ES2371983A1 - Device and method for processing biological samples - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises a conveyor (6) for conveying sample containers (14), a unit (8) for opening and closing the containers, and a unit (9) for collecting samples and conveying them to culture dishes (15), the containers (14) are conveyed by the conveyor (6) in two opposite directions, from a container opening and closing position (P1) to a sample collecting position (P2), and back to the container opening and closing position (P1). The method comprises conveying a container (14) to an opening and closing position (P1), opening it, conveying it to a sample collecting position (P2), collecting the sample and depositing it on a culture dish (15) conveying the container (14) back to the container opening and closing position (P1), and closing again the container (14).

Description

Device and procedure for processing biological samples.

The present invention relates to a device for processing biological samples, comprising means of transport of sample containers, a unit of uncovering and capping of containers, and a unit for collection of samples from containers and for transfer to plates of cultivation; and to a procedure to process the samples.

Background of the invention

Different types of machines are known and devices that allow automating sample processing biological, for example the sample collection process biologicals of a series of containers, such as test tubes that contain urine or feces, and the deposit and sowing of these samples on petri dishes containing a culture medium suitable, such as agar. Subsequently a culture process for colony identification and evaluation of bacteria

Some machines work from tubes uncovered machine feeding test, which obviously represents an important limitation; in others the covered containers, and the process performed by the machine includes uncover the containers, insert in them a planting handle suitable to collect a sample and perform with it the sowing of a petri dish, and recap the containers.

There are different prior art solutions to uncover and recap containers: by For example, US6617146 describes a machine in which containers travel on a conveyor belt to a Workstation, where four rollers hold the container on the tape and spin it while a manipulator with a clamp picks up the cap and removes it from the container, up and towards a side.

A drawback of some of the machines known for the processing of biological samples is the use of "pick and place" type manipulators or robots, which although allow to perform any type of movement, and therefore they simplify the design and are very versatile, they are cost effective high.

In a known machine the containers are they introduce one by one on a conveyor belt by individual supports, and the tape moves them from a station entrance to a workstation, and from here to a station exit. At the workstation, a first manipulator uncovers a container and moves away with the cap, so that a second manipulator can advance to the position of the container and insert a handle sowing in it to collect a sample. Once he second manipulator takes the handle to the sowing position on the Petri dish, the first manipulator advances again with the stopper until it reaches the position on the container, and cover it new.

In this machine the containers feed on one by one and require individual supports, which makes it difficult to container feeding operation; also the manipulator that uncovers and recaps the containers is relatively complex, since it must give way to the sowing handle and interference between the two manipulators must be avoided.

Description of the invention

An objective of the present invention is provide a device for processing biological samples to simplify at least some units by reducing electromechanical elements, and thus reduce the cost of the device and of its maintenance, avoiding for example high manipulators cost such as "pick and place" robots, without reducing substantially performance and versatility with respect to Known machines

According to this objective, a device for the processing of biological samples according to one aspect of the present invention comprises means of transporting Sample containers, an uncovering and capping unit containers, and a unit for collecting samples from containers and for transfer to culture plates; and characterized by the fact that the means of transport comprise a linear conveyor adapted to transport the containers successively in two opposite directions, from a position of uncovering and capping the containers to a collection position of samples, and back to the uncapped and capped position.

In this way, the containers are uncovered in one position, move to another position to collect the shows, and they are returned to the uncapped position in order to replace the cap: the capping and uncapping unit can be of very simple movements, since you don't have to give up free for another unit to work with the container in it position, and you don't need to move the plug to another location either on the device For its part, the transporter must only hold the containers and move them successively in both senses, and this is simple if implemented for example as a conveyer belt.

The existence of two different positions, for the uncovering / capping and for sample collection, facilitates also the placement of the different work units in the device.

In short, the device as a whole it can be simple and relatively low cost, both of installation as cleaning, maintenance, etc., without it give up satisfactory benefits.

