper” and “lower” are relative to each other in location, i.e., an upper component is located at a higher elevation than a lower component and is not to be construed as requiring a particular orientation or location of the structure. As a further example, the terms “interior,” “exterior,” “inward,” and “outward” are relative to a center and should not be construed as requiring a particular orientation or location of the structure.

[0025] The terms “top” and “bottom” are relative to an absolute reference, i.e., the surface of the earth. Put another way, a top location is always located at a higher elevation than a bottom location, relative to the surface of the earth.

[0026] The terms “bioreactor,” “bag,” “mixing bag,” and “container” are generally used interchangeably within this disclosure. A flexible bioreactor, bag, or container connotes a flexible vessel that can be folded, collapsed, and expanded and / or the like, and capable of containing, for example, a biological fluid. A single use bioreactor, bag, or container, typically also flexible, is a vessel that is used once and discarded.

[0027] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “certain embodiments,” “one or more embodiments,” “some embodiments,” or “an embodiment” indicates that a feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Therefore, the appearances of the phrases such as “in one or more embodiments,” “in certain embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “in an embodiment” throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Nonetheless, it is to be understood that any feature described herein can be incorporated within any embodiment(s) disclosed herein.

[0028] Publications of patent applications and patents and other non-patent references, cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety in the entire portion cited as if each individual publication or reference were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference herein as being fully set forth. Any patent application to which this application claims priority is also incorporated by reference herein in the manner described above for publications and references.

[0029] FIG. 1 depicts a top view of a configurable port plate 100, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. As depicted, the port plate 100 is oval, although any suitable shape may be employed. Also, the port plate 100 comprises a plurality of apertures 102, and, as depicted, four apertures 102. Any suitable number of apertures may be used, e.g., one, two, three, four, and including eight or more. The number of apertures 102 in the port plate 100 would depend on the number of operations for a given process. For example, for a given bioprocess, one or more sampling procedures may be needed, one or more recirculation loops, such as for a perfusion operation, one or more sensors may be needed to monitor the process, e.g., pH measurement, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and other process parameters, as known to those in the art. In some processes, addition operations, e.g., delivery of cell culture media, adjuvants, etc., to a bioreactor may be added through a port(s). The port component inserted into any of the plurality of apertures 102 may be of differing sizes. For example, a port component may have the same outer dimensions, which mate with the apertures 102 of the port plate 100, so that it is easily incorporated within the port plate 100. However, the dimensions of a barb port, snap fits, etc., component may be different to accommodate a given operation. For example, the inner diameter of the port component may be larger or smaller to receive differently sized tubing. Similarly, a port component may havediffering sizes of inner diameters to accommodate differently sized sensors or sampling apparatus. In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the port component comprises a keying feature, such as a screwing mechanism to hold a sensor port, a luer, a bayonetstyle connector, and / or other connectors known to those having skill in the art. In some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of apertures 102 may have a plug inserted therein if fewer ports are needed, for example, when only one port is required. In other words, the port plate 102 becomes a standard for a multitude of vastly differently sized bags while remaining customizable over that same range of sizes.

[0030] Surrounding the apertures 102 are a plurality of cantilever beams 104. As depicted, there are four cantilever beams 104 on a perimeter of the apertures 102. Disposed between the plurality of cantilever beams 104 are walls 106 that project upwards of a surface of the port plate 100, as shown below.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a cross-section view taken along line 2-2 of the configurable port plate 100 of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. As can be seen, the port plate 100 comprises a bottom surface 110 that is opposite a top surface 108. A plurality of cantilever beams 104 project upwards of the top surface 108. Also, a plurality of walls 106 projects upwards from the top surface 108. The plurality of walls 106 is disposed between the cantilever beams 104. As explained more fully below, the cantilever beams 104 mate with windows of a port component, such as sensor port, a sampling port, and the like. Also, as the cantilever beams 104 become joined with the windows of the port component, the plurality of walls 106 impinge against a bottom surface of the port component.

[0032] FIG. 3 depicts a top view of a connector 200 for mating with the configurable port plate 100, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. The connector 200 is one example of a port component. As shown, the connector 200 is a barb port, which can accommodate tubing or a sensor press-fit thereinto and other components. The barb port 200 has a barb 208, which projects from a top surface 218 of a flange 220. The flange 220 comprises a channel 222 and a plurality of windows 202. A through hole 206 is in the center of the channel 222.

[0033] FIG. 4 depicts a right section view taken along line 4-4 of the connector 200, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 4 depicts the connector 200 having the flange 220 disposed between the channel 222 and a boss 212. The boss 212 projects from a bottom surface 210 of the flange 220. Opposite the bottom surface210 is a top surface 218, from which the channel 222 projects. The bottom surface 210 impinges the plurality of walls of the port plate, as discussed above.

[0034] FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of the connector 200 of FIG. 3, according to embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 5 depicts the connector 200 having the plurality of windows 202, which are disposed around the boss 216. Disposed inside of the boss 212 is a bushing surface 214. The boss 212 comprises an outer perimeter 216, around which an O-ring can be placed, adjacent the bottom surface 210. The through hole 206 is depicted in the center of the connector 200.

