U.S. patent application number 11/011663 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-28 for apparatus for manipulating pre-sterilized components in an active sterile field.
Invention is credited to Bilstad, Arnold C., Buchanan, Bradley H., Martilla, Alan W., Woodworth, Archie.
Application Number | 20050161614 11/011663 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23135674 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050161614 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bilstad, Arnold C. ; et
al. |
July 28, 2005 |
Apparatus for manipulating pre-sterilized components in an active
sterile field
Abstract
The connection, assembly, or fill of two or more pre-sterilized
components 10, 12 having at least one terminal end 14 each for
attachment to another component, and an apparatus for performing
such a connection, while maintaining the sterility of the
components is disclosed. The resulting connection is made permanent
by bonding the contacting components 10, 12 together using either a
solvent bonding technique, a radio frequency sealer, a heat sealer,
or any other suitable process. The connection is preferably made
within an active sterile field 60. Using a low-voltage electron
beam instrument 54, such as the MIN-EB.TM., a suitable sterile
field sphere can be created. The terminal ends 14 of the multiple
components 10, 12 remain within the sterile field sphere 60 until
the possibility of contamination within the sealed components is
significantly reduced to industry acceptable standards.
Inventors: |
Bilstad, Arnold C.;
(Deerfield, IL) ; Buchanan, Bradley H.; (Ross,
CA) ; Martilla, Alan W.; (Waukegan, IL) ;
Woodworth, Archie; (Barrington, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOSEPH P. REAGEN, ESQ.
BAXTER HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
ONE BAXTER PARKWAY, DF3-3E
DEERFIELD
IL
60015-4633
US
|
Family ID: |
23135674 |
Appl. No.: |
11/011663 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11011663 |
Dec 14, 2004 |
|
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|
10365793 |
Feb 13, 2003 |
|
|
|
10365793 |
Feb 13, 2003 |
|
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09294964 |
Apr 20, 1999 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
250/455.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L 2/208 20130101;
B29C 66/83221 20130101; A61L 2/087 20130101; B29C 66/5229 20130101;
B29C 66/52293 20130101; A61L 2202/24 20130101; B29C 66/81431
20130101; A61L 2/14 20130101; B29C 66/0018 20130101; B29C 66/1142
20130101; B29C 65/02 20130101; B29C 66/52298 20130101; A61L 2/08
20130101; B29L 2023/007 20130101; A61L 2/00 20130101; B29C 65/4895
20130101; B29C 66/73921 20130101; A61L 2202/23 20130101; B29C
66/5221 20130101; B29C 66/857 20130101; B67C 7/0073 20130101; B29C
65/04 20130101; B29C 65/103 20130101; A61M 39/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
250/455.11 |
International
Class: |
A61L 002/08 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A sterilization system comprising: a. a housing defining a
sterilization chamber; b. a low energy electron beam tube
configured to emit an electron beam out an end thereof forming a
reactive volume within the sterilization chamber and supported
within the housing; and, c. a robotic manipulating device disposed
within the housing and configured to manipulate objects to be
sterilized within the reactive volume formed within the
sterilization chamber by the electron beam emitted from the
electron beam tube.
2. A sterilization system comprising: a. a housing defining a
sterilization chamber; b. at least one low energy electron beam
tube configured to emit an electron beam out an end thereof forming
a reactive volume within the sterilization chamber; and c. a gas
distribution system disposed adjacent to the emitting end of the
electron beam tube and configured to direct gas away from the
emitting end of the electron beam tube and toward the reactive
volume.
3. The sterilization system of claim 2 including a manipulating
device disposed at least in part within the sterilization chamber
for grasping an object to be sterilized and manipulating the object
within the reactive volume.
4. The sterilization system of claim 3 wherein the manipulating
device is a robotic member.
5. The sterilization system of claim 3 wherein the manipulating
device is a glove box.
6. A sterilization apparatus, comprising: a. at least one low
energy electron beam tube configured to emit and electron beam out
an end thereof forming a reactive volume; and b. a gas distribution
system disposed adjacent the emitting end of the electron beam tube
and configured to direct gas away from the emitting end of the
electron beam tube and toward the reactive volume formed by the
electron beam to expand the reactive volume.
7. The sterilization apparatus of claim 6 wherein the gas
distribution system includes a source of helium or argon.
8. The sterilization apparatus of claim 6 including a manipulating
device for grasping one or more objects to be sterilized and
manipulating the object within the reactive volume.
