Adhesively activated sterile connector
First Claim
1. A connector assembly for transferring fluids from one source to another under contaminant precluding conditions, includinga first connector having one end for conduit connection to a fluid source and an opposite open end, a first tubular coupling element positioned within said first connector, said first tubular coupling element being communicable with said conduit connection, a penetrating end associated with said first tubular coupling element,a second connector having one end for conduit connection to a fluid source and an opposite open end, a second tubular coupling element positioned within said second connector, said second tubular coupling element being communicable with said conduit connection, said second tubular coupling element having an end engageable with said first tubular coupling element,a penetratable barrier assembly closing the open end of each of the connectors, each barrier assembly including a penetratable barrier and a removable protective member, an adhesive film covering a substantial portion of the area between the barrier and the protective member in at least one of said barrier assemblies, said protective member having a barrier portion covering the penetratable barrier, and a handle portion folded over the barrier portion and extending beyond the connector, said handle portions progressively exposing said adhesive film upon being pulled to progressively adhere the protective barriers to each other, andmeans to permit relative movement between the penetrating end and the adjoined barriers so that said penetrating end moves through said area of adhesion, said first coupling element engages said second coupling element to establish a fluid path after the adhered barriers are penetrated, said fluid moving through said engaged coupling elements without contacting the penetrated barriers on the penetrating end.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sterile connector assembly for moving blood component preparations through a fluid path established by engaged coupling elements within adjoined connectors. The open end of the connectors are closed by barrier membranes covered by protective members with adhesive film between the protective members and the barrier membranes. A pressure cap is mounted on one of the connectors to apply pressure to the adjoining connectors so that the membranes adhere to each other along a sterile surface which is substituted for the non-sterile protective member that is progressively pulled away. A penetrator member associated with one of the coupling elements penetrates the adjoined and adhered membranes so that an associated coupling element can engage the coupling element in the other connector.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A connector assembly for transferring fluids from one source to another under contaminant precluding conditions, including
a first connector having one end for conduit connection to a fluid source and an opposite open end, a first tubular coupling element positioned within said first connector, said first tubular coupling element being communicable with said conduit connection, a penetrating end associated with said first tubular coupling element, a second connector having one end for conduit connection to a fluid source and an opposite open end, a second tubular coupling element positioned within said second connector, said second tubular coupling element being communicable with said conduit connection, said second tubular coupling element having an end engageable with said first tubular coupling element, a penetratable barrier assembly closing the open end of each of the connectors, each barrier assembly including a penetratable barrier and a removable protective member, an adhesive film covering a substantial portion of the area between the barrier and the protective member in at least one of said barrier assemblies, said protective member having a barrier portion covering the penetratable barrier, and a handle portion folded over the barrier portion and extending beyond the connector, said handle portions progressively exposing said adhesive film upon being pulled to progressively adhere the protective barriers to each other, and means to permit relative movement between the penetrating end and the adjoined barriers so that said penetrating end moves through said area of adhesion, said first coupling element engages said second coupling element to establish a fluid path after the adhered barriers are penetrated, said fluid moving through said engaged coupling elements without contacting the penetrated barriers on the penetrating end.
Specification