An in-line connector for maintaining or providing sterile or specific pathogen free environment

摘要

Methods of maintaining or providing sterile or specific pathogen free environments are disclosed. The methods involve the use of semi-permeable membrane materials between the sterile or pathogen free environment and surrounding potentially hostile environments. One particular method and apparatus is described for introducing drugs or other secondary substances to a sterile liquid for example for transfusion to a patient. The apparatus has a first port (4) for connection to a container of sterile solution second port (5) for connection to a transfer tuber and a third port (9) for introduction of the secondary substance. The connection between the third port and the other ports is by way of a semi-permeable membrane (11) selected to permit the passage of the secondary substance while preventing the ingress of pathogens or other potentially harmful organisms.