Self-Centering Gripper for Automated Cell Therapy Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cell therapy manufacturing processes are labor-intensive and require skilled technicians, making it difficult to scale up production industrially.
Innovation Solution
The development of self-centering assemblies and grippers with fluid fitting members, which include contoured surface areas and elastic members for secure connection and disconnection of fluid fitting members, allowing for automated handling and reduced operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional labor-intensive processes are used for cell therapy manufacturing, then skilled technicians can ensure high manufacturing precision and reliability, but productivity is low and device complexity increases due to manual operations
Solution Approach 1:
The self-centering assembly enables automated grippers to automatically center and connect fluid fitting members without requiring skilled technicians for manual alignment. The elastic members and contoured surfaces work together to automatically position the connection unit, allowing unskilled operators to operate automated equipment for cell therapy manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The self-centering assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the automated gripper and the fluid fitting member. It mediates the connection process by providing automatic centering and alignment features, enabling the automated system to reliably connect components without human intervention while maintaining manufacturing precision
2Extent of automation
If automated grippers are used to handle cartridges, then productivity increases and skilled labor requirements decrease, but manufacturing precision may be compromised without self-centering features
Solution Approach 1:
The self-centering assembly uses contoured surfaces and curved elastic members to guide and center the connection unit. The contoured surfaces provide geometric guidance that automatically aligns the fluid fitting member with the port, ensuring precise connection even when using automated grippers with tolerance variations
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic members change their physical state from deformed to relaxed, dynamically adjusting the position of the connection unit. When the gripper applies force, the elastic members deform to allow displacement; when force is removed, they return the connection unit to its centered position, automatically compensating for positioning variations
3Manufacturing precision
If self-centering assemblies with elastic members are implemented, then automated connection precision improves and labor requirements decrease, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The self-centering assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: the connection unit provides both the connection interface and the self-centering mechanism through integrated contoured surfaces and elastic members. This consolidation achieves precise automated connection while minimizing the number of separate parts compared to traditional alignment mechanisms
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 efficient and automated manufacturing of cell therapies by facilitating secure connections and disconnections, reducing the need for skilled labor and improving scalability.
Implementation Method 1
each respective contoured elastic member in the plurality of elastic members matches a corresponding contoured surface area in the plurality of contoured surface areas on the side wall of the connection unit, thereby allowing the connection unit to be displaced with respect to the axis of the centering unit when the connection unit is subject to an external force and forcing the connection unit to return to its original position when the external force is removed
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides self-centering assemblies, cartridges, pump assemblies, grippers, and other systems, methods, and apparatuses for manufacture of a cell therapy. A gripper includes a gripping unit and a gear unit for connecting and disconnecting connectors, tubes, syringes, or other devices that require twisting of a locking element for a successful fluid connection. In some cases, a gripper also includes a draw/injection unit to draw and inject fluid through the connections. A gripper can be operated by a robotic arm or other versatile manufacturing equipment.