In particular, the time needed for the moving the container from one position to another does not have what to significantly increase the cycle time of device: in effect, the movement to return a first container from the sample collection position to the position of uncovered / capped, and to uncover a second container and move it to the sample collection position you can perform while the other unit, which has collected a sample of the first container, deposit the sample on a culture plate, optionally, seeded on the plate, and finally change or sterilize a seeding handle before going to pick up the Sample of the second container.

The device may further comprise a container loading unit located along the conveyor, and a container unloading unit located at Conveyor length

Preferably the linear conveyor is a conveyor belt on which the containers

In embodiments of the invention, the device includes support modules for containers during Sample processing on the device. The modules are adapted to support at least two containers, and preferably a plurality of containers aligned in the conveyor feed direction.

The support modules stabilize the containers and simplify loading and unloading operations in the machine and, in general, the transport of containers between different units; In addition, they can simplify the mechanisms related to the identification, uncovering and capping of containers

In embodiments of the invention the modules of container support comprise a body with at least two pieces, mobile relative to each other to define a position of container release, in which the containers are housed with play between the two body parts, and a position clamping them, in which the containers are left imprisoned between the two pieces.

In addition the two parts of the module body they can present a rebate for each container, being faced the recesses of one piece with the recesses of the other piece for define between them some accommodation for the containers, and presenting the module means to keep the two pieces in the container release position, in the absence of forces outside

To accommodate containers more securely, the recesses of the two pieces can be equipped with half-shells of flexible material.

According to advantageous embodiments, the support modules are adapted to be transported by the linear conveyor: In this way the containers can be process while in the modules, from its load to its discharge.

Preferably the device comprises, in correspondence with the uncovering and capping unit, means for act on each container support module and cause the transition from the position of release of the containers to the position container holding; well, the uncovering operations and capping can be carried out safely and stability, without remove the containers from the module and without the need to hold directly the container.

The device comprises, in some embodiments of the invention, loading means of the modules on The linear conveyor. In one embodiment, these charging means they comprise a first storage tray of the modules, in which modules are stored next to each other in a position parallel to the direction of the linear conveyor, and a mechanism of push of the modules from the first tray towards said conveyor.

The device also includes, in some embodiments of the invention, means of downloading the modules of the linear conveyor; in this case the download media can comprise a second storage tray of the modules, in which modules are stored next to each other in a position parallel to the direction of the linear conveyor, and a mechanism of Push the modules from the conveyor to the second tray.

Preferably the uncovering and capping unit It comprises sensor means for placing a specific container of a container support module in the uncapped position and covered.

Also preferably the unit for collection of samples from containers and transfer to plates crop comprises sensing means to place a container determined from a container support module in position Sample collection.

In both units the sensor means comprise advantageously sensors to detect the module position of container support along the trajectory of the modules, which in one embodiment comprise a plurality of sensors, in number equal to the container that can support a module, located along the trajectory of the modules and arranged to detect a label associated with the modules.

In some embodiments, the device of the invention comprises a code reader to detect a code of identification associated with each container, the code reader in correspondence with the uncap position and covered.

In embodiments of the invention, the unit of uncovering and capping of the containers comprises a gripper of the cap of a container, located in the uncapped position and capping of the device, said clip being provided with at least an opening and closing movement to release or hold a stopper, and a vertical movement; the grip clamp of the plug it can be provided in addition to a rotation movement around the vertical axis.

It is expected that in some embodiments of the device the unit for collecting samples from containers and their transfer to culture plates include a manipulator for at least one sowing handle, said endowment being provided media manipulator to move the handle between the position of sample collection, in which a free end of the handle is inserted inside a sample container, and a position of deposit of the sample on a culture plate, in which said free end of the handle comes into contact with the culture plate.

According to one embodiment, the manipulator It is suitable for holding at least a first planting handle and a second planting handle different from the first, and is provided with means for placing a seeding handle in an active or work and any other planting handle in a condition inactive

The fact that the manipulator can work with two different handles and place each one in an active position or an inactive one makes it possible to work with samples of different types in the same batch, simply programming the device so that the manipulator place the appropriate handle in active position, depending of the identification of each individual container.

Preferably the means for placing a handle sowing in an active or working condition and any other handle sowing in an inactive condition comprise a rotating head around a horizontal axis, intended to hold the handles of sowing perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the head.

