Sterile docking process, apparatus and system
OwnerDudley W. C. Spencerinventor
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Abstract
A process, apparatus and system for making a sterile connection between two thermoplastic resin tubes is disclosed. The tubes are severed by an array of hot wires so as to form molten tube ends. The array is maintained at a temperature such that ambient air immediately within the vicinity of urging is kept sterile. Then, the tubes are aligned with each other and urged together. As the thermoplastic resin cools a sterile weld is formed.
Claims21
A process of joining first and second thermoplastic tubes together transversely of the axis of each tube comprising urging an array of hot parallel wires through both said tubes at a rate such that the thermoplastic resin from which said tubes are formed and which is in contact with said array becomes molten, thereby forming molten ends, maintaining the array of parallel wires at a temperature such that ambient air immediately within the vicinity of urging is kept sterile, moving the respective molten ends of said tubes together to form a joint between said tubes.
A process of forming a sterile connection between a first tube and a second tube, both formed of a thermoplastic resin, comprising mounting said tubes in a pair of mounting means which hold said tubes in a closely adjacent substantially parallel position, urging an array of hot parallel wires through both said tubes at a rate such that the thermoplastic resin from which said tubes are formed and which is in contact with said array becomes molten, thereby forming molten ends, maintaining said array of parallel wires at a temperature such that ambient air immediately within the area of urging is kept sterile, aligning said tubes with each other, urging said tubes together while separating them and said array, and cooling the thusly joined tube ends whereby a sterile connection is formed between said tubes.
An apparatus for forming a sterile connection comprising
- an array of parallel wires;
- means adapted to heat said array of parallel wires;
- a pair of mounting blocks adapted to receive and hold two tubes to be joined, said array of parallel wires being movably located between said blocks;
- means adapted to traverse said array of parallel wires where the mounting blocks are adapted to receive tubes and to separate said array and said blocks;
- means for aligning said blocks to a position where two different tube ends to be joined are aligned with and facing each other;
- means for urging said blocks together while separating said blocks and said array of parallel wires.
A sterile connection system for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in which a dialysis solution container with a transfer port that includes a segment of tubing is coupled to a tube extending from a patient's peritoneal cavity, wherein the improvement comprises a pair of mounting blocks adapted to receive and hold the transfer port tube and the patient's tube;
- movable array of parallel wires located between said blocks;
- means adapted to heat said array of parallel wires;
- means adapted to traverse said array of parallel wires where the mounting blocks are adapted to receive said tubes and to separate said array and said blocks;
- means for aligning said blocks to a position where two different tube ends to be joined are aligned with and facing each other;
- and means for urging said blocks together while separating said blocks and said array of parallel wires.
A sterile connection system for joining two blood bags, each bag having a tube which can be used for connection and sterile connection being made by joining said tubes, wherein the improvement comprises a pair of mounting blocks adapted to receive and hold the tubes to be joined;
- movable array of parallel wires located between said blocks;
- means adapted to heat said array of parallel wires;
- means adapted to traverse said array of parallel wires where the mounting blocks are adapted to receive said tubes and to separate said array of parallel wires and said blocks;
- means for aligning said blocks to a position where two different tube ends to be joined are aligned with and facing each other;
- and means for urging said blocks together while separating said blocks and said array.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.