U.S. patent application number 14/385307 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-05 for aseptic connector.
This patent application is currently assigned to GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES AB. The applicant listed for this patent is GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES AB. Invention is credited to Eric Faldt, Klaus Gebauer.
Application Number | 20150061282 14/385307 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49260782 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150061282 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Faldt; Eric ; et
al. |
March 5, 2015 |
ASEPTIC CONNECTOR
Abstract
The invention relates to a An aseptic connector comprising a
first connection unit (102; 202; 302; 402; 502) provided with a
first terminal end surface (104; 204; 304; 404; 504) and a second
connection unit (106; 206; 306; 406; 506) provided with a second
terminal end surface (108; 208; 308; 408; 508); said first and
second terminal end surfaces are each provided with at least one
first and second opening (110, 112; 210, 212; 310, 312; 410, 412;
510, 512), which openings are orientated to substantially coincide
when said first and second connection units are connected to each
other; said first and second openings are sealed by at least one
film (114; 214; 314; 414; 514) arranged on said first and second
connection units, so that the contact between the film and each
connection unit is aseptic; said at least one film is adapted to be
mated with a corresponding film on the other connection unit when
said first and second connection units are connected to each other;
and said mated films are adapted to be pulled out together two and
two after mating such that corresponding first and second openings
in said first and second terminal end surfaces are mated
aseptically. At least two first ports (116; 216; 316; 416; 516) are
arranged on the first connection unit, which first ports have fluid
connection with the at least one first opening (110; 210; 310; 410;
510) in the first terminal end surface; and in that at least one
second port (118; 218; 318; 418; 518) is arranged on the second
connection unit, which the at least one second port has a fluid
connection with the at least one second opening (112; 212; 312;
412; 512) in the second terminal end surface.
Inventors: |
Faldt; Eric; (Uppsala,
SE) ; Gebauer; Klaus; (Uppsala, SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES AB |
UPPSALA |
|
SE |
|
|
Assignee: |
GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES
AB
UPPSALA
SE
|
Family ID: |
49260782 |
Appl. No.: |
14/385307 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
March 25, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE2013/050328 |
371 Date: |
September 15, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
285/124.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 2201/44 20130101;
A61M 39/105 20130101; F16L 39/00 20130101; A61M 39/16 20130101;
A61M 39/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
285/124.5 |
International
Class: |
A61M 39/10 20060101
A61M039/10; F16L 39/00 20060101 F16L039/00; A61M 39/18 20060101
A61M039/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 27, 2012 |
SE |
1250301-7 |
Claims
1. An aseptic connector comprising a first connection unit (102;
202; 302; 402; 502) provided with a first terminal end surface
(104; 204; 304; 404; 504) and a second connection unit (106; 206;
306; 406; 506) provided with a second terminal end surface (108;
208; 308; 408; 508); said first and second terminal end surfaces
are each provided with at least one first and second opening (110,
112; 210, 212; 310, 312; 410, 412; 510, 512), which openings are
orientated to substantially coincide when said first and second
connection units are connected to each other; said first and second
openings are sealed by at least one film (114; 214; 314; 414; 514)
arranged on said first and second connection units, so that the
contact between the film and each connection unit is aseptic; said
at least one film is adapted to be mated with a corresponding film
on the other connection unit when said first and second connection
units are connected to each other; and said mated films are adapted
to be pulled out together two and two after mating such that
corresponding first and second openings in said first and second
terminal end surfaces are mated aseptically, wherein at least two
first ports (116; 216; 316; 416; 516) are arranged on the first
connection unit, which first ports have fluid connection with the
at least one first opening (110; 210; 310; 410; 510) in the first
terminal end surface; and in that at least one second port (118;
218; 318; 418; 518) is arranged on the second connection unit,
which the at least one second port has a fluid connection with the
at least one second opening (112; 212; 312; 412; 512) in the second
terminal end surface.
2. The aseptic connector of claim 1, wherein the aseptic connector
(100; 200; 300; 400; 500) is a disposable unit.