In embodiments in which handles are used reusable sowing, the manipulator is also equipped with means to move at least one planting handle to a station sterilized.

Advantageously, the handle for the handle of planting is also equipped with means to move the free end of the sowing handle on the culture plate according to at least one sowing movement.

The manipulator is preferably suitable for move the free end of the sowing handle over the plate cultivation according to a plurality of sowing movements.

It may be convenient in some embodiments that the device comprises a platform with rotating means to hold a culture plate in said deposit position of A sample on a plate.

In some embodiments, the device comprises first storage means for storing plates of virgin culture, and feeding media of said plates from the first storage media to the deposit position of A sample on a plate.

Similarly, in some embodiments the device comprises second storage media for storing culture plates on which a sample, and means for removing said plates from the position of deposit of a sample on a plate to the second means of storage.

These storage media for plates virgins and for sample plates advantageously comprise a general cylindrical housing, adapted to rotate around of its axis, and that has defined in its periphery a series of recesses, each suitable to accommodate a plurality of plates of stacked crop.

According to another aspect, this invention relates to a method for processing samples Biological comprising the stages of:

to)

load sample containers onto a conveyor,

b)

transport a container to a uncovering and capping position,

C)

uncover the container that is on the conveyor in the uncapped position and covered,

d)

transport the uncapped container to a sample collection position,

and)

collect a sample from the container uncovered that is on the conveyor in the position of Sample collection and deposit on a plate culture;

F)

transport the container back to the uncovering and capping position,

g)

cover again the container that is on the conveyor in the uncovering and capping position, and

h)

unload the container conveyor.

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In the case of using support modules from the containers, the procedure to process biological samples It comprises the stages of:

i)

load a module onto a conveyor of support with a plurality of sample containers,

j)

transport the module to a position of uncovered and covered,

k)

uncover a container module,

l)

transport the module with the container uncapped to a sample collection position,

m)

collect a sample from the container and deposit it on a culture plate;

n)

transport the module back to the uncovering and capping position,

or)

cover the container again,

p)

repeat steps j) to o) with the other module containers, and

q)

download the conveyor module once all the containers that have been processed supports

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According to one embodiment, at least for stage k) the container support module is passed of a container release position, in which the containers are housed with play in the module, and a position clamping them, in which the containers are left imprisoned in the module.

Brief description of the figures

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which have only the character of non-limiting examples to facilitate the understanding of the present specification. In sayings
drawings:

Figure 1a is a general perspective view. of a device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1b is a plan view of the device of figure 1a;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the linear conveyor and unit load modules containers in the conveyor;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a tray of the container loading unit;

Figures 4 and 5 are enlarged views of a container support module, and one of the parts that they form it, respectively;

Figure 6 is a perspective view to scale expanded unit uncovering and capping of containers;

Figures 7a, 7b are schematics illustrating the operation of the sensor system;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a tool with two different planting handles;

Figure 9a is a perspective view of the handler and sample collection area;

Figure 9b is a plan view of the manipulator;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the inoculation and seeding zone;

Figure 11 is a view of the means of storage of virgin Petri dishes, and

Figure 12 is a view of the means of storage of seeded Petri dishes.

Description of embodiments of the invention

A device according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1a, in this case intended to carry out a sowing in Petri dishes from container tubes with urine and / or urine samples.
stool

Broadly speaking, the process that the device must do in this case includes collecting a sample, dipping in the tube or other container a sowing handle adapted for urine or stool, inoculate a petri dish with this sample, that is, deposit the sample on a Petri dish containing a medium of suitable culture (for example agar), and to realize a seeded to distribute the sample on the plate. The sowing consists of rubbing the sowing handle with the sample on the plate, following a certain pattern; depending on the pattern, sowing is called quadrant, radiant, T-shaped, continuous, etc.

The device must also be transported the containers and carry out other operations, such as the uncovering and subsequent capping of each container, identification of each container by reading its barcode or similar, sterilization or change of the seeding handle between a Sample and the following, the feeding and handling of the plates Petri, the labeling or identification of each Petri dish that is has sown in order to associate it with the container from which it comes the sample, etc.

