US4022256A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aseptic fluid transfer system
Assignee: California Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1975-09-25
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Granted: 1977-05-10
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Expires: 1995-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and means is provided, which permits the transfer of fluids between separate detached containers, in a manner which preserves the sterility of the fluids during and after their transfer.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard M. Berkman
- 👤 James C. Arnett
- 👤 Edward L. Cleland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:55
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61J; A61J1/00; A61J1/14; A61J1/20; A61J1/2089; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/02; A61L2/04; A61M; A61M39/00; A61M39/10; A61M39/14; A61M39/143; B; B29; B29C; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/18; B29C65/74; B29C65/743; B29C66/00; B29C66/004; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/1122; B29C66/306; B29C66/50; B29C66/51; B29C66/52; B29C66/522; B29C66/5221; B29C66/70; B29C66/72; B29C66/723; B29C66/80; B29C66/81; B29C66/814; B29C66/8141; B29C66/81427; B29C66/818; B29C66/8181; B29C66/81811; B29C66/83; B29C66/832; B29C66/8322; B29C66/83221; B29C66/84; B29C66/857; A61J1/2003; A61J1/202; A61J1/2027; A61J1/2034; B29C2793/00; B29C2793/0045; B29C66/3062; B29C66/30621; B29C66/71; B29K; B29K2027/00; B29K2027/06; B29K2027/12; B29K2027/18; B29K2079/00; B29K2079/08; B29L; B29L2009/00; B29L2023/00; B29L2023/005; B29L2023/007; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/712; B29L2031/7148
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for enabling an aseptic transfer of a fluid which is in one sterile container to another sterile container, comprising forming a connector portion of both containers out of a material which will melt and flow at a predetermined temperature, placing two predetermined lengths of said two portions in contact with one another, applying heat and pressure at said melting and flowing temperature, to predetermined areas of said connector portions within the lengths which are in contact to cause the material of said connector portions to flow away from said area to the regions around said area, to form a communicating opening over said areas between said contacting portions while maintaining sterile and closed all other regions of said portions, and cooling the areas of said connector portions whereby a sterile passageway is created through said portions for transferring fluid from one container to another.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for enabling an aseptic transfer of a fluid which is in one sterile container to another sterile container, comprising forming a connector portion of both containers out of a material which will melt and flow at a predetermined temperature, placing two predetermined lengths of said two portions in contact with one another, applying heat and pressure at said melting and flowing temperature, to predetermined areas of said connector portions within the lengths which are in contact to cause the material of said connector portions to flow away from said area to the regions around said area, to form a communicating opening over said areas between said contacting portions while maintaining sterile and closed all other regions of said portions, and cooling the areas of said connector portions whereby a sterile passageway is created through said portions for transferring fluid from one container to another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
122 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step of applying heat, while maintaining sterile and closed all other regions of said connector portions includes, attaching a separate liner to the inside walls of each of said connector portions which extends over said predetermined lengths and covers part of the inside walls, said liners being made of a material which does not melt and flow at said melting and flowing temperature, and the step of placing said two predetermined lengths of said two connector portions in pressng contact with one another includes placing over one another the said lengths of said connector portions with the portions of the walls to which said liners are not attached being pressed against one another.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
228 words
A method for enabling an aseptic transfer of a fluid which is in one sterile container to another sterile container comprising making a sterile and sealed at one end tubular extension for each container out of a material which will melt and flow at a sterilizing temperature, attaching a liner, made of a material which does not melt and flow at the sterilizing temperature, to the inside wall of each tubular extension, opposite the site at which a fluid transfer is desired, which liner extends for a predetermined distance along the length of each of said extensions and covers part of the internal circumference thereof, placing over one another the regions of said tubular extensions having said liners with the portions of the walls of said two tubular extensions opposite said liners being pressed against one another, applying heat at said temperature which causes said tubular extension material to melt and sufficient pressure across a part of the pressed together regions of said tubular extensions to cause said material of said tubular extensions to flow away from the location at which pressure is applied and to join on both sides thereof maintaining the junction of said tubular extensions sterile and exposing said liners to each other whereby a sterile passageway is provided between said two containers, and cooling said tubular extension material, and withdrawing said pressure and clamping.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
228 words
