Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a sanitary fitting for coupling a fluid conduit to a flexible container to facilitate sterile transfer therebetween, and methods of making and using such a sanitary fitting, whereby the sanitary fitting includes a first annular member having a first annular member bore extending between first annular member first and second ends, the first annular member second end terminating in a flange radially outwardly extending therefrom, the flange comprising a substantially planar face; a second annular member having a second annular member bore extending between second annular member first and second ends, the second annular member couplable to the first annular member to axially align the first and second annular member bores to provide a first fluid flow passageway; and a valve coupled to the second annular member, the valve operable to interrupt fluid flow through a fluid flow path which includes the first fluid flow passageway.

Abstract: A genderless aseptic connector system in which a plurality of connectors of substantially identical configuration each include connector housing having an internal surface defining a fluid passage between a connector end and connector housing face having an annular seal and a membrane positioned to cover the annular seal, wherein, upon engagement of a first connector housing and a second connector housing along a common juncture, a first membrane and a second membrane when correspondingly removed from a first annular seal coupled to the first connector housing and a second annular seal coupled to the second connector housing allow the first annular seal to engage the second annular seal to provide a sterile fluid passage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, for example medical tubing, and methods of making and using such a connector system, whereby the connector system includes a female coupler having a first passageway, a male coupler having a second passageway, a catch movably coupled to the female coupler, and a catch-receiving element coupled to the male coupler. The connector system further includes a release element movably coupled to the female coupler, whereby travel of the release element along or over a female coupler outer surface of the female coupler disengages the catch from the catch-receiving element to achieve a disconnected condition of the connector system. Further disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, whereby the connector system includes at least one valve biased by a valve-biasing member disposed external to or outside of the fluid flow path.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, whereby the connector system includes a first coupler including a first coupler passageway disposed within the first coupler, and a first coupler elastically deformable valve operable to seal the first coupler passageway from an external environment. The connector system further includes a second coupler including a second coupler passageway disposed within the second coupler, and a second coupler elastically deformable valve operable to seal the second coupler passageway from the external environment. The first coupler and the second coupler can be substantially identical; thus, the first coupler and the second coupler can be genderless, as opposed to a connector system comprising a male coupler and a female coupler.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a sanitary fitting for coupling a fluid conduit to a flexible container to facilitate sterile transfer therebetween, and methods of making and using such a sanitary fitting, whereby the sanitary fitting includes a first annular member having a first annular member bore extending between first annular member first and second ends, the first annular member second end terminating in a flange radially outwardly extending therefrom, the flange comprising a substantially planar face; a second annular member having a second annular member bore extending between second annular member first and second ends, the second annular member couplable to the first annular member to axially align the first and second annular member bores to provide a first fluid flow passageway; and a valve coupled to the second annular member, the valve operable to interrupt fluid flow through a fluid flow path which includes the first fluid flow passageway.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, for example medical tubing, and methods of making and using such a connector system, whereby the connector system includes a female coupler having a first passageway, a male coupler having a second passageway, a catch movably coupled to the female coupler, and a catch-receiving element coupled to the male coupler. The connector system further includes a release element movably coupled to the female coupler, whereby travel of the release element along or over a female coupler outer surface of the female coupler disengages the catch from the catch-receiving element to achieve a disconnected condition of the connector system. Further disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, whereby the connector system includes at least one valve biased by a valve-biasing member disposed external to or outside of the fluid flow path.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, whereby the connector system includes a first coupler including a first coupler passageway disposed therein, and a first coupler elastically deformable valve operable to seal the first coupler passageway from the external environment. The connector system further includes a second coupler including a second coupler passageway disposed therein, and a second coupler elastically deformable valve operable to seal the second coupler passageway from the external environment. The first and second couplers can be substantially identical; thus, the couplers can be genderless, as opposed to a connector system comprising male and female couplers. The connector system can further include a first coupler valve operable to interrupt fluid flow through the first coupler passageway, and a second coupler valve operable to interrupt fluid flow through the second coupler passageway.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, for example medical tubing, and methods of making and using such a connector system, whereby the connector system includes a female coupler having a first passageway, a male coupler having a second passageway, a catch movably coupled to the female coupler, and a catch-receiving element coupled to the male coupler. The connector system further includes a release element movably coupled to the female coupler, whereby travel of the release element along or over a female coupler outer surface of the female coupler disengages the catch from the catch-receiving element to achieve a disconnected condition of the connector system. Further disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, whereby the connector system includes at least one valve biased by a valve-biasing member disposed external to or outside of the fluid flow path.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, for example medical tubing, and methods of making and using such a connector system, whereby the connector system includes a female coupler having a first passageway; a male coupler having a second passageway; and a catch assembly comprising a catch movably coupled to the female coupler, a catch-biasing member which biases the catch, and a follower responsive to a cam, whereby the catch is responsive to the follower and correspondingly, the cam.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, for example medical tubing, and methods of making and using such a connector system, whereby the connector system includes a female coupler having a first passageway; a male coupler having a second passageway; and a catch assembly comprising a catch movably coupled to the female coupler, a catch-biasing member which biases the catch, and a follower responsive to a cam, whereby the catch is responsive to the follower and correspondingly, the cam.

