Sampling system with a replaceable cassette assembly and methods of using the same

A sampling system for collecting a fluid sample from an enclosed container comprising:

• a station base having a pump member with a cassette-receiving surface and a plurality of actuators, the plurality of actuators including at least a first actuator, a second actuator, a third actuator, and a fourth actuator;
• wherein the plurality of actuators comprise pneumatic air cylinders or electric actuators, and a removable, unitary cassette assembly received on the cassette-receiving surface, the cassette assembly comprising:
• a cassette top having an air inlet disposed over a location of a variable volume reservoir and in engagement with the pump member to vary a pressure at a pump membrane;
• a cassette base comprising:
• a sample inlet,
• the variable volume reservoir, defined by a cavity within the cassette base and the cassette top, for receiving a sample from the sample inlet,
• a sample outlet, and a downstream fluid flow path, for delivering a gas, a sanitizing agent, or a sample, that extends between the sample inlet, the reservoir, and the sample outlet, a sanitizing fluid inlet, and a gas inlet, the sanitizing fluid inlet and the gas inlet being upstream of the sample inlet;
• the cassette top comprising a plurality of movable members that are in engagement with respective ones of the plurality of actuators, the plurality of movable members comprising:
• a first movable member that is in engagement with the first actuator, a second movable member that is in engagement with the second actuator, a third movable member that is in engagement with the third actuator, and a fourth movable member that is in engagement with the fourth actuator;
• and an elastomer membrane disposed between the cassette base and the cassette top;
• wherein the elastomer membrane extends over the reservoir and provides a pump membrane that is movable to vary a volume of the reservoir, wherein the first movable member is in contact with the elastomer membrane to provide a sample inlet valve that can be opened and closed by a movement of the first actuator, and the second movable member is in contact with the elastomer membrane to provide a sample outlet valve that can be opened and closed by a movement of the first actuator, and wherein the third movable member is in contact with the elastomer membrane to provide a sanitizing fluid inlet valve that can be opened and closed by a movement of the third actuator, and the fourth movable member is in contact with the elastomer membrane to provide a gas valve that can be opened and closed by a movement of the fourth actuator.