Connecting device, a medical system, and a method of connecting medical subsystems

A medical system comprising:

• a first subsystem having a first connection portion;
• a second subsystem having a second connection portion, at least one of the first and second subsystems containing a fluid;
• and
• a connecting device being adapted to connect the first and second subsystems to each other to permit transport of the fluid from at least one of the first and second subsystems to the other subsystem, the connecting device comprising a container enclosing an inner space, the container being adapted to receive the first connection portion and the second connection portion in the inner space, wherein the device comprises a mechanism adapted to permit, from outside the container, said connection of the first connection portion and the second connection portion to each other in the inner space and a disconnection of the first connection portion from the second connection portion after said connection has been accomplished, wherein the connecting device further comprises means for providing a substantially sterile atmosphere in the inner space, said means for providing a substantially sterile atmosphere comprising:
• a channel permitting an inward flow of a gas into the inner space,
• a filter arranged in said channel for filtering the gas before the gas enters the inner space, and
• a flow generator for providing said inward flow of gas through the channel, said flow generator configured to supply said inward flow of gas at least during the connection of the first connection portion and the second connection portion and a disconnection of the first connection portion and the second connection portion, thereby enabling both the connection and the disconnection of the first and second connection portions to be performed in a substantially sterile atmosphere, wherein said flow generator includes a fan, the flow generator being configured to maintain an overpressure in the inner space of the container.

A method for connecting in a medical system a first subsystem, having a first connection portion, and a second subsystem, having a second connection portion, to each other, wherein at least one of the first and second subsystems contains a fluid, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a container enclosing an inner space,
• providing a substantially sterile atmosphere in the inner space,
• providing, via a channel, an inward flow of a gas into the inner space, wherein said flow of gas is generated by a fan, the fan being configured to maintain an overpressure in the inner space of the container,
• filtering the gas before the gas enters the inner space,
• introducing the first connection portion and the second connection portion into the inner space, and
• connecting, from outside the container by means of a mechanism, the first connection portion and the second connection portion to each other in the inner space to permit transport of the fluid from at least one of the first and second subsystems to the other subsystem, wherein providing an inward flow of gas into the inner space occurs at least during connecting the first connection portion and the second connection portion and disconnecting the first connection portion from the second connection portion, thereby enabling both connecting and disconnecting of the first and second connection portions to be performed in a substantially sterile atmosphere,
• wherein the step of disconnecting comprises disconnecting, from outside the container by means of said mechanism, the first connection portion from the second connection portion after said connecting step.