The device of Figure 1a comprises a bench 1 with a work surface 2, on which it is made collection of samples from container tubes and sowing of the Petri dishes. Below the work surface 2 the housing 1 also forms housings 3 and 4 intended for storage virgin Petri dishes and seeded Petri dishes, respectively.

In bench 1 the fairings are also arranged and adequate dampers to isolate the work area and the accommodation, in order to maintain hygiene conditions necessary and visualize the process.

The device includes a unit of programming and control 5, with the display media and means of entering appropriate data.

Mounted on work surface 2, which It can also be seen on the floor in Figure 1b, there are:

-

a linear conveyor 6 to move the containers along a direction of advance on the work surface 2;

-

a loading unit 7 to feed the containers containing the urine and / or stool samples to the transporter 6;

-

a uncapped and covered area of the containers, to remove the cap of each container and then replace it, with a corresponding uncovering and capping unit 8;

-

a sample collection area with a sample manipulator 9, for collect the samples from the containers and be able to inoculate / sow with them the culture plates;

-

a discharge unit 10 to remove the containers from the conveyor once the samples have been processed;

-

a inoculation and sowing area, where the deposit of the samples on the Petri dishes, and in which there are means of 11 handling of the plates.

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On figure 1b the three have been indicated positions P1, P2 and P3 in which, as will be explained more forward, the uncovering / capping operations of a container, collection of a sample from a container, and deposit of the sample on a Petri dish, respectively.

Each of the elements present on the work surface are described in more detail below.
2.

Figure 2 shows the linear conveyor 6 and the loading unit 7. The conveyor 6 comprises a belt conveyor 61, powered by a reversible motor 62, and features a longitudinal guide 63 to properly drive the containers

The loading unit 7 comprises a tray 71 with the bottom partially open, on which one is arranged next to another, as shown in figure 2, a series of modules 13 each one of which holds a plurality of containers of samples 14, each with its corresponding cap; tray 71 is load manually with the container modules to be processed, and It is then placed in the device, in the position indicated on the figure 2.

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The charging unit 7 has an actuator electric 72 with a pusher 73 intended to push the modules 13 until one of them is arranged on the conveyor belt 61, supported against guide 63. Actuator 72 will normally be installed under work surface 2 (not shown in the Figure 2), which will have a suitable opening for the pusher 73

Thus, once tray 71 is placed in position, the loading unit 7 pushes the first module 13 of the tray 71 on the conveyor 6, which will move the module (initially to the right in the figures) to the uncovering and capping unit 8 to start processing the containers of the first module. A once the containers have been processed and the Conveyor module 6, the loading operation will be repeated with the next module 13 of tray 71.

Tray 71 comprises, as seen in the detail view of figure 3, a bottom 74 with an opening, fixed walls 75 on three sides, a front cover 76 that serves to prevent modules from falling when the tray is handled and transported by an operator, and that can be pivoted so that it is parallel to the base and allow the output of modules 13, and a guide 77 to guide the modules 13 in their displacement.

The structure of modules 13 according to an embodiment of the invention, with reference to figures 4 and 5.

Each module 13 comprises an elongated body formed by two pieces 131a, 131b that have a series of recesses semi-cylindrical 132 (see figure 5), facing those of a piece with those of the other, so that between the two pieces are defined a series of container housings; in recesses 132 half shells 133 of flexible material are arranged.

Therefore the module can hold several containers 14 (seven in the example of the figures), which remain aligned in the longitudinal direction thereof which is, as is you can see in figure 2, the direction of advance of the conveyor 6.

The two pieces 131a, 131b are movable relative to each other, so that they can approach and move slightly away so that the body of the module 13 can successively assume two different positions: a position for releasing the containers, in which the containers 14 are housed with play between the two pieces 131a and 131b of the body, and a holding position of the containers, in which the containers are trapped between the two
pieces.

The module presents the constructive elements necessary for the two pieces 131a and 131b to form a body stable, such as screws 136 only partially threaded, with the head housed in piece 131b and threaded in piece 131a, so that piece 131b can slide along the unthreaded part of screw 136; and also some 137 docks or similar elements to keep them slightly apart from each other, so that with the system at rest, in the absence of external forces, the module 13 is in the container release position, facilitating the insertion and removal of containers from same.

