New Sterile Connectors for Small-Bore Tubing Offer an Alternative to Welding

CPC (Colder Products Company), an operating company within Dover, announced a new series of ultra-compact sterile connectors, the MicroCNX Series Connectors, on Sept. 2, 2021. According to a company press release, this product is the first alternative to tube welding for small-volume, closed aseptic processes.

MicroCNX connectors are specifically designed for small-volume processes involving 1/16 in. (1.6 mm), 3/32 in. (2.4mm), and 1/8 in. (3.2mm) small-bore tubing. Some of the more common uses for these tubings are sampling, seed train expansion, and early cell-culture processes that involve shaker flasks and rocker tables. The connectors can be incorporated into pre-made tubing assemblies.

To use the aseptic connector, users must pinch to remove the protective cover, click together the connector halves, and pull out the protective membranes to allow flow to begin. This process is intended to be a simpler solution to traditional tube welding, which requires maneuvering the tube welder into position, equipment maintenance, and precise technique.

“MicroCNX connectors are a critically important option for a range of bioprocessing, cell therapy and gene therapy workflows,” said Troy Ostreng, senior product manager for CPC’s biopharmaceutical business, in the press release. “Until now, cumbersome tube welding has been the only way to make sterile closed connections of very small-bore tubing. The MicroCNX connector represents a huge innovation for the industry.”

Source: CPC