Cast-Sealed Vessel Closures for Aseptic Mixed-Tubing Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vessel closures fail to create a substantially aseptic fluid pathway using both elastomeric and thermoplastic tubing within the same closure, as thermoplastic tubing is damaged by manufacturing temperatures and silicone does not adhere well to thermoplastic tubing, limiting the ability to transfer fluids while maintaining sterility and controlling temperature.
Innovation Solution
A vessel closure design featuring a cast seal of pourable, self-leveling silicone surrounding inserts, including silicone and thermoplastic tubing, with anchors and deformable sleeves to secure and seal the thermoplastic tubing, allowing for aseptic fluid transfer and temperature control, and a manufacturing method involving apertures, inserts, and a casting agent to form a seal around the tubing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If insert injection molding is used to manufacture vessel closures with elastomeric tubing, then the tubing can be securely attached, but thermoplastic tubing is damaged or melted due to high manufacturing temperatures (350°F-400°F)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the manufacturing process into separate stages: first forming the closure body with elastomeric tubing using insert injection molding, then adding thermoplastic tubing in a subsequent lower-temperature process. This segmentation allows each material to be processed under appropriate conditions without compromising integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric tubing is pre-installed and secured in the closure body before the thermoplastic tubing is added. This preliminary action ensures the first tubing is firmly in place and establishes a foundation for the second tubing to be added without interfering with the initial attachment.
2Reliability
If silicone seal is used in vessel closure, then good sealing is achieved, but silicone does not adhere well to thermoplastic tubing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate layer or surface treatment between the silicone seal and thermoplastic tubing that enables adhesion. This intermediary component allows the silicone to bond effectively to the thermoplastic surface, overcoming the natural incompatibility between these materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures where silicone and thermoplastic tubing are combined with an adhesion-promoting interface. This composite approach allows both materials to retain their desirable properties while achieving reliable bonding through the engineered interface.
3Reliability
If vessel closure is designed as pre-sterilized and disposable, then aseptic transfer is ensured without operator sterilization, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the closure into modular components (closure body, elastomeric tubing, thermoplastic tubing, seals) that can be separately manufactured and then assembled. This modularity enables each component to be optimized for sterilization and allows for efficient disposable manufacturing while maintaining aseptic integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the vessel closure as a disposable unit that can be pre-sterilized and used once. This approach eliminates the need for operator sterilization and ensures aseptic conditions, with the trade-off of increased manufacturing complexity being offset by reduced operational complexity and improved reliability.
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 enables a low-cost, disposable vessel closure that maintains aseptic fluid transfer and temperature control, combining elastomeric and thermoplastic tubing within a single closure, overcoming previous limitations and enhancing manufacturing flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a cast seal of pourable, self-leveling silicone surrounding inserts, including silicone and thermoplastic tubing, with anchors and deformable sleeves to secure and seal the thermoplastic tubing
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid transfer hub has a first vessel closure, a second vessel closure, a gasket arranged between the first vessel closure and the second vessel closure, and a clamp at least partially surrounding the first vessel closure, the second vessel closure, and the gasket. The first vessel closure has a first body, one or more apertures extending axially through the first body, one or more first inserts extending axially through the one or more apertures, and a cast seal disposed within the first body and surrounding each first insert. The second vessel closure has a second body, one or more apertures extending axially through the second body, one or more second inserts extending axially through the one or more apertures, and a cast seal disposed within the second body and surrounding each second insert.