Rotatable Sample Coupling for Aseptic Fluid Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for accessing fluids in containers often require laborious machining and create additional openings, compromising the aseptic or controlled conditions within the container.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a sanitary fitting and a rotatable sample coupling with multiple ports, allowing fluid access through an existing container opening without additional machining, using pre-sterilized components and clamps to control fluid flow, and a stop mechanism to prevent rotation beyond 360 degrees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If additional openings are created in the container to access fluid, then fluid accessibility is improved, but the risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the access function into multiple sealed ports (first port in sanitary fitting, second ports in sample coupling) that can be selectively aligned. The sample coupling rotates to bring different second ports into alignment with the first port, allowing multiple sampling operations through a single sealed container opening, thereby maintaining container integrity while providing operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The device introduces an intermediary sampling system that connects to the container through a sealed interface. The sanitary fitting with rotatable sample coupling acts as an intermediary mechanism that enables fluid access without requiring direct penetration into the container, thus maintaining the sealed environment while allowing sampling operations.
2Reliability
If complex mechanisms are used to maintain controlled conditions, then contamination prevention is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable sample coupling integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides multiple sealed ports for sampling, maintains contamination prevention through sealed alignment, and enables operational control through rotation. This multi-functional design achieves reliable contamination prevention without requiring multiple separate complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses dynamic rotation of the sample coupling to achieve different operational states. The rotatable mechanism allows the system to transition between sealed and access states, and between different sampling ports, providing operational flexibility while maintaining contamination prevention through controlled alignment.
3Device complexity
If simple access mechanisms are used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to maintain controlled conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the access mechanism into simple, modular components: a sanitary fitting with a first port, and a rotatable sample coupling with multiple second ports. Each component is relatively simple in design, yet their combination through rotation provides the capability to maintain controlled conditions while enabling sampling operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A device (10) and method for aseptically or non-aseptically accessing a fluid in a container (210) using an existing container opening (211). The device (10) includes a sanitary fitting (12) for attaching the device to the container over the existing container opening, and a sample coupling (14) associated with the sanitary fitting. The sanitary fitting (12) includes a first port (32), and the sample coupling (14) includes at least two second ports (52). The sample coupling (14) is rotatable relative to the sanitary fitting (12) in one direction to cause the first port (32) to successively align with each of the second ports (52), and thereby allows access to the fluid through the aligned first and second ports (32,52).