Containers and systems for processing a fluid

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11833259-B2
Application number	US-202017086723-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 2, 2020
Priority date	Feb 28, 2012
Publication date	Dec 5, 2023
Grant date	Dec 5, 2023

Abstract

A method for collecting a sterilized fluid includes passing a fluid through an inlet stem and into a chamber of a storage container so that the fluid collects within the chamber of the storage container; and applying a beam of radiation to the inlet stem so that the beam of radiation passes through the inlet stem and through at least a portion of the fluid passing through the inlet stem, the beam of radiation at least partially sterilizing the fluid passing through the inlet stem and into the chamber of the storage container.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for collecting a sterilized fluid, the method comprising:
passing a fluid through an inlet stem and into a chamber of a storage container so that the fluid collects within the chamber of the storage container; and
applying a beam of radiation to the inlet stem so that the beam of radiation passes through the inlet stem and through at least a portion of the fluid passing through the inlet stem, the beam of radiation at least partially sterilizing the fluid passing through the inlet stem and into the chamber of the storage container,
wherein the storage container comprises a body bounding the storage container.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the beam of radiation comprises an electron beam.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the inlet stem comprises a portion of the storage container.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein
the inlet stem projects from the body, the body and the inlet stem being integrally formed from a polymeric film.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein
the body is comprised of a polymeric film; and
the inlet stem projects from the body, the inlet stem comprising a tubular structure.

6. A system for use in sterilizing a fluid, the system comprising:
a sterilization container having an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow path extending therebetween, the sterilization container being comprised of:
a first wall;
a second wall; and
a pair of elongated baffles or spacers being disposed between and secured to the first wall and the second wall, the fluid flow path being bounded between the first wall and the second wall and between the pair of elongated baffles or spacers; and
a beam generator aligned with the fluid flow path, the beam generator configured to generate a beam of radiation;

wherein the sterilization container comprises a body bounding the sterilization container.

7. The system as recited in claim 6 , wherein the beam of radiation comprises an electron beam.

8. The system as recited in claim 6 , wherein the first wall is comprised of a flexible sheet of a polymeric film.

9. The system as recited in claim 6 , wherein the second wall has a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the first wall.

10. The system as recited in claim 6 , further comprising:
a fluid source fluid coupled with the inlet of the sterilization container; and
a non-sterilizing, size exclusion filter being disposed between the fluid source and the sterilization container.

11. The system as recited in claim 6 , further comprising means for limiting thickness of the fluid flow path.

12. The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the means for limiting the thickness comprises a first retention plate positioned over at least a portion of the first wall so as to restrict outward expansion of the first wall when a fluid flows through the fluid flow path.

13. The system as recited in claim 12 , wherein the retention plate has an opening extending therethrough that is aligned with the fluid flow path and with the beam generator.

14. The system as recited in claim 6 , further comprising means for immobilizing the sterilization container.

15. The system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the means for immobilizing includes a support on which the sterilization container rests and a plurality of fasteners securing the sterilization container to the support.

16. The system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the sterilization container comprises a pair of spacers and wherein the means for immobilizing comprises:
a support on which the sterilization container rests;
a plurality of spaced part posts outwardly projecting from the support; and
a plurality of spaced apart holes formed on the pair of spacers, each hold having a corresponding post received therein.

17. The system as recited in claim 6 , further comprising a storage container fluid coupled with the outlet of the sterilization container.

18. A method for sterilizing a fluid comprising:
passing a fluid through a first fluid flow path of a sterilization container under a pressurized forced fluid flow, the sterilization container comprising a first wall comprised of a sheet of flexible polymeric film; and
applying a first beam of radiation to the first wall of the sterilization container so that the first beam of radiation passes through the first wall and through at least a portion of the fluid passing through the first fluid flow path of the sterilization container, the first beam of radiation at least partially sterilizing the fluid passing through the sterilization container,
wherein the sterilization container comprises a body bounding the sterilization container.

19. The method as recited in claim 18 , wherein the first beam of radiation comprises an electron beam.

20. The method as recited in claim 18 , further comprising passing the fluid through a non-sterilizing, size exclusion filter before passing the fluid through the first fluid flow path of the sterilization container.

Assignees

• Life Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Goodwin Michael E
• Jones Nephi D
• Buchanan Bradley H

Classifications

• A61L2/087 Primary

  Particle radiation, e.g. electron-beam, alpha or beta radiation · CPC title

• A61L2103/05

  Living organisms or biological materials · CPC title

• A61L2/007

  Human Necessities · mapped topic

• A61L2/26

  Accessories · CPC title