# US 11,998,920 B2 · Configurable device for the flexible provision of connections and/or functions in a biopharmaceutical process > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,998,920 B2 - Document ID: US11998920B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/042,801 - Filed: 2019-03-13 - Published: 2021-01-28 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-29 - Assignees: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH - Applicants: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH - Inventors: Jan Schaefer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998920B2 ## CPC - B01L 3/561: {Tubes; Conduits} - C12M 23/42: {Integrated assemblies, e.g. cassettes or cartridges} - B01L 3/563: {Joints or fittings; Separable fluid transfer means to transfer fluids between at least two containers, e.g. connectors} - B01L 3/565: {Seals} - B01L 3/567: {Valves, taps or stop-cocks} - C12M 37/02: {Filters} - C12M 37/04: {Seals} - C12M 37/06: {Means for testing the completeness of the sterilization (testing for sterility conditions C12Q1/22)} - B01L 2300/021: Identification, e.g. bar codes - B01L 2300/041: Connecting closures to device or container - B01L 2300/049: Valves integrated in closure - B01L 2300/0627: Sensor or part of a sensor is integrated - B01L 2300/0681: Filter - B01L 2300/123: Flexible; Elastomeric - B01L 2400/06: Valves, specific forms thereof - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - 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} ## Abstract A configurable device for the flexible provision of connections and/or functions in a biopharmaceutical process includes a body in which predefined pipe sections and plug-in locations are formed by recesses in the material of the body. The configurable device further includes a plurality of functional elements which are adapted to be inserted into the plug-in locations. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A configurable device for flexible provision of connections and/or functions in a biopharmaceutical process, comprising a body in which predefined pipe sections and plug-in locations are formed by recesses in a material of the body, and comprising a plurality of functional elements which are adapted to be inserted into the plug-in locations to perform fluidic functions in the device, wherein one of the functional elements includes at least one duct that establishes a connection between two or more of the pipe sections in the body that open into one of the plug-in locations. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The configurable device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one duct is a straight duct. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The configurable device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one duct is a curved or bent duct. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The configurable device according to claim 1, wherein the one of the functional elements provides at least one pipe branching. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The configurable device according to claim 1, wherein another or the same one of the functional elements includes a valve. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The configurable device according to claim 1, wherein another or the same one of the functional elements includes a sensor for detecting a process parameter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The configurable device according to claim 6, wherein the sensor of the another or the same one of the functional elements is arranged in a flow path and comes into direct contact with a medium flowing through. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The configurable device according to claim 1, wherein another or the same one of the functional elements includes a pump or parts of a pump. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The configurable device according to claim 1, wherein another or the same one of the functional elements includes a filter means, a chromatographic separator, a membrane adsorber or parts thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The configurable device according to claim 1, characterized in that the body has connections formed thereon which open into pipe sections in an interior of the body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The configurable device according to claim 1, characterized in that the plug-in locations are accessible via insertion openings on a surface of the body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The configurable device according to claim 11, characterized in that at least some of the insertion openings are formed in a top surface of the body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The configurable device according to claim 11, characterized in that the insertion openings and the plug-in locations are substantially equally shaped and dimensioned. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The configurable device according to claim 13, characterized in that, with regard to their cross-sectional shapes and dimensions, the plurality of functional elements are adapted to the insertion openings and the plug-in locations such that each functional element can be inserted into any plug-in location. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The configurable device according to claim 1, characterized in that pipe sections are arranged at different levels in the body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The configurable device according to claim 15, characterized by at least one functional element that includes at least a first functional section and a second functional section, the first functional section cooperating with pipe sections of a first level and the second functional section cooperating with pipe sections of a second level. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The configurable device according to claim 16, characterized in that the first and second functional sections each provide a same function. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The configurable device according to claim 16, characterized in that the first and second functional sections provide different functions. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The configurable device according to claim 1, characterized in that a positioning means is provided which allows another or the same one of the functional elements to be fully inserted only in one predefined orientation. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The configurable device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of functional elements have an electronic display or a permanent labeling or a symbol on an upper side. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The configurable device according to claim 1, wherein the pipe sections have a defined diameter. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The configurable device according to claim 1, wherein the body is formed of a sterilizable plastic material. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The configurable device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of functional elements are sterilizable. ### Claim 24 A configurable device for flexible provision of connections and/or functions in a biopharmaceutical process, comprising a body in which predefined pipe sections and plug-in locations are formed by recesses in a material of the body, and comprising a plurality of functional elements which are adapted to be inserted into the plug-in locations to perform fluidic functions in the device, wherein one of the functional elements includes a plug that blocks a connection between two or more of the pipe sections in the body that open into one of the plug-in locations.