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US 10,369,348 B2Granted
Reusable aseptic fluid couplings
AssigneeColder Products Company
InventorsLoi Trong Truong, Randall Scott Williams
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Some fluid coupling devices described herein are configured for use in fluid systems for purposes of providing a repeatable, aseptic fluid coupling system. Such repeatable, aseptic fluid coupling systems are configured to facilitate multiple connection and disconnection cycles while repeatably establishing a sterile fluid pathway through the coupling system. The repeatable, aseptic fluid coupling systems can repeatably establish a sterile fluid pathway through the coupling system even though the coupling system may be used in a non-sterile environment.
Claims20
An aseptic fluid coupling system comprising:
- a first coupling portion comprising:
- a first valve body defining a first longitudinal axis and a first end port;
- a first valve member disposed within the first valve body;
- and
- a cap that is releasably coupleable to the first valve body, the cap enclosing at least a portion of the first valve body while the cap is coupled to the first valve body;
- and
- a second coupling portion configured to releasably couple with the first coupling portion, comprising:
- a housing;
- a second valve body coupled with the housing, the second valve body defining a second longitudinal axis and a second end port;
- a second valve member disposed within the second valve body;
- a connection member configured to releasably couple with the first coupling portion, the connection member movably coupled with the housing between a first position and a second position;
- and
- a flexible member coupled to the housing and to the connection member, around an outer periphery of the connection member such that the flexible member acts as a seal to provide a sterility barrier between an interior region of the second coupling portion and all regions external to the second coupling portion.
10 more elements
An aseptic fluid coupling system comprising:
- a first coupling portion comprising:
- a first valve body defining a first longitudinal axis and a first end port;
- a first valve member disposed within the first valve body;
- and
- a cap that is releasably coupleable to the first valve body, the cap enclosing at least a portion of the first valve body while the cap is coupled to the first valve body;
- and
- a second coupling portion to releasably couple with the first coupling portion, the second coupling portion comprising:
- a housing;
- a second valve body coupled with the housing, the second valve body defining a second longitudinal axis and a second end port;
- a second valve member disposed within the second valve body;
- a connection member configured to releasably couple with the first coupling portion;
- and
- a flexible member attached to the housing and around an outer periphery of the connection member to act as a seal to provide a sterility barrier between an interior region of the second coupling portion and all regions external to the second coupling portion,
- wherein, while the first coupling portion is coupled with the connection member, the cap can by uncoupled from the first valve body by a cap movement comprising a translation of the cap along the first longitudinal axis.
11 more elements
A method of using a reusable, aseptic fluid coupling system, the method comprising:
- connecting a first coupling portion of the aseptic fluid coupling system to a second coupling portion of the aseptic fluid coupling system, wherein the first coupling portion comprises:
- (i) a first valve body defining a first longitudinal axis and a first end port;
- (ii) a first valve member disposed within the first valve body;
- and (iii) a cap that is releasably coupled to the first valve body, wherein the second coupling portion comprises:
- (a) a housing;
- (b) a second valve body coupled with the housing, the second valve body defining a second longitudinal axis and a second end port;
- (c) a second valve member disposed within the second valve body;
- (d) a connection member releasably coupled with the first coupling portion and disposed at a first position in relation to the housing;
- and (e) a flexible member attached to the housing and around an outer periphery of the connection member to act as a seal to provide a sterility barrier between an interior region of the second coupling portion and all regions external to the second coupling portion;
- moving the connection member, with the first coupling portion coupled thereto, to a second position in relation to the housing;
- and
- engaging the first valve member with the second valve member to open a fluid pathway between the first and second end ports.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.