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US 12,760,253 B2Granted
Sterile disconnect for bioprocess systems and method for using same
AssigneeLonza Biologics PLC
InventorJulianna Cannell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bioprocess apparatus is disclosed that is capable of efficiently disconnecting large bioprocess tubes in a bioprocess system. The bioprocess apparatus includes a separating collar made from a malleable and rigid material that can be placed over large bioprocess tubes. In one aspect, the separating collar includes a pair of adjacent separating edges that allow the collar to be slidably mounted onto a bioprocess tube. Once positioned on the bioprocessed tube, a cutting operation takes place that goes through the separating collar and the bioprocess tube resulting in a sterile disconnect.
Claims21
A bioprocess system comprising:
- a first bioprocess device;
- a second bioprocess device;
- a bioprocess tube in fluid communication with the first bioprocess device and the second bioprocess device, the bioprocess tube comprising a thermoplastic elastomer, the bioprocess tube defining a hollow passageway and having an internal diameter, an external diameter, and an external surface, the internal diameter being greater than 260 mm;
- and
- a separating collar for facilitating cutting the bioprocess tube for disconnecting the first bioprocess device from the second bioprocess device, the separating collar being slidably mounted on the external surface of the bioprocess tube, the separating collar having a cylindrical shape and having a length that extends from a first end to a second and opposite end, the separating collar defining at least one pair of adjacent separating edges that extend over the length of the collar, the pair of adjacent separating edges allowing the separating collar to be installed and removed from a bioprocess tube, wherein the pair of adjacent separating edges define a slit, the slit having a width greater than 0.5 mm;
- and
- wherein the separating collar is made from a metal.
4 more elements
A process for disconnecting two bioprocess devices comprising;
- placing a separating collar on an exterior surface of a bioprocess tube, the bioprocess tube being made from a thermoplastic elastomer, the bioprocess tube defining a hollow passageway and having an internal diameter and an external diameter, the internal diameter being greater than 260 mm, the separating collar being slidably mounted on the exterior surface of the bioprocess tube, the separating collar having a cylindrical shape and having a length that extends from a first end to a second end, the separating collar defining at least one pair of adjacent separating edges that extend over the length of the collar that permits placement of the separating collar on the exterior surface of the bioprocess tube, wherein the pair of adjacent separating edges define a slit, the slit having a width greater than 0.5 mm;
- and
- cutting through the separating collar and bioprocess tube to produce a first free end and a second free end, wherein during cutting, the separating collar and underlying bioprocess tube are deformed, compressing walls of the bioprocess tube together, the separating collar being made from a metal with sufficient rigidity and malleability to maintain the free ends of the bioprocess tube in a compressed condition after cutting.
An apparatus for conveying a bioprocess fluid comprising:
- a bioprocess tube made from a thermoplastic elastomer, the bioprocess tube defining a hollow passageway and having an internal diameter, an external diameter and an external surface, the internal diameter of the bioprocess tube being greater than 260 mm;
- and
- a separating collar removably mounted on the external surface of the bioprocess tube, the separating collar being mounted such that the separating collar is slidable along the external surface of the bioprocess tube, the separating collar having a cylindrical shape and having a length that extends from a first end to a second end, the separating collar defining at least one pair of adjacent separating edges that extend over the length of the collar, the pair of adjacent separating edges allowing the separating collar to be installed and removed from the bioprocess tube, wherein the pair of adjacent separating edges define a slit, the slit having a width greater than 0.5 mm, the separating collar being made from a rigid and malleable metal that, when a cut is made through the separating collar and the underlying bioprocess tube, the separating collar compresses and maintains cut ends of the bioprocess tube in a closed state after cutting.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.