Apparatus for facilitating automation of vessels

A cartridge for facilitating automation of a vessel, wherein the vessel comprises a cap and at least one vessel port, the cartridge comprising:

• a cartridge body comprising a side wall, an upper wall connected to or formed with an upper portion of the side wall, and an interior defined by the side wall and the upper wall;
• an adapter disposed in the interior of the cartridge body and connected to or formed with the cartridge body, wherein the adapter is configured for removably connecting the vessel to the cartridge body;
• at least one connection structure, each respective connection structure in the at least one connection structure comprising:
• a corresponding retainer fixed on or integrally formed with the upper wall of the cartridge body;
• a corresponding port body coupled to the corresponding retainer and having a corresponding distal end portion positioned exterior to the cartridge body;
• a corresponding connector housed by the corresponding port body and having a corresponding first end outside of the cartridge body and a corresponding second end;
• and
• a corresponding tube for connecting the corresponding second end of the corresponding connector to a vessel port in the at least one vessel port;
• and
• a plurality of locking elements disposed at a lower portion of the side wall of the cartridge body to facilitate positioning and locking of the cartridge.