A method for enabling an aseptic transfer of a fluid which is in one sterile container to another sterile container comprising making a sterile and sealed at one end tubular extension for each container out of a material which will melt and flow at a sterilizing temperature, attaching a liner, made of a material which does not melt and flow at the sterilizing temperature, to the inside wall of each tubular extension, opposite the site at which a fluid transfer is desired, which liner extends for a predetermined distance along the length of each of said extensions and covers part of the internal circumference thereof, placing over one another the regions of said tubular extensions having said liners with the portions of the walls of said two tubular extensions opposite said liners being pressed against one another, applying heat at said temperature which causes said tubular extension material to melt and sufficient pressure across a part of the pressed together regions of said tubular extensions to cause said material of said tubular extensions to flow away from the location at which pressure is applied and to join on both sides thereof maintaining the junction of said tubular extensions sterile and exposing said liners to each other whereby a sterile passageway is provided between said two containers, and cooling said tubular extension material, and withdrawing said pressure and clamping.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as recited in claim 3 where the material of said tubular extensions is one selected from the group consisting of fluorinated ethylene propylene polymers and surface activated species thereof, polyvinyl chloride polymers, chlorotrifluoro-ethylene polymers, and polyvinylidene chloride polymers, and the material of said liner is the polymide Kapton.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for enabling the aseptic transfer of a fluid which is in one sterile container to another sterile container comprising a first and a second container, each container having a first and a second tubular portion made of material which will melt and flow at a sterilizing temperature, means for holding said tubular portions together with walls in contact with one another, means for applying pressure and said sterilizing temperature to predetermined areas within said held together tubular portions to cause the material of said tubular portions to melt and flow away from the areas of said predetermined pressure forming a communicating opening between said tubular portions, and insert means within said tubular portions for maintaining the walls of said tubular portions sealed except for said communicating opening, whereby upon cooling, a sterile sealed opening is provided between said tubular portions enabling an aseptic transfer of fluid therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for enabling the aseptic transfer of a fluid which is in one sterile container to another sterile container comprising a first and a second container, each container having a first and a second tubular portion made of material which will melt and flow at a sterilizing temperature, means for holding said tubular portions together with walls in contact with one another, means for applying pressure and said sterilizing temperature to predetermined areas within said held together tubular portions to cause the material of said tubular portions to melt and flow away from the areas of said predetermined pressure forming a communicating opening between said tubular portions, and insert means within said tubular portions for maintaining the walls of said tubular portions sealed except for said communicating opening, whereby upon cooling, a sterile sealed opening is provided between said tubular portions enabling an aseptic transfer of fluid therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein each said first and second tubular portions comprise a first and a second sheet of material having their ends joined to form a cavity therebetween, and means for connecting the respective cavities of the respective first and second tubular portions to the respective containers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said means for applying pressure and said sterilizing temperature comprises a rod adjacent to and extending across said insert means, said rod being made of a material which will not melt and flow at said first temperature and which is sufficiently hard at said first temperature to cause the material of said tubular portions to flow to either side thereof under the application of pressure at said first temperature, clamp means for applying pressure to said predetermined areas of said held together tubular portions, and means for applying heat to said clamp means to heat up said predetermined areas of said held together tubular portions to said sterilizing temperatures.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said means for applying pressure and said sterilizing temperature comprises a clamp having one flat jaw, and an opposing jaw with raised ridges thereon, and means for applying heat at a sterilizing temperature to the jaws of said clamp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said insert means comprises a material which does not melt and run at said sterilizing temperature, and means for attaching said insert means to the walls of said tubular portion leaving exposed a portion of the walls which are in contact with one another and which include said predetermined areas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
191 words