3. The aseptic connector of claim 1, wherein at least two second
ports (118; 218; 318; 418; 518) are arranged on the second
connection unit, which the at least two second ports have fluid
connection with the at least one second opening in the second
terminal end surface.
4. The aseptic connector of claim 1, wherein a gasket (122; 222;
322; 422; 522) is arranged around each opening or possibly a gasket
is arranged around a suitable number of openings, said gasket being
adapted to mate with a corresponding gasket or terminal end surface
on another connection unit which the connection unit possibly
should be connected with when the films have been released from the
connection units.
5. The aseptic connector of claim 4, wherein a foam layer (124;
224; 324; 424; 524) is arranged around each gasket, which foam
layer is adapted to be compressed around each gasket when two
connection units are mated.
6. The aseptic connector of claim 1, wherein said films are double
folded over said openings and a single sheet of the uppermost layer
of the film is reaching outside the terminal end surfaces and
adapted to be pulled together with another single sheet of the film
when the films are released from the connection units.
7. The aseptic connector of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
first and second ports is provided with a valve (428), which is
arranged to control fluid flow through the aseptic connector
(400).
8. The aseptic connector of claim 1, wherein measuring means (436)
comprising a sensor and a RFID tag is arranged at the aseptic
connector.
9. The aseptic connector of claim 1, wherein the number of openings
in the terminal end surface correspond to the number of ports
arranged on the connection unit.
10. The aseptic connector of claim 1, wherein the connection units
(102; 106) are provided with orientation specific locking means
(126) arranged to mechanically lock the connection units (102; 106)
to each other.
11. A first connection unit for the aseptic connector of claim 1,
comprising a first terminal end surface (102; 202; 302; 402; 502),
which is provided with at least one first opening (110; 210; 310;
410; 510), said first opening is sealed by at least one film (114;
214; 314; 414; 514) arranged on said first connection unit, so that
the contact between the film and the first connection unit is
aseptic; wherein at least two first ports (116; 216; 316; 416; 516)
are arranged on the first connection unit, which first ports have
fluid connection with the at least one first opening in the first
terminal end surface.
12. The first connection unit of claim 11, wherein the first
connection unit is a disposable unit.
13. The first connection unit of claim 11, wherein a gasket (122;
222; 322; 422; 522) is arranged around each opening or possibly a
gasket is arranged around a suitable number of openings, said
gasket being adapted to mate with a corresponding gasket or end
surface on another connection unit which the first connection unit
possibly should be connected with when the film has been released
from the first connection unit.
14. The first connection unit of claim 13, wherein a foam layer
(124; 224; 324; 424; 524) is arranged around each gasket, which
foam layer is adapted to be compressed around each gasket when two
connection units are mated.
15. The first connection unit of claim 11, wherein at least one of
the first ports is provided with a valve (420), which is arranged
to control fluid flow through the first connection unit.
16. The aseptic connector of claim 1, wherein measuring means (436)
comprising a sensor and a RFID tag is arranged at the first
connection unit.
17. The first connection unit of claim 11, wherein the number of
openings in the first terminal end surface correspond to the number
of ports arranged on the first connection unit.
18. A sterile circuit comprising at least one first connection unit
(102; 202; 302; 402; 502) of claim 11, and at least two lengths of
tubing (120; 220) fluidically connected to said first connection
unit.
19. The sterile circuit of claim 18, further comprising at least
one container, such as a storage bag or a bioreactor bag, which is
fluidically connected to at least one of the tubing lengths (120;
220).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an aseptic connector
according to the preamble of claim 1 and a first connection unit
for such an aseptic connector according to the preamble of claim
11.
[0002] Such an aseptic connector is arranged for creating aseptic
and sterile connections in sterile and in non-sterile
environments.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] The biotechnology industry uses different manufacturing
systems for creating aseptic and sterile connections between
process containers and equipment, such as plastic bags and pumps. A
known manufacturing system uses controlled environments such as
clean rooms or cabinets to ensure aseptic connections during
manufacture. When necessary connections are made in such a
controlled environment that breaches sterile tubing and piping, the
environment does not contaminate the fluid flow passage. However,
maintaining a clean room is time consuming, difficult and costly to
validate.
