摘要:
Disc dispensing device for dispensing discs impregnated with antibiotics onto a culture dish. The device comprises a stationary support on which a magazine is removably mounted. The magazine holds a plurality of tubular containers each containing a stack of discs to be dispensed. A moving means moves one disc from a bottom end of a tubular container to a pick-up position. From the pick-up position a transfer means picks up said one disc and transfers it to the culture dish where it is dispensed. The removable culture dish is supported by a moveable carriage which is mounted on the stationary support. The carriage is moveable relative to the magazine from a starting position to an operating position and vice versa. Control means control the operation of the device. The plurality of tubular containers is rotatable around a magazine centre under control of the control means.
摘要:
The present disclosure describes automated systems and methods for handling objects, such as culture plates or dishes. For example, in one embodiment, the present disclosure describes an automated stacker and de-stacker comprising a clamping mechanism, a lift pad, a pair of pins, and a cabinet. A stack of culture plates may be stored in the cabinet. During a stacking operation, the pair of pins may be raised to stop a culture plate traveling along a conveyor track. Once stopped, the culture plate may be raised above the conveyor track by the lift pad and clamped by the clamping mechanism. During a de-stacking operation, the clamping mechanism may be opened, and the culture plate may be lowered onto the conveyor track by the lift pad.
摘要:
The present invention describes an integrated incubator and image capture module that regulates the incubator atmosphere and obtains high-resolution digital images of sample specimens. The incubator has a cabinet type enclosure that enables the provision of a controlled environment to the contents of the incubator by having at least three ports on one face of the cabinet for the passage of sample containers. Additionally, an image capture module is located immediately adjacent to the incubator. In this regard, using at least three separate access/egress points for the sample containers streamlines operation of the system and enhances preservation of the incubator environment. Furthermore, locating the image capture module directly adjacent to the incubator reduces the amount of time a sample container is exposed to the external environment, thereby reducing the extent to which samples are exposed to potential contaminants and reducing the exchange of the lab and ambient atmospheres.
摘要:
A system that may automatically and rapidly process blood culture bottles. Such processing includes obtaining an image of a label placed on the cylindrical surface of the blood culture bottle. The system may also determine an amount of blood sample that has been added to the blood culture bottle by comparing a sample level to pre-placed fiducial. The distance between the liquid meniscus in the blood culture bottle and fiducial may be used to determine blood volume. The imaging apparatus may also detect internal conditions of the blood culture bottle such as the presence of foam or the presence of culture media in a neck portion of the blood culture bottle. The image of the label is obtained from one or more images captured by a camera or scanner. The information on the label may be read automatically and therefore the blood culture bottles do not have to be processed manually, increasing throughput of the apparatus.
摘要:
The present disclosure describes systems and methods for centering a circular object, such as a petri dish, between a plurality of pins. For example, in one embodiment, a method comprises placing a circular object on a rotatable platform surrounded by three moveable pins. In order to roughly center the circular object, the method further comprises moving, for a first time, all of the pins toward the circular object until at least two out of the three pins are touching the circular object. In order to more accurately center the circular object, the method further comprises: moving all of the pins away from the circular object so that it can be rotated without substantial inference; rotating the platform approximately 60 degrees, wherein rotating the platform causes the circular object to also rotate by approximately 60 degrees; and moving, for a second time, all of the pins toward the circular object.
摘要:
The present invention describes an integrated incubator and image capture module that regulates the incubator atmosphere and obtains high-resolution digital images of sample specimens. The incubator has a cabinet type enclosure that enables the provision of a controlled environment to the contents of the incubator by having at least three ports on one face of the cabinet for the passage of sample containers. Additionally, an image capture module is located immediately adjacent to the incubator. In this regard, using at least three separate access/egress points for the sample containers streamlines operation of the system and enhances preservation of the incubator environment. Furthermore, locating the image capture module directly adjacent to the incubator reduces the amount of time a sample container is exposed to the external environment, thereby reducing the extent to which samples are exposed to potential contaminants and reducing the exchange of the lab and ambient atmospheres.
摘要:
The present invention describes an integrated incubator and image capture module that regulates the incubator atmosphere and obtains high-resolution digital images of sample specimens. The incubator has a cabinet type enclosure that enables the provision of a controlled environment to the contents of the incubator by having at least three ports on one face of the cabinet for the passage of sample containers. Additionally, an image capture module is located immediately adjacent to the incubator. In this regard, using at least three separate access/egress points for the sample containers streamlines operation of the system and enhances preservation of the incubator environment. Furthermore, locating the image capture module directly adjacent to the incubator reduces the amount of time a sample container is exposed to the external environment, thereby reducing the extent to which samples are exposed to potential contaminants and reducing the exchange of the lab and ambient atmospheres.
摘要:
The present invention describes an integrated incubator and image capture module that regulates the incubator atmosphere and obtains high-resolution digital images of sample specimens. The incubator has a cabinet type enclosure that enables the provision of a controlled environment to the contents of the incubator by having at least three ports on one face of the cabinet for the passage of sample containers. Additionally, an image capture module is located immediately adjacent to the incubator. In this regard, using at least three separate access/egress points for the sample containers streamlines operation of the system and enhances preservation of the incubator environment. Furthermore, locating the image capture module directly adjacent to the incubator reduces the amount of time a sample container is exposed to the external environment, thereby reducing the extent to which samples are exposed to potential contaminants and reducing the exchange of the lab and ambient atmospheres.