9. The sterilization apparatus of claim 8 wherein a plurality of
beam tubes are provided having electron beams forming the reactive
volume.
10. The sterilization apparatus of claim 8 wherein the manipulating
device is a robotic member.
11. The sterilization apparatus of claim 8 wherein the manipulating
device is a robotic arm.
12. The sterilization apparatus of claim 8 wherein the manipulating
device is a glove box hand.
13. The sterilization apparatus of claim 12 wherein the glove box
hand is capable of moving in any direction and is capable of
manipulating a variety of objects including different sized
objects.
14. A sterilization system comprising: a. a station comprising a
sterilization field within; b. a low energy electron beam tube
configured to emit an electron beam out an end thereof forming a
reactive volume within the sterilization field and supported within
the station; and, c. a robotic manipulating device disposed within
the station and configured to manipulate objects to be sterilized
within the reactive volume formed within the sterilization field by
the electron beam emitted from the electron beam tube.
15. A sterilization system comprising: a. a station comprising a
sterilization field within; b. at least one low energy electron
beam tube configured to emit an electron beam out an end thereof
forming a reactive volume within the sterilization field; and c. a
gas distribution system disposed adjacent to the emitting end of
the electron beam tube and configured to direct gas away from the
emitting end of the electron beam tube and toward the reactive
volume.
16. The sterilization system of claim 15 including a manipulating
device disposed at least in part within the sterilization field for
grasping an object to be sterilized and manipulating the object
within the reactive volume.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application and claims
the benefit of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/365,793,
filed Feb. 13, 2003, which is a continuation application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/294,964, filed Apr. 20, 1999. This
application also claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. application
Ser. No. 09/970,580, filed Oct. 4, 2001, which is a divisional
application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/294,964, filed Apr. 20,
1999. Both applications are expressly incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates generally to the methods and
apparatus for connecting, assembling, and filling pre-sterilized
medical components in a sterile field. More particularly, the
present invention relates to the use of a low energy electron beam
field to create a sterile atmosphere in which connecting,
assembling, or filling of pre-sterilized medical components, such
as solution delivery sets, medical tubing, drug vials, medical
containers, and the like, may occur such that the sterility of the
product is continuously maintained.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Pre-sterilized, disposable medical products are commonplace
in the United States, and other countries throughout the world. One
significant restraint on the design, development, and manufacture
of such products has been the fact that certain desirable products
would include portions or components which are mutually
incompatible from a sterilization standpoint. For example, it may
be desirable to provide a unitary, pre-sterilized product which has
a sealed liquid or powder drug component and a plastic apparatus
component, such as a tubing or flow control set.
[0004] The integral product, however, cannot be sterilized after
assembly because not all of the components may be subjected to the
same form of sterilization. That is, the plastic apparatus
component (e.g., the tubing or flow control device) may only be
capable of sterilization with radiation or gas. The drug component,
on the other hand, may not be sterilized with either gas or
radiation-gas sterilization would be ineffective to sterilize a
sealed drug, while exposing the drug to radiation may lead to
product degradation or otherwise have a deleterious effect on the
drug.
[0005] Accordingly, efforts have been made to devise a method or
means for joining, in a sterile manner, components which are
individually pre-sterilized. Such efforts have included the use of
electron beam accelerators to sterilize the compromised portion of
the assembled components. Electron beam sterilization is a
well-known and accepted technique for terminally sterilizing
disposable medical devices. Existing electron beam systems are high
voltage devices whose electrons completely penetrate the materials
being sterilized. Such a device and method is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,009,654 and 5,496,302, both to Minshall et al., and
both assigned to Baxter International Inc.
[0006] The electron beam used in Minshall et al. is derived from a
high energy (>0.3 MeV or 300 KeV) instrument to "achieve
sterilization at the tubing center." Energy levels of 1.1 MeV, 0.9
MeV, 0.75 MeV, and 0.6 MeV are disclosed for sterilization. The
high energy process involves clamping the tubing to be connected
together close to their terminal ends. Then the terminal ends are
cutoff and the open ended tubings are bonded or welded together.
Before the new fluid pathway is opened, the high energy electron
beam is applied between the two clamps to effect sterilization.
While these type of high energy systems function well, when
compared to the present invention they can be considered very large
(sometimes requiring a separate room with thick walls of lead
shielding), more expensive, and somewhat product-specific.