[0004] Another known manufacturing system uses disposable plastic
bags connected to flexible thermoplastic tubes, which requires
special connections to assure that the bags and tubes remain clean
and sterile. A sterile tube welding machine can be used to weld the
thermoplastic tubing in a sterile manner without the need for a
clean room, a laminar flow cabinet or similar environmental control
device. After the thermoplastic tubes cool, a sterile weld is
formed. A tube welding machine is however also usually limited in
applicability to specific tube size and materials, such as
thermoplastic. Furthermore, tube welding machines are typically
large, heavy, lack versatility, and expensive.
[0005] Known are also pre-sterile bags and tube sets which can be
supplied with the appropriate disposable aseptic connection system
fittings already in place. These, connections are simple,
repeatable and validatable.
[0006] Single use systems, also called disposable systems are more
and more used in the bioprocess industry. For example separation or
reaction systems such as chromatography systems, filter systems or
bioreactor systems have today at least partly been provided as
disposable systems. This eliminates the need for cleaning and
cleaning validation before processing, in between processes and
cycles or after processing before re-use as required for
conventional re-usable equipment. With disposable systems
cross-contamination is avoided.
[0007] Bioburden control of single-use equipment during
manufacturing of the equipment itself is required to eliminate
cleaning needs before bringing single-use equipment into product
contact. This is usually achieved by manufacturing of single-use
equipment in controlled environment (clean room), often followed by
sterilisation processes (gamma irradiation). The demands of the
level of bioburden control can differ for different applications.
However, bioburden control to a certain degree of the equipment is
not only required for some applications, but also considered as the
preferable for most of the applications using disposable equipment.
The production of this equipment in controlled environments is
required to guarantee a low initial level of contaminants prior to
the bioburden control procedure. Sterility and asepsis are terms
used to define the state of a system, a piece of equipment or a
fluid conduit as being in control of bioburden levels to different
degrees.
[0008] Prior art describes varying apparatus for accomplishing
sterile connections using a disposable aseptic connection
system.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,529 discloses an apparatus for
establishing an aseptic and sterile connection comprising a sterile
barrier enclosing a terminal end of a conduit, a resilient,
deformable support card fixed to the sterile barrier having an
outer face disposed about the terminal end of the conduit having an
adhesive perimeter covered by a release paper, and a rolling
membrane comprising a continuous, removable, yieldable, flexible
strip material, a portion of which is removably adhered to the
support card and overlies the end of the conduit, the rolling
membrane having a free end whereby a force applied to the free end
thereof withdraws the entire rolling membrane to expose the end of
the conduit whereby an aseptic/sterile connection is achieved by
adhering opposing support cards together, removing the rolling
membrane thereby creating a sterile corridor between a first
sterile barrier and a second sterile barrier, and mating the
terminal end of a first conduit and a second conduit together.
[0010] WO2011/084101 A1 discloses stackable separation elements
with folded films for establishing sterile connection between the
elements. These elements are however not suitable for connecting
complex systems of apparatuses and tubing. They are further not
suitable for establishing separate connections for a plurality of
fluids.
[0011] Notwithstanding the existence of such prior art apparatus
for establishing an aseptic and sterile connection, there is a need
for an improved and more efficient apparatus that can be used as
either a temporary or permanent connection.
[0012] When a large number of equipment is connected to a process
container it requires a large number of such prior art apparatuses
for establishing an aseptic and sterile connection for each tubing
to be connected individually. The physical size increases and ease
of use reduces. The number of apparatuses and tubing are often
perceived as a hazzle which will be complicated to handle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] An objective problem to be solved by the present invention
is to reduce the number of such prior art apparatuses when a large
number of equipment has to be connected to a process container.
[0014] Another objective problem to be solved by the present
invention is to provide a connection that is reliable and
repeatable.