As seen in the figures, pieces 131a, 131b which form the body have a cut 134 at one end, intended to cooperate with guide 77 of tray 71 so that the Modules move correctly during loading.

Figure 6 shows in an overall view the unit 8 uncovering and capping containers. Unit 8 is located along the conveyor 6, in an uncapped zone and covered adjacent to the loading area of the modules at conveyor.

This unit comprises a series of sensors, intended to allow successively placing the various module containers in an uncovered and capped position for process them individually.

First, unit 8 comprises seven inductive sensors 81, located along the trajectory of the modules 13 in this area and intended to detect a small plate of metal 135 (see figure 4) which is associated with modules 13 by way of label, in order to determine the position of the module in the zone and therefore determine which container 14v is located in the uncovering and capping position.

The term "tag" is used herein to indicate any type of element that is arranged to be detected by a sensor, and in other embodiments its specific form will depend on the sensor used. For example, the label could consist of a printed mark to be detected by a sensor
optical.

Figures 7a, 7b show how the inductive sensor system 81 to successively place the Containers of a module in the uncapped and capped position: figures represent schematically, in plan, the layout in unit 8 of the uncovering and capping position P1, the seven inductive sensors 81, numbered as S1, S2, ... S7, and successive positions of a module 13 with seven containers C1, C2, ... C7.

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When a module 13 has been loaded on the conveyor 6 and advances to the uncovering and capping unit, in The sensor system activates the S1 sensor. When the S1 sensor detects the label 135 of module 13, the movement stops (figure 7a); since the active sensor is S1, the system knows that the container present in the uncovering and capping position P1 is the first of the module, container C1.

Once container C1 has been uncovered, the module 13 with the uncapped container C1 moves towards the Sample handler 9 (right in the figure) for the processing of the C1 sample, as will be explained later. After processing, the conveyor 6 moves the module 13 in opposite direction, back to the uncovering and capping unit. Since S1 is the active sensor, module 13 will be placed again in the position of figure 7a, where the cap will be replaced of container C1.

The sensor S1 is then deactivated and the sensor S2 is activated, and conveyor 6 is advanced with the module 13 again to the right, until the S2 sensor detects tag 135: at this time module 13 stops again, and it will be the second container C2 that is in front of the position P1 of uncovered and covered, as shown in Figure 7b.

The cycle is repeated, successively activating the sensors S3, S4, S5, S6 and S7, until they have been uncovered, processed, and recapped, all the containers of a module.

With reference again to figure 6, the unit 8 also comprises a sensor 82, for example a capacitive sensor or an optical sensor, arranged to confirm the presence of a container 14 in the module housing located in the uncovering and capping position. If sensor 82 does not detect the presence of a container, which would indicate that one of the module housings 13 is empty, inductive sensor 81 active at that time the following would be deactivated and activated, in order to advance the module one position.

Moreover, also in correspondence with the uncovering and capping position, a reader of codes 83, for example a barcode reader, to be able to detect the identification code that is associated with each tube or container and that accurately identifies the sample contained in The tube. In the figures the support has been omitted for clarity of reader 83 on the bench.

To remove the caps from the containers, and subsequently replace them, unit 8 presents a manipulator 84 with a clamp 85 for gripping the plug; the clamp 85 can move vertically, can be opened and closed to hold or release the cap, and can rotate around the shaft vertical.

Finally, next to linear conveyor 6, and on the opposite side of the guide 63, an actuator is arranged 86, for example an electric or pneumatic cylinder, suitable for act on module 13 that is in the uncovering and capping zone and make it move from the container release position to the position of holding or blocking them. The subjection of containers will be necessary, for example, at the time of removing the container cap.

