Aseptic Coupling Covers for Simultaneous Membrane Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aseptic coupling devices require a 'dry-to-dry' connection method that necessitates the use of clamping devices to maintain sterility during fluid transfer, which complicates the process and may lead to potential contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of aseptic coupling devices with rotatable protective covers and removable membranes that allow for simultaneous or near-simultaneous removal of membranes from aligned devices, ensuring a sterile fluid pathway is established without the need for clamping devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clamping devices are used to maintain sterility during fluid transfer, then sterile connection is achieved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the clamping devices from the system by using a membrane-based sealing approach. The membrane remains attached to the connector body and is removed only when needed, eliminating the need for separate clamping mechanisms while maintaining sterility during connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is segmented into two parts: the permanent membrane attached to the connector body and the removable protective cap. This segmentation allows the membrane to provide continuous sealing without requiring complex clamping devices, while the cap provides additional protection during storage and transport.
2Reliability
If clamping devices are used to maintain sterility during fluid transfer, then sterile connection is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the clamping device requirement by using a membrane that remains attached to the connector body. The membrane is removed simply by pulling it off the connector face, which is much easier than operating clamping devices, while still achieving sterile connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane is pre-attached to the connector body in a sterile state during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures sterility is maintained without requiring complex operational steps during connection, as the membrane is already in place and only needs to be removed when establishing fluid flow.
3Productivity
If membranes are removed sequentially from connected devices, then fluid flow is established, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective cap removal with the membrane removal process. When the protective cap is removed from one connector, it simultaneously exposes and removes the membrane from both connected devices, ensuring that fluid flow is established in a coordinated manner that minimizes contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cap serves as an intermediary that controls the timing of membrane removal. By attaching the cap to both connectors and removing it simultaneously, the system ensures that membranes are removed in a coordinated fashion, preventing one-sided exposure that could lead to contamination.
Data Source
AI summary
An aseptic coupling arrangement can include a first coupling device and a second aseptic coupling device. In one embodiment, the first and second coupling devices are substantially similar, each having a main body defining a front face and a fluid passageway therethrough. A first connecting feature disposed on the main body of each coupling device may be provided for aligning and coupling the aseptic devices together. Each coupling device may also include a sealing member received in the main body and a membrane removably coupled to the main body front face to cover the sealing member. The first aseptic coupling device may also include a rotatable protective cover that is removably attached to the main body and connected to the membrane. In one embodiment, the removal of the protective covers away from two coupled main bodies, in a direction parallel to the front faces, causes removal of the membranes.