[0015] A further objective problem to be solved by the invention is
to provide multiple aseptic connections for a plurality of
different fluids in one connector.
[0016] A further objective problem to be solved by the invention is
to provide an aseptically connectable manifold for distributing or
collecting a fluid to/from a plurality of containers.
[0017] A further objective problem to be solved by the present
invention is to provide an aseptic connector which is applicable to
a wide array of tubing sizes.
[0018] A further objective problem to be solved by the present
invention is to provide an aseptic connector that is inexpensive to
assemble and maintain and requires no complicated equipment to
assemble.
[0019] A further objective problem to be solved by the present
invention is to provide an aseptic connector that is compatible
with the standard sanitary fittings common to the biotechnology
industry.
[0020] These objects above are achieved by an aseptic connector
according to claim 1 and a first connection unit for such an
aseptic connector according to claim 11.
[0021] Since at least two first ports are arranged on the first
connection unit at least two equipments can be connected to for
example a process container using only one aseptic connector.
[0022] When a large number of equipment is connected to a process
container a reduced number of aseptic connectors for establishing
the aseptic and sterile connection for each pipe or tube can be
achieved. The physical size decreases and ease of use increases.
The number of apparatuses and tubing will be less complicated to
handle.
[0023] With this invention any desired number of containers, bags,
pumps and other equipment can be connected to each other in a
system in an aseptic way which reduces the number of aseptic
connectors. Furthermore, these systems can be built in an
environment that is not bioburden controlled and the system with
all its connections will still be aseptic on process side.
[0024] Since at least one second port is arranged on the second
connection unit an aseptic connector arranged as manifold may be
achieved.
[0025] According to an aspect of the invention the number of
openings in the terminal end surface corresponds to the number of
ports arranged on the connection unit. This configuration
facilitates the connection of containers, bags, pumps and other
equipment that can be connected to each other and also reduces the
number of aseptic connectors.
[0026] A further aspect of the invention is to provide a sterile
circuit, comprising a first connection unit, fluidically connected
with at least two lengths of tubing. This is achieved with a
sterile cirquit according to the claims. An advantage of this is
that the setup of complex sterile systems is facilitated. A further
advantage is fluid supply and removal systems for e.g. screening
systems with a plurality of bioreactors can be made compact and
easily handled.
[0027] The invention accordingly comprises the features of
construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts
that will be exemplified in the description set forth hereinafter
and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Further aspects, advantages and features of the invention
can be derived from the following detailed description of exemplary
embodiments of the invention, with reference to the drawings.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of an aseptic
connector according to the invention,
[0030] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the first embodiment of the
aseptic connector in FIG. 1,
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a first connection unit according to the first
embodiment in perspective,
[0032] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a second embodiment of an
aseptic connector according to the invention,
[0033] FIG. 5 shows a view in perspective of a third embodiment of
an aseptic connector according to the invention,
[0034] FIG. 6 shows a view in perspective of a fourth embodiment of
an aseptic connector according to the invention,
[0035] FIG. 7 shows a view in perspective of the first embodiment
of the aseptic connector according to the invention provided with a
clamp means, and
[0036] FIG. 8 shows a view in perspective of a fifth embodiment of
an aseptic connector according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an aseptic connector 100
comprising a first connection unit 102 provided with a first
terminal end surface 104 and a second connection unit 106 provided
with a second terminal end surface 108. Said first and second
terminal end surfaces 104, 108 are each provided with at least one
first and second opening 110, 112. In the first embodiment two
first openings 110 are arranged in the first terminal end surface
104 and two second openings 112 are arranged in the second terminal
end surface 108.
[0038] The first and second openings 110, 112 are sealed by at
least one film 114 arranged on said first and second connection
units 102, 106. The contact surfaces between the film 114 and each
connection unit 102, 104 are aseptic. The film 114 is adapted to be
mated with a corresponding film 114 on the other connection unit
when said first and second connection units 102, 104 are connected
to each other. Thereafter, the mated films 114 are adapted to be
pulled out together two and two after mating such that
corresponding first and second openings 110, 112 in said first and
second terminal end surfaces 104, 108 are mated aseptically. The
films 114 can e.g. be folded over and be connected to, or form,
tabs protruding outside the connection units, which makes the tabs
suitable for pulling.
