Polymeric remote seal system for single-use containers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9562819-B2
Application number	US-201514788069-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 30, 2015
Priority date	Jun 30, 2015
Publication date	Feb 7, 2017
Grant date	Feb 7, 2017

Abstract

A polymeric remote seal system is provided for coupling a single-use container to a pressure measurement instrument. The polymeric remote seal system includes a process-side coupling, an instrument-side coupling and a fluidic coupling therebetween. The process-side coupling is configured to couple to the single-use container and is formed of a radiation sterilizable polymer. The process-side coupling has a process-side deflectable diaphragm that is configured to deflect in response to pressure within the single-use container. The instrument-side coupling is configured to couple to the pressure measurement instrument and is formed of a radiation sterilizable polymer. The instrument-side coupling is configured to fluidically convey fluid pressure to an isolation diaphragm of the pressure measurement instrument. Tubing fluidically couples the process-side coupling to the instrument-side coupling.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A polymeric remote seal system for coupling a single-use container to a pressure measurement instrument, the system comprising:
a process-side coupling configured to couple to the single-use container, the process-side coupling being formed of a radiation sterilizable polymer and having a process-side deflectable diaphragm that is configured to deflect in response to pressure of the single-use container;
an instrument-side coupling configured to couple to the pressure measurement instrument, the instrument-side coupling being formed of a radiation sterilizable polymer and being configured to fluidically convey fluid pressure to an isolation diaphragm of the pressure measurement instrument; and
tubing fluidically coupling the process-side coupling to the instrument-side coupling.

2. The polymeric remote seal system of claim 1 , wherein the process-side coupling is configured to couple to the single-use container.

3. The polymeric remote seal system of claim 2 , wherein the process-side coupling includes a flange body coupleable to the single-use container, wherein the flange body is welded to the process-side deflectable diaphragm.

4. The polymeric remote seal system of claim 2 , wherein the process-side coupling includes a flange body that is coupled to a wall of the single-use container such that a portion of the single-use container wall forms the process-side deflectable diaphragm.

5. The polymeric remote seal system of claim 2 , wherein the process-side coupling includes a tubing connector having at least one stepped portion configured to retain tubing coupled to the single-use container and wherein the process-side deflectable diaphragm is formed of a collapsible bellows structure disposed within the tubing connector.

6. The polymeric remote seal system of claim 2 , wherein the process-side coupling includes a tubing connector having at least one stepped portion configured to retain tubing coupled to the single-use container and at least one stepped portion configured to retain the tubing coupling the process-side coupling with the instrument-side coupling.

7. The polymeric remote seal system of claim 1 , wherein the instrument-side coupling includes a flange coupleable to the pressure measurement instrument, the flange having a plurality of ports therein, each port being valved by a respective valve.

8. The polymeric remote seal system of claim 7 , and further comprising a seal disposed between the flange and the pressure measurement instrument.

9. The polymeric remote seal system of claim 8 , wherein the system is configured to be filled with a fill fluid after coupling the flange to the pressure measurement instrument.

10. The polymeric remote seal system of claim 1 , wherein the instrument-side coupling includes a flange and an instrument-side deflectable diaphragm coupled to the flange, wherein pressure from the single-use container causes the instrument-side deflectable diaphragm of the instrument-side coupling to bear against the isolation diaphragm of the pressure measurement instrument.

11. The polymeric remote seal system of claim 10 , wherein the instrument-side deflectable diaphragm is welded to the flange.

12. The polymeric remote seal system of claim 10 , wherein the polymeric remote seal system is pre-filled with fill fluid fluidically coupling the process-side coupling to the instrument-side coupling.

13. The polymeric remote seal system of claim 12 , wherein the flange includes a shoulder configured to receive a clamping force to clamp the flange against the pressure measurement instrument.

14. The polymeric remote seal system of claim 13 , and further comprising a seal disposed between the shoulder and the pressure measurement instrument.

15. A method of fluidically coupling pressure of a bioreactor to a pressure measurement instrument, the method comprising:
providing a polymeric remote seal system having a process-side connection and an instrument-side connection;
coupling the process-side connection to the bioreactor;
sterilizing the bioreactor and at least the process-side connection;
coupling the instrument-side connection to the pressure measurement instrument;
introducing a sample into the bioreactor; and
using the pressure measurement instrument to measure pressure within the bioreactor.

16. The method of claim 15 , and further comprising filling the polymeric remote seal system after coupling the instrument-side connection to the pressure measurement instrument.

17. The method of claim 15 , and further comprising decoupling the polymeric remote seal system from the pressure measurement instrument and discarding the bioreactor and the polymeric remote seal system together.

18. A liquid measurement system comprising:
a polymeric remote seal system including:
a process-side coupling configured to couple to a single-use container, the process-side coupling being formed of a polymer and having a process-side deflectable diaphragm that is configured to deflect in response to pressure of the single-use container;
an instrument-side coupling fluidically coupled to the process-side coupling with tubing filled with an isolation fluid, the instrument-side coupling being configured to couple to a measuring instrument, the instrument-side coupling being formed of a polymer and being configured to fluidically convey fluid pressure to the measuring instrument; and

a measuring instrument coupled to the polymeric remote seal system, the measuring instrument having an isolation diaphragm fluidically coupled to the instrument-side coupling of the polymeric remote seal system and configure to provide an output based on pressure conveyed by the instrument-side coupling.

19. The liquid measurement system of claim 18 , wherein the polymeric remote seal system includes a temperature sensor coupled to the measuring instrument.

20. The liquid measurement system of claim 18 , wherein the measuring instrument includes a local display.

21. The liquid measurement system of claim 20 , wherein the measuring instrument provides a wireless output.

22. The liquid measurement system of claim 18 , wherein the measuring instrument provides an indication of liquid level within the single-use container based on measured pressure and known liquid density.

Assignees

• Rosemount Inc
• Rosemount Inc

Inventors

• Fadell Paul R
• Schumacher Mark S
• Price Joshua M
• Sittler Fred C

Classifications

• G01L19/003

  using a detachable interface or adapter between the process medium and the pressure gauge · CPC title

• C12M23/14

  Bags · CPC title

• G08C17/02 Primary

  using a radio link · CPC title

• C12M41/40

  of pressure · CPC title

• C12M41/44

  of volume or liquid level · CPC title