# US 12,215,810 B2 · Single-use genderless 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 12,215,810 B2 - Document ID: US12215810B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/240,105 - Filed: 2023-08-30 - Published: 2024-02-01 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2019-08-27 - Assignees: Colder Products Company - Applicants: Colder Products Company - Inventors: Patrick T. Gerst; Krista A. Vangsgard; Michael J. Maleski; Randall S. Williams - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12215810B2 ## CPC - F16L 33/035: fixed by means of teeth or hooks - A61M 39/18: Methods or apparatus for making the connection under sterile conditions, i.e. sterile docking - F16L 37/084: combined with automatic locking - F16L 37/26: in which the connection is made by transversely moving the parts together, with or without their subsequent rotation - F16L 55/105: Closing devices introduced radially into the pipe or hose - A61M 39/1011: {Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties (A61M39/16 takes precedence)} - A61M 2039/246: {being fixed along all or a part of its periphery} - F16L 37/30: with fluid cut-off means in each of two pipe-end fittings - F16L 2201/44: sterile - 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)} ## Abstract An aseptic fluid coupling includes a main body, a front face, a termination that is at an opposite end of the main body in comparison to the front face, an alignment post extending from a portion of the front face, and an alignment guide defining internal space configured to slidably receive an alignment post of another aseptic fluid coupling when two of the aseptic fluid couplings are mated together. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An aseptic fluid coupling comprising: a main body defining a longitudinal axis and a bore, wherein a fluid flow path is defined along the longitudinal axis, the main body comprising: two protrusions extending outwardly opposite to one another; a front face; a termination that is at an opposite end of the main body in comparison to the front face; an alignment post extending from the front face at one of the two protrusions; and a single alignment guide defining internal space configured to slidably receive an alignment post of another aseptic fluid coupling when two of the aseptic fluid couplings are mated together, the single alignment guide formed in the protrusion opposite the alignment post, wherein the alignment post and the single alignment guide each include attachment features whereby the alignment post latches with an engaged alignment guide and the single alignment guide latches with an engaged alignment post; a seal member including a portion disposed within the bore and a portion extending from the front face around the longitudinal axis; and a flexible membrane attached to a portion of 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, wherein the portion of the front face to which the flexible membrane is attached is coplanar with the portion of the front face from which the alignment post extends, and wherein: (i) a centerline of the alignment post, (ii) a centerline of the single alignment guide, and (iii) the longitudinal axis of the main body are coplanar. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the centerline of the alignment post extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the membrane is porous such that air can pass through the membrane. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein a portion of the fluid flow path is defined by the seal member along an entirety of the width of the seal member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the attachment features of the alignment post includes at least one groove. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the attachment features of the alignment guide includes at least one flexible latch member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a termination member that includes the termination, and wherein the termination member extends into the bore. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 7, wherein the termination member snaps into engagement with other portions of the main body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 8, wherein the termination member is rotatable about the longitudinal axis in relation to the other portions of the main body. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 8, further comprising a seal disposed between the termination member and the other portions of the main body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 7, wherein the termination member defines a portion of the fluid flow path. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 7, wherein the termination member abuts against the seal member within the bore. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 1, further comprising a protective cover that is releasably engageable with the main body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 13, wherein the protective cover presses two layers of the membrane against the seal member while the protective cover is engaged with the main body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 13, wherein the protective cover defines an opening aligned with the longitudinal axis while the protective cover is engaged with the main body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the seal member comprises a first cylindrical end, a second cylindrical end, and a waist portion between the first and second cylindrical ends, wherein the waist portion has a smaller outer diameter than the first and second cylindrical ends. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The aseptic fluid coupling of claim 16, wherein a wall thickness of the waist portion is thinner than a wall thickness of the first cylindrical end and thinner than a wall thickness of the second cylindrical end.