[0039] In the first embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1, two first ports
116 are arranged on the first connection unit 102, which first
ports 116 have fluid connection with respective first opening 110
in the first terminal end surface 104. The fluid connection between
the first ports 116 and the first openings 110 forms a respective
first passage 117 for fluids. On the second connection unit 106 two
second ports 118 are arranged, which second ports 118 have a fluid
connection with respective second opening 112 in the second
terminal end surface 108. The fluid connection between the second
ports 118 and the second openings 112 forms a respective second
passage 119 for fluids. Therefore, according to the first
embodiment the number of openings 110, 112 in the respective
terminal end surface 104, 108 corresponds to the number of ports
118, 116 arranged on the connection unit 102, 106.
[0040] Pipes or tubes 120, such as flexible thermoplastic tubes are
intended to be connected to the ports 116, 118 by pushing them over
the projecting ports 116, 118, so that a mechanical retention of
the pipes or tubes 120 is achieved in order to form a leak-tight
seal. The pipes or tubes 120 may also be connected to process
containers and equipment, such as plastic bags and pumps (not
disclosed). The ports 116, 118 may have equal or different
diameters, so that the aseptic connector 100 is applicable to a
wide array of pipe and tube 120 sizes. In the embodiment disclosed
the ports 116, 118 projects out of the connection units 102, 106.
However, it is also possible to arrange the ports 116, 118 as
apertures (not disclosed) in the connection unit 102, 106, so that
the pipes or tubes 120 are pushed into and installed in the
aperture.
[0041] A gasket 122 is arranged around each opening 110, 112. Said
gasket 122 being adapted to mate with a corresponding gasket 122 or
terminal end surface 104, 108 on the other connection unit 102, 106
which the connection unit 102, 106 possibly should be connected
with when the films 114 have been released from the connection
units 102, 106. The gasket 122 can possibly also be arranged around
a suitable number of openings 110, 112. Also, a foam layer 124,
such as a compressible foam layer, is arranged around each gasket
122, which foam layer 124 is adapted to be compressed around each
gasket 122 when two connection units 102, 106 are mated. The foam
layer 124 provided around the gaskets 122 leads to that the units
can be pressed together to a first aseptic connection position
where the protective films 114 can be removed without exposing the
aseptic process side to the environment, which may be non-sterile.
The purpose of the compressible foam layers 124 is to provide the
required degree of volumetric variability to allow for an expansion
of the two opposite foam layers 124 against each other to remain
asepsis when removing the adjacent folded films 114 by pulling.
[0042] In FIG. 1 the films 114 are double folded over said openings
110, 112 and a single sheet of the uppermost layer of the film 114
is reaching outside the terminal end surfaces 104, 108 and adapted
to be pulled together with another single sheet of another film 114
when the films 114 are released from the connection units 102, 106.
The film 114 is suitably provided to the units 102, 106 before the
units are subjected to sterilisation. This means that the
connection unit 102, 106 with the attached film 114 can be treated
in a non sterile environment while the contents of the connection
unit 102, 106 confined by its openings and ports including the
openings and ports still are kept sterile or aseptic. In FIG. 1
only one film 114 is arranged in each terminal end surface 104,
108. It is however possible to arrange films 114 for each opening
in the terminal end surface 104, 108. The connection units 102, 106
are provided with orientation specific locking means 126 arranged
to mechanically lock the connection units 102, 106 to each
other.
[0043] FIG. 2 shows the first embodiment of the aseptic connector
100 when the first and second connection units 102, 106 are
connected. In this position the locking means 126 mechanically
locks the connection units 102, 106 to each other. The openings are
orientated to substantially coincide when said first and second
connection units 102, 106 are connected to each other, which is
disclosed in FIG. 2.
