Sterility Testing of Prototype Plastic Aseptic Docking Tubes

Fifty-nine pairs of sterile docking tabs, manufactured by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, were tested for maintenance of sterility. The tabs were contaminated with known amounts of Bacillus stearothermophilus, sealed, and flushed with sterile culture medium. Twenty-five percent of the seals failed because of mechanical weakness. Of the remaining 75% of the docks, 93% remained sterile. While the concept of the tabs is promising, more work needs to be done on their mechanical design to increase strength.