A method is described for opening a heat bonded sterile connection that includes a skin of material blocking flow between the connection site. The method includes applying external pressure to the connection site.

A tube seal apparatus including a sealing iron having a tube sealing end, an insulating shroud having a tube clamping end, wherein the sealing iron is at least partially disposed within the insulating shroud. The apparatus further includes an anvil having a cutting detail and a non-stick membrane disposed between the anvil and the tube clamping end of the insulating shroud. The sealing iron and insulating shroud are configured to advance towards a tube to be sealed positioned between the non-stick membrane and the anvil. The tube clamping end is configured to clamp the tube through the non-stick membrane. The sealing iron is configured to advance towards the tube to melt and seal the tube against the cutting detail through the non-stick membrane.

A control circuitry (11) comprises an adjustable capacitor (C1), and a bias source (111) configured to apply a bias voltage (V2) to said adjustable capacitor (C1) to adjust a capacitance value of the adjustable capacitor (C1). Such a control circuitry may for example be part of a sealing device (1) to seal a medical tubing (2), the sealing device (1) comprising a receptacle (100) to receive said medical tubing (2), the receptacle (100) comprising an electrode arrangement for causing a heat action on the tubing (2).

Welding apparatus (10; 30) having a safety feature comprising: two electrodes (11, 12; 21, 22), whereof at least one of said two electrodes is movably arranged in relation to the other electrode. The electrodes are in non-contact with each other and define a gap (13) in which an object (14) provided with an electrically non-conductive surface to be sealed may be inserted. The welding apparatus comprises an actuator (15; 25) configured to move at least one electrode when activated to squeeze the object, a detector (16; 26) configured to determine a clamping force when the inserted object (14) is squeezed between the electrodes, a distance sensor (17; 23) configured to measure the distance between the electrodes. There is also a conductance sensor (24) configured to measure the conductivity of an object located between the electrodes (11, 12; 21,22) when the object (14) is squeezed, and optionally a position sensor (19b) configured to detect the position of the object (14) inserted between the electrodes. The welding apparatus further comprises a processor configured to process the input from at least one of the detector (16; 26), the distance sensor (17; 23) and the conductance sensor (24) to provide an output that indicates if there is a blood bag tube inserted between electrodes, or if it is a foreign object.

A method for producing sterile solution product bags includes positioning a manifold assembly onto a filling machine. The manifold assembly includes a plurality of bags, a first filter, and a connection line in fluid communication with the first filter. Each of the plurality of bags includes a bladder and a stem in fluid communication with the bladder and with the connection line. The method includes activating a pump and at least partially filling one or more of the bladders by pumping fluid through the feed line, the first filter, and the connection line. The method includes sealing the stem of each of the filled product bags at a location between the connection line and the bladder, thereby creating one or more at least partially filled and sealed product bags. The method includes separating each of the at least partially filled and sealed product bags from the connection line.

Fluid flow conduits and apparatus and methods for joining the conduits, preferably in a sterile manner, are disclosed. Each conduit has a polymeric open end that is sealed by a sealing member that may include a heating element. The polymeric end material is melted, the sealing members are moved to expose the melted open ends of the conduits and the ends are brought together to form a fused or welded connection between the conduits.

A device for welding a flexible tube by radio frequency includes: a clamping member having a welding head formed by a first electrode and a second electrode, a power source configured to supply electrical power to the welding device, and a welding member having a radiofrequency generator and a radiofrequency power converter, the first and second electrodes, the power source, the radio-frequency generator and the power converter forming between them an electrical circuit having an impedance, the power converter including at least two inductors connected in series with the first and second electrode of the welding member and an electrical current flow control element configured to cut off the flow of the electrical current in one of the inductors so as to maintain the impedance of the electrical circuit constant during welding.

A method is described for opening a heat bonded sterile connection that includes a skin of material blocking flow between the connection site. The method includes applying external pressure to the connection site.

Methods and devices for automated sterile connection and liquid transfer between containers. The methods and devices involve welding (e.g., nest welding) to form sterile fluidical connection between the containers. The method includes: (a) placing a first tube and a second tube into a welding mount, wherein the first tube is connected to a first container and the second tube is connected to a second container, and (b) welding the first tube and the second tube to form a first sterile fluidical connection between the first container and the second container. The method also includes (c) transferring a liquid between the first container and the second container via the first sterile fluidical connection. (d) scaling and cutting the first fluidical connection between the first container and the second container to disconnect the first sterile fluidical connection. The devices executing the method can be automated by a controller.

This disclosure relates to a cordless, hand held and electrically powered apparatus, comprising a welding unit (12), a power unit (4) for powering the welding unit, wherein the power unit is connectable directly to and disconnectable from the welding unit via an interface. The power unit is provided with a push button (16) that is configured to energize the welding unit when pressed down, thus initiating operation thereof. The advantage is that the apparatus can be made more compact, and thereby ease of handling is improved. Preferably, the welding unit and the power unit each comprise circuitry (17a, 17b) configured to exchange information when mounted together via the interface. The information is usable for a determination whether the power unit is a correct one or not.