Single-Use Fluid Couplings With Irreversible Aseptic Disconnect

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fluid systems, particularly in bioprocessing, face challenges in aseptically disconnecting fluid flow paths without risking biological contamination or fluid spillage, especially when disconnecting media bags from bioreactors, as existing solutions often require sterile environments and can lead to contamination from reconnection.

Innovation Solution

The development of single-use fluid coupling devices with a removable sleeve that holds open valves during connection and irreversibly blocks fluid paths upon disconnection, preventing reconnection and minimizing spillage through a sequence of valve closure, thus ensuring aseptic disconnection and reducing the need for sterile environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional fluid couplings are disconnected, then fluid flow path can be changed, but fluid spillage and biological contamination occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow path reconfigurationVSAvoidbiological contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The valve closes automatically before the coupling halves are fully separated, preemptively blocking the fluid path to prevent spillage and contamination during the disconnection process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The valve acts as an intermediary component between the fluid path and the external environment, controlling fluid flow during disconnection to prevent harmful contamination while allowing operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional fluid couplings are disconnected and reconnected, then operational flexibility is maintained, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereconnection capabilityVSAvoidaseptic integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device is designed as a single-use component where the valve irreversibly closes after disconnection, preventing reconnection and eliminating contamination risk from reuse, while maintaining operational flexibility during the initial use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device is discarded after single use with the valve closed, eliminating the need to recover or sterilize components for reuse, thereby maintaining aseptic integrity while providing operational flexibility during the operational phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If sterile environments are used for disconnection, then contamination is prevented, but operational complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidsterile environment requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve function is extracted from the coupling mechanism itself and integrated as a separate controllable component, allowing contamination prevention through automated valve closure rather than requiring complex sterile environmental controls

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device performs its own contamination prevention function through automated valve closure during disconnection, eliminating the need for external sterile environment infrastructure and reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 fluid spillage and biological contamination by ensuring irreversible blockage of fluid paths after disconnection, eliminating the need for sterile environments and preventing contamination from reuse, while maintaining operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

While the removable sleeve is engaged with the first and second couplings, the removable sleeve holds open each of the valves of the first and second couplings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

the valves of the first and second couplings are spring-biased to close. While the removable sleeve is engaged with the first and second couplings, the removable sleeve directly may contact movable poppets of each of the valves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11480281B2Single-use disconnect fluid couplings

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 COLDER PRODUCTS CO

AI summary

Some fluid coupling devices described herein are configured for use in fluid systems for purposes of providing a single-use, 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.