Thus, unit 8 is arranged to perform the next sequence of operations when the module advances and a Container stops at the P1 uncovering and capping position:

-

he sensor 82 confirms the presence of a container;

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-

the clamp 85 descends open until it reaches the plug that is on the container, and closes to hold the cap,

-

the clamp 85 rises, dragging the cap and the container associated with the same, until placing the container in front of the code reader 83,

-

the clamp 85 performs a 360º rotation so that the code reader 83 detect the container code,

-

the clamp 85 descends until the container resumes in the module 13,

-

he actuator 86 presses module 13 against guide 63 of the conveyor 6, so that module 13 passes to a position of container lock,

-

the clamp 85 performs a lifting and rotating movement, separates the container cap, and stops,

-

he actuator 86 is removed, releasing the containers in the module.

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Then the conveyor 6 drives the module 13 with the uncapped container towards the manipulator of samples 9, wait for the sample inside the container (as will be explained later), and re-drive the module to unit 8 uncovering and capping. When module 13 goes back and the uncapped container stops again at the position P1, unit 8 performs the following sequence of operations:

-

he actuator 86 presses the module again, which goes into a position container lock,

-

the clamp 85 performs a movement of descent and rotation, returning to place the cap on the container,

-

the clip 85 opens to release the plug, rises and rises stop.

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Next, the manipulator of samples 9, that is the unit to collect the samples of the containers, in a sample collection area, and then transfer them to Petri dishes to inoculate the culture medium and make a sowing, in an area of inoculation and seeding. He manipulator 9 is shown as a whole in figures 9a and 9b

First of all it should be noted that the collection of the sample of a container and inoculation and seeded on a Petri dish is made using a tool called "handle sowing "(figure 8). The sowing handle generally comprises a wire that forms a small ring at its end, which dips into the Sample and collect a small amount of liquid in the ring, by surface tension. Reusable planting handles are sterilize after each use, to avoid contamination between One sample and another.

Therefore, the sample manipulator 9 Its main function is to hold a sowing handle to lead it to the different positions (collection, sowing, sterilization) and perform the necessary movements for the sown.

In the embodiment represented, in the Sample handler 9 two handles are mounted simultaneously sowing, different from each other, for example one suitable for feces and another suitable for urine. For each container of which you have to collect a sample, and depending on the type of sample to collect, the manipulator places a sowing handle in active condition or work, and the other planting handle in an inactive condition.

Figure 8 shows a tool 90 that Includes two sowing handles 91 and 92, the first suitable for urine samples and the second one suitable for stool samples. The enlarged details of the figure allow us to appreciate the difference between both. Handles 91 and 92 protrude in opposite directions of a common base that presents means for its attachment to the manipulator 9.

The manipulator 9 has a head 94, provided of possibility of displacement according to the three axes X, Y, Z, and rotating around a horizontal axis (Y axis). Tool 90 It is fixed to head 94, with sowing handles 91, 92 perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the head.

More specifically, in the concrete realization represented, the manipulator 9 comprises: a first guide 95 horizontal, fixed to the bench, along which you can move (direction X) a carriage 96; a second guide 97, mounted on carriage 96, which is horizontal and perpendicular to the first guide 95, along which you can move (direction Y) another car 98; and a third guide 99, mounted on carriage 98, which is vertical, along which you can move (Z direction) the head 94.

Spindle rotation is indicated by arrow F3 in the enlarged detail visible in figure 10.

Thanks to the three displacements and the turn of the head, manipulator 9 can perform all movements necessary, including a plurality of different movements of planted on the Petri dish, depending on the needs of each case.

In the vicinity of manipulator 9 is located the sterilizer 130 for the sowing handle, which can be for example an incinerator that sterilizes by infrared. He manipulator 9 horizontally activates the sowing handle with which has planted a plate, and introduces its end into the sterilizer 130 for the necessary time.

The sample collection area with the position P2, where the planting handle is inserted into the containers that have been previously uncovered, are located at along the path of the linear conveyor 6, following the uncovering and capping area (to the left in Figures 1a and 1 B).

In this area there are seven inductive sensors 120, analogous to sensors 81 in the uncovering and capping zone and which activate and deactivate in the same way; if it has been uncovered for example the first container C1 of a module 13, the sensors 120 of the zone collection are configured so that the module stops when the container C1 is located in pickup position P2.

