Sterile connector for the sterile transfer of a liquid medium

The sterile connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the region of the second coupling device (6), which in the initial state is hermetically sealed, is delimited at least partially, preferably completely, by the first septum (11) and a second septum (12);

• preferably, the coupling process provides an access for the first cannula (9) through the second septum (12) into the region of the second coupling device (6) which is hermetically sealed in the initial state;
• and/or the end of the first cannula (9) forming the fluid outlet (8) protrudes axially into the region of the second coupling device (6) which is hermetically sealed in the initial state.

The sterile connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first coupling device (5) has a second cannula (17) which is arranged coaxially to the first cannula (9) and through which the first cannula (9) can be moved;

• preferably, the coupling process causes an axial cannula portion of the second cannula (17) to pierce the second septum (12) and thereby provide the access for the first cannula (9) into the region of the second coupling device (6) which is hermetically sealed in the initial state, and/or an access for the first cannula (9) to the first septum (11);
• furthermore preferably, the first cannula (9) and the second septum (12) do not touch one another before, during and/or after the coupling process.

The sterile connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the region of the first coupling device (5), which is hermetically sealed in the initial state of the sterile connector (1), is delimited towards the environment at least partially by at least one sealing envelope (18, 23) of the first coupling device (5).

The sterile connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first coupling device (5) comprises a first sealing envelope (18), in particular in the form of a bellows, which in the initial state radially surrounds the axial cannula portion of the second cannula (17) which pierces the second septum (12) during the coupling process;

• wherein the first sealing envelope (18) in the initial state is axially closed towards a side facing the second coupling device (6) during the coupling process.

The sterile connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling process causes an axial cannula portion of the second cannula (17) to pierce the first sealing envelope (18);

• preferably, the first cannula (9) and the first sealing envelope (18) do not touch one another before, during and/or after the coupling process.

The sterile connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second cannula (17) is fixed to a cannula holder (19) which is mounted so as to be axially movable in the first coupling device (5);

• preferably, the coupling process brings the second coupling device (6) to rest axially on the cannula holder (19);
• further preferably, the coupling process causes the second coupling device (6) to be axially and/or radially connected with the cannula holder (19) by form fit or force fit;
• further preferably, the coupling process causes the second coupling device (6) to latch onto the cannula holder (19).

The sterile connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a guide device (20) is provided which, during the coupling process, causes an axial guiding of the first coupling device (5) relative to the second coupling device (6);

• preferably, as a guide device (20), a protrusion or axially running web (21) and/or an axially running groove is provided on a wall portion of the first coupling device (5), in particular on the inside, and a corresponding counter-piece (22) is provided on a wall portion of the second coupling device (6), in particular on the outside.

The sterile connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first coupling device (5) comprises a second sealing envelope (23), in particular in the form of a hose which is closed at one end, which in the initial state radially surrounds an axial cannula portion of the first cannula (9) having the fluid outlet (8) which during the activation process pierces the first septum (11);

• wherein in the initial state, the second sealing envelope (23) is axially closed towards a side which faces the second coupling device (6) during the coupling process;
• preferably, in the initial state, the second sealing envelope (23) lies tightly against the inside of the second cannula (17).

The sterile connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activation process causes an axial cannula portion of the first cannula (9) to pierce the second sealing envelope (23).

The sterile connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that an actuation element (24) is provided on the cannula holder (19) for manual actuation of the cannula holder (19), by means of which the cannula holder (19) together with the second cannula (17) and the second coupling device (6) can be moved generally linearly, in particular also rotationally, relative to the first coupling device (5) during the activation process;

• preferably, the actuation element (24) extends radially outward from the cannula holder (19) through a guide opening (25) in a wall portion of the first coupling device (5).

The sterile connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuation element (24) is axially, in particular also rotationally, movable in the guide opening (25) during the activation process;

• preferably, the actuation element (24) is movable in the guide opening (25) initially in the circumferential direction and then axially during the activation process;
• further preferably, the activation process causes the actuation element (24) to latch in the guide opening (25).

The sterile connector as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid passage (10) of the second coupling device (6) opens into a fluid chamber (3′) of the second coupling device (6) which has a fluid outlet (15) fluidically connected to the fluid passage (10) or which is otherwise closed.