GUI Workflow Control for Automated Cell Therapy Manufacturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cell therapy manufacturing processes are labor-intensive, require skilled technicians, and are challenging to scale due to complex scheduling and handling of sensitive biological materials, leading to inefficiencies and potential human errors.

Innovation Solution

A graphical user interface (GUI) system that allows users to create, modify, and execute workflows for automated cellular therapy manufacturing, utilizing a robotic cluster to perform unit operations through a modular and automated process, reducing human intervention and enhancing scalability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional labor-intensive processes are used for cell therapy manufacturing, then skilled technicians can handle complex operations, but the process requires large numbers of operators and is difficult to scale

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling precision of sensitive biological materialsVSAvoidmanufacturing scalability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service automation where the robotic cluster independently executes manufacturing workflows without continuous human intervention. The automated system handles sensitive biological materials through programmable sequences, eliminating the need for large numbers of skilled technicians while maintaining handling precision and enabling industrial-scale production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical operations performed by skilled technicians are replaced with automated robotic systems. The robotic cluster uses programmable mechanical actions to handle, transfer, and process cell therapy materials, maintaining the precision of human operators while enabling scalable manufacturing through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If biological foundries are used to automate manufacturing, then labor intensity is reduced, but scheduling conflicts arise when multiple processes need the same instrument

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of manufacturing processesVSAvoidscheduling coordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic cluster is designed as a universal platform capable of performing multiple different unit operations across various manufacturing processes. By consolidating multiple specialized instruments into one multi-functional robotic system, scheduling conflicts are eliminated as there is no longer competition for the same instrument, and automation is maintained across all operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple separate automated instruments that previously caused scheduling conflicts are merged into a single robotic cluster. This consolidation integrates previously separate automation systems into one coordinated unit, reducing scheduling complexity while maintaining high automation levels across all manufacturing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If manual handling and double-checking processes are used, then precision is maintained for sensitive cells, but time consumption and potential human errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision in handling and connecting closed systemsVSAvoidtime for manual operations and verification

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic cluster performs self-verification through programmable sequences, automatically executing and verifying each step of the manufacturing process without requiring manual double-checking. This maintains precision through consistent automated execution while eliminating the time loss associated with manual verification steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The automated robotic system executes manufacturing operations continuously without the interruptions inherent in manual processes. The robotic cluster performs handling, connecting, and verification operations in continuous automated sequences, eliminating the time losses from manual task transitions and maintaining precision through uninterrupted automated execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20250224858A1Systems, methods, and devices for automated cellular therapy manufacturing through graphical user interface

Publication Date: 2025.07.10 MULTIPLY LABS INC

AI summary

Systems, methods, and devices for facilitating automated manufacture of one or more cellular therapies through a graphical user interface (GUI) are provided. A method includes displaying a plurality of objects, each associated with a unit operation to be performed by a robotic cluster of a biological foundry. The method also include selecting and organizing desired objects to generate a representation of a workflow for the robotic cluster(s) to produce some or all of a cellular therapy. The representation of a workflow can be saved, retrieved and/or modified to generate an updated representation of the workflow.