Isolator Fluid Transfer System with Biasing Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handling flexible and difficult-to-manipulate materials, such as tubing and needles, within isolators is challenging for robots due to their flexibility and tendency to cause sterility breaches, especially when returning them into bags after bioprocessing operations.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a crown with anchoring supports and a biasing element, such as an extension spring or coiled tubing, is used to securely hold and guide the needle block and tubing, allowing a robotic arm to safely manipulate and return the needles and tubing into the isolator without obstructing the port door.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If robots are used to handle flexible materials like tubing and needles within isolators, then automation and productivity are improved, but the risk of sterility breaches and damage to bioreactor bags increases due to the flexibility and difficulty of controlling these materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible tubing as an intermediary medium that can be manipulated by robotic systems while maintaining sterility. The tubing acts as a controlled flexible element that connects the robotic arm to the bioreactor bag, allowing automated handling without direct robotic contact with sterile contents, thus resolving the contradiction between automation and sterility maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary device consisting of a port, connector, and tubing system that mediates between the robotic arm and the sterile environment. This intermediary allows the robot to transfer materials without compromising sterility, as the intermediary can be sterilized and sealed, creating a barrier that protects the sterile zone while enabling automated operation
2Reliability
If manual manipulation of materials within isolators is performed, then sterility and safety are maintained, but time consumption and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-contained sterile system where the port and connector assembly can be sterilized and sealed independently, allowing automated operations to proceed without requiring manual intervention for sterility maintenance. The system serves itself by maintaining its own sterile barrier, enabling robots to operate efficiently without time-consuming manual sterilization steps
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible tubing and sealed port assemblies create a self-maintaining sterile barrier that allows automated systems to operate continuously without manual intervention. The flexible materials can be sterilized and sealed to maintain sterility autonomously, enabling time-efficient automated operations while preserving the sterile environment
3Reliability
If glove ports are removed from isolators to eliminate human manipulation, then sterility is improved, but the ability to handle and manipulate materials deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation through glove ports with an automated robotic system that uses a specialized port and connector assembly. The robotic arm, equipped with appropriate end effectors, can manipulate materials through the sealed port without requiring glove ports, thus eliminating human contamination risk while maintaining full manipulation capability through automated mechanical systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a robotic intermediary system that performs material manipulation tasks previously done manually through glove ports. The robotic arm, controlled through the sealed port assembly, acts as an intermediary that can handle materials with dexterity equivalent to manual operation while maintaining the sterile barrier, thus resolving the contradiction between eliminating glove ports and maintaining manipulation capability
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
Facilitates efficient and aseptic handling of flexible materials by robots within isolators, ensuring sterility and ease of operation, as the biasing element ensures the tubing is retracted into the bag upon completion, preventing leaks and maintaining sterility.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element releasably joined with the yoke and the at least one anchoring support
Implementation Method 2
a biasing element releasably joined with the yoke and the at least one anchoring support; wherein the needle block is releasably joined to the crown
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for use with an isolator, including a crown for releasably joining with a beta port of the isolator, wherein the crown includes at least one anchoring support; a spring hook on at least one end of the at least one anchoring support; a needle block including at least one through hole for having a needle positioned therein, wherein the at least one needle is joined with tubing; a yoke; and a biasing element releasably joined with the yoke and the at least one anchoring support; wherein the needle block is releasably joined to the crown.