[0044] FIG. 3 shows a first connection unit 102 according to the
first embodiment in perspective. In the first terminal end surface
104, two first openings 110 are provided. The first openings 110
are arranged to be sealed by the film 114 arranged on the first
connection unit 102, so that the contact between the film 114 and
the first connection unit 102 is aseptic. Two first ports 116 are
arranged on the first connection unit 102, which first ports 116
have fluid connection with the respective first opening 110 in the
first terminal end surface 104. A gasket 122 is arranged around
each first opening 110 and a foam layer 124 is arranged around each
gasket 122, which foam layer 124 is adapted to be compressed around
each gasket 122 when two connection units are mated.
[0045] FIG. 4 shows an aseptic connector 200 according to a second
embodiment of the present invention. In this second embodiment two
first ports 216 are arranged on the first connection unit 202,
which first ports 216 have fluid connection with two first openings
210 in the first terminal end surface 204. On the second connection
unit 206 only one second port 218 is arranged, which has a fluid
connection with two second openings 212 in the second terminal end
surface 208. The first and second openings 210, 212 are orientated
to substantially coincide when said first and second connection
units 202, 206 are connected to each other. In FIG. 4 the films 214
are removed, so that the gaskets 222 arranged around each opening
210, 212 mates with a corresponding gasket 222 on the other
connection unit which the connection unit possibly should be
connected with when the films 214 have been released from the
connection units 202, 206. Also, the foam layers 224 arranged
around each gasket 222 are compressed when the two connection units
202, 206 are mated. The aseptic connector 200 according to this
second embodiment is arranged as a manifold.
[0046] FIG. 5 shows an aseptic connector 300 according to a third
embodiment of the present invention in perspective. In this third
embodiment two first ports 316 are arranged on the first connection
unit 302, which first ports 316 have fluid connection with only one
first opening 310 in the first terminal end surface 304. On the
second connection unit 306 only one second port 318 is arranged,
which has a fluid connection with only one second opening 312 in
the second terminal end surface 308. The first and second openings
310, 312 are orientated to substantially coincide when said first
and second connection units 302, 306 are connected to each
other.
[0047] FIG. 6 shows an aseptic connector 400 according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention in perspective. In this fourth
embodiment three first ports 416 are arranged on the first
connection unit 402, which first ports 416 have fluid connection
with three first openings 410 in the first terminal end surface
404. On the second connection unit 406 only one second port 418 is
arranged, which has a fluid connection with three second openings
412 in the second terminal end surface 408. The first and second
openings 410, 412 are orientated to substantially coincide when
said first and second connection units 402, 406 are connected to
each other. In this embodiment also at least one of the first ports
416 is provided with a valve 428, which is arranged to control
fluid flow through the first connection unit 402 and the aseptic
connector 400. The valve 428 can be of the type which opens and
closes the port 416. However, it is also possible to arrange the
valve as a three-way valve (not disclosed).
[0048] In FIG. 6 the aseptic connector 400 may be provided with
measuring means 436 comprising sensors for measuring and monitoring
for example pressure, velocity in flow, temperature and
conductivity. Also, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags may
be used in combination with the sensors in the measuring means 436.
The measuring means 436 may be located within the connector 400 and
in contact with the fluid in the connector 400, or located on a
location outside the connector 400. The RFID tags may communicate
with a computer (not disclosed) for collecting information about
the measured values. Preferred geometries of the measurement means
436 are round or circular, but other geometries can be used for
similar purposes.
[0049] In FIG. 7 the aseptic connector 100 according to the first
embodiment is provided with a clamp 130, which at least partially
encloses the connector 100. The clamp 130 comprises two shells 132
which are arranged at the periphery of first and second connection
units 102, 106 and locked with a strap 134. The clamp 130 urges the
first and second connection units 102, 106 in a direction to each
other and prevents any leakage of fluid from the aseptic connector
100. The clamp 130 also prevents the first and second connection
units 102, 106 to be unintentional disconnected.
