Apparatus and method for connecting and disconnecting flexible tubing

A device for both connecting two flexible tube ends and for separating a flexible tube, the device comprising:

• a laser unit having an on state and an off state, the laser unit emitting a laser beam in the on state;
• a laser optics assembly positioned to change a direction of the laser beam;
• a pair of tube holders, each tube holder configured to receive a flexible tube end, the tube ends being aseptically heated via the laser beam, and the tube holders moveable to join the heated tube ends together to form a weld;
• a pair of guides, each guide configured to receive and move the flexible tube in a first direction;
• a crimping device located between the guides, the crimping configured to (i) move in a second direction that is at least substantially linear and perpendicular to the first direction, (ii) compress a flexible tube while the laser unit is in the off state, and (iii) pinch and seal the flexible tube when the laser is in the on state;
• and
• wherein the guides are configured to move in opposite directions from one another resulting in two separated, sealed segments of flexible tube.

A device for separating a flexible tube, the device comprising:

• a laser unit having an on state and an off state;
• a pair of guides, each guide configured to receive and move the flexible tube;
• a crimping device including a hammer and an anvil, the hammer and anvil located in between the guides, the flexible tube positioned between the hammer and the anvil, the hammer and the anvil configured to (i) compress the flexible tube while the laser unit is in the off state, and (ii) pinch and seal the flexible tube when the laser is in the on state;
• wherein each of the pair of guides is further configured move in opposite directions from one another resulting in two separate, sealed segments of flexible tube;
• and
• wherein the anvil includes a transparent material positioned to allow light from the laser unit to pass through the anvil.

A device for separating a flexible tube, the device comprising:

• a laser unit having an on state and an off state;
• a pair of guides, each guide configured to receive and move the flexible tube;
• a crimping device including a hammer and an anvil, the anvil having a protective film provided thereon for protecting the anvil, the hammer and anvil located in between the guides and configured to (i) compress the flexible tube while the laser unit is in the off state, and (ii) pinch and seal the flexible tube when the laser is in the on state;
• and
• wherein each of the pair of guides is further configured move in opposite directions from one another resulting in two separate, sealed segments of flexible tube.

A device for both connecting two flexible tube ends and for separating a flexible tube, the device comprising:

• a laser unit having an on state and an off state, the laser unit emitting a laser beam in the on state;
• a laser optics assembly positioned to change a direction of the laser beam;
• a protective film covering the laser optics assembly to protect the laser optics assembly, the film advanced after each connection and separation;
• a pair of tube holders, each tube holder configured to receive a flexible tube end, the tube ends being aseptically heated via the laser beam, and the tube holders moveable to join the heated tube ends together to form a weld;
• a pair of guides, each guide configured to receive and move the flexible tube;
• a crimping device located between the guides, the crimping configured to (i) compress a flexible tube while the laser unit is in the off state, and (ii) pinch and seal the flexible tube when the laser is in the on state;
• and
• wherein the guides are configured to move in opposite directions from one another resulting in two separated, sealed segments of flexible tube.