Robotic Container Rotation for Clean Cell Culture Liquid Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell culture systems require complex configurations and high maintenance, making them inefficient and difficult to extend, particularly when attempting to automate cell culture processes, which increases costs and labor due to the need for expert operation in clean environments.
Innovation Solution
A cell processing system that integrates robot operations with manual tasks, utilizing a gripping tool with a combination of first and second gripping sections to efficiently handle containers, allowing for the rational combination of automated and manual processes within a simple configuration, maintaining cleanliness and enabling efficient cell culture production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If all cell culture operations are automated by robot, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases and maintainability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides cell culture operations into two segments: automated operations (liquid handling, medium exchange, basic container manipulation) performed by the robot, and manual operations (complex manipulations, quality control, exceptional handling) performed by operators through the working section. This segmentation allows productivity improvement in routine tasks while avoiding the complexity of fully automating all operations.
2Productivity
If all cell culture operations are automated by robot, then productivity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced maintainability
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates automated and manual operation zones, allowing operators to easily access and maintain manual components through the working section while the automated robot system handles routine operations. This segmentation improves maintainability by providing clear access points for different types of operations and maintenance activities.
3Reliability
If manual operations are performed in clean environment, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to housing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a clean space portion (enclosed, controlled environment for contamination-sensitive operations) and a working section (accessible for manual operations). This segmentation maintains reliability by isolating critical operations in the clean space while providing necessary access through the working section, avoiding the need for entirely enclosed complex systems.
4Productivity
If gripping tool passes over container opening, then productivity is improved through faster liquid transport, but harmful factors increase due to contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary approach where the robot gripping tool transports containers to positions adjacent to (but not directly over) the collection container opening, and uses controlled liquid flow paths (through tubes or controlled pouring) as intermediaries to transfer liquid. This eliminates direct passage over openings, reducing contamination risk while maintaining productivity through efficient positioning and controlled transfer mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid transport method is disclosed for efficiently producing cell cultures. The liquid transport method of the present disclosure, which is in processing of cells, includes: a) a step in which a container holding a liquid is gripped by a gripping tool of a robot; and b) a step in which the liquid in the container is transported to a collection container by rotating the gripped container. In steps a) and b) the robot operates such as not to pass over a vertical line of an opening of the collection container.