[0050] FIG. 8 shows an aseptic connector 500 according a fifth
embodiment. In addition to the first embodiment above the aseptic
connector 500 according the fifth embodiment has four first ports
516 arranged on the first connection unit 502, which first ports
516 have fluid connection with four first openings 510 in the first
terminal end surface 504. On the second connection unit 506 also
four second ports 518 are arranged, which have a fluid connection
with four second openings 512 in the second terminal end surface
508. The first and second openings 510, 512 are orientated to
substantially coincide when said first and second connection units
502, 506 are connected to each other. The first and second openings
510, 512 are sealed by films 514 arranged on said first and second
connection units 502, 506. A gasket 522 is arranged around each
first opening and a foam layer 524 is arranged around each gasket
522. In the fifth embodiment the films 514, gaskets 522 and foam
layer 524 are disclosed when arranged at the second connection unit
506. However, films 514, gaskets 522 and foam layer 524 are also
arranged at the first connection unit 502, but not disclosed in
FIG. 8. The first and second connection units 502, 506 according to
the fifth embodiment have a substantial rectangular configuration
in comparison to the substantial circular configuration of the
connection units in the embodiments above.
[0051] Preferably, the aseptic connector 100; 200; 300; 400; 500
according to the invention is a disposable unit, i.e. adapted to be
used only once. One advantage with disposable systems is that there
is no need for cleaning and bioburden control before using the
systems because disposable systems are already aseptic in some
degree and they should not be used again and need therefore not be
cleaned between uses. Therefore the aseptic connector 100; 200;
300; 400; 500 according to this invention is particularly
interesting in disposable systems.
[0052] In a further aspect of the invention, a sterile circuit is
disclosed, which comprises at least one first connector unit 102;
202; 302; 402; 502 as discussed above and at least two lengths of
tubing 120; 220 fluidically connected to the unit, preferably to
the ports 116; 118; 216; 316; 416; 516; 518. The sterile circuit
may be presterilized, e.g. by irradiation or autoclaving and it may
be packaged in a sterile container, such as e.g. a sterile pouch or
bag. The sterile circuit may further comprise at least one
container, such as a storage bag or a bioreactor bag, which is
fluidically connected to at least one of the tubing lengths 120;
220. The first connector unit of the sterile circuit may be
aseptically connected to a second connector unit, which may, or may
not, form a part of a second sterile circuit with at least one
length of tubing fluidically connected to the second connector
unit.
[0053] The provision of sterile circuits greatly facilitates the
setup of complex sterile systems, such as bioreactors with multiple
lines for feeding nutrients, gases etc and for removal of culture
fluid and/or metabolites etc. One sterile circuit may be attached
to one bioreactor via one or more lengths of tubing or it may be
attached to a plurality of bioreactors. The latter is particularly
suitable for screening experiments such as high throughput
screening experiments where a large number of small bioreactors are
used and it is of imperative need to have a compact system for
supply and removal of fluids.
[0054] The word aseptic used in this description and in the claims
shall have a broad definition, i.e. include any level of bioburden
control. The bioburden control or asepsis can be measured as
organisms/ml or CFU (colony forming units). In one embodiment of
the invention the level of asepsis should be below 100 CFU/ml. The
latter corresponds to bioburden control levels required for food
grade products. Low levels of bioburden can be achieved by
sterilisation processes. For example the aseptic connector 100;
200; 300; 400; 500 of the invention can be subjected to gamma
sterilization. Other possible methods are autoclaving or bioburden
control by ethylene dioxide.
[0055] In all embodiments described above parts and surfaces being
in contact with a process fluid are suitably selected from
materials that are in accordance with typical material requirements
in (bio-)pharmaceutical manufacturing or food grade quality. For
example, materials are suitably in compliance with USP Class VI and
21 CFR 177. Furthermore they are suitably of animal-free origin and
compliance to EMEA/41O/01.
[0056] Features and components of the different embodiments above
may be combined within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *