Fluid Transfer Device

Abstract

A disposable device for the sterile transfer of fluids, such as liquids or gases, includes a body, a bore formed through at least a portion of the interior of the body, and a linearly moveable plunger contained within the bore. The body is formed from a rotating section and a stationary section. Partial rotation of the rotating section around a portion of the stationary section and the plunger drives the plunger linearly within the bore, opening and closing the device. The plunger includes at least a first and a second opening, and a fluid channel in the interior of the plunger connecting the first and second openings forming a fluid pathway to downstream components when the device is open. A termination component at one end of the plunger connects to a downstream component. A flange at one end of the body attaches to an upstream component. When the device is closed, the upstream end of the plunger is in alignment with the upstream flange of the body, forming a steamable sterilized in place face and a sterile barrier.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid transfer device comprising:
 a body;   an elongate passage extending through the body and having a proximal end and a distal end;   a longitudinally displaceable plunger disposed in and extending along the passage, the plunger having a proximal end and a distal end and having a first position displaced toward the distal end of the passage and a second position displaced toward the proximal end of the passage;   a diaphragm seal attached to the proximal end of the plunger and sealing the passage at the proximal end thereof;   a gland seal sealing the passage at a location intermediate the diaphragm seal and the distal end of the passage;   the plunger extending through and being sealingly secured to the gland seal;   a fluid transfer opening in the passage between the diaphragm seal and the gland seal;   longitudinal displacement of the plunger moving the diaphragm seal to open the passage, the gland seal stretching to accommodate the displacement of and maintain a seal about the plunger, a fluid flow path being established between the open proximal end of the passage and the fluid transfer opening.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein longitudinal displacement of the plunger towards its first position moves the diaphragm to open the passage. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the passage between the diaphragm seal and the gland seal is substantially aseptic. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising a substantially aseptic connecting component for attaching the device to an upstream component. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm seal is disposed at least partially inside the proximal end of the passage prior to displacement of the plunger. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the gland seal is constructed of a silicone elastomer. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the gland seal is constructed of a solvent resistant fluoroelastomer. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm seal is constructed of a silicone elastomer. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm seal is constructed of a solvent resistant fluoroelastomer. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a substantially cylindrical outer portion, at least one alignment slot for the plunger, and a groove for the gland seal. 
     
     
         11 . A kit for transferring fluid comprising:
 a fluid transfer device comprising:   a body;   an elongate passage extending through the body and having a proximal end and a distal end;   a longitudinally displaced plunger disposed in and extending along the passage, the plunger having a proximal end and a distal end and having a first position displaced toward the distal end of the passage and a second position displaced toward the proximal end of the passage;   a diaphragm seal attached to the proximal end of the plunger and sealing the passage at the proximal end thereof;   a gland seal sealing the passage at a location intermediate the diaphragm seal and the distal end of the passage;   longitudinal displacement of the plunger moving the diaphragm seal to open the passage, the gland seal stretching to accommodate the displacement of and maintain a seal about the plunger, a fluid flow path being established between the open proximal end of the passage and the fluid transfer opening; and   a connecting component for attaching the device to an upstream component;   at least one length of flexible tubing; and   at least one sample container.   
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid transfer device, connecting component for attaching the fluid transfer device to an upstream component, at least one length of flexible tubing, and at least one sample container are substantially aseptic. 
     
     
         13 . A fluid transfer device comprising:
 a body;   an elongate passage extending through the body and having a proximal end and a distal end;   a longitudinally displaceable plunger disposed in and extending along the passage, the plunger having a proximal end and a distal end and having a first position displaced toward the distal end of the passage and a second position displaced toward the proximal end of the passage;   at least one seal mounted on the plunger to form a fluid tight seal between the plunger and the passage;   a fluid transfer opening in the plunger between the proximal end of the plunger and the distal end of the plunger;   longitudinal displacement of the plunger opening the passage to form a fluid pathway from an upstream component to a downstream component through the fluid transfer opening and a channel in the interior of the plunger.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one seal is a diaphragm seal. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the diaphragm seal is attached to the proximal end of the plunger and seals the passage at the proximal end thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one seal is a gland seal. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the device further comprises at least one gland seal. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the gland seal seals the passage at a location intermediate the diaphragm seal and the distal end of the passage. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the plunger extends through and is sealingly secured to the at least one gland seal. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one gland seal stretches to accommodate the displacement of and maintain a seal about the plunger. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein longitudinal displacement of the plunger towards its first position moves the diaphragm to open the passage. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the portion of the passage between the diaphragm seal and the at least one gland seal is substantially aseptic. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , further comprising a substantially aseptic tank mount. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the diaphragm seal is disposed at least partially inside the proximal end of the passage prior to displacement of the plunger. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one seal is constructed of a silicone elastomer. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one seal is constructed of a solvent resistant fluoroelastomer. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the body comprises a substantially cylindrical outer portion, at least one alignment slot for the plunger, and a groove for the gland seal. 
     
