# US 11,898,136 B2 · Aseptic fluid couplings > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,898,136 B2 - Document ID: US11898136B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/122,000 - Filed: 2020-12-15 - Published: 2021-12-30 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-06-29 - Assignees: Colder Products Company - Applicants: Colder Products Company - Inventors: Matthew Gregory Casura; Jonathan Steven Van Loon; Randall S. Williams - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11898136B2 ## CPC - C12M 23/38: {Caps; Covers; Plugs; Pouring means} - C12M 37/02: {Filters} - A61M 39/18: Methods or apparatus for making the connection under sterile conditions, i.e. sterile docking - B01L 3/563: {Joints or fittings; Separable fluid transfer means to transfer fluids between at least two containers, e.g. connectors} - C12M 23/28: {disposable or single use} - C12M 23/40: {Manifolds; Distribution pieces (fluid transfer means B01L3/563)} - C12M 23/42: {Integrated assemblies, e.g. cassettes or cartridges} - C12M 23/46: {Means for fastening} - C12M 29/04: {Filters; Permeable or porous membranes or plates, e.g. dialysis} - C12M 29/26: {Conditioning fluids entering or exiting the reaction vessel} - C12M 37/04: {Seals} - A61G 12/002: {Supply appliances, e.g. columns for gas, fluid, electricity supply (vertical ducts or channels for receiving utility lines E04F17/08; installations of electric cables or lines, wall trunking H02G3/0431; structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles F21V33/0068; stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles F16M11/00; buildings for public purposes E04H3/08)} - F16L 2201/44: sterile - C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS} - 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)} - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - A61G: TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS (appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00); OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES (embalming corpses A01N1/00) - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract Some fluid coupling devices described herein are configured for use in fluid systems. For example, some embodiments described in this document are single-use, aseptic fluid coupling devices that can be coupled to create a sterile flow path therethrough. Some such aseptic couplings are genderless couplings such that two identical aseptic couplings can be coupled together and then latched to form a robust connection between the aseptic couplings. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An aseptic fluid coupling comprising: a main body defining a longitudinal axis, a bore, and a fluid flow path through the main body along the longitudinal axis, the main body comprising: a front face; and a termination that is at an opposite end of the main body relative to the front face; a seal member including a portion disposed within the bore and a portion extending from the front face around the longitudinal axis; a latch configured to clamp the main body of the aseptic fluid coupling to a second main body of a mated second aseptic fluid coupling such that: (i) the seal member is compressed to a degree that ensures leak-proof operation and (ii) a robust mechanical connection is created between the aseptic fluid coupling and the mated second aseptic fluid coupling, the latch comprising: (i) one or more first main body latch elements projecting from a first end of the latch and (ii) one or more second main body latch elements projecting from a second end of the latch that is opposite of the first end, wherein the one or more first main body latch elements are arranged to releasably engage with the mated second aseptic fluid coupling and the one or more second main body latch elements are arranged to releasably engage with the main body; a linkage that movably couples the latch to the main body, wherein a first portion of the linkage is pivotably coupled to the main body, and wherein a second portion of the linkage is pivotably coupled directly to the latch; and a flexible membrane including a portion attached to the front face around the seal member to block contaminants from entering the fluid flow path, the membrane also including a tail end portion that is at an opposite end of the membrane in comparison to the portion attached to the front face. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the second aseptic fluid coupling is structurally identical to the aseptic fluid coupling. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 1, further comprising a cover attached to the tail end portion of the membrane and rotatably coupled with the main body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 3, further comprising a cover guide slidably engaged with the cover and pivotably coupled with the main body, wherein the cover guide rotatably couples the cover with the main body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 1, further comprising a spacer disposed between the main body and the latch so as to space the latch apart from the main body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 5, wherein the spacer is releasably latched to a cover that is attached to the tail end portion of the membrane and rotatably coupled with the main body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the main body includes two pre-coupling latch members on one side of the main body and two corresponding latch receptacles on an opposite side of the main body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the main body includes a first final latch rib on one side of the main body and a second final latch rib on an opposite side of the main body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the latch further comprises a lock member projecting between the first and second main body latch elements, the lock member arranged to engage with the main body of the mated second aseptic fluid coupling and to resist reopening of the latch. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the main body includes two pre-coupling latch members on one side of the main body and a corresponding latch lock structure on an opposite side of the main body. ### Claim 11 An aseptic fluid coupling comprising: a main body defining a longitudinal axis, a bore, and a fluid flow path through the main body along the longitudinal axis, the main body comprising: a front face; and a termination that is at an opposite end of the main body relative to the front face; a seal member including a portion disposed within the bore and a portion extending from the front face around the longitudinal axis; a latch movably coupled to the main body, the latch configured to clamp the main body of the aseptic fluid coupling to a second main body of a mated second aseptic fluid coupling such that: (i) the seal member is compressed to a degree that ensures leak-proof operation and (ii) a robust mechanical connection is created between the aseptic fluid coupling and the mated second aseptic fluid coupling, the latch comprising: (i) one or more first main body latch elements projecting from a first end of the latch and (ii) one or more second main body latch elements projecting from a second end of the latch that is opposite of the first end, wherein the one or more first main body latch elements are arranged to releasably engage with the mated second aseptic fluid coupling and the one or more second main body latch elements are arranged to releasably engage with the main body; a flexible membrane including a portion attached to the front face around the seal member to block contaminants from entering the fluid flow path, the membrane also including a tail end portion that is at an opposite end of the membrane in comparison to the portion attached to the front face; and a spacer removably coupled to the main body and the latch, a portion of the spacer disposed between the main body and the latch so as to space the latch apart from the main body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 11, wherein the spacer is slidably removable from being coupled with the main body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 11, further comprising a linkage that movably couples the latch to the main body, wherein a first portion of the linkage is pivotably coupled to the main body, and wherein a second portion of the linkage is pivotably coupled to the latch. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 11, further comprising a cover attached to the tail end portion of the membrane and rotatably coupled with the main body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 14, further comprising a cover guide slidably engaged with the cover and pivotably coupled with the main body, wherein the cover guide rotatably couples the cover with the main body, and wherein the cover is slidably coupled with the cover guide. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 11, wherein the spacer is releasably latched to a cover that is attached to the tail end portion of the membrane and rotatably coupled with the main body.