Peristaltic Fluid Transfer Head for Sterile Cell Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cell therapy manufacturing is prone to human error and contamination due to the lack of automated systems for fluid transfer between cell therapy steps and reagent storage devices.
Innovation Solution
The development of systems and methods for automated fluid transfer between a fluid device and a cartridge using an instrument head coupled to a gantry, which includes an actuator and a pump, with sensors for alignment and flow control, to ensure sterile and precise fluid transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual fluid transfer is used between cell therapy steps and reagent storage devices, then operation simplicity is maintained, but contamination risk and human error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sterile adapter as an intermediary component that connects the reagent storage device to the cell therapy processing system. This adapter includes a sterile barrier that prevents contamination while allowing fluid transfer, thus maintaining sterility without requiring complex automated systems. The adapter serves as a simple yet effective mediator between the manual operation interface and the sterile processing environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical fluid transfer with an automated pump system that uses peristaltic pumping mechanics. The pump is integrated with the sterile adapter, allowing automated fluid transfer while maintaining sterility through the barrier. This substitution reduces human error and contamination risk while managing system complexity through modular design.
2Reliability
If automated fluid transfer systems are implemented, then contamination risk and human error are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid transfer system into distinct modular components: a reagent storage device, a sterile adapter with integrated pump, and connection interfaces. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for sterility and function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability. The modular design enables easy assembly, disassembly, and sterilization of individual parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterile adapter is designed as a universal component that can interface with multiple types of reagent storage devices and cell therapy processing systems. The adapter incorporates multiple functions including fluid transfer pumping, sterile barrier maintenance, and connection interfaces, reducing the need for multiple specialized components and thereby managing system complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If peristaltic pump is used for fluid transfer, then precise flow control is achieved, but complexity of pump mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a peristaltic pump mechanism that uses elastic tubing and mechanical compression to achieve precise fluid flow control. The pump rollers compress the elastic tubing in a sequential manner, creating peristaltic waves that propel fluid forward with high precision. This pneumatic-mechanical approach achieves manufacturing precision for fluid flow while keeping the pump mechanism relatively simple through the use of elastic materials and straightforward mechanical components.
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
Enables sterile and automated fluid transfer, reducing the risk of contamination and human error, thereby facilitating scalable cell therapy manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
Movement of the pneumatic actuator relative to the fluid pump module may cause occlusion of the compressible fluidic tubing of the fluid pump module by the peristaltic pump
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods for automated fluid transfer. In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system for fluid transfer between a fluid device and a cartridge for cell processing. The system comprises a first portion comprising an instrument head coupled to a gantry, the instrument head comprising a pneumatic actuator, a peristaltic pump, and a gripping feature for receiving the fluid device. The peristaltic pump may be configured to engage compressible fluidic tubing of a fluid pump module of the fluid device to transfer the fluid between the fluid device and the cartridge. The system further comprises a second portion comprising a docking station for receiving the cartridge. In some variations, movement of the pneumatic actuator relative to the fluid pump module causes occlusion of the compressible fluidic tubing of the fluid pump module by the peristaltic pump.