The invention relates to an aseptic connector.

BACKGROUND

Sterile connectors for aseptic processing (commonly referred to as “aseptic connectors”) enable two lines of tubing to be joined while maintaining a sterile fluid pathway. This may be particularly important in medical, pharmaceutical and bioprocessing applications.

An end of each line of tubing may be provided with an aseptic connector which is configured to engage and mechanically connect with the opposing connector. Each aseptic connector is provided with a sealing arrangement which retains the sterility of the tubing (as well as any portions of the connector which form part of the fluid pathway) before, during and after their interconnection. For example, the end of each connector may be provided with a removable membrane which can be removed once the two connectors are interconnected, and the fluid pathway is sealed.

It is desirable to provide aseptic connectors which are simple and easy to operate in order to avoid user errors which could inadvertently compromise the sterility of the fluid pathway.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided an aseptic connector for connection to an opposing aseptic connector, the aseptic connector comprising: a housing defining a cavity therewithin, the housing having first and second openings into the cavity; a movable seal member disposed within the cavity of the housing and being movable between a first, closed configuration in which a sealing portion of the movable seal member blocks and seals the first and second openings and a second, open configuration in which a fluid passageway is formed between the first and second openings; and an engaging portion for engaging the movable seal member of the opposing aseptic connector; wherein rotation of the aseptic connector relative to the opposing aseptic connector causes the movable seal member to transition between the first, closed configuration and the second, open configuration. The movable seal member may be pivotably mounted within the cavity.

The movable seal member may be pivotably mounted at a pivot point which is coaxial with the engaging portion.

The movable seal member may comprise a movable carrier element and the sealing portion is mounted to the movable carrier element.

The engaging portion may comprise a post which projects from the housing.

The movable seal member may comprise an actuation slot which receives the post of the opposing aseptic connector.

The housing may comprise an arcuate slot which is configured to receive the post of the opposing aseptic connector.

The actuation slot of the movable seal member may be located at or towards a first end of the arcuate slot when in the first, closed configuration and may be located at or towards a second end of the arcuate slot when in the second, open configuration.

The housing may comprise a radial slot which intersects the arcuate slot and which allows the post to be introduced into the arcuate slot as the aseptic connectors are brought into axial alignment.

The engaging portion may comprise an enlarged portion which is retained by the arcuate slot of the opposing aseptic connector to mechanically interconnect the aseptic connectors.

The housing may comprise a genderless interconnection mechanism which is configured to mechanically interconnect the aseptic connector to the opposing aseptic connector by virtue of the rotation of the aseptic connector relative to the opposing aseptic connector.

The genderless interconnection mechanism may comprise a pair of circumferential rails formed on the housing and a pair of tabs which extend from the housing, wherein each tab is provided with a circumferential groove which is configured to engage with one of the rails of the opposing aseptic connector.

A gap may be formed between a distal end of each rail and the adjacent tab which is sized to receive a tab of the opposing aseptic connector.

The aseptic connector may further comprise a cover portion which is slidably mounted to the housing and which is movable between in a first position in which the cover portion covers the second opening and a second position in which the cover portion is laterally offset from the second opening.

The cover portion may be configured to abut against the cover portion of the opposing aseptic connector when the aseptic connectors are offset laterally from one another and to move from the first position to the second position when the aseptic connectors are brought into axial alignment.

The housing may comprise a rotatable element and the cover portion may be slidably mounted to the rotatable element.

The sealing portion may comprise a throughbore which forms the fluid passageway between the first and second openings.

The sealing portion may comprise a projection which projects through the second opening so as to engage with and seal against a corresponding projection of the opposing aseptic connector when in the second, open configuration.

The sealing portion may comprise a solid portion which blocks and seals the first and second openings when in the first, closed configuration.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided an aseptic connector assembly comprising a pair of aseptic connectors as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 are exploded views of an aseptic connector according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the aseptic connector in a first, closed configuration;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the aseptic connector in the first, closed configuration;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the aseptic connector in a second, open configuration;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the aseptic connector in the second, open configuration;

Figure 7 shows a pair of aseptic connectors in the first, closed configuration being brought into engagement;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the aseptic connectors in the position shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 shows the pair of aseptic connectors following engagement;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the aseptic connectors in the position shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 shows the pair of aseptic connectors following a transition between the first, closed configuration and the second, open configuration;

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the aseptic connectors in the position shown in Figure 11; Figures 13 to 15 show the movement of a movable carrier element of the aseptic connectors during the transition between the first, closed configuration and the second, open configuration;

