# US 10,871,250 B2 · Aseptic coupling devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,871,250 B2 - Document ID: US10871250B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/421,836 - Filed: 2017-02-01 - Published: 2017-05-25 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2009-03-16 - Assignees: Colder Products Company - Applicants: Colder Products Company - Inventors: Randall Scott Williams; Patrick Thomas Gerst; Jeremy Henry Nichols; Todd Charles Andrews - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871250B2 ## CPC - F16L 37/00: Couplings of the quick-acting type ({devices for use where pipes pass through walls by means of a joint of the quick acting type F16L5/027;} radially-binding sleeves F16L17/04, F16L21/06; connecting hoses to rigid members F16L33/00) - A61M 39/18: Methods or apparatus for making the connection under sterile conditions, i.e. sterile docking - A61M 39/20: Closure caps or plugs for connectors or open ends of tubes - F16L 37/113: the male part having lugs on its periphery penetrating into the corresponding slots provided in the female part - F16L 37/30: with fluid cut-off means in each of two pipe-end fittings - F16L 2201/44: sterile - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Formation of a sterile connection includes inserting a first aseptic coupling device into a second aseptic coupling device, removing a first membrane from the first aseptic coupling device and a second membrane from the second aseptic coupling device, and rotating a locking clip on the first aseptic coupling device to compress a first seal member of the first aseptic coupling device with a second seal member of the second aseptic coupling device to form a sterile fluid passageway. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for creating an aseptic connection, the method comprising: inserting a front portion of a first aseptic coupling device into a second aseptic coupling device by moving the first and second aseptic coupling devices toward each other along a centerline of the first and second aseptic coupling devices to thereby cause front face portions of the first and second aseptic coupling devices to engage together, each of the first and second aseptic coupling devices defining a fluid passage therethrough along the centerline and comprising: a seal member positioned in a window formed by the respective coupling; and a membrane coupled to a front surface of the respective coupling to cover the seal member; and after inserting the front portion of the first coupling device into the second aseptic coupling device, grasping and pulling the membranes of the first and second aseptic coupling devices by applying a force in a direction away from the first and second coupling devices, wherein the pulling the membranes causes: (i) the membranes to roll in on one another and (ii) the seal members to engage each other, as the membranes are removed from the seal members, to form the aseptic connection through the fluid passages of the first aseptic coupling device and the second aseptic coupling device, wherein the first aseptic coupling device includes an inner member that at least partially defines the fluid passage, and wherein the membrane is attached so as to at least partially cover an end of the inner member, wherein the first aseptic coupling device includes a rotatable locking ring coupled to the inner member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: after pulling the membranes, turning the locking ring. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein turning the locking ring further compresses the seal members together. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the locking ring includes barbs extending from an inner periphery of the locking ring. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein, during the inserting of the front portion of the first aseptic coupling device into the second aseptic coupling device, the barbs are received in corresponding channels formed by the second aseptic coupling device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein, during the turning of the locking ring, the barbs enter locking portions of the corresponding channels formed by the second aseptic coupling device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the barbs are captured by the locking portions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the membranes are coupled to the respective couplings using an adhesive. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the membranes include handle portions coupled to ends of the membranes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the handle portions include one or more attachment members that are positioned to allow the handle portions to be connected together. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising: after inserting the front portion of the first aseptic coupling device into the second aseptic coupling devices and before pulling the membranes, connecting the handle portions together. ### Claim 12 A method for creating an aseptic connection, the method comprising: inserting a front portion of a first aseptic coupling device into a second aseptic coupling device by moving the first and second aseptic coupling devices toward each other along a centerline of the first and second aseptic coupling devices to thereby cause front face portions of the first and second aseptic coupling devices to engage together, each of the first and second aseptic coupling devices defining a fluid passage therethrough along the centerline and comprising: a seal member positioned in a window formed by the respective coupling; and a membrane coupled to a front surface of the respective coupling to cover the seal member; and after inserting the front portion of the first coupling device into the second aseptic coupling device, grasping and pulling the membranes of the first and second aseptic coupling devices by applying a force in a direction away from the first and second coupling devices, wherein the pulling the membranes causes: (i) the membranes to roll in on one another and (ii) the seal members to engage each other, as the membranes are removed from the seal members, to form the aseptic connection through the fluid passages of the first aseptic coupling device and the second aseptic coupling device, wherein the second aseptic coupling device defines slots and comprises a clip received in the slots. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein, during the inserting of the front portion of the first aseptic coupling device into the second aseptic coupling device, the clip engages the first aseptic coupling device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the clip includes two side arms that each has a ramped surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein, during the inserting of the front portion of the first aseptic coupling device into the second aseptic coupling device, the ramped surfaces of the side arms ride along the front portion of the first aseptic coupling device such that the side arms are pushed away from each other. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein, after the side arms are pushed away from each other, the side arms move into place within channels of the first aseptic coupling device to couple the first and second aseptic coupling devices.