The West Company

James Gerhart

Paul H Norton

Charles Papciak

Robert Nase

John Paproski

Bernard Lahendro

Kathleen A Parker

The present invention relates to a combination container for holding sterilized elements and a sterilizable transfer port for transferring the sterilized elements into an isolation system having a wall. The container includes a flexible bag defining a cavity containing a plurality of the sterilized elements. The container also includes a collar which has an interior surface defining a bore extending through the collar. The bag is secured to the collar with the opening in registry with the bore. A removable seal is movable between a first position where the seal initially extends across the bore to prevent elements from being removed from the cavity and to maintain the sterility of the elements and a second position where the seal is moved from the first position to access the cavity such that the elements are removable from the cavity through the opening and the bore. A transfer port extends through the wall of the isolation system and includes a first end, a second end and a conduit extending between the first and second ends. The collar is in releasable complementary, sealed engagement with the transfer port. A first door is movable between a first position closing the first end of the transfer port to prevent the elements from being moved into the isolation system and support against pressure from a treatment medium and a second position opening the first end of the transfer port to allow the elements to be moved into the isolation system or clean sterile area.

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West Chester, PA, United States of America

James Gerhart