Sterile coupling

• US 20040034328A1
• Filed: 08/26/2003
• Published: 02/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caridianbct Biotechnologies LLC (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gambro BCT, Inc. (Terumo Corporation)
• Inventors: Sparrman, Brigitta Ekman, Westberg, Eric, Unger, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,097,209 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/415
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1027 Quick-acting type connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/14 for connecting tubes having sealed ends needle sets A61M5/162; having valves closing automatically on disconnection of line A61M39/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/18 Methods or apparatus for making the connection under sterile conditions, i.e. sterile docking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/905 Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable

Abstract

Sterile coupling comprising a male and a female connector, each provided with a membrane device comprising a membrane surface covered with an adhesive at the exterior surface. When the connectors are brought into operation, the adhesive surface are contacted to form a bonded surface. Then, a hole is generated through the bonded surface and the sterile portions of the devices are brought into cooperations. The hole is formed by a rupture member arranged in one of the connectors. After rupturing, the membrane devices retract to a space formed between the cylindrical bodies of the connectors.

Claims

1. Sterile coupling comprising a male connector having a membrane device covering one end and the other end connected to a source of sterile fluid, and a female connector having a membrane device covering one end and the other end connected to a source of sterile fluid, characterized in that

each membrane device has a membrane surface, the exterior surface of which comprising an adhesive material and the interior surface of which facing the sterile area, so that the adhesive material when the two connectors are joined form a bonded membrane surface, and

a rupture device, which ruptures the bonded membrane surface inside said bonded membrane surface for forming said sterile coupling.

2. Sterile coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that said membrane device have a cup-shape.

3. Sterile coupling according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said male and female connectors each comprises a cylindrical body, forming a space there between during cooperation, said space accommodating the membrane devices after rupturing.

4. Sterile coupling according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said membrane surface comprises a weakening line for guiding the rupture.

5. Sterile coupling according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the membrane device of the male connector is prestreched before use.

6. Sterile coupling according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the adhesive layer is covered by a tape before use, which is removed just before use.

7. Sterile coupling according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the two connectors comprises engagement means for interconnection thereof after the rupture of the membrane devices.

8. Sterile coupling according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that one or both of the membrane devices comprise grooves for letting out surplus air from the adhesive area before bonding.