Figures 16 to 18 are exploded views of an aseptic connector according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of the aseptic connector in a first, closed configuration;

Figure 20 shows a pair of aseptic connectors in a first stage of assembly;

Figure 21 shows the pair of aseptic connectors in a second stage of assembly;

Figure 22 is a perspective view of one of the aseptic connectors following the second stage of assembly;

Figure 23 shows the pair of aseptic connectors in a third stage of assembly;

Figure 24 shows the pair of aseptic connectors in a fourth stage of assembly;

Figures 25 and 26 are exploded and cross-sectional views of one of the aseptic connectors in the third stage of assembly;

Figures 27 and 28 are exploded and cross-sectional views of one of the aseptic connectors in s transition between the third and fourth stages of assembly; and

Figures 29 and 30 are exploded and cross-sectional views of one of the aseptic connectors in the fourth stage of assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1 and 2 show an aseptic connector 2 according to an embodiment of the invention.

The aseptic connector 2 generally comprises a housing formed by a front housing portion 4 and a rear housing portion 6. The front housing portion 4 comprises a first end wall 5 and a barb fitting 12. The barb fitting 12 extends from the first end wall 5 for insertion into a tube. The first end wall 5 is circular and forms a flange around the barb fitting 12. A fluid passageway 9 extends through the barb fitting 12 from its distal end to an opening 14 formed in an interior surface of the first end wall 5 of the front housing portion 4.

The rear housing portion 6 comprises a second end wall 18 and a rim 20 which projects from the second end wall 18. The second end wall 18 is circular and the rim 20 is cylindrical and extends around the circumference of the end wall 18.

In use, the first end wall 5 of the front housing portion 4 engages with the rim 20 of the rear housing portion 6 to form an enclosure. The enclosure defines a cavity 22 between the first end wall 5, the rim 20 and the second end wall 18. The cavity 22 houses a movable carrier element 8 and a sealing portion 10.

The second end wall 18 is provided with a central opening 24 and an arcuate slot 26. A first post 28 extends from an inner surface of the second end wall 18 and a second post 30 extends from an outer surface of the second end wall 18. The first and second posts 28, 30 are aligned and parallel with one another. It will be appreciated that the first and second posts 28, 30 may be formed as a single post which passes through the second end wall 18. Alternatively, the first post 28 may extend from the inner surface of the first end wall 5.

The arcuate slot 26 and the first and second posts 28, 30 are located on diametrically opposed sides of the central opening 24 such that the central opening 24 is disposed therebetween. The arcuate slot 26 has a centre of curvature which is located at the position of the first and second posts 28, 30.

The movable carrier element 8 comprises a first end surface 31, a second end surface 33 and a peripheral surface 35. The movable carrier element 8 comprises a pivot hole 32 which extends through the thickness of the movable carrier element 8 from the first end surface 31 to the second end surface 33. The pivot hole 32 receives the first post 28 such that the movable carrier element 8 is pivotably mounted on the first post 28 within the cavity 22. The thickness of the movable carrier element 8 between the first end surface 31 and the second end surface 33 is less than the distance between the inner surfaces of the first end wall 5 and the second end wall 18 such that the movable carrier element 8 is freely movable within the cavity 22.

The movable carrier element 8 is provided with an elongate receiving slot 34. The receiving slot 34 extends through the thickness of the movable carrier element 8 from the first end surface 31 to the second end surface 33.

The movable carrier element 8 further comprises an actuation slot 36 which is formed in the peripheral surface 35 of the movable carrier element 8 and extends between the first end surface 31 and the second end surface 33. The actuation slot 36 and the pivot hole 32 are provided at or towards opposing lateral sides of the movable carrier element 8 with the receiving slot 34 disposed therebetween.

The sealing portion 10 comprises a body section 38, a first sealing section 40 on one side of the body section 38 and a second sealing section 42 on the other side of the body section 38. The sealing portion 10 is arranged such that the body section 38 is received within the receiving slot 34 with the first sealing section 40 located adjacent the first end surface 31 of the movable carrier element 8 and the second sealing section 42 located adjacent the second end surface 33 of the movable carrier element 8.

