Apparatus for removing samples from systems having flexible walls and for introducing fluids into the same

Apparatus for sterile transfer of liquid sample, comprising:

• a system (1) having at least one flexible wall (2) defining a sterile interior for the system (1), the flexible wall (2) having a sample removal region/fluid dispensing region (6) on an outer surface of the flexible wall (2);
• a flexible tubular septum (13) having a closed end defining a connecting area (4) fixedly connected on the outer surface of the sample removal region/fluid dispensing region (6) in substantially face-to-face contact and in a fluid tight manner, the flexible tubular septum (13) further having an open end opposite the closed end, a mounting area adjacent the open end and a flexible tubular part extending from the mounting area to the connecting area (4);
• a hard handheld part (14) having opposite front and rear ends, the front end of the hard handheld part (14) being mounted over the mounting area and the open end of the flexible tubular septum (13) so that the tubular part of the flexible tubular septum (13) extends from the hard handheld part (14) to the connecting area (4) and is radially unconfined;
• and
• a severing element (8) having an intermediate portion embedded in the hard handheld part (14) and a leading end projecting from the front end of the hard handheld part (14) toward the connecting area (4) of the flexible tubular septum (13), the intermediate portion of the severing element (8) being bent angularly relative to the leading end, a sampling tube (10) being connected to a rear end of the severing element (8) and extending angularly from the hard handheld part (14) at a position between the front and rear ends of the hard handheld part (14), the severing element (8) being spaced inwardly from the flexible tubular septum (13) at locations on the flexible tubular septum (13) connected to the hard handheld part (14), wherein a pushing of the hard handheld part (14) toward the sample removable region/fluid dispensing region (6) causes the leading end of the severing element (8) to move through the connecting area (4) of the flexible tubular septum (13) and through the sample removal region/fluid dispensing region (6) to which the connecting area (4) is fixedly connected.