Transfer port and method for transferring items

Abstract

A sterile enclosure contains a transfer module defining a window. A port covers the window to maintain the inside of the enclosure as a sealed and sterile environment. A sliding, heated cutting element mounted on the port serves to sterilize and sever a portion of a sterile transfer bag assembly attached to the port. Preferably, the excised portion of the sterile transfer bag assembly is affixed to the port when the port opens. The sliding cutting element remains extended and heated to prevent contamination when the port is open. Further, a heating element is mounted about the window in order to sterilize around the opening when the port is open.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for sterile transfer of items sealed within a container, the method comprising the following steps:
 providing a transfer port having a door for sealing a transfer opening of the transfer port;   providing a container having a mounting member thereon, an adhesive on an external surface of the container overlying the mounting member, and a releasable backing over said adhesive;   removing the releasable backing;   mounting a portion of the container to the transfer port with the adhesive so as to create a seal about the door;   heating a heating element mounted about a peripheral portion of the door to a temperature sufficient to cut the container;   moving the heating element on the door between retracted and extended positions to cut a portion of the container;   heating a peripheral region of the transfer opening to prevent migration of contaminants therethrough;   opening the door after cutting the container and heating the peripheral region of the transfer opening; and   transferring at least one article from the container through the transfer opening.   
     
     
         2 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a container includes the steps of:
 placing the at least one article in an inner container; and   sealing the inner container within the container.   
     
     
         3 . A method as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising the step of sterilizing via irradiation the container and contents thereof. 
     
     
         4 . A method as defined in  claim 1  wherein the step of providing a container includes applying the adhesive to the external surface of the container and applying the releasable backing over said adhesive. 
     
     
         5 . A method as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of:
 sealing the container in an outer container;   transferring the outer container and contents thereof from one location to another; and   removing the outer container at the transfer port prior to the step of attaching the container to the transfer port.   
     
     
         6 . A method as defined in  claim 5 , further comprising the step of sterilizing via irradiation the outer container and contents thereof. 
     
     
         7 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of heating a peripheral region comprises heating an entire periphery of the transfer opening. 
     
     
         8 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of heating a peripheral region comprises sterilizing the peripheral region. 
     
     
         9 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a transfer port comprises providing a sterile enclosure including the transfer port. 
     
     
         10 . A method as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the transfer port is at least one of (i) mounted to a wall of the sterile enclosure, and (ii) formed by a wall of the sterile enclosure. 
     
     
         11 . A method as defined in  claim 9 , further comprising transferring the at least one article into the sterile enclosure. 
     
     
         12 . A method as defined in  claim 11 , further comprising closing the door and resealing the transfer opening. 
     
     
         13 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising closing the door and resealing the transfer opening. 
     
     
         14 . A method as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising maintaining the cut portion of the container against the door during at least one of (a) the step of cutting the portion of the container; (b) the step of opening the door; (c) the step of transferring the at least article from the container through the transfer opening; and (d) the step of closing the door. 
     
     
         15 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising maintaining the cut portion of the container against the door during at least one of (a) the step of cutting the portion of the container; (b) the step of opening the door; and (c) the step of transferring the at least article from the container through the transfer opening. 
     
     
         16 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of heating the heating element comprises heating the heating element to a temperature sufficient to sterilize the cut portion of the container and the step of moving the heating element further comprises sterilizing the portion of the container. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus comprising:
 a transfer port for the passage therethrough of articles sealed within a container, comprising:   a frame defining a transfer opening;   a first heating element extending about the transfer opening;   a door movable between an open position spaced away from the transfer opening for allowing the passage of articles therethrough, and a closed position covering the transfer opening for forming a substantially hermetic seal between the door and frame and for preventing the passage of articles therethrough; and   a second heating element extending about a peripheral portion of the door, wherein at least one of the first and second heating elements is movable relative to the other and engageable with a portion of the container overlying the transfer opening for heating and excising said portion from a remainder of the container and, in turn, allowing the passage of articles from the container through the transfer opening when the door is in the open position; and   an article container comprising:   a bag;   a mounting member defining a peripheral portion secured to the bag and a second transfer opening formed therethrough;   an adhesive superimposed over a portion of the bag overlying the second transfer opening of the mounting member; and   a releasable backing superimposed over the adhesive.   
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the second heating element is movable relative to the first heating element. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 17 , further comprising a drive unit drivingly connected to at least one of the first and second heating elements for moving at least one of the first and second heating elements relative to the other. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the second heating element is movable relative to the first heating element, and the drive unit is mounted on the door and drivingly coupled to the second heating element for moving the second heating element between retracted and extend positions.