Patents Assigned to The Automation Partnership
  • Patent number: 12055484
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for spectroscopic analysis of biological material is provided that includes analyzing samples of biological material from a plurality of sources, and delivering samples of biological material to at least one flow cell for spectroscopy, and determining whether the spectroscopic analysis for each sample of the plurality of samples is or is predicted to be ambiguous in that it is affected by at least two non-discriminable factors. If such a determination is made, a disambiguating step can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Stacey, Christian Grimm, Marek Hoehse, Thomas Regen, Angus Woodhams
  • Patent number: 11874287
    Abstract: An auto-aligning cable sensor for performing measurements on a medium contained in a vessel is provided. The cable sensor includes a cable which has an end sensor and which is adapted to be carried by a mounting fixture. The mounting fixture and the vessel are movable into a measurement position relative to each other such that a contact face of the end sensor is held in alignment against a surface of the vessel by a pressing force, thereby enabling the end sensor to sense a characteristic of the medium contained in the vessel. The cable sensor further includes an elastically deformable coupling member which is arranged to mediate transfer of the pressing force from the mounting fixture to the cable and thence to the end sensor when the mounting fixture and the vessel are moved into the measurement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Stacey, Daren Huttlestone, Edmund Grace
  • Publication number: 20230184673
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for spectroscopic analysis of biological material is provided that includes analyzing samples of biological material from a plurality of sources, and delivering samples of biological material to at least one flow cell for spectroscopy, and determining whether the spectroscopic analysis for each sample of the plurality of samples is or is predicted to be ambiguous in that it is affected by at least two non-discriminable factors. If such a determination is made, a disambiguating step can be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Stacey, Christian Grimm, Marek Hoehse, Thomas Regen, Angus Woodhams
  • Publication number: 20230168662
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of determining at least one recipe for a production process to produce a chemical, pharmaceutical and/or biotechnological product is provided, wherein the production process is defined by a plurality of steps specified by recipe parameter(s) controlling an execution of the production process and a recipe comprises the plurality of steps defining the production process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Stacey, Jochen Scholz, Charlie Daniels, Christian Grimm
  • Patent number: 11597904
    Abstract: A liquid filtration system according to the present invention comprises a bioreactor; a filter configured to filter liquid passing therethrough; a perfusion pump configured to move liquid between the bioreactor and the filter; a liquid line providing fluidic communication between the bioreactor, perfusion pump and filter; and a bleed outlet provided on the liquid line, the bleed outlet configured to provide means to remove liquid selectively from the system under the action of the perfusion pump. With the liquid filtration system according to the present invention, both the filtering and bleed functions may be performed under the action of a single pump, thereby significantly reducing the complexity and cost of the components required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventor: Paul Grant
  • Patent number: 11525836
    Abstract: A method for automating process development in a bioprocessing environment is provided. The method comprising: executing a first experiment run according to a set of parameters; retrieving a first real-time set of data of the experiment run while the experiment run is being executed; retrieving a second real-time set of data of an experiment run being executed in parallel, analysing the retrieved first real-time set of data and the second real-time set of data to determine an adjusted set of parameters; and, modifying, based on the analysis, the parameters upon which the experiment run is being executed during execution of the run such that the run continues to be executed according to the modified set of parameters. A system, computer program and computer readable medium are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventors: Richard Wales, Patrick Courtney
  • Publication number: 20220343242
    Abstract: The present application generally pertains to scaling of a production process to produce a chemical, pharmaceutical and/or biotechnological product and/or of a production state of a respective production equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Stacey, Jochen Scholz
  • Patent number: 11473047
    Abstract: A liquid filtration system comprising a syringe pump comprising a gas chamber and a movable plunger, wherein the gas chamber has an aperture at a first end and the plunger forms a seal within the internal walls of the chamber; a liquid chamber having two openings, the openings positioned at opposite ends of the chamber and the first opening connected to the aperture of the gas chamber; a bioreactor in fluidic communication with the second opening of the liquid chamber; a filter arranged to filter liquid passing between the bioreactor and the liquid chamber, the filter comprising a permeate outlet for removing filtered liquid; wherein, in use, the plunger may be moved in a reciprocating motion causing a corresponding movement of gas which drives liquid alternately between the liquid chamber and the bioreactor such that liquid passes through the filter and filtered liquid may be removed via the permeate outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventor: Paul Grant
  • Patent number: 11429911
    Abstract: The present application generally pertains to scaling of a production process to produce a chemical, pharmaceutical and/or biotechnological product and/or of a production state of a respective production equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Stacey, Jochen Scholz
  • Publication number: 20210025814
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for spectroscopic analysis of biological material is provided that includes analyzing samples of biological material from a plurality of sources, and delivering samples of biological material to at least one flow cell for spectroscopy, and determining whether the spectroscopic analysis for each sample of the plurality of samples is or is predicted to be ambiguous in that it is affected by at least two non-discriminable factors. If such a determination is made, a disambiguating step can be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Stacey, Christian Grimm, Marek Hoehse, Thomas Regen, Angus Woodhams