Apparatus for enabling an aseptic transfer of a fluid which is in one sterile container to another sterile container comprising a first and a second container, each container having a connector portion made out of a material which will melt and flow at a sterilizing temperature, an insert for each connector portion attached to the inside wall, extending for a predetermined length thereof and covering part of the inside circumference of said inside wall, each said insert being made of a material that does not melt and flow at said sterilizing temperature, means for holding said connector portions together with those wall sections in contact wherein said liners are not present along the inside walls, means for applying pressure and said sterilizing temperature to predetermined regions within said held together connector portions to cause the material of said connector portions to melt and flow to either side of the predetermined regions enabling the inserts of said predetermined regions in each tubular portions to contact one another, and means for cooling said predetermined regions, whereupon a sterile sealed opening is provided between said connector portions enabling an aseptic transfer of fluids therebetween.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
191 words
Apparatus for enabling an aseptic transfer of a fluid which is in one sterile container to another sterile container comprising a first and a second container, each container having a connector portion made out of a material which will melt and flow at a sterilizing temperature, an insert for each connector portion attached to the inside wall, extending for a predetermined length thereof and covering part of the inside circumference of said inside wall, each said insert being made of a material that does not melt and flow at said sterilizing temperature, means for holding said connector portions together with those wall sections in contact wherein said liners are not present along the inside walls, means for applying pressure and said sterilizing temperature to predetermined regions within said held together connector portions to cause the material of said connector portions to melt and flow to either side of the predetermined regions enabling the inserts of said predetermined regions in each tubular portions to contact one another, and means for cooling said predetermined regions, whereupon a sterile sealed opening is provided between said connector portions enabling an aseptic transfer of fluids therebetween.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein each said connector portion comprises a first and a second sheet of material having their ends joined to form a cavity therebetween, and means for connecting the respective cavities of each said connector portion to the respective first and second containers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein said means for applying pressure and said sterilizing temperature comprises a rod adjacent to and extending across said insert means, said rod being made of a material which will not melt and flow at said first temperature and which is sufficiently hard at said first temperature to cause the material of said tubular portions to flow to either side thereof under the application of pressure at said first temperature, clamp means for applying pressure to said predetermined areas of said held together tubular portions, and means for applying heat to said clamp means to heat up said predetermined areas of said held together tubular portions to said sterilizing temperatures.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein each said connector portion comprises a tube having one end in communication with a container and the other end sealed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein said connector portions of said first and second containers comprise a material selected from a group consisting of fluorinated ethylene propylene polymers and surface activated species thereof polyvinyl chloride polymers, chlorotrifluoro-ethylene polymers, and polyvinylidene chloride polymers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein said liner means comprises Kapton combined with Teflon-FEP.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
227 words
A system for enabling the aseptic transfer of a fluid which is in one sterile container to another sterile container comprising, for each container, a sterile, sealed at one end, extension for the interior of a container made of a material which melts and flows at a sterilizing temperature, a liner for each extension, made of a material which does not melt at said sterilizing temperature, attached to the inside wall of each extension for a predetermined length thereof and covering part of said inside wall, clamping means for holding together with a first pressure said extensions at the regions having said liners but for a distance shorter than said liners, with the portions of the walls of said extensions opposite said liners being pressed against one another and for applying a second pressure higher than said first pressure across said tubular extensions to a limited area within the region which are held together, means for heating said clamping means to a temperature at which it causes said extension material to melt and flow to both sides of the limited area, and means for cooling said clamping means to permit said extension material to solidify, whereby an opening is provided between the two tubular extensions within said limited area of the application of second pressure with both said tubular extension walls being sealed to one another therearound.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
227 words
