Aseptic Coupling Membrane Removal for Sterile Fluid Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aseptic coupling devices require a 'dry-to-dry' connection process that involves clamping devices to maintain sterility, which complicates the fluid transfer process and may compromise sterility if not handled properly.
Innovation Solution
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 without the need for clamping devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clamping devices are used to maintain sterility during connection, then sterility is preserved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes clamping devices from the connection process by using a membrane-based sealing system. The membrane is removed from the coupling device, allowing direct connection without external clamping devices, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining sterility through the membrane seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane acts as an intermediary sealing element between the two coupling devices. Instead of using clamping devices to maintain sterility, the membrane provides the sealing function, and its removal enables sterile connection without requiring external clamping mechanisms.
2Reliability
If clamping devices are used to maintain sterility, then sterility is preserved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for clamping devices by integrating the sealing function into the coupling device itself through the membrane. This extraction of the clamping function simplifies the operation to merely removing the membrane and connecting the devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is designed to be self-sufficient by incorporating the membrane seal directly into its structure. The device maintains sterility on its own without requiring external clamping devices, making the operation simpler and more intuitive.
3Ease of operation
If membranes are removed sequentially from uncoupled devices, then sterility may be compromised, but simultaneous removal simplifies operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the membrane removal actions of both coupling devices by attaching their protective covers together. This allows simultaneous or near-simultaneous removal of both membranes, simplifying operation while maintaining sterility through the coordinated process.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective covers act as intermediaries that link the two coupling devices together. By attaching the covers, the operator ensures that both membranes are removed simultaneously, preventing contamination while simplifying the overall operation.
4Ease of operation
If protective covers are attached to each other for simultaneous membrane removal, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective cover functions of both coupling devices by providing attachment features that allow the covers to be connected. This integration simplifies the membrane removal process while adding minimal complexity through the attachment mechanism.
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.