Functionalized Unitary Molded Manifolds For Closed Fluid Handling Systems
A connector system having for joining tubes having an overmolded or bonded connector or manifold incorporating specialized features. The overmolded or bonded connector includes a tubular body, an input portion, at least one output portion, an internal fluid passageway, and at least one specialized feature such as a valve or sensor integrally molded or embedded therein. The connection system may be pre-sterilized, disposable and made for single-time usage in a closed fluid handling system.
1 . A connector system configured for a closed fluid system comprising:
a connector comprising:
a tubular body having a first end and a second end;
an input portion disposed at the first end;
at least one output portion;
an internal fluid passageway connecting the input portion and the at least one output portion; and
at least one integrated feature integrated into at least one of the tubular body, input portion, or output portion; and
a first tube, wherein the input portion includes a connection selected from an overmolded input connection and a bonded connection connecting the input portion to the first tube;
wherein the at least one output portion includes an output connection configured to connect the at least one output portion to at least one second tube.
2 . The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one integrated feature is selected from the group consisting of at least one valve, a step-up/down feature, a sensor, an identifier, a burstable membrane, a mixing feature, a poke-yoke feature, a gas-permeable portion, a window, a heat transfer portion for heating or cooling, and a bellows feature.
3 . The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one output portion comprises a plurality of spaced output branches.
4 . The connector system of claim 3 , wherein the at least one integrated feature comprises a first valve disposed within the input portion.
5 . The connector system of claim 4 , wherein the first valve comprises a unidirectional valve.
6 . The connector system of claim 4 , wherein the at least one integrated feature further comprises at least one second valve disposed in at least one of the output branches.
7 . The connector system of claim 6 , wherein each second valve comprises a sealable valve.
8 . The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the integrated feature comprises a first sensor disposed in the input portion.
9 . The connector system of claim 8 , wherein the first sensor comprises a flowrate sensor.
10 . The connector system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one integrated feature further comprises a second sensor disposed in the second end of the tubular body.
11 . The connector system of claim 10 , wherein the second sensor comprises a pressure sensor.
12 . The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the integrated feature comprises a poke-yoke feature.
13 . The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the integrated feature comprises an identifier.
14 . The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the integrated feature comprises at least one step-up down feature disposed in at least one of the input portion and the at least one output portion.
15 . The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the integrated feature comprises at least one burstable membrane.
16 . The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the integrated feature comprises a mixing feature disposed in the tubular body.
17 . The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the integrated feature comprises a gas-permeable portion disposed in the tubular body.
18 . The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the integrated feature comprises a window disposed in the tubular body.
19 . The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the integrated feature comprises a heat-transfer portion disposed in the tubular body.
20 . The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the integrated feature comprises a bellows feature disposed in the tubular body.
21 . The connector system of claim 1 , wherein each output connection is one of an overmolded and bonded connection to a second tube.
22 . The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the connector is composed of a material selected from silicone, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), polyolefins (POF), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), or any other suitable material.