Aseptic sampling system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9675520-B2
Application number	US-201213971995-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 22, 2012
Priority date	Feb 22, 2011
Publication date	Jun 13, 2017
Grant date	Jun 13, 2017

Abstract

An aseptic sampling system comprises sampler and interface assemblies. Each assembly comprises a housing defining separate sterile enclosures. An air lock provides aseptic joining of the enclosures within the sampler and interface assemblies, and a re-sealable liquid connection mechanism operates within the lock. The sampler and interface assemblies, when connected, form an outer protective surface comprising the housings of the sampler and interface assemblies, the protective surface providing a sterile internal enclosure and air lock and an air-tight barrier between outer non-sterile, and inner sterile, atmospheres. The connection mechanism, contained within the sterile enclosure, contains at least one liquid connector from each of the sampler and interface assemblies, configured such that at least one of the connectors moves across the enclosure and lock to connect with the other connector in the connection mechanism, without contacting internal surfaces within the lock, and the connectors can be re-sealed, disconnected and separated.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An aseptic sampling system comprising: a sampler assembly and an interface assembly, each assembly comprising a housing, each housing defining a separate sterile enclosure for each of the assemblies; an air lock arranged between the sampler assembly and the interface assembly, to connect the sampler assembly and the interface assembly and provide aseptic joining of the sterile enclosures within the sampler and interface assemblies, the aseptic joining forming a sterile internal enclosure; and a re-sealable liquid connection mechanism positioned to operate within the aseptic joining of the sterile enclosures, the liquid connection mechanism comprising a rotating valve comprising two parts that, when joined, form a sealing cylindrical sliding surface and at least one internal channel that, when the two parts are rotated, forms an open path,
wherein: the sampler assembly and the interface assembly are arranged such that, when connected together by the sampler assembly inserted in the interface assembly, the sampler assembly and the interface assembly form an outer protective surface comprising the housings of each of the sampler and the interface assemblies, providing the sterile internal enclosure and an air-tight barrier between an outer non-sterile atmosphere and an inner sterile atmosphere, and wherein the re-sealable liquid connection mechanism is contained within the sterile enclosures and contains at least one liquid connector from each of the sampler and the interface assemblies and is configured such that, in use, at least one of the liquid connectors can move across the internal sterile enclosure and air lock to connect with the other liquid connector, without contacting any internal surfaces within the air lock, where the air lock comprises an outer cap in the sampling assembly which mates with a shutter that slides within the interface assembly housing.

2. An aseptic sampling system according to claim 1 , where the shutter slides in a linear path.

3. An aseptic sampling system according to claim 1 , where the shutter slides in a path of a circle or an arc.

4. An aseptic sampling system according to claim 1 , configured such that the liquid connectors, in use, can subsequently be re-sealed, disconnected and separated.

5. A method of aseptic sampling comprising:
aseptically joining the sterile enclosures within the sampler and the interface assemblies of the aseptic sampling system of claim 1 ;
moving at least one of the liquid connectors move across the sterile enclosure and air lock and connecting with the other connector in the liquid connection mechanism, without contacting any internal surfaces within the air lock, including mating the outer cap of the air lock in the sampling assembly with the shutter, sliding the shutter within the interface assembly housing, and rotating the two parts of the rotating valve to form an open path; and;
infusing or withdrawing a sample from a reservoir and through the interface and the sample assemblies.

6. The method of claim 5 , comprising sliding the shutter in a linear path.

7. The method of claim 5 , comprising sliding the shutter in a path of a circle or an arc.

8. The aseptic sampling system of claim 1 , wherein the sampling assembly further comprises an interlock protrusion, and the interface assembly further comprising an interlock hook and an interlock aperture, the interlock hook fitting in the interlock aperture, and wherein the shutter is locked in position by the interlock hook in the interlock aperture until the interlock protrusion of the sampling assembly pushes the interlock hook out of the interlock aperture and allows the shutter to slide.

Assignees

• Rogers Samson Salman
• Katz David Micah
• Pollock Neil
• Pall Corp

Inventors

• Rogers Samson Salman
• Katz David Micah
• Pollock Neil

Classifications

• A61J1/2096 Primary

  Combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents · CPC title

• B01L2400/0478

  pistons · CPC title

• A61J1/1481

  with connection retaining means, e.g. thread or snap-fit · CPC title

• A61J1/12

  with means for holding samples of contents · CPC title

• B01L2300/0672

  Integrated piercing tool · CPC title