Aseptic Coupling Locking Ring for Clamp-Free Sterile Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aseptic coupling devices require complex clamping mechanisms to maintain sterility during fluid transfer, which can be cumbersome and prone to leakage, especially when establishing a sterile connection between processing equipment.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a first and second aseptic coupling device with a locking ring and ring adapter that indexes and secures to form a seal, allowing for a sterile connection without external clamps, with membranes removable to establish a fluid pathway while maintaining sterility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional clamping mechanisms are used to maintain sterility during fluid transfer, then sterility can be maintained, but the device complexity increases and the operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into separate components: a first coupling device with a sealing member and a second coupling device with a receiving chamber. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex external clamping mechanisms while maintaining sterility through the integrated sealing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The first coupling device is inserted into the second coupling device, with the sealing member nested within the receiving chamber. This nested configuration provides a compact, clamp-free design that maintains sterility while simplifying the overall device structure.
2Reliability
If dry-to-dry connection is used to maintain sterility, then sterility is preserved, but the ease of operation decreases due to the need for upstream clamping devices
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling devices are designed to be self-contained, with the sealing member and receiving chamber forming an integrated sterile barrier. This eliminates the need for separate upstream clamping devices, allowing operators to simply connect the two coupling devices directly without additional steps.
3Reliability
If locking mechanisms are added to prevent reverse rotation, then the reliability of the connection improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking feature is designed with an asymmetric geometry that allows easy insertion in the correct orientation but prevents reverse rotation. This simple asymmetric design provides reliable connection security without adding complex locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex active locking mechanism that requires actuation, the design uses a passive asymmetric feature that automatically prevents reverse rotation through its geometry alone. This inverted approach simplifies the device while maintaining connection security.
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
This solution simplifies the connection process, ensures a secure and sterile fluid pathway, and reduces the risk of leakage by using a locking mechanism that prevents reverse rotation, allowing for efficient and reliable fluid transfer between equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a compressive force sufficient to press the first and second seals together to form a seal
Data Source
AI summary
Formation of a sterile connection includes inserting a first aseptic coupling device into a second aseptic coupling device while a locking ring of the first aseptic device is in an indexed initial position, rotating the locking ring to a secured position in which a compressive force is created and in which a first membrane from the first aseptic coupling device and a second membrane from the second aseptic coupling device can removed thereby resulting in a first a first sealing member of the first aseptic coupling device sealing with a second sealing member of the second aseptic coupling device to form a sterile fluid passageway.