[0007] Another example of creating a sterile connection is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,157,723 and Reissue No. 32,056 to
Granzow et al., each assigned to assignee of the present invention.
The Granzow et al. invention is based upon a clear TPX unisex
connector housing containing an integral black TPX (carbon doped)
disk. The connectors are attached to tubing from, for example, a
solution container that has been steam sterilized, which is
connected to similar tubing from a solution delivery set which has
been ethylene oxide (EtO) or Gamma sterilized. Snapping two
connectors together and applying an intense focused light beam on
the black disks quickly melts them together to form an annular ring
that completes the sterile fluid path and effects a sterile
connection. Subsequent to connection, the solutions would be
transferred to empty solution containers, while the sterile
connectors, including the original solution containers, were
removed and discarded. Although functional, the present invention
provides a method which improves the rate and cost of this
process.
[0008] E.I. Du Pont developed and patented a "hot knife" tubing to
tubing connection system, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,263 to
Benin et al. In this system, two thermoplastic tubes with sealed
ends facing each other are placed side by side in a fixture
incorporating a special heated knife blade. A connection is made by
(1) cutting through both tubes with the heated knife blade, (2)
shuttling the tubes to be connected into alignment on each side of
the heated knife blade, and (3) removing the heated knife blade
while pushing the tubes together. This system can be more expensive
to use than the present invention because it requires the use of a
new disposable knife blade for each connection made.
[0009] The apparatus and methods of the present invention overcome
the disadvantages of other prior art techniques. The present
invention is focused on maintaining the sterility of the
pre-sterilized components during assembly, connection, and fill,
rather than attempting to effect sterilization after such
manipulations, like the processes used extensively by those skilled
in the art. Additionally, the present invention is focused on
processes which are far less expensive than techniques utilizing
disposable parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In accordance with this invention, a new apparatus and
method for forming a connection, and particularly a sterile
connection, between two or more pre-sterilized components is
disclosed. Preferably, each of the components has at least one
closed end suitable for connecting to another component. An
embodiment of the present method and apparatus requires sterilizing
an end of each component to be connected with an active sterile
field, then opening the closed ends of the components within the
active sterile field. The sterile connection is completed by
connecting the opened ends together while in the active sterile
field.
[0011] It is further an aspect of the present invention to provide
an apparatus and method for forming a sterile assembly between two
or more pre-sterilized components. Preferably, each of the
components has at least one closed end suitable for connecting to
another component. An embodiment of the present method and
apparatus requires sterilizing an end of each component to be
assembled together with an active sterile field, then assembling
the ends together while in the active sterile field.
[0012] It is still a further aspect of the present invention to
provide an apparatus and method for performing a sterile fill of a
pre-sterilized container with a pre-sterilized liquid component
from a bulk container. Preferably, the empty container has at least
one end suitable for accepting the liquid component, and the bulk
container has at least one end suitable for delivery of the liquid.
An embodiment of the present method and apparatus requires
sterilizing a suitable end of each component with an active sterile
field, then filling the empty container with an aliquot of liquid
from the bulk container while the ends are in the active sterile
field.
[0013] Specifically, in one embodiment of the present methods,
sterilization of the ends of each component is achieved by creating
an electron beam field to produce an active sterile field, and then
positioning the ends within the electron beam field. The present
method preferably uses an electron beam field established at an
energy of less than 300 Kev. More specifically, the electron beam
field is established at an energy within a range of about 30 to
about 300 Kev.
[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention,
sterilization of the ends of each component is achieved by creating
a chemical vapor atmosphere to produce an active sterile field, and
then positioning the ends within the sterile chemical vapor
atmosphere. The chemical vapor atmosphere may be comprised of
hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, chlorine dioxide, or any other
suitable chemical vapor.
[0015] In still another embodiment of the present invention,
sterilization of the ends of each component is achieved by using a
high energy pulsed light with a large ultraviolet component to
produce an active sterile field, and then positioning the ends
within the pulsed light.
[0016] Still one more embodiment for sterilizing the ends of each
component is achieved by creating a plasma atmosphere to produce an
active sterile field, and then positioning the ends within the
plasma atmosphere.
[0017] With respect to the apparatus of the present invention, a
device is disclosed for effecting the sterile connection, sterile
assembly, or sterile filling using at least two pre-sterilized
components, each component preferably having at least one end for
connecting to at least another component. One embodiment of the
invention comprises an active sterile field for encompassing the
ends of the components to be connected, assembled, or filled while
a surface supports the ends of the pre-sterilized components within
the active sterile field.
