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US 12,661,493 B2Granted
Aseptic connector with disposable air lock
AssigneeCentre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine
InventorsSpencer Hoover, Calley Hirsch, Rajan Ramanuj
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Abstract
Described herein are systems for an aseptic connector, including a reusable aseptic connector. A connector system is provided for establishing the aseptic fluid connection. The connector system includes a first connector, a second connector and an airlock. Also provided is an air lock and a connector, as well as methods of use thereof.
Claims13
A connector system, comprising:
- a first connector extending between a distal end and a proximal end, the first connector comprising:
- an outer lumen,
- an inner lumen that is slidable within the outer lumen of the first connector,
- a first actuatable seal coupled to the distal end of the first connector that is moveable between a closed position that blocks a fluid path of the inner lumen and an open position that allows fluid to flow through the inner lumen of the first connector;
- a second connector extending between a distal end and a proximal end, the second connector comprising:
- an outer lumen,
- an inner lumen that is slidable within the outer lumen of the second connector,
- a second actuatable seal coupled to the distal end of the second connector that is moveable between a closed position that blocks a fluid path of the inner lumen and an open position that allows fluid to flow through the inner lumen of the second connector;
- an airlock comprising a body, the body comprising:
- opposing first and second recessed spaces, wherein the first recessed space is sized to slidably receive a portion of the outer lumen of the first connector and the second recessed space is sized to slidably receive the outer lumen of the second connector;
- a central receiving space that extends between the opposing first and second recessed spaces, the central receiving space having an inner surface sized to receive a portion of the inner lumen of the first connector and a portion of the inner lumen of the second connector and seal receiving recessed spaces at each end of the central receiving space, the seal receiving recessed spaces being sized to receive the first and second actuatable seals,
- wherein the inner lumen of the first connector and the inner lumen of the second connector are slidable to advance into the central receiving space of the airlock, and
- wherein, upon advancement of the inner lumen of the first connector and second connector, the first actuatable seal and the second actuatable seal move from the closed position to the open position and are received by the seal receiving recessed spaces of the airlock such that an outer surface of each actuatable seal is placed into contact with an inner surface of the seal receiving recessed space.
10 more elements
A method for using a connector system, comprising:
- providing:
- a first connector comprising an outer lumen, an inner lumen, and a first actuatable seal coupled to a distal end of the first connector that is moveable between a closed position that blocks a fluid path of the inner lumen and an open position that allows fluid to flow through the inner lumen of the first connector,
- a second connector comprising an outer lumen, an inner lumen, and a second actuatable seal coupled to a distal end of the second connector that is moveable between a closed position that blocks a fluid path of the inner lumen and an open position that allows fluid to flow through the inner lumen of the second connector, and
- an airlock comprising opposing first and second recessed spaces, and a central receiving space that extends between the opposing first and second recessed spaces, the central receiving space having an inner surface sized to receive a portion of the inner lumen of the first connector and a portion of the inner lumen of the second connector and seal receiving recessed spaces at each end of the central receiving space;
- inserting a portion of the outer lumen of the first connector into the first recessed space of the airlock;
- sliding the portion of the inner lumen of the first connector through the outer lumen of the first connector to advance the portion of the inner lumen of the first connector into the central receiving space of the airlock;
- inserting a portion of the outer lumen of the second connector into the second recessed space of the airlock;
- sliding the portion of an inner lumen of the second connector through the outer lumen of the second connector to advance the portion of the inner lumen of the second connector into the central receiving space of the airlock;
- and wherein, upon the advancement of the inner lumen of the first connector and second connector, the first actuatable seal and the second actuatable seal move from the closed position to the open position and are received by the seal receiving recessed spaces of the airlock such that an outer surface of each actuatable seal is placed into contact with an inner surface of the seal receiving recessed space.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.