Sterile coupling
AssigneeBaxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
InventorStephen Pearson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sterile coupling enabling the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between two separate receptacles. A preferably injection molded plastic junction is made about at least the end portions of access means to each of the separate receptacles. The junction provides a sterile coupling so as to selectively bring the access means into pathway communication and thereby establish a sterile pathway between the receptacles through the access means. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing a sterile coupling and methods for establishing a sterile pathway between the receptacles, as well as a method for low pressure injection molding.
Claims17
A sterile coupling enabling the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between two separate receptacles, said coupling comprising:
- (a) first means to access one of the receptacles, said first access means including an end portion;
- (b) second means to access the other of the rceptacles, said second access means including an end portion;
- (c) a junction means permanently affixed about at least said end portions of both of said first and second access means, said junction means maintaining said end portions in sterile, relation;
- (d) one of said first and second access means including a piercing element capable of piercing said junction means between said end portions so as to selectively bring the access means into pathway communication and thereby establish a sterile pathway between the receptacles, through said first and second access means.
A sterile coupling enabling the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between two receptacles, said coupling comprising:
- (a) first means to access one of the receptacles, said first access means including an end portion;
- (b) second means to access the other of the receptacles, said second access means including an end portion;
- (c) junction means permanently affixed about at least said end portions of each of said first and second access means, said junction means maintaining said end portions in sterile, relation;
- (d) one of said first and second access means including a piercing element capable of piercing said junction means from said end portion of the corresponding access means, through said junction means, at least to said end portion of the other of said first and second access means, so as to establish a sterile pathway through said first and second access means.
A sterile coupling enabling the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between two receptacles, said coupling comprising:
- (a) first means to access one of the receptacles, said first access means including an end portion;
- (b) second means to access the other of the receptacles, said second access means including an end portion;
- (c) junction means permanently affixed about at least said end portions of each of said first and second access means, said junction means maintaining said end portions in sterile, relation;
- (d) a conduit in one of said first and second access means;
- (e) one of said first and second access means including a piercing element capable of piercing said junction means between said end portions so as to selectively bring the access means into pathway communication and thereby establish a sterile pathway between the receptacles, through said conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.