[0018] One embodiment may have a mechanism which severs the ends of
the pre-sterilized components while supported by the surface in the
active sterile field to create open ends, as well as a mechanism
which brings the opened ends into aligned contact with each other
while supported by the surface in the active sterile field. The
apparatus is completed by a sealing device which joins the opened
ends together.
[0019] Other advantages and aspects of the present invention will
become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of
the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates the positioning of two components, a
filled wet container and an empty dry container, before undergoing
sterile field connection;
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates the assembly line configuration of one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIGS. 3A through 3D illustrate an embodiment of present
method for effecting a sterile connection of two components within
an active sterile field;
[0023] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an electron beam tube used in
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 5A is one embodiment of a mechanism for supporting the
ends of multiple components within an active sterile field;
[0025] FIG. 5B shows the mechanism of FIG. 5A as the ends of
multiple components are brought into contact with each other within
an active sterile field;
[0026] FIGS. 6A through 6D illustrate an alternative use of the
present invention for the sterile assembly of a pre-sterilized vial
to a pre-sterilized device;
[0027] FIGS. 7A through 7E are alternative embodiments and
variations on the spike tube and membrane tube configured ends;
[0028] FIGS. 8A through 8D illustrate an alternative connection
using a stream of hot air to soften membrane tubes which are then
brought together to join as they cool;
[0029] FIG. 9 illustrates the sterile fill process of the present
invention.
DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0030] While the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many
different forms, this disclosure will describe in detail preferred
embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the
present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the
principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad
aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
[0031] The present invention involves methods and apparatus for
joining plastic components in a sterile manner. The term "joining"
in this application includes the processes of: 1) connecting
components, where a fluid pathway is created at the time of
joining; 2) assembling components, where a fluid pathway is not
complete at joining, but may be completed at a later time; and, 3)
filling at least one component from a bulk container. Particularly,
the invention permits the joining together of tubing to container,
tubing to tubing, tubing to connector, vial to connector, container
to connector, and even sheet/film stock to itself, in a sterile
field.
[0032] The drawings and following discussion reference components
10, 12, as an empty dry container and a filled wet container,
respectively. These components are typically pre-sterilized by
different methods, such as gamma radiation, steam sterilization,
chemical vapor, high-energy electron beam radiation, or the
like.
[0033] The low-energy electron beam instrument is the preferred
source for the active sterile field. Suitable examples of such a
device are fully discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,910,435 and
5,612,588, both to Wakalopulos and assigned to American
International Technologies, Inc. of Torrance, Calif. The disclosure
of each of these Wakalopulos patents is hereby incorporated by
reference. Particularly, a suitable low-energy electron beam source
is manufactured by American International Technologies, Inc. under
the trade name MIN-EB.TM.. The MIN-EB.TM. is capable of operating
at a relatively low energy, within the range of about 30 KeV to
about 100 KeV. This is the preferred operation range of the present
invention, including all combination and sub-combination of ranges
within this range.
[0034] Referring to the drawings, components 10, 12, are more
readily understood in FIG. 1. Each component preferably has a
terminal sealed end 14 attached thereto. The sealed ends 14 of
components 10, 12 may be identical, or as shown in FIGS. 7A through
7E, several alternative configurations may be provided. Other
variations (not shown) of the sealed ends 14 are also possible.
Connecting the end types together may be handled differently for
each type, but those skilled in the relevant art would understand
the necessary modifications to accommodate such design
variations.
[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates a general assembly line production
concept for a sterile joining system 20. Such a mass production
system, it is anticipated, would provide many benefits throughout
the industry. Components 10, 12 are shown spaced along the sterile
joining system 20 at various stages of the process. FIG. 2 shows
the sterile joining system 20 comprised of a support surface 22
extending the length of the system. This surface, when divided
lengthwise, has a left half (L) and a right half (R). Components
10, 12 are shown arranged in pairs on support surface 22, with
component 10 along the left side (L) of surface 22 and component 12
along the right side (R). The support surface 22 may be a conveyor
belt, or similar moving surface, to automatically transport
components 10, 12 through the system 20. Sterile filling using a
bulk container may use only a single line of empty components, as
will be more fully understood later in this disclosure.
