Patent attributes
The present invention provides devices and methods for establishing aseptic connections between two or more components or subassemblies. The devices may be used in medical devices such as drug delivery pumps (10). In some embodiments, a connection is made between a drug container (50, 1050, 2050) and a fluid pathway connection assembly (300, 1300, 2300). The fluid pathway connection assembly may include a connection hub (312, 1312, 2312), a piercing member (316, 1316, 2316), and a piercing member retainer (314, 1314, 2314). The assembly may further include a first film (318, 1318, 2318) covering a cavity (312A, 1312A, 2312A), thereby maintaining the aseptic condition of the cavity. The drug container may hold a fluid drug and include a pierceable seal (326, 1326, 2326). A second film (322, 1322, 2322) may cover a recess (328, 1328, 2328) formed by the seal and thereby maintain the aseptic condition of the interior of the chamber. The piercing member may be caused to pierce the first and second film and the pierceable seal to open a fluid pathway for delivery of the fluid drug through the fluid pathway connection assembly.
