A method for joining at least two plastic parts (1, 5) along a predeterminable common joining point using infrared radiation (IR), is characterized in that each of the plastic parts (1, 5) to be joined is heated using infrared radiation at least along the joint by radiation sources without touching the respective plastic parts (1, 5). One radiation source is operated independently and spatially separated from the other radiation source. The radiation sources emit their respective infrared radiation to the respective plastic parts (1, 5) without contact and following the contour of the joint. The degree of heating by the respective infrared radiation is selected such that the joint is formed when the plastic parts (1, 5) are brought together.

A bioprocessing system comprising a series of processing stations for performing operations for bioprocessing is disclosed. The bioprocessing system includes an automated system comprising means for manipulating a fluid connection between a first container and a separable second container whereby to create an aseptic connection that enables a controlled transfer of fluid or cell material between the first container and the second container, wherein the means for manipulating a fluid connection is configured to create an aseptic connection that can be disconnected after the transfer of fluid or cell material is complete to enable a further such fluid connection to be manipulated between the first container and a separable third container, and means for controlling an automated sequence of operation of the processing stations.

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 sterile connection device includes first and second carriages. The first carriage defines a first portion of a proximal slot and a first portion of a distal slot, while the second carriage defines second portions of the proximal and distal slots. A controller executes a sterile connection procedure in which a solid cutting blade is heated, followed by the heated blade being moved to a cutting position to cut sealed proximal and distal tubes received by the slots. The second carriage moves proximally or distally with respect to the first carriage so as to align the cut ends of the tubes. The heated blade then moves out of the cutting position, followed by the first carriage moving toward the second carriage so as to press the cut ends of the tubes into contact with each other so as to sterilely connect the cut ends and define a joined tube.

A device for welding thermoplastic tubes to a welding method, and to a welding knife. The device is provided for welding thermoplastic tubes, wherein the tubes are placed into tube holders and squeezed with the aid of tube clamps. A welding knife is moved between the first and the second tube holder and severs the tubes in the process. Cut ends and residual ends are thereby produced. The cut ends are aligned with one another by a relative movement of one tube holder with respect to the other tube holder and, by a horizontal movement of the two tube holders, are welded simultaneously to form continuous tubes.

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 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 sterile connection device includes first and second carriages. The first carriage defines a first portion of a proximal slot and a first portion of a distal slot, while the second carriage defines second portions of the proximal and distal slots. A controller executes a sterile connection procedure in which a solid cutting blade is heated, followed by the heated blade being moved to a cutting position to cut sealed proximal and distal tubes received by the slots. The second carriage moves proximally or distally with respect to the first carriage so as to align the cut ends of the tubes. The heated blade then moves out of the cutting position, followed by the first carriage moving toward the second carriage so as to press the cut ends of the tubes into contact with each other so as to sterilely connect the cut ends and define a joined tube.

A tube joining device includes a delivery with a first pusher member providing forward movement and backward movement along a delivery direction and delivering a wafer to a first position between a take-out position and a stand-by position, and with a second pusher member providing forward movement and backward movement along the delivery direction in combination with the first pusher member, and the wafer from the first position to the stand-by position.

A method and device for creating an environmentally sealed connection for transfer between a first region and a second region, the first region and the second region each having an at least partially flexible barrier with connection portions, comprising the following steps: (i) superposition of said connection portions of the barriers in a sandwich arrangement, wherein each connection portion comprises a first area at least partially made of thermo-resistant material and a second area comprising a first welding band zone of a closed geometrical shape, said first and second area of each barrier being arranged to face one another, with the first areas of the two barriers forming the outside layers of the sandwich arrangement, and the second areas of the two barriers forming the inside layers of the sandwich arrangement, wherein the first areas are positioned to cover the first welding band zones of the second zones, (ii) joining the second areas by welding of the first closed welding band zones, whereby a first separation line, comprised inside and along the length of the first welding band zone, is cut as a result of the welding and whereby the barrier areas enclosed by the separation line are welded along their edges to form an insert, which becomes detached from the at least partially flexible barriers, and (iii) distancing the first areas of the super-positioned connection portions from each other, for example by pulling them apart, thereby revealing an opening confined by the welded seam connecting the second areas of the at least partially flexible barriers and joining the first region with the second region.