[0036] The arranged components 10, 12 are first optionally conveyed
to a labeling station 40 where important batch, lot, and date codes
may be applied. Components 10, 12 are then conveyed to the active
sterile field station 50 where a sterile connection between the
pre-sterilized components may be effected. This process is better
illustrated in FIGS. 3A through 3D.
[0037] FIGS. 3A-3D show an electron beam (e-beam) field 60 created
within station 50. Electron beam 60 is created by the tube 54 as
illustrated in FIG. 4. Tube 54 comprises a vacuum tube 55 shrouding
filament 56 on all sides, except at base 57. Base 57 has various
electrical connectors 58 for plugging into a low voltage source.
Opposite base 57 is a thin film window 59 which discharges the
electron beam toward the desired location. Window 59 is
approximately 3 microns thick, and through it a beam of
approximately 2 mm.times.25 mm (0.08".times.1") area is discharged.
Arrays of tubes 54 could be set up to increase the collective area
of the e-beam discharge. An example of this arrangement is
illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,267 (or Re. 35,203) to
Wakalopulos, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0038] Tube 54 is preferably about 5 cm (2") from the area in which
an active sterile field is desired and operates at about 60 KeV.
Higher energies may allow a greater gap, and a lower energy might
require a lesser gap. FIG. 3A shows the pre-sterilized components
10, 12 arranged prior to connection. Tube 54 creates the
spherical-shaped e-beam field 60 having approximately a two-inch
diameter. Other diameters of the sterile field are certainly
possible, however manipulation of the joining of components
requires very little space. Where a greater space is required,
field 60 could be made larger by conventional methods.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 3B, the ends 14 of components 10, 12 are
conveyed into the sterile e-beam field 60. While maintained within
sphere 60, ends 14 of each component 10, 12 may be cut-off, as
shown in FIG. 3C, to create opened ends. The mechanism for opening
these ends may be a mechanical blade, which may be held permanently
within the e-beam field 60 to maintain its sterility, or any other
suitable cutting or opening mechanism. FIG. 3D shows that once the
ends 14 are cut-off, the resulting open ends are connected together
while still within the field 60.
[0040] While the use of an electron beam field is a preferred
source for creating the active sterile field, applicants of the
present invention have anticipated the use of alternative sources,
such as a chemical vapor atmosphere. A chemical vapor atmosphere
can be created through known methods, and the chemical may be
selected from the group comprising hydrogen peroxide, peracetic
acid, chlorine dioxide, or any other suitable chemical compound.
Similarly, a plasma atmosphere, such as ozone (not shown), may be
created, using any of the commonly known methods, to achieve a
sterile field. A pulsed high-energy light may also be suitable for
creating the desired active sterile field. These alternate sources,
however, may not provide the same size and cost advantages of the
preferred electron beam source.
[0041] Connection of the opened ends together while still within
the e-beam field 60 may be achieved in a variety of ways. FIGS. 5A
and 5B illustrate one possible mechanism for bringing the opened
ends into aligned contact with each other. The mechanism uses a
pair of automated clamps 70, 71 which engage a portion of
components 10, 12, respectively, just behind ends 14, as shown in
FIG. 5A. Clamps 70, 71 close about components 10, 12 by actuation
in the direction of arrows (A,B). Clamps 70, 71 have a pair of
rotating tabs 72, 73 which help to maintain the alignment of ends
14 of components 10, 12. Upon rotation of tabs 72, 73 in the
direction of arrows (C,D), ends 14 of components 10, 12 are exposed
within the e-beam field (See FIG. 3B) from tube 54. A short delay
of approximately 2-3 seconds allows the e-beam to sterilize the
surface of the ends 14 before they are opened.
[0042] The type of connection to be made will determine how the
opened ends of components 10, 12 are brought into contact with one
another. FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the use of a spike tube and a
membrane tube. With the spike and membrane configuration, cut-off
of the ends 14 is not necessary. After the short delay to allow for
surface sterilization, clamps 70, 71 may be actuated in the
direction of arrows (E,F). The spike tube is designed to pierce the
membrane tube and continue to enter the membrane tube until
actuation is complete.
[0043] FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate a device to vial sterile assembly (as
opposed to a sterile connection) using a variation of the disclosed
method. Such an assembly is described in co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/153,569, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference. Obviously, with the spike and membrane
configuration there is no need to cut-off the ends of these
components in the process.