The first sealing section 40 is formed as a planar surface. The second sealing section 42 comprises a first projection 44 and a second projection 46. A fluid passageway 47 extends through the thickness of the sealing portion 10 through the second projection 46 of the second sealing section 42 and opens in the planar surface of the first sealing section 40. In contrast, a fluid passageway is not formed in the first projection 44 and so a solid surface is presented at the end of the first projection 44 and in a corresponding position on the planar surface of the first sealing section 40. The first projection 44 and the second projection 46 are located on either side of an axis extending between the actuation slot 36 and the pivot hole 32.

The movable carrier element 8 is movable between a first, closed configuration to a second, open configuration. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the first, closed configuration, the first projection 44 of the sealing portion 10 is aligned with and projects through the central opening 24. The central opening 24 is thus sealed by the first projection 44. The opening 14 formed in the interior surface of the first end wall 5 of the front housing portion 4 is also sealed by the opposing planar surface of the sealing portion 10.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, in the second, open configuration, the second projection 46 of the sealing portion 10 is aligned with and projects through the central opening 24. The fluid passageway 47 of the sealing portion 10 is thus aligned with and is in fluid communication with the fluid passageway 9 of the front housing portion 4.

The first and second projections 44, 46 may allow for axial compression so as to enable them to project through the central opening 24 when aligned with the central opening 24 and to be retracted behind the second end wall 18 when not aligned with the central opening 24.

The movable carrier element 8 is configured such that the actuation slot 36 is aligned with the arcuate slot 26 of the rear housing portion 6. In the first, closed configuration, the actuation slot 36 is located at a first end of the arcuate slot 26 and in the second, open configuration, the actuation slot 36 is located at a second end of the arcuate slot 26.

The housing is provided with a genderless interconnection mechanism. Specifically, in this example, the rear housing portion 6 comprises a pair of tabs 48 which project from the second end wall 18 in a direction which is parallel but opposite to the rim 20. The tabs 48 are curved so as to conform to the second end wall 18. A groove 50 is provided along a radially inner surface of each tab 48 which extends across the tab 48 in a circumferential direction. The rim 20 is provided with a pair of complementary rails 52 which are each sized to be received within the groove 50 of an opposing connector 2, as will be described in detail below. Each of the rails 52 extends only partway between the tabs 48. Specifically, when looking at the outer surface of the second end wall 18, a first rail extends in a clockwise direction from a position at a first tab 48 partway towards a second tab 48 and a second rail extends in a clockwise direction from a position at the second tab 48 partway towards the first tab 48 (it will be appreciated that the rails may instead extend in an anticlockwise direction). Accordingly, a gap 54 is formed between the distal end of each rail 52 and the adjacent tab 48 which is sized to receive a tab 48 of an opposing connector 2, as will be described further below. The distal end of each rail 52 is provided with a tapered section in order to ease alignment and insertion of the rail 52 in the corresponding groove 50 of the opposing connector 2.

Figures 7 and 8 show an assembly comprising a pair of aseptic connectors 2 as described above. The connectors 2 are identical but are referred to as first and second connectors for clarity below, where necessary.

As shown, the connectors 2 are brought together with each connector 2 in the first, closed configuration. The first projection 44 of the sealing portion 10 is therefore aligned with and projects through the central opening 24, as shown in Figure 9. In this position, the actuation slot 36 is located at the first end of the arcuate slot 26. The connectors 2 are angularly oriented such that the tabs 48 of the first connector 2 are received in the gaps 54 of the second connector and the tabs 48 of the second connector 2 are received in the gaps 54 of the first connector. It will be appreciated that it is not possible to connect the connectors 2 in any other angular orientation since the rails 52 of one connector 2 block the introduction of the tabs 48 of the opposing connector 2.

In this position, the second post 30 of the first connector 2 is received in the actuation slot 36 of the second connector and the second post 30 of the second connector 2 is received in the actuation slot 36 of the first connector.

In order to mechanically and fluidically interconnect the connectors 2, the connectors 2 are grasped and twisted relative to one another, as shown in Figure 10. For example, each connector 2 may be rotated in a clockwise direction when looking towards the barb fitting 12. By doing so, the rails 52 are received by the opposing grooves 50 on the tabs 48 and so the connectors are locked together in an axial direction.

The relative rotation of the connectors 2 also causes each second post 30 to move along the arcuate slot 26 of the opposing connector 2 from the first end to the second end, as shown in Figures 14 and 15. Since the second post 30 is located in the actuation slot 36 of the movable carrier element 8 of the opposing connector 2, it causes the movable carrier element 8 to pivot about its first post 28. Consequently, the connectors 2 are brought into the second, open configuration, with the second projection 46 of the sealing portion 10 now being aligned with and projecting through the central opening 24 and into engagement with the second projection 46 of the opposing connector 2. The fluid passageways 47 of the sealing portions 10 of the connectors 2 are thus aligned with one another and are also aligned with the fluid passageways 9 of the front housing portions 4. A continuous fluid passageway is therefore formed through and between the connectors 2.