When module 13 stops with a container uncovered in the sample collection position P2, the manipulator 9 then perform the following sequence of operations:

-

keeping the handle vertical, the head 94 descends to introduce the free end of the handle into the container, and rises again,

-

with displacements along the axes X, Y, Z, and a rotation of the head 94 to tilt the handle, the manipulator 9 moves the free end of the handle with the sample to an inoculation and seeding position P3, where there is a Petri 15 plate with a culture medium,

-

he manipulator 9 contacts the free end of the handle with the medium of culture that is in the plate, and performs with the free end of the roast a programmed sowing movement,

-

he head 94 raises the handle again, and turns to place it horizontal;

-

he head 94 moves the handle to sterilizer 130 and inserts it into the same the necessary time,

-

he head 94 removes the handle from the sterilizer, and rotates to place a of the handles in active position to pick up the next sample.

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Obviously the device control unit derives information about handle 91 or 92 that should be placed in active position of reading the container code, which performs in the uncapped and covered area, and governs the movements of manipulator 9 accordingly.

Once all the containers of a module 13 have been processed, the conveyor 6 places the module in a suitable position so that the discharge unit 10 (see figures 1a, 1b) removes the module 13 from the transporter.
tador.

The unloading unit comprises a tray 101, same as tray 71 described above, and a actuator 102, such as an electric or pneumatic cylinder, which comes into contact with the side wall of module 13 above the conveyor guide 63. The actuator 102 pushes the module 13 out of conveyor 6 until it is housed in tray 101, pushing at the same time the modules that are already in the tray.

On work surface 2, in the part left in figure 1b, a deposit zone of a shows on a plate, or inoculation and seeded area, that is you can see in figure 10, in which the head 94 of manipulator 9 with planting handles 91 and 92. In this zone defines a deposit position P3 of a sample on a plate, or inoculation and plating of the plate, which is the position where Petri plates 15 are placed successively so that the sowing handle 91 or 92 performs the corresponding operations on the plate 15.

In the vicinity of the P3 position there are some handling means 11 of the plates 15, and two openings 21 and 22 practiced on work surface 2: the first one is for entrance of the 15 virgin Petri plates from the housing 3 located below work surface 2 (see figure 1a), and the second is for the output of the Petri 15 plates already seeded towards the housing 4 also located below the work surface 2.

The handling means 11 of the plates they comprise a clamp 111, which can be opened and closed, rotated around a horizontal axis (see arrow F1) to rise, and rotate around a vertical axis (see arrow F2) to move a plate from one point to another in the inoculation zone.

The 15 virgin Petri dishes are stored in storage media, which will be described later, inside housing 3; from these storage media a plate 15 is ejected upwards through the opening twenty-one; then the clamp 111 closes taking the plate and without rising rotates around the vertical axis (arrow F1), driving the plate to the side by sliding it on the work surface 2, to place it in the P3 position of deposit of a sample, and subsequently rotates around the horizontal axis (arrow F2) to raise plate cover 15 and leave plate open.

In this way, the plate 15 is ready for seeded by the manipulator 9 with the sowing handle 91 or 92.

Once plaque 15 is planted, the clamp descends again to replace the lid, and then push the plate, by a further rotation around the vertical axis, until the outlet opening 22. Corresponding to opening 22 is An exit ramp is planned, which will be described later.

It is also provided that when plate 15 is found in position P3 of sample deposit be printed on it an identification code, or a label with an identification code, to be able to associate the plate with the concrete sample and / or the container from which it comes; alternatively, the plates could have a code printed before if introduced into the device, and the control unit of the device would associate a container with a software corresponding Petri dish.

In order to allow various patterns of planted on the plates 15 in a simple manner, it is also provided that in the sample deposit position P3 there is a platform or swivel stand (not shown) that allows you to print a rotation to plates 15, so that seeding could be done combining a rotation of the plate with movements of the handle of sowing.

The storage means 16, 17 of the Petri dishes in housings 3 and 4 of the device, under the Work surface 2, described below with reference to figures 11 and 12.

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In figure 11 the storage means 16 of the blank plates comprise an input rotor 161 and a plate lift 162. The figure also shows the clamp 111 for the handling of the plates described previously, but the surface has been omitted for clarity working 2 with the opening 21 for the passage of the plates.