     
         28 . A fluid transfer device comprising:
 a body;   an elongate passage extending through the body and having a proximal end and a distal end;   a longitudinally displaceable plunger disposed in and extending along the passage, the plunger having a proximal end and a distal end and having a first position displaced toward the distal end of the passage and a second position displaced toward the proximal end of the passage;   at least one seal arranged along the length and end of the plunger to form a fluid tight seal between various portions of the plunger and the passage when the device is in the closed or opened positions;   a fluid transfer opening in the plunger between the proximal end of the plunger and the distal end of the plunger;   longitudinal displacement of the plunger opening the passage to form a fluid pathway from an upstream component to a downstream component through the fluid transfer opening and a channel in the interior of the plunger.   
     
     
         29 . A fluid transfer device comprising:
 a body;   an elongate passage extending through the body and having a proximal end and a distal end;   a longitudinally displaceable substantially hollow plunger disposed in and extending along the passage, the plunger having a proximal end and a distal end and having a first position displaced toward the distal end of the passage and a second position displaced toward the proximal end of the passage;   a proximal seal attached to the proximal end of the plunger and sealing the passage at the proximal end thereof when the plunger is in its first position;   an intermediate seal sealing the passage at a location intermediate the proximal seal and the distal end of the passage;   the plunger extending through and being sealingly secured to the intermediate seal;   a fluid transfer opening in the plunger between the proximal seal and the intermediate seal;   wherein, longitudinal displacement of the plunger towards its second position moves the proximal seal to open the passage, the intermediate seal stretches to accommodate the displacement of and maintain a seal about the plunger, and a substantially aseptic fluid flow path is established through the fluid transfer opening in the plunger and through the plunger's substantially hollow interior.   
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 29 , further comprising a substantially aseptic connecting component for attaching the device to an upstream component. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the proximal seal is disposed at least partially inside the proximal end of the passage prior to displacement of the plunger from its first position. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the intermediate seal is constructed of a silicon elastomer. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the intermediate seal is constructed of a solvent resistant fluoroelastomer. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the proximal seal is constructed of a silicone elastomer. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the plug is constructed of a solvent resistant fluoroelastomer. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the body comprises a substantially cylindrical outer portion, at least one alignment aperture for the shaft, and a groove for the proximal seal. 
     
     
         37 . A fluid transfer device comprising:
 a body;   an elongate passage extending through the body and having a proximal end and a distal end;   a longitudinally displaceable substantially hollow plunger disposed in and extending along the passage, the plunger having a proximal end and a distal end and having a first position displaced toward the proximal end of the passage and a second position displaced toward the distal end of the passage;   a proximal seal attached to the proximal end of the plunger and sealing the passage at the proximal end thereof when the plunger is in its first position;   an intermediate seal sealing the passage at a location intermediate the proximal seal and the distal end of the passage;   the plunger extending through and being sealingly secured to the intermediate seal;   a fluid transfer opening in the plunger between the proximal seal and the intermediate seal;   wherein, longitudinal displacement of the plunger towards its second position moves the proximal seal to open the passage, the intermediate seal stretches to accommodate the displacement of and maintain a seal about the plunger, and a substantially aseptic fluid flow path is established between the open proximal end of the passage and the fluid transfer opening in the plunger and through the plunger's substantially hollow interior.   
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 37 , wherein the proximal seal is disposed at least partially outside the proximal end of the passage prior to displacement of the plunger from its first position. 
     
     
         39 . A kit for transferring fluid comprising:
 a fluid transfer device comprising:   a body;   an elongate passage extending through the body and having a proximal end and a distal end;   a longitudinally displaced substantially hollow plunger disposed in and extending along the passage, the plunger having a proximal end and a distal end and having a first position displaced toward the proximal end of the passage and a second position displaced toward the distal end of the passage;   a proximal seal attached to the proximal end of the plunger and sealing the passage at the proximal end thereof;   an intermediate seal sealing the passage at a location intermediate the proximal seal and the distal end of the plunger;   longitudinal displacement of the plunger moving the proximal seal to open the passage, the intermediate seal stretching to accommodate the displacement of and maintain a seal about the plunger, a fluid flow path being established between the open proximal end of the passage and the fluid transfer opening; and   a connecting component for attaching the device to an upstream component.   
     
     
         40 . The kit of  claim 39 , wherein the fluid transfer device connecting component for attaching the fluid transfer device to an upstream component, at least one length of flexible tubing, and at least one sample container are substantially aseptic. 
     
     
         41 . The kit of  claim 39 , wherein the connecting component comprises a tank mount.