Patent ID: 7044010

Claim:
A method of continuous aseptic sampling, comprising the steps of; (a) providing a fluid transportation structure that creates a non-laminar flow of a fluid in a sampling area within a fluid transportation system, the fluid transportation structure including an aperture located proximate the non-laminar sampling area; (b) providing a replaceable septum to seal the aperture of the fluid transportation structure and prevent the introduction of contaminates into the sampling area, the septum including an outer surface area and a plurality of guide holes covered by a cover piece that provides indication of used guide holes and unused guide holes; (c) providing a sterilized penetrating member, tubing, and a reservoir, wherein the penetrating member, tubing and reservoir are all in fluid communication with each other, the tubing and reservoir being sealed from environmental contaminates; (d) performing aseptic cleansing of the outer surface area and cover piece of the septum; (e) inserting the sterilized penetrating member into an unused guide hole wherein the guide hole directs the penetrating member into and through the septum, the septum constructed to further wipe and remove contaminates from the penetrating member during insertion; and (f) creating a pressure differential between the reservoir and the fluid transportation structure such that a sampling fluid continuously flows from the fluid transportation structure to the reservoir.