Reusable Aseptic Fluid Couplings With Disposable Sterile Caps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid coupling systems in bioprocessing often fail to provide both sterile connection and disconnection repeatedly, leading to increased equipment costs and reduced processing efficiency due to the need for complex single-use tubing assemblies.
Innovation Solution
Development of reusable aseptic fluid coupling systems that allow multiple connection and disconnection cycles while maintaining sterility and isolation of the fluid pathway, even in non-sterile environments, using configurations with valve bodies, valve members, and caps that provide a sterile fluid pathway through bayonet-style connections and flexible seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If single-use fluid handling equipment is used, then sterility is maintained during connection and disconnection, but equipment costs increase and processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies disposable sterile caps that are discarded after a single use to maintain sterility during connection and disconnection operations, eliminating the need for complex sterilization procedures and allowing rapid reuse of the main coupling device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a system where the disposable cap is discarded after use while the main coupling device is recovered and reused, separating the sterile barrier function from the reusable connection mechanism to improve overall processing efficiency
2Reliability
If complex single-use tubing assemblies are employed to make multiple sterile connections and disconnections, then sterility is maintained, but process equipment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coupling system into a reusable main body and a disposable cap component, allowing the sterile function to be separated from the connection mechanism. This segmentation enables multiple reuse cycles of the main device while maintaining sterility through the disposable cap
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable cap serves as a low-cost, single-use component that provides the sterile barrier function, eliminating the need for complex sterile assemblies and reducing overall equipment costs while maintaining reliable sterile connections
3Productivity
If reusable fluid coupling systems are used, then equipment costs decrease, but maintaining sterility during multiple connection and disconnection cycles becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a disposable cap as a low-cost component that provides the sterile barrier function, allowing the reusable coupling device to maintain sterility reliability through the periodic replacement of this simple disposable element
4Productivity
If connection and disconnection operations are performed repeatedly, then processing efficiency improves, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary sterilization of the main coupling device and uses disposable pre-sterilized caps for each connection operation, preparing the sterile barrier in advance to enable rapid connections without contamination risk
Data Source
AI summary
Some fluid coupling devices described herein are configured for use in fluid systems for purposes of providing a repeatable, aseptic fluid coupling system. Such repeatable, aseptic fluid coupling systems are configured to facilitate multiple connection and disconnection cycles while repeatably establishing a sterile fluid pathway through the coupling system. The repeatable, aseptic fluid coupling systems can repeatably establish a sterile fluid pathway through the coupling system even though the coupling system may be used in a non-sterile environment.