Aseptic connector for fluid conduits
Inventors
BONNYMAN, Alexandra • Love, Kerry R. • WEINER, Larry • Love, John Christopher • Kahatt, Espir • AL-SHAMSIE, Ziad • REISMAN, Ben • GOLDBLATT, Alex
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12551681-B2
Publication Date
2026-02-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
An aseptic connector includes first and second matable housings each comprising a plurality of connectors for fluid conduits. The fluid conduits enter the housings and may be force-fitted onto barbs or flanges on one side of the connectors, or may instead be molded directly onto the connectors. When the housings are joined, the opposite sides of the connectors mate to form fluid seals, thereby establishing fluid pathways between now-connected sets of tubes.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an aseptic connector for a plurality of fluid conduits. The aseptic connector includes first and second housings that are matable with one another, where each housing comprises a plurality of connectors for fluid conduits. Each housing includes a seal forming a sealed interior region that contains the plurality of fluid conduits and connector ends inside the housing interior.
A hinged door is provided on the second housing, and the seal of the second housing is disposed over the hinged door. The hinged door comprises a pair of serrated leaves. When the first and second housings mate, the seals are pierced and aseptically establish fluid communication between the connectors of the first housing and the connectors of the second housing.
In disclosed embodiments, mating is supported by structural features such as a window and alignment marks for registration, connector end configurations with a first end adapted to sealably receive a fluid conduit and a second end for mating with another connector, and gasket sealing between mated connector ends. Additional disclosed structure includes a shroud and frame configured to maintain a sealed region and to allow opening of hinged doors upon introduction of the frame into the shroud, while maintaining sealed regions around the interior prior to connection.
Claims Coverage
The document includes four independent claims covering an aseptic connector apparatus, a method of fluid transfer using the apparatus, and two additional connector configurations with alignment and gasket/shroud/frame structural refinements. Across these claims, the coverage centers on matable housings forming sealed interior regions, a second housing hinged door with serrated leaves, and piercing of a seal during mating to establish aseptic fluid communication between connector sets, with further structural refinements including alignment registration, gasket sealing at connector ends, and shroud/frame controlled sealed regions and door opening.
Matable housings with pierced sealed interior regions
An aseptic connector includes first and second housings matable with one another and each comprising a plurality of connectors for fluid conduits, with a seal forming a sealed interior region containing the plurality of fluid conduits and connector ends, wherein mating of the first and second housings causes the seals to be pierced and aseptically establishes fluid communication between the connectors of the first housing and the connectors of the second housing.
Hinged door with serrated leaves disposed over the second housing seal
The aseptic connector comprises at least one hinged door on the second housing, the at least one hinged door of the second housing comprising a pair of serrated leaves, where the seal of the second housing is disposed over the at least one hinged door, such that mating of the first and second housings causes the seals to be pierced during aseptic establishment of fluid communication between the connectors.
Door swing from closed to open to pierce the second housing seal
Mating of the first and second housings causes the door of the second housing to swing from a closed position into an open position to thereby pierce the seal of the second housing and aseptically establish fluid communication between the connectors of the first housing and the connectors of the second housing.
Alignment registration using a window and alignment marks
The aseptic connector includes a window through the first housing and a first alignment mark on the window, with the second housing having a second alignment mark, where registration of the first and second alignment marks indicates mating of the at least one connector of the first housing with the at least one connector of the second housing.
Gasket surrounding the connector mating end for fluidic seals
Each connector of the first housing includes a gasket surrounding a portion of the second end thereof, where the second ends of the at least one connector of the first housing are receivable into the second end of the at least one corresponding connector of the second housing whereby the gasket provides fluidic seals therebetween.
Shroud and frame maintaining sealed region and opening hinged doors
The at least one hinged door of the first housing is a pair of hinged doors, and the first housing further comprises a shroud and a frame bearing the first housing connectors for fluid conduits for maintaining a sealed region between the pair of doors of the first housing and the seal over interior of the first housing, and wherein said doors of the first housing are openable upon introduction of the frame into the shroud.
Overall claim coverage focuses on establishing aseptic fluid communication between connector sets by mating first and second housings that each define sealed interior regions with seals. The second housing includes a hinged door over its seal, including a pair of serrated leaves, and mating drives the door to swing from a closed position into an open position to pierce the seal and aseptically establish fluid communication. Dependent-independent refinements add connector alignment registration via a window and alignment marks, gasket-based fluidic sealing at connector ends, and shroud/frame structure that maintains a sealed region while enabling opening of hinged doors on the first housing.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
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