Devices, systems, and methods for automated aseptic sampling

A method of sampling a liquidous material, the method comprising:

• providing a sampling system having a gas/liquid separator, the gas/liquid separator including:
• a separation chamber having a retentate portion, a permeate portion, and
• a membrane separating the retentate portion and the permeate portion, wherein the membrane is gas-permeable and impermeable to the liquidous material, and
• a pressure regulation system configured to control a pressure in the permeate portion;
• providing a first flow channel fluidically connecting the separation chamber to a reservoir containing the liquidous material;
• and
• operating the pressure regulation system to impart a negative gas pressure in the permeate portion, wherein the negative gas pressure in the permeate portion is effective to pull a sample of the liquidous material from the reservoir to the retentate portion of the separation chamber;
• and wherein the negative gas pressure in the permeate portion is effective to remove a gas from the sample through the membrane.

A sampling system, comprising:

• a reservoir containing a liquidous material;
• a gas/liquid separator including:
• a separation chamber having a retentate portion, a permeate portion, and a membrane separating the retentate portion and the permeate portion, wherein the membrane is gas-permeable and impermeable to the liquidous material, and
• a pressure regulation system configured to control a gas pressure in the permeate portion;
• a first flow channel fluidically connecting the reservoir to the retentate portion of the gas/liquid separator;
• a displacement pump;
• a multiple port selection valve;
• and
• a second flow channel fluidically connecting the displacement pump to the selection valve, wherein the selection valve is selectively adjustable among a plurality of positions, with a first position fluidically connecting the first flow channel to the second flow channel,
• wherein the pressure regulation system is configured to selectively effect a negative gas pressure in the permeate portion, wherein the negative gas pressure in the permeate portion is effective to pull a sample of the liquidous material from the reservoir to the retentate portion of the separation chamber, and wherein the pressure regulation system is configured to selectively effect a positive gas pressure in the permeate portion, wherein the positive gas pressure in the permeate portion is effective to push the sample of the liquidous material from the retentate portion of the gas/liquid separation chamber to the reservoir.