Aim: The commercialization of cellular products for the regenerative medicine business has already begun. However, the profitability between the regulated aseptic production cost and insurance reimbursement price might be a major hurdle. Automated culture devices are developed for improving the cultural- and cost-efficiency. In this study, we investigated the automated culture devices to discuss the approach to overcome the existing problems and simulated the reduction of operating time with culture assist devices.
Method: Web and literature surveys were performed to investigate the automated culture devices and their functionalities. Based on the investigation, the simulation was conducted by integrating the operation time in each culture steps via culture assist devices.
Result: Automated culture devices for adherent cells, floating cells, and liquid handlers were developed. In Japan, the devices for adherent cells were majorly produced, and these devices used single- or double-arm robots for complete automation. A reduction of 22.5 min in the medium replacement step was achieved after simulation with the culture assist devices for injection and drainage.
Conclusion: Since the present cellular products were approved of working with humans, the culture assist device for working with human is preferable and can contribute in reducing the working hours and cost.
