Patent ID: 7655198

Claim:
A system for manipulating sterile medical components, the system comprising: an electron source configured to establish a plasma atmosphere that defines a substantially spherical-shaped active sterile field; a first sterile medical component arranged within the plasma atmosphere established by the electron source; a second sterile medical component configured to cooperate with the first sterile medical component, the second sterile medical component arranged within the plasma atmosphere established by the electron source; a first automated connector including a first pair of tabs which: (i) cover and align an end of the first sterile medical component extending beyond a first contact location of the first sterile medical component when the first pair of tabs is in a closed position and (ii) maintain contact with the first sterile medical component at the first contact location while exposing an the end of the first sterile medical component to the active sterile field when the first pair of tabs is rotated into an open position about a first axis; a second automated connector including a second pair of tabs which: (i) cover and align an end of the second sterile medical component extending beyond a second contact location of the second sterile medical component when the second pair of tabs is in the closed position and (ii) maintain contact with the second sterile medical component at the second contact location while exposing the end of the second sterile medical component to the active sterile field when the second pair of tabs is rotated into the open position about a second axis, wherein the first connector and the second connector translate in a direction at least substantially transverse to the first axis and the second axis to establish the fluid connection between the first sterile medical component and the second sterile medical component, wherein the active sterile field cooperates with the first and second sterile medical components to sterilize the fluid connection.