AUTOMATIC ASEPTIC SAMPLING APPARATUS

摘要

TITLE AUTOMATIC ASEPTIC SAMPLING APPARATUS INVENTORS GUNILLA K.E. SEIFERT PAUL P. MATTEAU There is disclosed a system for taking uniform sterile liquid samples from bioreactors or other containers. The system comprises a three-way valve connected to the bioreactor via a check valve and to a reversible peristaltic pump which is also connected to a waste liquid vessel. The operation of the pump causes, first, the liquid from the bioreactor to be drawn into the system and fill the tubing while excess liquid overflows into the waste liquid vessel. The reverse operation of the pump causes the volume of liquid that remains in the system to be discharged through the three-way valve into a sample receptacle. The return of sampled liquid to the bio-reactor and the contamination of the system from outside are prevented. The system may be operated manually or controlled automatically. It can be useful for sampling of sterile streams e.g. in the food and beverage or pharmaceutical industry.