Five Key Benefits of Genderless Aseptic Connectors:
Whether you have an upstream or downstream process, sterility assurance is critical. Genderless connectors, commonly used in single-use systems, allow bioprocessing manufacturers to make aseptic connections quickly and easily between single-use bag systems, tube sets and/or stainless process equipment.
This blog outlines five key benefits of genderless aseptic connectors and how they can lead to more flexibility, reduced risk and lower costs for your organization.
1. Fewer custom designs
Complex bioprocesses often suffer from a proliferation of custom single-use system (SUS) designs, with a dedicated SUS for each unit operation and process volume. Several case studies have shown that with a modular approach and the implementation of genderless aseptic connectors, the total number of custom SUS to support the same process could be reduced by 75%.
2. Genderless connectors enable standardization
Through a modular implementation approach that leverages genderless aseptic connectors, standard bag and transfer set designs may be implemented, allowing for standard bag designs with a common connection, designated only by volume. Filter sets with different filtration areas and functions and tube transfer sets can then be used to configure the system design required for each unit operation. The inherent flexibility of this approach may enable a more flexible response to interruptions within the single-use supply chain. One downside of modular systems is the reduced ability to error proof the SUS design. Additional procedural controls must be implemented to prevent errors during assembly and use.
3. Reduced number of items to manage through the supply chain
Genderless connectors ease single-use specifications with one part number for both halves, cutting the number of items managed through the supply chain by 50%. The supply chain issues of 2021 clearly show that simplicity within the supply chain and consolidation of the total number of items to be managed can positively impact the efficiency of inventories and overall resiliency of the supply chain.
4. Genderless connectors are designed for manufacturing
In addition to allowing more efficient inventories, genderless connectors reduce the number of items to be produced by half, and the number of molded parts used to produce the finished connectors by significantly more than half. Secondary operations are reduced and simplified, making genderless connectors more efficient to produce and faster to scale up manufacturing during surges in demand.
5. Genderless connectors lower costs
Genderless connectors create efficiencies that reduce the total cost of ownership of the SUS that employ them: reduced direct connector costs, more efficient inventories, reduced number of SUS designs and the ability to standardize on fewer SUS designs all contribute to lowering the total cost of using SUS to support your bioprocess
To learn more about how genderless connectors can lead to more flexibility, faster changeovers and reduced costs, read the recent CPC white paper, “The Path to Genderless Connectors.”
Qosina offers a comprehensive line of stock components for single-use systems including the complete series of AseptiQuik® and MicroCNX™ micro-connectors. Customers can select from a wide range of options including 1/8 inch (0.125 inch, 3.2 mm) to 1 inch (0.5 inch, 25.4 mm) hose barb termination sizes, with a 3/4 inch (0.75 inch, 19.1 mm) and 1 1/2 inch (1.5 inch, 38.1 mm) sanitary option.
