Aseptic Single-Use Fluid Couplings for Non-Spill Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid coupling devices in bioprocessing systems face challenges in aseptic disconnection, leading to potential biological contamination and the need for sterile environments, while also being prone to fluid spillage during disconnection.
Innovation Solution
The development of single-use, aseptic fluid coupling devices with irreversibly blocked fluid paths after disconnection, featuring a retainer mechanism that ensures seals are compressed to prevent reconnection and spillage, and a design that allows for non-spill disconnection and aseptic handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional fluid coupling devices are used for disconnection, then operational flexibility is improved, but biological contamination risk increases and sterile environments are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs single-use disposable coupling devices that are discarded after one connection cycle. These disposable couplings eliminate contamination risk by ensuring that no previously used components remain in the fluid path, removing the need for sterile environments while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the coupling device from the system after a single use. By designing the coupling to be taken out and discarded rather than reused or sterilized, the system eliminates contamination pathways while preserving the ability to perform disconnections as needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional coupling devices allow reconnection, then operational versatility is improved, but fluid spillage risk increases during disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing reconnection after disconnection, the patent inverts the approach by designing the coupling to be single-use only. The coupling is intentionally made不可 reconnectable, which paradoxically prevents fluid spillage by eliminating the disconnection/reconnection cycle that creates spillage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable nature of the coupling device ensures that fluid paths are sealed and discarded after one use, preventing fluid spillage that would occur during repeated connection and disconnection operations with reusable couplings.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If aseptic disconnection is implemented, then contamination prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves contamination prevention through simplicity by using disposable couplings with basic sealing mechanisms rather than complex aseptic systems. The low complexity is possible because the device is discarded after one use, eliminating the need for sophisticated sterilization or sealing mechanisms required in reusable systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is segmented into separate components that can be easily manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows for simple sealing mechanisms at each interface while maintaining overall contamination prevention through the single-use design.
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 effectively minimizes contamination risk, eliminates the need for sterile rooms, reduces manufacturing complexity, and ensures efficient, cost-effective operations by preventing reuse and maintaining aseptic conditions during disconnection.
Implementation Method 1
a first closure clip movably coupled to the first body and including a first projection configured to compress the first seal when the first closure clip is pressed into the first body
Implementation Method 2
The retainer holds the first and second couplings in contact with each other such that: (i) the first seal abuts against the second seal and (ii) the first fluid flow path and the second fluid flow path are fluidly connected
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid coupling devices can be configured for use in fluid systems for purposes of providing a single-use, aseptic disconnection functionality that can substantially limit fluid spillage when being disconnected. In some embodiments, the coupling portions cannot be functionally reconnected to each other after being disconnected from each other. The coupling portions can be identical to each other in some embodiments. A retainer component of the fluid coupling devices can be removably engaged with the coupling portions while the coupling portions are abutted against each other in an operative arrangement.