US 12,013,066 B1
Methods and systems for reversibly consummating fluidic connections
Adam Luke Hiles, Leighton Buzzard (GB); Gergo Bohner, Cambridge (GB); Ryan Olf, Cambridge (GB); Samuel Isidor Jones, London (GB); Thomas Felix Martin Cummings, London (GB); Gabor Pap, Stevenage (GB); Spencer Ryan Wilson, London (GB); Aaron Garden Cantrell, Easthampton, MA (US); Michael Anthony Disimoni Stone, Holyoke, MA (US); and Matthew Edwin Page, Florence, MA (US)
Assigned to Trisk Bio Ltd., Stevenage (GB)
Filed by Trisk Bio Ltd., Stevenage (GB)
Filed on Nov. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/386,716.
Int. Cl. F16L 37/30 (2006.01); A61M 39/18 (2006.01); F16L 29/00 (2006.01); F16L 37/56 (2006.01); F16L 53/70 (2018.01); A61L 2/07 (2006.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); C12M 1/00 (2006.01); C12M 1/12 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 37/30 (2013.01) [A61M 39/18 (2013.01); F16L 29/007 (2013.01); F16L 37/56 (2013.01); A61L 2/07 (2013.01); B01L 3/563 (2013.01); C12M 1/121 (2013.01); C12M 23/40 (2013.01); F16L 53/70 (2018.01); F16L 2201/44 (2013.01); G01N 35/1074 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system, the system comprising a first and second conduit, the first and second conduit being at least partially disposed in a first compartment and a second compartment, respectively, wherein:
the first compartment comprises a block and a surface perforation, the perforation opening into a cavity in the block;
the cavity houses an intracavitary cannular protrusion;
the intracavitary cannular protrusion is fluidly connected to the first conduit;
the second compartment comprises a surface cannular protrusion protruding therefrom;
the surface cannular protrusion is fluidly connected to the second conduit;
the second compartment is configured to be pressed against the first compartment, so as to form a steam-tight chamber partially bounded by the cavity, wherein:
the chamber houses the intracavitary cannular protrusion and the surface cannular protrusion; and
in a first configuration, the intracavitary cannular protrusion and the surface cannular protrusion axially align with one another without contacting one another,
and the intracavitary cannular protrusion and the surface cannular protrusion are each configured to automatically shut off liquid flow therethrough;
the chamber is at least partially surrounded by a cooling channel connected to a liquid channel;
the system comprises a waterproof boundary between the chamber and the cooling channel;
the chamber comprises a steam inlet opening, wherein the steam inlet opening is connected to a steam channel that traverses the cooling channel; and
in a second configuration, the intracavitary cannular protrusion and the surface cannular protrusion mate with one another, thereby forming a fluid-tight connection; and the system is configured to transition from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to a linear force being exerted on the intracavitary cannular protrusion.
 
9. A method for sterile fluid transfer between a first conduit and a second conduit, the method comprising:
juxtaposing a first compartment to a second compartment, wherein:
the first compartment comprises a block, the block having a first planar face, the first planar face comprising an opening, the opening leading to a cavity, the cavity located within the block;
a first cannular protrusion is disposed in the cavity;
the cavity is at least partially surrounded by a cooling channel connected to a liquid channel, wherein the chamber is fluidly insulated from the cooling channel;
the first cannular protrusion is fluidically connected to the first conduit;
the second compartment comprises a second planar face, the second planar face comprising a second cannular protrusion, wherein the second cannular protrusion protrudes from the second planar face;
the second cannular protrusion is fluidically connected to the second conduit; and
when the planar faces of the first and second compartments are juxtaposed:
the second planar face presses against the opening to form an airtight chamber, wherein the chamber houses the first and second cannular protrusions and is partially bounded by the cavity; and
the first and second cannular protrusions axially align without initially contacting one another, and the first and second cannular protrusions do not initially allow liquid flow therethrough;
introducing a heated gas into the chamber via a gas channel that traverses the cooling channel;
removing the gas;
introducing a liquid into the cooling channel;
exerting a linear force on the first cannular protrusion, thereby moving the first cannular protrusion towards the second cannular protrusion, mating the first and second cannular protrusions, and forming a fluidic connection with the second cannular protrusion; and
moving a fluid between lumens of the first and second conduits.