  • Publication number: 20200284644
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filtration system comprising a cabinet, a filtration device having a filtrate or retentate vessel arranged outside the cabinet, and a weighing device that is configured to weigh the filtrate or retentate vessel. The weighing device can be arranged inside an enclosure and the enclosure can be arranged inside the cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Neil Bargh, Stefanie Meyer
  • Publication number: 20200276538
    Abstract: A control system and a control method for automated controlling of a crossflow filtration system, as well as a corresponding crossflow filtration system, are provided. The control system comprises a measurement value processing unit configured to receive a plurality of sensor signals from a plurality of sensors of the crossflow filtration system; and to determine a plurality of process parameters defining an operation state of the crossflow filtration system based on the plurality of sensor signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventors: Salavat Magazov, Martin Leuthold
  • Publication number: 20200225156
    Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for improving and evaluating stability of pumped protein solutions in cross-flow filtration applications. Inter alia, the present invention provides a peristaltic pump for cross-flow filtration having a pump head, wherein the pump head comprises a stepped occlusion plate and at least one pump roller, wherein a tubing is to be arranged between the stepped occlusion plate and the at least one pump roller, wherein the stepped occlusion plate has a specific configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Neil Bargh, John Paul James Betts
  • Publication number: 20200181554
    Abstract: A liquid filtration system according to the present invention comprises a bioreactor; a filter configured to filter liquid passing therethrough; a perfusion pump configured to move liquid between the bioreactor and the filter; a liquid line providing fluidic communication between the bioreactor, perfusion pump and filter; and a bleed outlet provided on the liquid line, the bleed outlet configured to provide means to remove liquid selectively from the system under the action of the perfusion pump. With the liquid filtration system according to the present invention, both the filtering and bleed functions may be performed under the action of a single pump, thereby significantly reducing the complexity and cost of the components required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventor: Paul GRANT
  • Publication number: 20190185803
    Abstract: A liquid filtration system according to the present invention comprises a syringe pump comprising a gas chamber and a movable plunger, wherein the gas chamber has an aperture at a first end and the plunger forms a seal within the internal walls of the chamber; a liquid chamber having two openings, the openings positioned at opposite ends of the chamber and the first opening connected to the aperture of the gas chamber; a bioreactor in fluidic communication with the second opening of the liquid chamber; a filter arranged to filter liquid passing between the bioreactor and the liquid chamber, the filter comprising a permeate outlet for removing filtered liquid; wherein, in use, the plunger may be moved in a reciprocating motion causing a corresponding movement of gas which drives liquid alternately between the liquid chamber and the bioreactor such that liquid passes through the filter and filtered liquid may be removed via the permeate outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventor: Paul Grant
  • Publication number: 20190154713
    Abstract: A method for automating process development in a bioprocessing environment is provided. The method comprising: executing a first experiment run according to a set of parameters; retrieving a first real-time set of data of the experiment nm while the experiment run is being executed; retrieving a second real-time set of data of an experiment run being executed in parallel, analysing the retrieved first real-time set of data and the second real-time set of data to determine an adjusted set of parameters; and, modifying, based on the analysis, the parameters upon which the experiment run is being executed during execution of the run such that the run continues to be executed according to the modified set of parameters. A system, computer program and computer readable medium are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventors: Richard Wales, Patrick Courtney
  • Patent number: 8563301
    Abstract: A bioreactor processing unit (10) includes at least one cell culture module (200) comprising: a base (202) including a receiving station (204) for removably receiving a plurality of bioreactor vessels (400) at respective locations (206); and a clamp plate (240). The clamp plate (240) is removably connectable to the base (202). The system further includes a drive mechanism (226) and multiple fluid conduits. When the system is to be used for an experiment run, vessels (400) are loaded into the receiving station (204) and the clamp plate (240) is connected to the base (202), forming a connection between the drive mechanism and the vessels, for transmitting input motion from the drive mechanism (226) into multiple rotary motion outputs for turning a stirrer (416) in each vessel (400).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Automation Partnership Ltd.
    Inventor: Adrian Neil Bargh
  • Patent number: D632799
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Automation Partnership
    Inventors: Philip David Canner, Paul Simon Grant
  • Patent number: D642282
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge)
    Inventor: Adrain Neil Bargh
  • Patent number: RE45967
    Abstract: A system 10 for storing and processing a plurality of biological or chemical samples at ultra-low temperatures is provided. The system 10 comprises a plurality of ultra-low temperature storage locations 30; an enclosed pathway 35 adjacent the storage locations 30; and a manipulator module 60 disposed within the pathway 35 for conveying vessels 33 along the pathway 35 between the storage locations 30 in the system 10. Each of the storage locations being accessed through an insulated access panel 36 on the side of the storage location 30, the panel 36 being configured to close the storage location 30 from the pathway 35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Owen, Justin Michael Owen