Robot Systems for Automated Cell Processing with Cartridges
This patent describes an automated system where a robot moves specialized cartridges containing cells between several different instruments, each performing specific cell processing steps.
Original patent title: “Apparatus and method for control of cell processing system”
This patent describes an automated system where a robot moves specialized cartridges containing cells between several different instruments, each performing specific cell processing steps. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent outlines a system designed to automate the handling of cells for various processing operations. It includes multiple instruments, each set up to perform specific tasks on a cell-containing cartridge. A robot then moves these cartridges from one instrument to another. For example, a robot might pick up a cartridge from an instrument that washes cells, then move it to another instrument that sorts cells, and finally to a third instrument that prepares them for storage, all without human intervention.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover cell processing systems that use only a single instrument, as it specifies a 'plurality of instruments'.
- Does not cover systems where cell-containing cartridges are moved manually between instruments, requiring a 'robot capable of moving the cartridge'.
- Does not cover processing cells directly in bulk containers or multi-well plates without the use of a 'cartridge'.
- Does not cover systems where instruments are permanently fixed in a single, unchangeable sequence, as the instruments are 'each independently configured'.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in integrating a robot to manage the workflow between multiple, independently configurable instruments, allowing for flexible and automated sequencing of complex cell processing steps on individual cartridges.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Automated cell therapy manufacturing platforms
High-throughput drug screening systems
Automated cell culture and analysis workstations
Robotic laboratory automation solutions
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Automating cell processing is crucial for consistency and efficiency in fields like cell therapy and drug discovery. By using a robot to move cartridges between instruments, this system can reduce human error, increase throughput, and ensure standardized conditions for delicate cell samples. This approach helps scale up complex biological workflows, making advanced therapies more accessible.
Filed
August 8, 2025
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific, Sartorius, and Lonza are actively developing and deploying automated solutions for cell processing and manufacturing. These companies focus on creating integrated systems that streamline complex biological workflows, often involving robotic handling of samples and specialized consumables like cartridges.
Market impact
The development of automated cell processing systems has significantly impacted the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries by enabling higher throughput and greater consistency in research and manufacturing. This automation reduces labor costs and the risk of contamination, accelerating the development and production of cell-based therapies and diagnostics. It helps scale processes that were once highly manual and prone to variability.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent outlines a system designed to automate the handling of cells for various processing operations. It includes multiple instruments, each set up to perform specific tasks on a cell-containing cartridge. A robot then moves these cartridges from one instrument to another. For example, a robot might pick up a cartridge from an instrument that washes cells, then move it to another instrument that sorts cells, and finally to a third instrument that prepares them for storage, all without human intervention.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in integrating a robot to manage the workflow between multiple, independently configurable instruments, allowing for flexible and automated sequencing of complex cell processing steps on individual cartridges.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover cell processing systems that use only a single instrument, as it specifies a 'plurality of instruments'.
- Does not cover systems where cell-containing cartridges are moved manually between instruments, requiring a 'robot capable of moving the cartridge'.
- Does not cover processing cells directly in bulk containers or multi-well plates without the use of a 'cartridge'.
- Does not cover systems where instruments are permanently fixed in a single, unchangeable sequence, as the instruments are 'each independently configured'.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 18.8 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Robot Systems for Automated Cell Processing with Cartridges (U.S. Patent No. 12,734,521). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734521/apparatus-and-method-for-control-of-cell-processing-system
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Robot Systems for Automated Cell Processing with Cartridges cover?
This patent describes an automated system where a robot moves specialized cartridges containing cells between several different instruments, each performing specific cell processing steps.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Automating cell processing is crucial for consistency and efficiency in fields like cell therapy and drug discovery. By using a robot to move cartridges between instruments, this system can reduce human error, increase throughput, and ensure standardized conditions for delicate cell samples. This approach helps scale up complex biological workflows, making advanced therapies more accessible.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover cell processing systems that use only a single instrument, as it specifies a 'plurality of instruments'.
Patent monitoring