Method for protecting and unprotecting the fluid path in a controlled environment enclosure

A method for automatically carrying out a fluid handling process in controlled environment enclosure, comprising:

• providing a plurality of disposable implements each aseptically sealed inside one of a plurality of disposable sheaths,
• placing a first of the plurality of sealed sheaths that contains a first of the plurality of implements in the controlled environment enclosure,
• decontaminating the controlled environment enclosure around the first sheath after the step of placing the first sheath,
• opening the first sheath,
• carrying out at least one step in the fluid handing process with the first implement in the controlled environment enclosure,
• removing the first sheath and the first implement from the controlled environment enclosure,
• discarding the first implement and the first sheath,
• placing a second of the plurality of sealed sheaths that contains a second of the plurality of implements in the controlled environment enclosure,
• decontaminating the controlled environment enclosure around the second sheath after the step of placing the second sheath,
• opening the second sheath,
• carrying out at least one step in another run of the fluid handing process with the second implement in the controlled environment, and
• repeating the steps of placing, decontaminating, opening, removing, and discarding for successive further ones of the plurality of disposable implements and corresponding ones of the plurality of disposable sheaths.