Connection device for a separation system such as a chromatography system

A connection device for connecting a biopharmaceutical separation system and a separation device, said connection device comprising:

• a separation device inlet connection connected to a separation device inlet;
• a separation device outlet connection connected to a separation device outlet;
• a biopharmaceutical separation system inlet connection connected to a biopharmaceutical separation system inlet;
• a biopharmaceutical separation system outlet connection connected to a biopharmaceutical separation system outlet;
• a first fluid path connecting the biopharmaceutical separation system inlet connection with the separation device outlet connection and allowing fluid flow from the separation device outlet connection towards the biopharmaceutical separation system inlet connection;
• a second fluid path connecting the biopharmaceutical separation system outlet connection with the separation device inlet connection and allowing fluid flow from the biopharmaceutical separation system outlet connection towards the separation device inlet connection;
• a bypass fluid path connecting the biopharmaceutical separation system inlet connection with the biopharmaceutical separation system outlet connection and allowing fluid flow from the biopharmaceutical separation system outlet connection towards the biopharmaceutical separation system inlet connection;
• an inlet valve provided in the second fluid path in connection with the separation device inlet connection, said inlet valve being operable to provide an open state allowing fluid flow through the separation device inlet connection and a closed state preventing fluid flow through the separation device inlet connection;
• an outlet valve provided in the first fluid path in connection with the separation device outlet connection, said outlet valve being operable to provide an open state allowing fluid flow out through the separation device outlet connection and a closed state preventing fluid flow through the separation device outlet connection;
• and
• at least one bypass valve provided in the bypass fluid path, said at least one bypass valve being operable to provide an open state allowing fluid flow through the bypass fluid path and a closed state preventing fluid flow through the bypass fluid path,
• wherein a fluid can be flowed from the biopharmaceutical separation system outlet connection, through the bypass fluid path to the biopharmaceutical separation system inlet connection while a connected separation device is bypassed when at least one of the inlet and outlet valves is provided in a closed state and the at least one bypass valve is provided in an open state;
• wherein said at least one bypass valve is positioned in the bypass fluid path at a distance from the first and/or second fluid path of no more than 3 times a diameter of the first, the second and/or the bypass fluid path;
• wherein the separation device is a chromatography column or a stack of chromatography units, and wherein the biopharmaceutical separation system is a chromatography system;
• wherein the fluid paths are formed using pre-sterilized plastic tubing;
• and
• wherein the bypass fluid path is configured to remove air from the biopharmaceutical separation system without passing air through a chromatography bed of the separation device.