Aseptic Fluid Couplings With Sequential Valve Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid coupling devices for sterile fluid systems face challenges in aseptic disconnection, leading to potential biological contamination and fluid spillage during disconnection, which requires sterile environments and may involve reconnection risks.
Innovation Solution
The development of single-use, aseptic disconnection fluid coupling devices with irreversible blocking of fluid paths, using a sequential closure mechanism to prevent reconnection and minimize spillage, designed for large diameter tubing and potentially eliminating the need for sterile rooms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fluid coupling devices are used for disconnection, then reconnection is possible, but biological contamination and fluid spillage occur during disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device performs preliminary actions by automatically closing the first valve member before separation and the second valve member after separation during the disconnection process. This sequential valve closure prevents fluid spillage and biological contamination before they can occur, addressing the harmful effects while maintaining reliable aseptic disconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device introduces valve members as intermediary components between the fluid paths and the external environment. These valve members act as mediators that control fluid flow during disconnection, preventing direct exposure of fluid to contamination risks while enabling safe separation of coupling halves.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sterile environments are used to prevent contamination, then biological contamination is reduced, but the complexity and cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device provides self-service by incorporating automatic valve closure mechanisms that operate during the disconnection process itself. The valve members are actuated by the disconnection motion to seal fluid paths, eliminating the need for external sterile environment controls and reducing system complexity while maintaining contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is designed as a single-use disposable component that prevents contamination through its built-in valve mechanism rather than requiring expensive sterile infrastructure. After one use, the entire coupling is discarded, eliminating reconnection risks and the need for complex sterile environment maintenance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If coupling devices are designed for reconnection, then versatility is improved, but the risk of contamination upon reconnection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device inverts the conventional approach by designing for single-use disposal rather than reconnection. The valve members are configured to close during disconnection and remain closed, making reconnection mechanically impossible or highly unlikely. This inversion eliminates reconnection contamination risk while the valve mechanism provides the necessary adaptability for safe single-use operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Some fluid coupling devices described herein are configured for use in fluid systems for purposes of providing a single-use, aseptic disconnection functionality that substantially prevents fluid spillage when being disconnected. In some embodiments, the coupling portions cannot be functionally reconnected to each other after being disconnected from each other. Some fluid coupling device embodiments described herein include a fluid flow path that is a metallic-free. Moreover, some embodiments of the fluid coupling devices provided herein include no metal whatsoever. That is, the fluid coupling devices are entirely metallic-free.