Rigid Disposable Flow Path

Abstract

A disposable flow path having a manifold system that provides pressure resistance for the disposable device. The disposable device is comprised of a first rigid plastic sheet and a second rigid plastic sheet. Each sheet has two major surfaces and a thickness between them. At least one sheet surface has flow channels formed in it. The flow channels extend away from a first major surface and beyond the normal plane of a second major surface of the sheet. The sheets are liquid tightly sealed to each other at their adjoining first major surfaces. When each sheet contains a flow channel, the flow channels are aligned and in register with each other. One or more fittings can be secured in the flow channel(s) at an edge of the two liquid tightly sealed sheets. Alternatively, tubing is placed in the channels before the sheets are secured to one another.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A device comprising a first sheet of rigid plastic material and a second sheet of rigid plastic material, each sheet has a first major surface and a second major surface and a thickness between the first and second major surfaces, each of the first and second sheets has one or more flow channels formed therein, the one or more flow channels are formed in the first and second sheets in manner such that the area of each sheet where the one or more flow channels are formed extends away from the first major surface of each sheet and beyond the normal plane of the second major surface of each sheet, and the first and second sheets are liquid tightly sealed to each other at their adjoining first major surfaces. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the one or more flow channels of the two sheets are aligned and in register with each other. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising one or more fittings are secured in the one or more flow channels at an edge of the two liquid tightly sealed sheets. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the one or more flow channels have a cross-sectional profile selected from the group consisting of semi-circles, semi-ovals, squares, triangles, rectangles and semi-polygonals where p equals the number of sides of the polygon and p>4. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sheets are made from a plastic selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polycarbonates, epoxies, fiberglass reinforced thermosets, carbon reinforced thermosets, carbon composites, polysulphones and polyetherimides. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sheets are liquid tightly sealed together by a means selected from the group consisting of heat bonds, ultra-sonic welding, vibration welding, heat-staking, solvent welding, adhesives, clamps and nuts and bolts. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising one or more pieces of tubing are contained in the one or more flow channels between the two sheets and one or more fittings are secured to the one or more pieces of tubing in the one or more flow channels at an edge of the two liquid tightly sealed sheets. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising one or more holes through one of the first or second sheets at a location over the one or more flow channels and a sensor being liquid tightly attached to the opening. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising one or more holes through one of the first or second sheets at a location over the one or more flow channels, each opening having a elastomeric seal formed therein and a sensor being liquid tightly attached to the opening. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising one or more holes through one of the first or second sheets at a location over the one or more flow channels, a sensor being liquid tightly attached to the opening and the sensor being selected, from the group consisting of temperature, pressure, conductivity, flow and pH sensors. 
     
     
         11 . A device comprising a first sheet of rigid plastic material and a second sheet of rigid plastic material, each sheet has a first major surface and a second major surface and a thickness between the first and second major surfaces, each of the first and second sheets has one or more flow channels formed in it, the one or more flow channels are formed in each of the sheets in a manner such that the area of each sheet where the one or more flow channels are formed extends away from the first major surface of the sheet and beyond the normal plane of the second major surface of the sheet, the first and second sheets are liquid tightly sealed to each other at their adjoining first major surfaces, one or more pieces of tubing contained within the one or more flow channels and one or more fittings are secured to the one or more pieces of tubing at an edge of the two liquid tightly sealed sheets so as to function as a port for the system.