CONNECTION WELDING FOR AUTOMATED STERILE CONNECTION AND FLUID TRANSFER

• Main Author: HODGE, Geoffrey L
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 04.01.2024
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; BEER; BIOCHEMISTRY; CHEMISTRY; DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROMTHE BODY; ENZYMOLOGY; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; METALLURGY; MICROBIOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SPIRITS; TRANSPORTING; VINEGAR; WINE; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

Methods and devices for automated sterile connection and liquid transfer between containers. The methods and devices involve welding (e.g., nest welding) to form sterile fluidical connection between the containers. The method includes: (a) placing a first tube and a second tube into a welding mount, wherein the first tube is connected to a first container and the second tube is connected to a second container, and (b) welding the first tube and the second tube to form a first sterile fluidical connection between the first container and the second container. The method also includes (c) transferring a liquid between the first container and the second container via the first sterile fluidical connection, (d) sealing and cutting the first fluidical connection between the first container and the second container to disconnect the first sterile fluidical connection. The devices executing the method can be automated by a controller.