Aseptic Coupling Covers for Simultaneous Membrane Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aseptic coupling devices require complex dry-to-dry connections and clamping mechanisms, which can be cumbersome and may compromise sterility during fluid pathway connections between processing equipment.
Innovation Solution
The design of aseptic coupling devices with rotatable protective covers that expose membranes for simultaneous or near-simultaneous removal, allowing for a sterile fluid passageway establishment by aligning and connecting similar devices with integrated sealing members and connectors, ensuring sterility and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional dry-to-dry coupling with clamping devices is used, then sterility can be maintained during connection, but the operational complexity and time required for connection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling devices are pre-sterilized and equipped with sterile membranes covering the connection interfaces before use. The protective covers are pre-attached to maintain sterility during storage and handling, and are only removed at the moment of connection, eliminating the need for complex clamping mechanisms during the connection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the complex clamping devices and dry-to-dry connection mechanisms from the system. Instead, it uses a simplified membrane-based sealing system where sterile membranes are directly exposed through protective covers, allowing for straightforward connection without additional clamping components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If protective covers are used to maintain sterility, then contamination risk is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses thin film membranes as the primary sealing mechanism, covered by protective covers during storage and handling. These flexible薄膜 structures provide effective contamination protection while adding minimal structural complexity compared to rigid sealing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is segmented into distinct functional components: the main body, the sterile membrane, and the protective cover. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the membrane provides sterility, the cover provides protection during handling, and they can be manufactured and sterilized separately before assembly.
3Productivity
If simultaneous membrane removal is implemented, then connection efficiency is improved, but the coordination requirement between operators increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective covers of both coupling devices are designed to be connected together, allowing operators to remove both membranes simultaneously by pulling on a single connected cover assembly. This merging of the cover removal actions eliminates the need for precise coordination between multiple operators while maintaining high connection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The connected protective covers serve as an intermediary mechanism that synchronizes the membrane removal process. By attaching the covers together before removal, the system uses this intermediary connection to ensure both membranes are removed at the same time, improving efficiency without requiring complex coordination procedures.
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.