# US 11,027,108 B2 · Fluid transfer assembly with a junction having multiple fluid pathways > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,027,108 B2 - Document ID: US11027108B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/189,898 - Filed: 2018-11-13 - Published: 2019-05-16 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-11-14 - Assignees: Sartorius Stedim North America Inc. - Applicants: Sartorius Stedim North America Inc. - Inventors: Michael A. Zumbrum; Kevin Perdue - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027108B2 ## CPC - A61M 39/08: Tubes; Storage means specially adapted therefor - A61M 39/105: {Multi-channel connectors or couplings, e.g. for connecting multi-lumen tubes (multi-channel connectors in general F16L37/56)} - A61M 39/146: {by cutting and welding} - B29C 57/10: Closing - B29C 66/73921: {characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics} - A61M 2039/1077: {Adapters, e.g. couplings adapting a connector to one or several other connectors} - A61M 2039/1088: {having a plurality of male connectors, e.g. Luer connectors} - B29C 2793/009: after shaping - B33Y 10/00: Processes of additive manufacturing - B33Y 30/00: Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor - 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)} - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING ## Abstract A fluid transfer assembly is described. The fluid transfer assembly includes a unitary junction having an upstream portion and a downstream portion, the unitary junction defining a plurality of curved fluid pathways between the upstream portion and the downstream portion. The assembly also includes at least one flexible fluid conduit sealed to the junction in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of curved fluid pathways. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fluid transfer assembly, comprising: a unitary junction having an upstream portion and a downstream portion, the unitary junction defining a plurality of curved fluid pathways between the upstream portion and the downstream portion, each of the curved fluid pathways defining a central axis along a length thereof, the central axis comprising a linear first segment, a curved second segment, and a linear third segment, the second segment disposed between the first and third segments, the second segment of the central axis deviating from a straight line to define a smooth curve, a linear projection of the first segment intersecting a linear projection of the third segment outside of the respective curved fluid pathway or the first and third segments being parallel to one another; and at least one flexible fluid conduit sealed to the junction in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of curved fluid pathways, wherein fluid is transferred from a primary vessel to a secondary vessel through the unitary junction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fluid pathways from the upstream portion to the downstream portion are free from diaphragm capable of restricting or stopping flow. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1, wherein the junction comprises a hollow cavity independent of the plurality of fluid pathways. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional component comprising at least one of a vessel, a fitting, and a connector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1, wherein the unitary junction is formed from a plurality of layers of material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 5, wherein of the plurality of layers is each layer being approximately the same thickness. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1, wherein: the junction comprises a common pathway portion that provides a portion of at least two of the plurality of curved fluid pathways. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 7, wherein: the common pathway portion is arranged such that a number of apertures on the downstream portion is not equal to a number of apertures on the upstream portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1, wherein the upstream portion of the downstream portion includes a connector assembly for coupling the junction to a barbed connector of the supply vessel, and wherein the connector assembly includes a stem and a peripheral wall at least partially surrounding the stem for facilitating attachment of the unitary junction to the barbed connector. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 9, wherein the connection assembly includes a fitting for engaging the barbed connector and the peripheral wall, wherein the fitting includes a body with a plurality of locking features extending therefrom and configured to engage at least a portion of the unitary junction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 10, wherein the unitary junction is formed by digital light synthesis using patterns of light to at least partially cure the unitary junction layer by layer with uncured material being cured to a bottom of a stack as a body of cured or semi-cured material is lifted from a reservoir of uncured material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the upstream portion and the downstream portion comprises a plurality of male inserts respectively corresponding with the plurality of fluid pathways, the plurality of male inserts for insertion into the at least one fluid conduit to facilitate fluid communication. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 12, wherein the at least one fluid conduit comprises a plurality of lumen equal to the plurality of male inserts such that each insert engages a respective lumen of the at least one fluid conduit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 12, wherein the plurality of male inserts are substantially parallel with one another. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 12, wherein the plurality of male inserts are arranged radially around a central axis of the junction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 15, wherein the junction comprises indicia adjacent to a single one of the plurality of male inserts, the indicia adjacent to the single one of the male inserts that corresponds with a fluid pathway accessible along the central axis of the junction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 12, wherein the junction comprises a peripheral wall that surrounds the plurality of male inserts. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 17, wherein a curable material is contained by the peripheral wall and attaches the at least one flexible fluid conduit to the junction. