Aseptic Genderless Fluid Coupling With Removable Seal Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid couplings often fail to provide aseptic and genderless connections that maintain sterility and prevent biological contamination, while also being designed for single-use applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of fluid coupling devices with a main body, a post, a seal, and a removable membrane, featuring a protective cover and optionally a lever valve, ensuring aseptic and genderless connections that maintain sterility and are structurally configured for single-use, using materials like thermoplastics and seals with hourglass cross-sectional shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing fluid couplings are designed for reusable connections, then device complexity and durability are improved, but sterility maintenance and prevention of biological contamination deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid coupling device is designed as a single-use disposable component that is discarded after one connection cycle, eliminating the need for complex sterilization mechanisms and repeated cleaning procedures. This disposable approach ensures sterility is maintained without requiring reusable components that need ongoing maintenance and sterilization protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is divided into distinct functional segments including a male coupling portion with seal and membrane, and a female coupling portion with separate seal, allowing each component to be independently manufactured and sterilized before use, simplifying the overall sterility maintenance strategy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fluid couplings include valve components to block or allow flow, then flow control capability is improved, but device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve functionality is merged directly into the coupling mechanism itself. The male coupling portion includes a valve member that is integrated with the sealing structure, allowing flow control to be achieved through the same component that provides the fluid barrier, rather than requiring separate valve assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member is designed to be movable between a first position that blocks fluid flow and a second position that allows fluid flow. This dynamic positioning capability is achieved through the interaction between the movable seal and the coupling surfaces, allowing flow control without additional complex valve mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If fluid couplings are designed for quick connection, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of aseptic connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is pre-positioned to cover the seal on the male coupling portion before connection occurs. This preliminary protective action ensures that the seal is already covered and protected from contamination before the quick connection takes place, maintaining aseptic conditions during the rapid coupling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane acts as an intermediary protective barrier between the seal and the external environment during connection. This intermediate layer allows quick connection to occur while maintaining aseptic protection, as the membrane can be quickly removed or breached after connection is established.
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid handling couplings can include a main body with a front face and defining a longitudinal axis. Fluid handling couplings can include a post extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a post receptacle. Fluid handling couplings can include a seal coupled to the main body around the longitudinal axis. A portion of the seal can protrude from the front face of the main body. Fluid handling couplings can include a removable membrane releasably attached to the front face of the main body and covering the portion of the seal protruding from the front face of the main body. Fluid handling couplings can be genderless, can include manually openable valves, and can be configured for single-use aseptic fluid handling usage.