Low-Temperature Aseptic Coupling Assembly for Cryogenic Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aseptic coupling technologies fail to maintain a sealed and aseptic connection at low temperatures, particularly when handling pharmaceutical or biological fluids stored in containers that require freezing, as they often deform or lose sealing integrity when exposed to cryogenic temperatures.
Innovation Solution
An aseptic low-temperature coupling assembly featuring connectors with complementary retaining features and a gasket that maintains its shape and sealing integrity after being cooled to at least −50° C and then heated back to ambient temperature, ensuring a sealed fluid connection without substantial deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional aseptic coupling technologies are used at low temperatures, then the coupling can be formed at ambient temperature, but the sealing integrity is lost when cooled to cryogenic temperatures due to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting materials with specific thermal properties that maintain structural integrity across temperature ranges. The gasket material is chosen to have low thermal contraction and maintain elasticity at cryogenic temperatures, while connector materials are selected for their dimensional stability when cooled, ensuring sealing integrity is preserved from ambient to −50° C. or lower temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly uses composite materials strategically assigned to different components. The gasket is made from a elastomeric material specifically selected for its ability to maintain sealing properties at low temperatures, while connectors use rigid materials with low thermal expansion. This composite approach ensures each material performs optimally under cryogenic conditions, preventing the deformation that occurs with conventional single-material designs
2Strength
If connectors are designed with retaining features for secure coupling, then the mechanical connection is strengthened, but the complexity of the connector design increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design segments the coupling function into distinct retaining features: protrusions on one connector and corresponding recesses on the other. This segmentation allows each feature to be optimized independently for its specific function (mechanical retention vs. alignment vs. sealing), achieving strong mechanical connection without excessive overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into the connector design: the retaining features simultaneously provide mechanical strength, alignment guidance, and sealing surface definition. By combining these functions into integrated features rather than separate components, the design achieves strong mechanical connection while minimizing the increase in complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a reliable and aseptic sealed connection for low-temperature fluid storage containers, preventing contamination and maintaining fluid integrity across temperature fluctuations, thus ensuring the safety and purity of the stored materials.
Implementation Method 1
the gasket is formed to have no substantial deformation after being cooled to at least −50° C. then heated to ambient temperature
Data Source
AI summary
An aseptic low-temperature coupling assembly includes a first connector, a second connector, and a gasket disposed in the first or the second connector. The first and second connectors include a first retaining feature and a second retaining feature configured to couple together the first and the second connectors and align openings in the first and second connectors. The gasket is formed to have no substantial deformation after being cooled to at least −50° C. then heated to ambient temperature. A method of aseptically connecting a low-temperature fluid storage container includes coupling a first connector to a second connector via first retaining features and second retaining features of the connectors. The coupling compresses a gasket between the first connector and the second connector and aligns an opening in the first connector with an opening in the second connector.