It will be appreciated that the opening 14 remains sealed by the planar surface of the sealing portion 10 during the transition between the first, closed configuration and the second, open configuration.

It will be appreciated that the connectors 2 may be disconnected by reversing the steps described above such that the connectors 2 are returned to the first, closed configuration. The connectors 2 may be subsequently reconnected.

Figures 16 to 18 show an aseptic connector 102 according to another embodiment of the invention.

The aseptic connector 102 generally comprises a housing formed by a front housing portion 104 and a rear housing portion 106.

The front housing portion 104 comprises a first end wall 105 and a barb fitting 112. The barb fitting 112 extends from the first end wall 105 for insertion into a tube. The first end wall 105 is circular and forms a flange around the barb fitting 112. A fluid passageway 109 extends through the barb fitting 12 from its distal end to an opening 114 formed in an interior surface of the first end wall 105 of the front housing portion 104.

The rear housing portion 106 is provided with a circular opening 123 as its centre such that the rear housing portion 106 has an annular shape. The circular opening 123 receives a rotatable element 119. The rotatable element 119 is also circular and conforms to the opening. The rotatable element 119 comprises a pair of tabs 125 which project radially outwards in diametrically opposed positions on the rotatable element 119. The tabs 125 are received in a pair of arcuate grooves 127 formed in the rear housing portion 106. The tabs 125 retain the rotatable element 119 in an axial direction such that its outer surface lies substantially in the same plane as the outer surface of the rear housing portion. However, the tabs 125 allow the rotatable element 119 to rotate relative to the rear housing portion 106.

The rotatable element 119 has a central opening 124 which receives a first sealing portion 156. The first sealing portion 156 comprises a pair of end flanges 158 which engage with the rotatable element 119 on either side of the central opening 124 in order to retain the first sealing portion 156. The first sealing portion 156 has a throughbore which defines a fluid passageway 160.

A cover portion 162 is slidably mounted to the rotatable element 119. Specifically, a T- slot is formed in the outer surface of the rotatable element 119 which defines a pair of undercut grooves 164 which run parallel to one another on either side of the central opening 124. The cover portion 162 comprises a cover face 166 and a pair of legs 168 extending from either side of the cover face 166 that engage with the grooves 164. The cover portion 162 is slidable across the central opening 124 from a first position in which the cover face 166 lies over the first sealing portion 156, as shown in Figure 19, to a second position in which the cover face 166 is offset laterally from the first sealing portion 156 such that the first sealing portion is exposed (or at least the fluid passageway 160), as shown in Figure 22.

A hole 170 extends through the axial thickness of the second housing portion 106 at a position which is radially outward from the circular opening 123. The hole 170 receives a pin 128 which extends from both the inner surface to form a first post portion and from the outer surface to form a second post portion. It will be appreciated that the first and second post portions may be formed as separate posts instead of using a continuous pin. Further, the first post may extend from the inner surface of the first end wall 105. The pin 128 has an enlarged head portion (top hat) 172 which forms a distal end of the second post portion.

An arcuate slot 126 extends through the axial thickness of the second housing portion 106 at a position which is radially outward from the circular opening 123 and diametrically opposed to the hole 170. The arcuate slot 126 has a centre of curvature which is located at the position of the hole 170. The angular length of the arcuate slot 126 substantially corresponds to the angular length of the arcuate grooves 127 that receive the tabs 125. A radial slot 180 extends through a circumferential surface of the second housing portion 106 and intersects the arcuate slot 126. The radial slot 180 is sized to receive the enlarged head portion 172 of the pin 128 of an opposing connector 2, as will be described below.

A recess 122 is formed in the inner surface of the rear housing portion 106. The recess 174 houses a movable carrier element 108 and a second sealing portion 110. The first end wall 105 of the front housing portion 104 engages with the rear housing portion 106 to enclose the recess 174.

The movable carrier element 108 comprises a first end surface 131 , a second end surface 133 and a peripheral surface 135. The movable carrier element 108 comprises a pivot hole 132 which extends through the thickness of the movable carrier element 108 from the first end surface 131 to the second end surface 133. The pivot hole 132 receives the first post portion of the pin 128 such that the movable carrier element 108 is pivotably mounted on the first post portion within the recess 122.

