Consumable Kit Docking Cartridge for Sterile Robotic Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cell therapy manufacturing processes are labor-intensive, inefficient, and not scalable, leading to low throughput, high production costs, and significant operator variability, with closed system solutions being inflexible and underutilized.
Innovation Solution
Apparatuses for automated loading and unloading of consumable kits using robotic systems, including a dock and cartridge, enabling secure and precise installation of consumable kits without human intervention, maintaining a sterile environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If labor-based manual processes are used for cell therapy manufacturing, then operator control and flexibility are maintained, but productivity is low and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated cartridge loading and unloading mechanisms that operate without human intervention. The robotic arm automatically retrieves cartridges from the cartridge bank, loads them into the bioreactor, and removes spent cartridges, allowing the manufacturing system to service itself and dramatically increasing throughput while reducing labor dependency
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced with an automated robotic system. The robotic arm with gripper mechanism substitutes human hands for cartridge handling, and the automated docking station replaces manual connection operations, enabling continuous operation and scaling beyond human capacity limits
2Productivity
If highly skilled technicians are employed for manual operations, then process control and quality are maintained, but labor costs increase and scalability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing system is segmented into modular components: individual cartridges containing specific reagents, a robotic arm for cartridge handling, and a docking station for automated connections. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables parallel operation of multiple cartridges, increasing throughput without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm and docking station serve multiple functions: they can handle different cartridge types, perform both loading and unloading operations, and interface with various bioreactor configurations. This multi-functionality allows a single automated system to replace multiple specialized manual operations, improving productivity while controlling complexity
3Reliability
If closed system solutions are implemented, then sterility is maintained, but flexibility and utilization efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses flexible sealed cartridges that maintain sterile closed environments while allowing automated manipulation. The cartridges are designed with flexible membranes and sealed interfaces that preserve sterility during robotic handling, loading, and unloading operations, enabling closed system benefits without sacrificing operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static closed systems to dynamic automated operations. The cartridges remain sealed and sterile throughout the process, while the robotic system dynamically adapts to different cartridge types and operational requirements, maintaining reliability through consistent sterile barriers while improving flexibility through automated adaptability
4Productivity
If manual cartridge loading is performed, then system simplicity is maintained, but contamination risk increases and throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs self-service cartridge handling operations within the sterile field. The robotic arm and docking station operate autonomously to load and unload cartridges without human entry into the clean room, eliminating the primary source of contamination while enabling continuous high-throughput operations
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm serves as an intermediary between the external environment and the sterile manufacturing zone. It transfers cartridges through sealed interfaces without requiring human operators to breach sterile barriers, dramatically reducing contamination risk while maintaining high operational throughput
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a cartridge for holding a consumable kit and a dock for holding an instrument. The cartridge includes first docking members and first locking members, and the dock includes second docking members and second locking members. The first and second docking members are removably coupled to each other, establishing a single degree of freedom motion for moving the cartridge relative to the dock. The first and second locking members are selectively coupled to each other, selectively locking the cartridge with the dock in the single degree of freedom motion. The apparatus facilities automated loading of the consumable kit to the instrument.