[0035] FIG. 6 depicts a bottom view of the configurable port plate 100 having a gasket disposed within the configurable port plate 100 and further comprising an overmolded area 304 to form a port assembly 300, according to embodiments of the disclosure. The port assembly 300 comprises the configurable port plate 100 and a gasket or O-ring 302. The O-ring 302 is placed onto the port component (not shown in this view) and the port component fixed onto the plurality of cantilever beams, discussed above. The O-ring 302 is partially or wholly overmolded. As depicted, the O-ring 302 is partially overmolded to form an overmolded area 304 (shown as dotted lines). In some embodiments, the overmolded area 304 has key features 310 to more strongly adhere the O-ring 302. The boss 216 and the through hole 206 are also depicted. Although the seals, O-rings, or gaskets can be overmolded onto the port plate 100, it is also possible assembled without overmolding.

[0036] FIG. 7 show FIGS. 7A-7C, which depict a diecut panel 406 having a window 412 combined with a port assembly 300 to form an integrated panel 416, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 7A depicts a panel 406 having a window 412 and an outside surface 426 and an internal surface 424. FIG. 7B depicts a port assembly 300 having apertures 102 and a first surface 108. FIG. 7C depicts the port assembly 300 attached to the diecut panel 406. In some embodiments, the port assembly 300 is thermal bonded or heat-staked to the diecut panel 406. In some embodiments, the port assembly 300 is heat staked to the internal surface 424 of the diecut panel 406 to form the top panel 416. As depicted, the port assembly 300 has a first surface 108, which is heat staked to the internal surface 424, further depicting an attachment area 418. In some embodiments, the port assembly 300 is attached to the diecut panel 406 and later attached to a bag.

[0037] FIG. 8 depicts a bioreactor, biocontainer, or mixing bag 400 having a port assembly 300 attached thereto, according to embodiments of the disclosure. Theconfigurable port plate 100 and / or port assembly 300 can be joined to a bag 400 constructed of, for example, six panels in some embodiments. Shown are a front panel 408, a left panel 404, a right panel 402, a back panel 410, a top panel 416, and a bottom panel 412. As depicted, all six panels are substantially similar. The configurable port plate 100 and / or port assembly 300 can be added to the bag 400 by adhering the port plate 100 and / or port assembly 300 to the top panel 416 at the bag window and, as shown, the attachment area 418 is depicted. The configurable port plate 100 and / or port assembly 300 can be adhered to the bag 400 using glues, adhesives, and the like or by heat staking, ultrasonic welding, and / or other thermal methods. Typically, the diecut panel 416 is formed and later attached to the other five panels 404, 402, 408, 410, and 412.

[0038] The bag 400 comprises panels that are joined together. In some embodiments, the panels are bonded using adhesives. In preferred embodiments, the panels are bonded by heating, which partially melts the panels and solidifies as bonds. The heating, which creates seals between panels, may be by any suitable heating method, e.g., ultrasonic heating, induction heating, electromagnetic heating, and / or contact heating. It is to be understood that all panels are joined on all four of its sides with the other adjacent panels.

[0039] In some embodiments, the configurable port plate comprises a flange having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a plurality of apertures disposed within the flange; and a plurality of cantilever beams projecting around a perimeter of the plurality of apertures, wherein the port plate is capable of being joined to a window formed within a flexible, polymeric bag. In some embodiments, the port plate has apertures have equal diameters, and in some embodiments, the apertures have differing diameters.

[0040] In some embodiments, the port plate comprises a flange that has four apertures. And, in some embodiments, the port plate comprises a flange that has four equidistant cantilever beams projecting from each aperture. In some embodiments, the port plate has apertures that are configurable to receive ports, barb ports, sensors, connectors, and samplers.

[0041] In some embodiments, the port component is snapped into the plurality of cantilever beams and a gasket is disposed between a perimeter of a port component and each of the plurality of apertures. In yet some other embodiments, the port plate comprises an integrated assembly wherein a gasket and the port component areovermolded with a polymeric material to form a leak-free bond. In this context, integrated indicates that none of the components, e g., port plate, port components, 0- rings, etc., can be removed without destroying the port assembly. In some embodiments, the material used to overmold the gasket and the port component is silicone rubber. In some embodiments, the material used to overmold the gasket and the port component is a thermoplastic polyolefin or a thermoplastic elastomer. In some embodiments, the material used to overmold the gasket and the port component is a blend of polypropylene, a gamma-stable polypropylene blend, or polyethylene and an ethylene-propylene diene terpolymer. In some exemplary embodiments, the material used to overmold the gasket and the port component is an elastomeric material. Some elastomeric materials includes thermoplastic elastomers that are compatible with polyethylenes, such as high-density polyethylene. In some embodiments, the gaskets or O-rings are overmolded with a mechanical attachment, e.g., molded around a flange having through holes.

