Aseptic Fluid Couplings With Removable Membranes and Genderless Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid coupling devices in bioprocessing and blood handling systems face challenges in maintaining aseptic connections without requiring sterile environments and are often gendered, complicating usage and inventory management.
Innovation Solution
Aseptic fluid coupling devices with removable membrane strips and genderless design, featuring mechanical locks to maintain a coupled state and minimize membrane stress during bonding, allowing for single-use connections that prevent contamination and simplify operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fluid coupling devices are used, then fluid transfer can be achieved, but sterile environments (sterile rooms) are required which increases complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling devices are pre-sterilized and packaged in sterile containers with protective membranes before use. The sterile barrier is maintained until the moment of connection, allowing aseptic operation without requiring a sterile room environment throughout the entire procedure
Solution Approach 2:
Protective membranes act as intermediaries between the sterile coupling interior and the non-sterile external environment. These membranes prevent contamination during handling and storage, enabling reliable aseptic connections without requiring controlled sterile environments
2Adaptability or versatility
If gendered coupling designs are used, then connection specificity is achieved, but usage complexity and inventory management are complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is designed with universal, genderless connectors that can connect to any matching port regardless of orientation or configuration. This universal design simplifies usage and inventory management while maintaining connection specificity through complementary port designs
3Reliability
If membrane strips are bonded to coupling surfaces, then contamination protection is improved, but membrane stress and bonding complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective barrier is implemented as a thin, flexible membrane that conforms to the coupling surface geometry. This flexible membrane design provides effective contamination protection while accommodating surface variations and reducing bonding complexity compared to rigid barriers
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane is pre-positioned and secured to the coupling exterior before assembly. This preliminary securing prevents contamination during handling while the final assembly process completes the protective barrier without requiring complex bonding operations
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 ensures aseptic fluid transfer without sterile rooms, reduces contamination risk, simplifies usage, and minimizes inventory needs, while maintaining sterility and flexibility in fluid connections.
Implementation Method 1
a heating ring surrounding the middle protruding portion... compressing the membrane between the heating ring and the surface to create a bond
Data Source
AI summary
Aseptic fluid coupling devices can be used for fluid systems and manufacturing processes that require sterilized fluid flow pathways. For example, aseptic fluid coupling devices that include removable membrane strips that protect the interior of the aseptic fluid coupling devices from contamination prior to use can be used in such contexts. Methods for attaching removable membranes to the aseptic fluid coupling devices can include the use of a pre-formed membrane or heat sealing using a protruding die that reduces the resultant tension of the removable membranes.