The thickness of the movable carrier element 108 between the first end surface 131 and the second end surface 133 is less than the depth of the recess 122 such that it is freely movable within the recess 122.

The movable carrier element 108 is provided with an elongate receiving slot 134. The receiving slot 134 extends through the thickness of the movable carrier element 108 from the first end surface 131 to the second end surface 133.

The movable carrier element 108 further comprises an actuation slot 136 which is formed in the peripheral surface 135 of the movable carrier element 108 and extends between the first end surface 131 and the second end surface 133. The actuation slot 136 is provided with a retaining lip 137 which projects from the second end surface 133. The actuation slot 136 and the pivot hole 132 are provided at or towards opposing lateral sides of the movable carrier element 108 with the receiving slot 134 disposed therebetween.

The second sealing portion 110 comprises first and second planar sealing surfaces 140, 142. The second sealing portion 110 is received within the receiving slot 134 with the first planar sealing surface 140 located adjacent the first end surface 131 of the movable carrier element 108 and the second planar sealing surface 142 located adjacent the second end surface 133 of the movable carrier element 108. An end flange 176 extends from each of the first and second planar sealing surfaces 140, 142. The end flanges 176 engage with the movable carrier element 108 on either side of the receiving slot 134 in order to retain the second sealing portion 110. A shoulder is provided in each of the first and second end surfaces 131 , 133 around the perimeter of the receiving slot 134 which receive the end flanges 176. The first and second planar sealing surfaces 140, 142 are substantially coplanar with the respective first and second end surfaces 131 , 133 of the movable carrier element 108.

A fluid passageway 147 extends through the thickness of the second sealing portion 110 from the first and second planar sealing surfaces 140, 142. The fluid passageway 147 is located towards one lateral side of the second sealing portion 110. In contrast, a corresponding position at the other lateral side of the second sealing portion 110 is not provided with a fluid passageway and so a solid surface is presented on the first and second planar sealing surfaces 140, 142. In this example, the fluid passageway 147 is offset from an axis extending between the actuation slot 136 and the pivot hole 132, and the solid surface is aligned with that axis.

The movable carrier element 108 is movable between a first, closed configuration to a second, open configuration.

As shown in Figures 25 and 26, in the first, closed configuration, the solid surfaces of the first and second planar sealing surfaces 140, 142 of the second sealing portion 110 are aligned with and seal the opening 114 formed in the interior surface of the first end wall 105 and the fluid passageway 160 of the first sealing portion 156.

As shown in Figures 29 and 30, in the second, open configuration, the fluid passageway 147 of the second sealing portion 110 is aligned with and is in fluid communication with the fluid passageway 109 of the front housing portion 4 and the fluid passageway 160 of the first sealing portion 156.

The movable carrier element 108 is configured such that the actuation slot 136 is aligned with the arcuate slot 126 of the rear housing portion 106. In the first, closed configuration, the actuation slot 136 is located at a first end of the arcuate slot 126 and in the second, open configuration, the actuation slot 136 is located at a second end of the arcuate slot 126.

Figures 20 and 21 show an assembly comprising a pair of aseptic connectors 102 as described above. The connectors 102 are identical but are referred to as first and second connectors for clarity below, where necessary.

Each connector 102 is initially in the first, closed configuration. In this position, the actuation slot 136 is located at the first end of the arcuate slot 126 adjacent to the radial slot 180. The cover portion 162 is also in the first position shown in Figure 19 such that the cover face 166 lies over the first sealing portion 156. Accordingly, the cover face 166 ensures that the fluid passageway 160 of the first sealing portion 156 remains sterile.

As shown in Figures 20 and 21, the connectors 102 are brought together in an axial direction but offset laterally from one another so that the second post portion of the pin 128 of a first connector 102 is adjacent to the radial slot 180 of a second connector 102 and the second post portion of the pin 128 of the second connector 102 is adjacent to the radial slot 180 of the first connector 102. In this position, the cover portion 162 of one connector 102 also abuts against the cover portion 162 of the opposing connector 102 (via their cover faces 166).