[0042] The port plate may be formed of various materials, including metals, ceramics, and various thermosets and thermoplastics. Some embodiments of port plates that are particularly suitable are stable to various sterilization methods, for example, ethylene-oxide treatments, corona treatments, steaming, gamma radiation, ethyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide gas, x-ray, or other sterilizing treatments known to those in the art., such polymeric materials include nylons, polyethylenes (including high- density, low-density, linear-low density, and ultrahigh-density polyethylenes), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, acetals, and some polypropylenes, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the port plate 100 comprises a material having a melting point or a glass-transition (Tg) temperature similar to the material of which the outer film of the bag is made. If the melting or Tg temperatures of the port plate 100 and the bag are similar, both the port plate 100 and the bag can be softened without degradation, promoting a stronger bond therebetween. In some embodiments, the melting or Tg temperatures of the port plate 100 and the bag are within 5-10°C or, in some other embodiments, within 20°C. Similarly, the processing temperatures of the port plate 100 during injection molding is similar to the overmolded material, also promoting a good bond. In some embodiments, these temperatures are within 5-10°C or, in some other embodiments, within 20°C. In yet some other embodiments, within 30°C.

[0043] A biocontainer, bioreactor, or bag, whether 2D or 3D, having an inner volume defined by its sealed sides, top and bottom may incorporate any of the port plates described herein. The inner volume of the biocontainer, bag, or mixing bag can range from 10 liters to 3500 liters or greater. A variety of sizes, such as 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 liters are typical, although larger than 2000L, may be constructed as desired or as appropriate for any particular bioprocessing operation. The biocontainer or bag can used to store or process fluids, (gases, liquids or combinations of both) and / or solids and may be formed into a biocontainer or mixer or storage bag. For example, the biocontainer may be a mixer and may be used to mix various liquids together or a liquid or liquids with one or more solids such as buffer media, cell culture media and the like. The biocontainer or bioreactor may be used for the storage or transport of liquids such as intermediate or finished pharmaceutical products. Various additions such as impellers, sensors, gas and liquid tube sets and the like, as are known to those in the art, may also be incorporated as desired. Because of the customizability of the port plate(s) and its shape, the port plate may be added to any 2D or 3D bag, container, or bioreactor, whether on a top, side, or bottom side of the bag, container, or biocontainer.

[0044] Some embodiments of the disclosure comprise a configurable port plate, having a flange having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, wherein a channel projects from the top surface and a boss projecting from the bottom surface; a plurality of apertures disposed within the flange; and a plurality of cantilever beams projecting around a perimeter of the plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of cantilever beams is capable of receiving and joining an associated port component therewith. In some embodiments, an associated port component, e.g., a connector half, port half, etc., can releasably join the associated port component.

[0045] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects, embodiments, modifications and alterations, will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the present disclosure be construed as including all such aspects, embodiments, modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

[0046] Although some embodiments have been discussed above, otherimplementations and applications are also within the scope of the following claims. Although the specification describes, with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present disclosure. It is therefore to be further understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements and patterns may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments according to the disclosure. Furthermore, particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more of the embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A configurable port plate, comprising: a flange having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, wherein a channel projects from the top surface and a boss projecting from the bottom surface; a plurality of apertures disposed within the flange; and a plurality of cantilever beams projecting around a perimeter of the plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of cantilever beams is capable of receiving and joining an associated port component therewith.

2. The configurable port plate of claim 1, wherein the apertures have equal diameters.

3. The configurable port plate of claim 1, wherein the apertures have differing diameters.

4. The configurable port plate of claim 1, wherein the flange has four apertures.

5. The configurable port plate of claim 1, wherein the flange has four equidistant cantilever beams projecting from each aperture.

6. The configurable port plate of claim 1, wherein the apertures are configurable to receive ports, barb ports, sensors, connectors, and samplers.

7. The configurable port of any of claims 1-6, wherein the apertures are configurable to receive ports, barb ports, sensors, connectors, and samplers of different sizes.

8. A configurable port plate, consisting of: a flange having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, wherein a channel projects from the top surface and a boss projecting from the bottom surface; a plurality of apertures disposed within the flange; and a plurality of cantilever beams projecting around a perimeter of the plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of cantilever beams is capable of receiving and joining an associated port component therewith.

9. The configurable port plate of claim 8, wherein the flat flange is made of a gamma-radiation stable polymeric material or an x-ray radiation stable material.

10. The configurable port plate of claim 8, wherein a port component is snapped into the plurality of cantilever beams.

11. The configurable port plate of claim 10, wherein a gasket is disposed between a perimeter of a port component and each of the plurality of apertures.

12. The configurable port plate of claim 11 , wherein the gasket and the port component are overmolded with a polymeric material to form a leak-free bond.

13. The configurable port plate of claim 1, wherein the port plate is capable of being joined to a window formed within a flexible, polymeric bag.

14. A port assembly, further comprising the configurable port plate of claim 1, an O-ring on the port component and an overmolded area that fully or partially encapsulates the O-ring.

15. A bioreactor bag, biocontainer, or mixing bag, comprising: the port assembly of claim 14, wherein the port assembly is attached to a bag window.

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