A system for enabling the aseptic transfer of a fluid which is in one sterile container to another sterile container comprising, for each container, a sterile, sealed at one end, extension for the interior of a container made of a material which melts and flows at a sterilizing temperature, a liner for each extension, made of a material which does not melt at said sterilizing temperature, attached to the inside wall of each extension for a predetermined length thereof and covering part of said inside wall, clamping means for holding together with a first pressure said extensions at the regions having said liners but for a distance shorter than said liners, with the portions of the walls of said extensions opposite said liners being pressed against one another and for applying a second pressure higher than said first pressure across said tubular extensions to a limited area within the region which are held together, means for heating said clamping means to a temperature at which it causes said extension material to melt and flow to both sides of the limited area, and means for cooling said clamping means to permit said extension material to solidify, whereby an opening is provided between the two tubular extensions within said limited area of the application of second pressure with both said tubular extension walls being sealed to one another therearound.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system, as recited in claim 16, wherein said clamping means has one jaw with a flat face and an opposing jaw to said one jaw with an "H" shaped raised portion positioned on a flat surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system, as recited in claim 16 wherein said tubular extension material is one of the group consisting of flourinated ethylene propylene polymers and surface activated species thereof, polyvinyl chloride polymers, chlorotrifluorethylene polymers, and polyvinylidene chloride polymers.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as recited in claim 16 wherein said liner is made of polyimide (Kapton).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for enabling the aseptic transfer of a fluid which is in one sterile container to another sterile container comprising for each container, connector means, having a central passageway, a closed end, and an open end for connecting said central passageway to a sterile container, said connector means being made of a material which melts and flows at a predetermined temperature, and an insert means adjacent an inside wall of said connector means, said insert means, being made of a material which remains solid at said predetermined temperature, said insert means having a length, shorter than the length of said central passageway and having a width such that it only covers part of the inside wall of said central passageway.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for enabling the aseptic transfer of a fluid which is in one sterile container to another sterile container comprising for each container, connector means, having a central passageway, a closed end, and an open end for connecting said central passageway to a sterile container, said connector means being made of a material which melts and flows at a predetermined temperature, and an insert means adjacent an inside wall of said connector means, said insert means, being made of a material which remains solid at said predetermined temperature, said insert means having a length, shorter than the length of said central passageway and having a width such that it only covers part of the inside wall of said central passageway.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 20 wherein a rod extends across and is adjacent to said insert means, said rod being made of a material which will not melt and flow at said first temperature, and which is sufficiently hard at said first temperature to cause the material of said connector means to flow to either side therof under the application of pressure at said first temperature.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein said rod is between said insert means and said inside wall.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for enabling a transfer of a fluid from one container to another container comprising, for each container, a first and a second sheet of a material which melts and flows at a sterilizing temperature, said first and second sheets of material having their ends joined to form a cavity therebetween, a third sheet of a material which is smaller than either said first or second sheet and which does remain solid at said sterilizing temperature, and which is within said cavity and is positioned adjacent to said first sheet of material, and means for connecting said cavity to a container.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for enabling a transfer of a fluid from one container to another container comprising, for each container, a first and a second sheet of a material which melts and flows at a sterilizing temperature, said first and second sheets of material having their ends joined to form a cavity therebetween, a third sheet of a material which is smaller than either said first or second sheet and which does remain solid at said sterilizing temperature, and which is within said cavity and is positioned adjacent to said first sheet of material, and means for connecting said cavity to a container.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 23 wherein said first and second sheets of material are made of polyvinyl chloride and said third sheet of material is made of Kapton.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 23 wherein said first and second sheet of material are made of polyvinyl chloride and said third sheet of material is a laminate of Kapton and Teflon FEP, and wherein the Kapton side of said laminate is adjacent to said first sheet of material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 23 wherein a rod extends across and is adjacent to said insert means, said rod being made of a material which will not melt and flow at said first temperature, and which is sufficiently hard at said first temperature to cause the material of said first and second sheets to flow to either side thereof under the application of pressure at said first temperature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3640790A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-09 | 1980-11-08 | 1981-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-09 | 1984-11-08 | 1985-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-09 | 1988-11-08 | 1989-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |