Vessel Closure Cast Seals for Mixed Tubing Aseptic 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, and they are not cost-effective or disposable, making them unsuitable for applications requiring sterile conditions and temperature control during fluid transfer.

Innovation Solution

A vessel closure design featuring a body with apertures and inserts, where silicone or thermoplastic tubing extends through, with a cast seal made from pourable, self-leveling silicone or a deformable sleeve surrounding thermoplastic tubing, allowing for bonding with a casting agent to form a unified aseptic seal, and manufacturing methods that cure the seal at lower temperatures to accommodate both types of tubing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If insert injection molding is used to manufacture vessel closures with elastomeric tubing, then the tubing can be securely attached to the closure body, but the high manufacturing temperatures (350° to 400° F.) will melt or damage thermoplastic tubing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetubing attachment strengthVSAvoidthermal damage to thermoplastic tubing

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the sealing system into separate functional components: a closure body, a seal member, and tubing inserts. The seal member is attached to the closure body through a two-stage process where the closure body is first molded, then the seal member is attached in a separate operation at lower temperatures, allowing thermoplastic tubing to be inserted without thermal damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seal member acts as an intermediary component between the closure body and the tubing. It provides the sealing function and attachment interface, allowing the tubing to be secured to the closure body without direct exposure to high molding temperatures. The seal member is attached to the closure body at temperatures safe for thermoplastic materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If all elastomeric tubing is used in vessel closures, then the tubing can be molded directly into the closure body, but thermoplastic tubing cannot be incorporated due to temperature incompatibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetubing integration processVSAvoidtubing material options

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the temperature parameter of the manufacturing process by separating the closure body molding from the seal member attachment. This allows different material parameters (elastomeric vs. thermoplastic) to be accommodated in the same closure system, expanding material versatility while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If pre-sterilization is required for vessel closures, then aseptic conditions are ensured, but the sterilization process can damage the closure and render it useless before first use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility assuranceVSAvoidclosure structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a disposable closure design where the entire closure assembly (body, seal member, and tubing) is designed for single-use. This eliminates the need for complex sterilization processes that could damage the components, as each closure is used once and then discarded, ensuring sterility without compromising structural integrity through repeated sterilization cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 the creation of a low-cost, disposable vessel closure that maintains aseptic fluid transfer and temperature control, combining elastomeric and thermoplastic tubing within the same closure, enhancing reliability and safety while avoiding damage from high-temperature manufacturing processes.

Implementation Method 1

manufacturing methods that cure the seal at lower temperatures to accommodate both types of tubing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCuring:

Implementation Method 2

the cast seal is pourable, self-leveling silicone, such as room temperature vulcanizing ('RTV') silicone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-leveling:

Data Source

PatentUS11584571B2Vessel closures and methods for using and manufacturing same

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 SARTORIUS STEDIM NORTH AMERICA INC

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.