Aseptic connection device

• US 6,394,992 B1
• Filed: 01/11/2000
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA (Tetra Laval Holdings BV)
• Original Assignee: Arom Pak International AB
• Inventors: Sjoholm, Johan
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, CRIS LOIREN
• Application Number:
  US09/480,646
• Time in Patent Office: 868 Days
• Field of Search: 604/533-535,411,412,414,246,171,256,192,905,198,201,236,199,244,249,164.08 141/329,313 285/3,4,93
• US Class Current: 604/411
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/162 Needle sets, i.e. connections by puncture between reservoir and tube ; Connections between reservoir and tube in jet-action syringes A61M5/30; connectors for tubes having sealed ends and a needle for piercing them A61M39/14
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/565 Seals in general F16L
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/905 Aseptic connectors or couplings, e.g. frangible, piercable

Abstract

A connection device includes a first connecting device and a second connecting device, which are interconnectible for the purpose of transferring an aseptic fluid. The first connecting device includes an injection needle and a protecting sleeve which has an orifice that can be punctured and which at least partially surrounds the needle and is displaceable relative thereto. The second connecting device includes a rubber-like part, which is penetratable by the needle and resealable when the needle is withdrawn.

Claims

1. A connection device for a storage containing an aseptic fluid, comprising:

a transferring device connectable to the storage, said transferring device comprising;

a first means for connecting provided with connecting threads;

an injection needle centrally located and connected in said first means for connecting; and

a protecting sleeve surrounding said injection needle and movable into said first means for connecting in a direction of said injection needle along a fitting against an inside of said first means for connecting, said protecting sleeve being provided with a protective portion which can be punctured; and

means for aseptic supply connectable to said transferring device for transferring the fluid under aseptic conditions between the storage and a chamber via said connection device, said means for aseptic supply comprising;

a second means for connecting provided with threads adapted to receive said connecting threads of said first means for connecting, said second means for connecting having an opening corresponding to a tapering front part of said protecting sleeve; and

a plug arranged at a bottom of said second means for connecting, said plug being easily penetratable by said injection needle and, when said needle is being withdrawn during termination of a connection between said first means for connecting and said second means for connecting, said plug again forms an aseptic seal.

2. The connection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for aseptic supply comprises an insert for said plug.

3. The connection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first means for connecting is replaceable in case of a repeated process.

4. The connection device as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, wherein said second means for connecting further comprises:

a receiving part having a conical hole for receiving said protecting sleeve, said plug being arranged at a bottom of said receiving part;

said needle has an outer, obliquely cut end; and

said receiving part is arranged for clamping said protecting sleeve when said first means for connecting is connected to said second means for connecting.

5. A connection device for a storage containing an aseptic fluid, comprising:

a transferring device connectable to the storage, said transferring device comprising;

a first device provided with connecting threads;

an injection needle centrally located and connected in said first device; and

a protecting sleeve surrounding said injection needle and movable into said first device in a direction of said injection needle along a fitting against an inside of said first device, said protecting sleeve being provided with a protective portion which can be punctured; and

an aseptic supply device connectable to said transferring device, said aseptic supply device being capable of transferring the fluid under aseptic conditions between the storage and a chamber via said connection device, said aseptic supply device comprising;

a second device provided with threads adapted to receive said connecting threads of said first device, said second device having an opening corresponding to a tapering front part of said protecting sleeve; and

a plug arranged at a bottom of said second device, said plug being easily penetratable by said injection needle and, when said needle is being withdrawn during termination of a connection between said first device and said second device, said plug again forms an aseptic seal.

6. The connection device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said aseptic suply device comprises an insert for said plug.

7. The connection device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first device is replaceable in case of a repeated process.

8. The connection device as claimed in any one of claims 6-7, wherein said second device further comprises:

a receiving part having a conical hole for receiving said protecting sleeve, said plug being arranged at a bottom of said receiving part;

said needle has an outer, obliquely cut end; and

said receiving part is arranged for clamping said protecting sleeve when said first device is connected to said second device.