Automated Tissue Processing System for Sterile SVF Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for isolating Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) cells from adipose tissue are inefficient, requiring manual processing that can lead to cell damage, contamination, and prolonged processing times, which affects the yield and viability of cells, and lacks aseptic conditions due to the use of tubes and pumps.
Innovation Solution
An automated, tubeless system with a robotic assembly that processes tissue samples in multiple planes, eliminating the need for tubes and pumps by using gravity for fluid transfer and maintaining aseptic conditions, allowing for efficient washing, digestion, and phase separation of adipose tissue to isolate SVF cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual processing methods are used for isolating SVF cells, then the system complexity is reduced, but the cell damage increases and processing time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processing with an automated robotic system that performs washing, digestion, and separation operations. The robotic assembly uses controlled mechanical movements to agitate tissue samples in processing containers, eliminating manual handling that causes cell damage while maintaining operational simplicity through automated sequences
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a closed-loop automated process where the robotic assembly independently performs all processing steps without continuous human intervention. The robotic system autonomously transfers containers, adds reagents, performs agitation cycles, and separates phases, allowing the system to service itself through programmed operations while consistently protecting cell viability
2Device complexity
If manual processing methods are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic assembly executes continuous automated processing cycles without interruption. The system performs washing, digestion, and separation operations in an unbroken sequence, with the robotic arm continuously transferring containers and reagents between stations. This eliminates idle time between manual operations and maintains constant productive action throughout the isolation process
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares processing containers and reagents in advance within the closed automated system. Tissue samples are pre-loaded into containers, and digestive enzymes are pre-measured and stored in ready-to-use vials. This preliminary preparation eliminates setup time during the actual processing sequence, allowing immediate execution of the isolation protocol
3Ease of operation
If tubes and pumps are used for fluid transfer, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates tubes and pumps from the fluid transfer system. Instead of using conventional tubing connections that create contamination interfaces, the system uses a robotic assembly with sterile barriers that directly interfaces with container openings. This removal of intermediate transfer components eliminates the primary contamination pathways while maintaining operational ease through automated container handling
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs flexible sterile barriers and thin film membranes that allow fluid transfer while maintaining sterile containment. The robotic assembly uses these flexible protective layers to interface with containers, enabling operation similar to tube-based systems but without the contamination risk, as the barriers prevent contact between the external environment and the cell processing interior
4Ease of operation
If pumps are used for fluid supply, then the ease of operation is improved, but the cell damage increases due to pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes pumps entirely from the system architecture. Fluid transfer is achieved through gravity-driven flow and robotic container positioning rather than mechanical pumping. This extraction of the pressure-generating component eliminates the harmful pressure effects on cells while maintaining ease of operation through automated container orientation and reagent flow management
Solution Approach 2:
The system designs the container arrangement and fluid pathways to utilize gravity-induced equipotential flow. Containers are positioned at appropriate elevations so that reagents and fluids flow naturally from higher to lower positions without requiring pressure application. This equipotential design enables automatic fluid transfer at constant ambient pressure, protecting cell integrity while simplifying operation through passive flow mechanisms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables rapid, sterile, and efficient isolation of clinical-grade SVF cells, reducing processing time, minimizing cell damage, and ensuring consistency, thus improving the yield and viability of cells, while maintaining aseptic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
eliminating the need for tubes and pumps by using gravity for fluid transfer
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides an automated system for processing of tissue. The system comprises a plurality of containers for storing at least one of tissue samples, buffer solutions, enzymes and other reagents, tissue processing container for processing of the tissue, and a robotic assembly coupled to the tissue processing container. The robotic assembly is configured to: carry the tissue processing container towards each of the plurality of containers, and align an inlet port of the tissue processing container with an outlet port of each of the plurality of containers for collecting the liquids, and moves the tissue processing container in multiple-planes to perform at least one of the washing processes, digestion process, phase separation process and combination thereof. The system also comprises of a control unit interfaced with the robotic assembly for controlling operations of the robotic assembly while processing the tissue.