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 17, wherein the peripheral wall is scalloped. ### Claim 20 A fluid transfer assembly, comprising: a unitary junction having an upstream portion and a downstream portion, the unitary junction including walls defining a plurality of curved fluid pathways between the upstream portion and the downstream portion, each of the curved fluid pathways defining a central axis, the walls defining each curved fluid pathway comprising a linear first section, a curved second section, and a linear third section disposed between the first section and the third section, the second section defining a segment of the central axis having a smooth curve along a length thereof, the second section having a length along the central axis greater than a diameter of the curved fluid pathway; at least one flexible fluid conduit sealed to the junction in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of curved fluid pathways; and at least one vessel connected to the at least one flexible fluid conduit, wherein at least one of the upstream portion and the downstream portion comprises a plurality of male inserts respectively corresponding with the plurality of fluid pathways, the plurality of male inserts for insertion into the at least one fluid conduit to facilitate fluid communication. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 20, wherein the at least one vessel includes a bag, beaker, bottle, canister, flask, tank, vat, vial, tube, syringe, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 20, wherein the unitary junction is formed from a plurality of layers of material, each layer being approximately the same thickness. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 20, wherein the unitary junction comprises a hollow cavity independent of the plurality of fluid pathways. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 20, wherein: the junction comprises a common pathway portion that forms part of at least two of the plurality of curved fluid pathways, wherein the common pathway portion is arranged such that a number of access points on the downstream portion is not equal to a number of access points on the upstream portion. ### Claim 25 (depends on 20) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 20, wherein the junction comprises a peripheral wall that surrounds the plurality of male inserts, where in a curable material is contained by the peripheral wall and attaches the at least one flexible fluid conduit to the junction. ### Claim 26 (depends on 20) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 20, wherein the at least one flexible fluid conduit comprises a plurality of lumen equal to the plurality of male inserts such that each insert engages a respective lumen of the at least one flexible fluid conduit. ### Claim 27 (depends on 20) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 20, wherein the plurality of male inserts are substantially parallel with one another. ### Claim 28 (depends on 20) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 20, wherein the plurality of male inserts are arranged radially around a central axis of the junction. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The fluid transfer assembly of claim 28, wherein the junction comprises indicia adjacent to a single one of the plurality of male inserts, the indicia adjacent to the single one of the male inserts that corresponds with a fluid pathway accessible along the central axis of the junction. ### Claim 30 A method of manufacturing a fluid transfer assembly, comprising: forming sequential layers of material using an additive manufacturing device to form a unitary junction having an upstream portion and a downstream portion, the unitary junction defining a plurality of curved fluid pathways between the upstream portion and the downstream portion, each of the curved fluid pathways defining a central axis, the central axis comprising a linear first segment, a curved second segment, and a linear third segment, the second segment disposed between the first and third segments, the second segment of the central axis deviating from a straight line to device a smooth curve, a linear projection of the first segment intersecting a projection of the third segment outside of the respective curved fluid pathway or the first and third segments being parallel to one another, wherein at least one of the upstream portion and the downstream portion comprises a plurality of male inserts respectively corresponding with the plurality of fluid pathways; inserting at least one of the plurality of male inserts into a lumen of a flexible fluid conduit; and securing the flexible fluid conduit to the junction. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, wherein the step of depositing comprises creating a hollow cavity within the junction that is sealed off from the plurality of fluid pathways. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, wherein the step of securing the flexible fluid conduit to the junction comprises over-molding the conduit to the junction. ### Claim 33 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, further comprising: rendering the junction and the flexible fluid conduit substantially aseptic; and packaging the junction and the flexible fluid conduit to maintain the substantially aseptic state until ready for use. ### Claim 34 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, further comprising treating an exterior surface of the junction. ### Claim 35 A method for fluid transfer through a unitary junction, comprising: providing a fluid to a first vessel connected to an upstream portion of the unitary junction, the upstream portion having a connection assembly for engaging a connector of the first vessel; transferring the fluid through one or more curved fluid pathways of a plurality of fluid pathways defined through the unitary junction, each of the curved fluid pathways defining a central axis, the central axis comprising a linear first segment, a curved second segment, and a linear third segment, the second segment disposed between the first and third segments, the second segment of the central axis deviating from a straight line to define a smooth curve, a linear projection of the first segment intersecting a linear projection of the third segment outside of the respective curved fluid pathway or the first and third segments being parallel to one another; and receiving the fluid in a second vessel in communication with a downstream end of the unitary junction through a flexible conduit.