Mounted gasket for sterile cinnectors

Abstract

A gasket, connector assembly and method of creating a connection is described. The gasket includes a ring portion having a thickness suitable for creating a seal when compressed between two connector fitting ends, and at least one appendage pair, where each appendage of the at least one appendage pair includes an extension for engaging a reciprocally shaped receiving component on a connector fitting end to create an at least temporarily secured attachment of the gasket to the end of the connector fitting prior to creation of a seal between two connector fitting ends. The connector assembly includes a connector fitting having at least one receiving component on an end of the connector fitting and a gasket having at least one appendage, where the at least one appendage of the gasket engages the at least one receiving component to create an at least temporary secured attachment of the gasket to the connector fitting end.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A gasket for attachment to the face of a connector fitting, comprising:
 a ring portion suitable for creating a seal when compressed between two connector fitting ends; and   at least one appendage pair, wherein each appendage of the at least one appendage pair includes an extension for engaging a reciprocally shaped receiving component on a connector fitting end to at least temporarily secure attachment of the gasket to the end of the connector fitting prior to creation of a seal between two connector fitting ends.   
     
     
         13 . The gasket of  claim 12 , wherein the gasket is sterile. 
     
     
         14 . The gasket of  claim 12 , wherein each appendage of the at least one appendage pair includes a hole sized to receive a protrusion extending from a cavity within said reciprocally shaped receiving component of said a connector fitting when said gasket is attached to said connector fitting end. 
     
     
         15 . The gasket of  claim 12 , wherein each pair of the at least one appendage pairs are of different sizes that correspond to at least an equal number of reciprocally shaped receiving components. 
     
     
         16 . The gasket of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the at least one appendage pair includes an overhanging portion. 
     
     
         17 . The gasket of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the at least one appendage pair is “T”-shaped. 
     
     
         18 . The gasket of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the at least one appendage pair includes a barbed portion. 
     
     
         19 . The gasket of  claim 12 , wherein at least the ring portion of said gasket is composed of silicone. 
     
     
         20 . The gasket of  claim 12 , wherein the ring portion includes at least one ridge for engaging a reciprocal groove in the face of the connector fitting end to which the gasket attaches.