[0044] As stated previously, "assembly" of two components differs
from "connection" of two components in that a fluid pathway is not
immediately established with assembly. Where two drug components
are to be combined, it is sometimes the case that the components
separately have longer shelf-lives than when combined to form the
final product. In such instances, it may be desirable to package
the drug component containers as assembled rather than as
connected, especially where it is anticipated that the assembled
components may be stored for a period of time. A suitable
connection (i.e., creation of a fluid pathway) may be readily
achieved in the field (e.g., hospitals, clinics, etc.) by trained
personnel prior to use.
[0045] Alternatives to and variations of the spike and membrane
tubes, shown in FIG. 5B and used in a preferred embodiment of the
present invention, are abundant in the art. Some of these
alternatives which do not require end cut-off are illustrated in
FIGS. 7A-7E. For example, FIG. 7A shows the spike end having a tip
protector. FIG. 7B illustrates removable plugs in each end. These
plugs may insert into the inner diameter of the ends, or, as
illustrated, over the outer diameter of the ends. FIG. 7C shows
seal tabs used as closures on the ends. FIG. 7D illustrates another
variation of the spike and membrane configuration. FIG. 7E, also a
variation of the spike and membrane configuration, introduces a
dual end spike component. Generally, the illustrated configuration
may be varied where one component may have a larger inner diameter
of the sealed terminal end than the outer diameter of the sealed
terminal end of the other component, such that the smaller fits
snugly into the larger. Also, the ends 14 may be of an identical
diameter, but be brought together to abut each other within a
collar (not shown). To the extent that such alternative designs,
too numerous to illustrate, allow pre-sterilized ends to be brought
together within a sterile field, creating a sterile connection
between the ends, such alternatives are considered to fall within
the scope of the present invention.
[0046] Regardless of the design configuration of terminal ends 14,
a permanent seal between the contacting ends will need to be
effected. The final permanent connection is preferably made outside
the sterile field, but, if necessary, can also be accomplished
while the contacting ends are exposed within the e-beam field
sphere 60. This connection can be made using a radio frequency
sealer (such as a HEMATRON.TM.), a heat sealer, solvent bonding
techniques, or the like.
[0047] In an alternate method, shown in FIGS. 8A-8D, a device to
vial assembly (similar to the assembly shown in FIG. 6D) connection
is illustrated with some variation to the methods previously
discussed. FIG. 8A shows device 110 and vial assembly 112, both
having membrane tubes 114, positioned for sterile connection. The
membrane tube 114 of each component is subjected to a hot air
stream, as shown in FIG. 8B. The membrane of each tube 114 becomes
semi-amorphous, and the tubes 114 are moved toward one another, as
shown in FIG. 8C, within e-beam field sphere 160. FIG. 8D shows the
final connection, where the membrane tubes have been held together
until cool enough to form a proper seal.
[0048] Another variation is shown in the sequenced illustration of
FIG. 9, in which the present invention is used for a sterile fill
process. A bulk fluid container (not shown) preferably has a
piercing valve of some type, generally illustrated as 92, for
dispensing a pre-sterilized liquid held within the container. While
maintaining valve 92 within an active sterile field 60, empty
pre-sterilized containers 96 having an inlet port 97 covered
preferably by a thin membrane (not shown) may be positioned, as
shown at points (A) and (B), to travel toward the dispensing valve
92 of the container to receive an aliquot of sterile liquid. Upon
reaching the dispensing valve 92, as shown at point (C), the inlet
port 97 and membrane are held within the sterile field 60 aligned
with dispensing valve 92 to effect sterilization of the outer
surfaces. Then, dispensing valve 92, having a spiked end, moves to
pierce or breach the membrane of inlet port 97 within sterile field
60, and filling may begin. Inlet port 97 is maintained within
sterile field 60 until the pre-sterilized container 96 is
sufficiently filled. Inlet port 97 may then be sealed by sealer 98
and removed from the sterile field 60, as shown at point (D).
[0049] Alternatively, however, returning to the drawing of FIG. 2,
after components 10, 12 are connected by bringing their respective
ends in contact with one another, the components 10, 12 can be
moved to sealing station 80. Here the contacting ends may be sealed
using available technology to form a weld, as known in the art. For
instances, the material of both ends may be melted. Then the ends
can be pressed together by actuation of clamps 70, 71, and cooled
to form a seal. After sealing, the connected components 10, 12 may
be packaged for shipment, storage, immediate use, or any other
purpose.
[0050] While specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications are possible without departing
from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is
only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.
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