Connection welding for automated sterile connection and fluid transfer

A method for sterile automated connection and liquid transfer, comprising:

• (a) placing a first tube and a second tube into a welding mount, wherein the first tube is connected to a first container and the second tube is connected to a second container;
• (b) welding the first tube and the second tube to form a first sterile fluidical connection between the first container and the second container;
• (c) transferring a liquid between the first container and the second container via the first sterile fluidical connection;
• (d) sealing the first fluidical connection between the first container and the second container to disconnect the first sterile fluidical connection;
• wherein steps (b) and (d) comprise welding, on one side of an existing weld, a spool piece of a selected length, and adding new welds to the added tubing thereby shortening the length of the spool piece,
• preferably, wherein steps (b) and (d) comprise welding, on one side of an existing weld, a selected length of a tubing, and adding new welds to the added tubing until the selected length of tubing is used up;
• optionally wherein the method further comprises:
• (e) placing a third tube into the welding mount, wherein the third tube is connected to a third container;
• (f) welding the first or second tube and the third tube to form a second sterile fluidical connection between the first container and the third container or between the second container and the third container;
• (g) transferring a liquid between the first container and the third container or between the second container and the third container via the second sterile fluidical connection;
• and
• (h) sealing the second fluidical connection between the connected first and third tubes or between the connected second and third tubes and cutting the seal to disconnect the second sterile fluidical connection,
• wherein steps (e) and (f) comprise welding, on one side of an existing weld, a selected length of a tubing, and adding new welds to the added tubing until the selected length of tubing is used up, wherein steps (a) to (d) and/or (e) to (h) are optionally repeated.

A device, comprising:

• (i) a welding mount configured to receive a first tube fluidically coupled to a first container and a second tube fluidically coupled to a second container;
• (ii) a welding element configured to fluidically couple the first tube with the second tube by welding;
• (iii) a pump configured to transfer a liquid from the first container to the second container;
• and
• (iv) a controller comprising a memory circuit storing instructions and a processor circuit configured to execute the instructions, wherein, upon executing the instructions, the controller causes the welding element to fluidically couple the first tube and the second tube, optionally via a spool piece of a selected length;
• optionally wherein the device is further configured for use in bioprocessing of cells.