Abstract: A connector which couples to an outlet conduit to decrease an outlet conduit passageway pressure differential between outlet conduit opposing first and second ends, whereby the connector includes a mixing chamber having a first inlet port in fluidic communication with a connector first open end and the mixing chamber; an outlet port in fluidic communication with the mixing chamber and a connector second open end; and a second inlet port in fluidic communication with the connector second open end and the mixing chamber. Additionally, a connector including a connector internal surface defining a connector passageway which communicates between connector first and second open ends; and a sensor module operatively coupled to the connector passageway to sense a parameter of a first fluid flowing in a first fluid flow path through the connector passageway.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, for example medical tubing, and methods of making and using such a connector system, whereby the connector system includes a female coupler having a first passageway, a male coupler having a second passageway, a catch movably coupled to the female coupler, and a catch-receiving element coupled to the male coupler. The connector system further includes a release element movably coupled to the female coupler, whereby travel of the release element along or over a female coupler outer surface of the female coupler disengages the catch from the catch-receiving element to achieve a disconnected condition of the connector system. Further disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, whereby the connector system includes at least one valve biased by a valve-biasing member disposed external to or outside of the fluid flow path.

Abstract: A connection, and methods of making an using such a connection, the connection comprising a first layer; a second layer concentrically disposed about the first layer; and a laser-induced seal between portions of the first and second layers; wherein the laser-induced seal provides a fluid-tight engagement between the first and second layers. As to particular embodiments of the connection, the first layer can be incorporated into a first conduit and the second layer can be incorporated into a second conduit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, for example medical tubing, and methods of making and using such a connector system, whereby the connector system includes a female coupler having a first passageway, a male coupler having a second passageway, a catch movably coupled to the female coupler, and a catch-receiving element coupled to the male coupler. The connector system further includes a release element movably coupled to the female coupler, whereby travel of the release element along or over a female coupler outer surface of the female coupler disengages the catch from the catch-receiving element to achieve a disconnected condition of the connector system. Further disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, whereby the connector system includes at least one valve biased by a valve-biasing member disposed external to or outside of the fluid flow path.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, for example medical tubing, and methods of making and using such a connector system, whereby the connector system includes a female coupler having a first passageway, a male coupler having a second passageway, a catch movably coupled to the female coupler, and a catch-receiving element coupled to the male coupler. The connector system further includes a release element movably coupled to the female coupler, whereby travel of the release element along or over a female coupler outer surface of the female coupler disengages the catch from the catch-receiving element to achieve a disconnected condition of the connector system. Further disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, whereby the connector system includes at least one valve biased by a valve-biasing member disposed external to or outside of the fluid flow path.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a sanitary fitting for coupling a fluid conduit to a flexible container to facilitate sterile transfer therebetween, and methods of making and using such a sanitary fitting, whereby the sanitary fitting includes a first annular member having a first annular member bore extending between first annular member first and second ends, the first annular member second end terminating in a flange radially outwardly extending therefrom, the flange comprising a substantially planar face; a second annular member having a second annular member bore extending between second annular member first and second ends, the second annular member couplable to the first annular member to axially align the first and second annular member bores to provide a first fluid flow passageway; and a valve coupled to the second annular member, the valve operable to interrupt fluid flow through a fluid flow path which includes the first fluid flow passageway.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, for example medical tubing, and methods of making and using such a connector system, whereby the connector system includes a female coupler having a first passageway, a male coupler having a second passageway, a catch movably coupled to the female coupler, and a catch-receiving element coupled to the male coupler. The connector system further includes a release element movably coupled to the female coupler, whereby travel of the release element along or over a female coupler outer surface of the female coupler disengages the catch from the catch-receiving element to achieve a disconnected condition of the connector system. Further disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, whereby the connector system includes at least one valve biased by a valve-biasing member disposed external to or outside of the fluid flow path.

Abstract: A stool management system having a tubular body including a first end section disposable in a rectum of a patient and a second end section including a first connector which detachably mates with a second connector coupled to a collection container which receives waste matter passed through the tubular body from the bowel of the patient.

Abstract: A connection, and methods of making an using such a connection, the connection comprising a first layer; a second layer concentrically disposed about the first layer; and a laser-induced seal between portions of the first and second layers; wherein the laser-induced seal provides a fluid-tight engagement between the first and second layers. As to particular embodiments of the connection, the first layer can be incorporated into a first conduit and the second layer can be incorporated into a second conduit.