As indicated by the arrows in Figure 21 , the connectors are then translated laterally to bring them into axial alignment with the second post portion of the pin 128 of each connector 102 being introduced into the arcuate slot 126 of the opposing connector 102 via the radial slot 180. The second post portion of the pin 128 of each connector 102 is thereby received in the actuation slot 136 of the opposing connector. Further, as a result of this movement, each cover portion 162 is slid across by the cover portion 162 of the opposing connector so that the fluid passageway 160 is exposed and the first sealing portions 156 of the connectors 2 engage with one another to form a seal.

The arcuate slot 126 has a width which is less than the width (diameter) of the enlarged head portion 172 of the pin 128 and so the connectors 102 are mechanically interconnected in an axial direction in this position. The pin 128 and arcuate slot 126 form a genderless interconnection mechanism. In this position, while the first sealing portions 156 are sealed against one another, the fluid pathway through the connectors 102 remains sealed by the second sealing portions 110.

In order to fluidically interconnect the connectors 102, the connectors 102 are grasped and twisted relative to one another, as shown in Figure 23, until they reach the position shown in Figure 24. For example, each connector 2 may be rotated in a clockwise direction when looking towards the barb fitting 12.

As shown in Figure 23, each connector 102 is provided with one or more visual markers which are used to indicate when the connectors 102 have been rotated into the fluidically interconnected position. Specifically, in this example, the circumferential surface of each connector 102 is provided with a plurality of first markers 180a and a plurality of second markers 180b which are visually different. In particular, the first markers 180a are T-shaped recesses and the second markers 180b are elongate linear recesses. In the position shown in Figure 23, the first markers 180a of one connector 102 are angularly aligned with the second markers 180b of the opposing connector 102. Accordingly, the first markers 180a of one connector 102 are angularly offset from the corresponding first markers 180a of the opposing connector 102 and the second markers 180b of one connector 102 are angularly offset from the corresponding second markers 180b of the opposing connector 102.

As shown in Figure 24, when the connectors 102 are rotated into the fluidically interconnected position, the first markers 180a of one connector 102 are brought into angular alignment with the corresponding first markers 180a of the opposing connector 102 and the second markers 180b of one connector 102 are brought into angular alignment with the second markers 180b of the opposing connector 102. Accordingly, this provides a visual indication that the connectors 102 are now fluidically interconnected. It will be appreciated that other forms of visual markers may be used. In other examples, each connector 102 may include only a single visual marker which are brought into alignment in the fluidically interconnected position.

The relative rotation of the connectors 102 causes each second post portion of the pin 128 to move along the arcuate slot 126 of the opposing connector 102 from the first end to the second end, as shown in Figures 26, 28 and 30. Since the second post portion of the pin 128 is located in the actuation slot 136 of the movable carrier element 108 of the opposing connector 2, it causes the movable carrier element 108 to pivot about its first post portion, as shown in Figures 25 to 30. Consequently, the connectors 102 are brought into the second, open configuration, so that the fluid passageways 147 of the second sealing portions 110 of the connectors 102 are aligned with one another and are also aligned with the fluid passageways 109 of the front housing portions 104 and the fluid passageway 160 of the first sealing portions 156. A continuous fluid passageway is therefore formed through and between the connectors 102.

As shown in Figures 25 to 30, the rotatable element 119 of each connector 102 rotates relative to the rear housing portion 106 during the relative rotation of the connectors 120. This effectively allows the cover portions 162 of the connectors 102 to remain stationary with respect to one another (while the rear housing portions 106 rotate relative to one another) and thus to maintain abutment of the cover faces 166 against one another.

It will be appreciated that the connectors 102 may be disconnected by reversing the steps described above such that the connectors 102 are returned to the first, closed configuration. A biasing mechanism (such as a spring) may be provided between the cover portion 162 and the movable carrier element 119 so as to return the cover portion 162 to the first position shown in Figure 19 when the connectors 102 are translated laterally out of alignment. The cover face 166 therefore lies over the first sealing portion 156 after the connectors 102 have been disconnected. The connectors 102 may be subsequently reconnected.

It will be appreciated that in other examples, the connector 2, 102 may have an alternative fitting instead of the barb fitting described above. For example, the connector may be provided with a flange fitting. Further, the fitting may be rotatable relative to the remainder of the front housing portion (i.e. , the front end wall) such that the twisting of the connectors does not cause the attached tubes to be twisted as well.

To avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and repetition of text in the specification, certain features are described in relation to only one or several aspects or embodiments of the invention. However, it is to be understood that, where it is technically possible, features described in relation to any aspect or embodiment of the invention may also be used with any other aspect or embodiment of the invention. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and may be modified or adapted without departing from the scope of the present invention.