As you can see, rotor 161 has a general cylindrical shape, with a series of recesses 163 in its periphery, in which columns of Petri dishes are stored, a over another; in each column there can be for example 18 plates. A motor (not shown) allows rotor 161 to rotate around its vertical axis, to successively place one of the columns below of the opening 22 of the work surface 2.

The base of the rotor recesses 163 is partially open, to give way to a finger 164 associated with the elevator 162, which is responsible for pushing the column of plates 15 up, until the first plate crosses the opening 22 until you reach the height of work surface 2 so that the Clamp 111 place it in the sample container position.

Figure 12, meanwhile, shows the means of storage 17 of the plates already seeded, comprising a output rotor 171, an elevator 172, and a ramp down the 175 plates.

The output rotor 171 is configured as similar to the input rotor 161, with recesses to accommodate plate columns, but in this case the base of the recesses 173 It is fully open, so that the sown Petri dishes can Enter from the bottom. On the wall of the recesses 173 unidirectional retention means are arranged to allow that the plates can be pushed up in the recesses 173 exceeding the means of retention, but instead can not overcome the retention means in the opposite direction, so that they remain retained in the recesses, supported on the retention means. The retention means may consist of examples by pivots 176 perpendicular to the side wall of the recesses, which they can be elastically bent up to let the upward plates.

The exit plate 175 ramp is arranged to collect the plates 15 at the level of the surface of Work 2, through the opening 22, and drive them by gravity to the base of one of the recesses 173 of the rotor 171. The end of ramp 175 (not visible in the figure) has the bottom partially open, so that a finger 174 can pass through it associated with elevator 172, which drives the plates up to the interior of the recess 173, pushing the entire column of plates, until they are housed above the retention means.

Alternatively, the output of the plates is could also perform without ramp 175, with an inverse operation to the one that is done for the entrance: that is, making the finger 174 of elevator 172 kept the entire column of plates from one of the recesses 173 with the top plate just below the work surface, so that the projecting plate is deposited on it, and then descended so that this last plate would remain just below the work surface; in this case the base of recess 173 would not be entirely open, but analogous to that of the recesses of the input rotor, in order to support the plate column once full.

In cases where you want to work for example with lots of containers that include both samples of urine as stool samples, which generally require means of different culture in the Petri dishes, it will be enough to place columns of Petri dishes with a first culture medium in some of the recesses 163 of the input rotor 161, and once planted place them in some of the recesses 173 of the output rotor 171, and place Petri dish columns with a second different culture medium in the others the recesses 163 of the input rotor 161, and once planted place them in the other recesses 173 of the output rotor 171.

When you read the barcode of a determined container of the lot, with a sample to process, the control unit sets the type of sample, triggers the manipulator 9 to place the appropriate sowing handle 91 or 92 in active position, and also drives the rotor rotation motors of input 161 and output rotor 171 to place them with the column of plates appropriate to that sample in correspondence with the elevator 162 and ramp 175, respectively.

The following describes the set of procedure performed by the device.

To prepare the device, an operator fill with urine sample containers and / or stool to be processed a tray 71 of modules 13, puts the tray in position in the load unit 7; place in the appropriate housings 3 and 4 a 161 input rotor with virgin Petri dishes and one output rotor 171 empty; and program the necessary parameters in the unit of programming and control 5.

Next on the device is done basically the following process:

-

the loading unit 7 pushes the first module 13 on the conveyor 6;

-

he conveyor 6 takes module 13 to the uncovering and capping unit 8, where the barcode of the first container is read and uncover the container; Meanwhile, a first one is supplied virgin Petri dish from input rotor 161 to position P3 of inoculation and sowing;

-

he conveyor 6 carries module 13 to the collection unit of sample 9, where head 94 collects the sample from the container uncovered with a sowing handle 91 or 92, and sowing the Petri dish with her;

-

he conveyor 6 brings the module back to the uncovering unit and covered 8, where the first container is covered again and the Conveyor 6 advances to process the next container; Meanwhile, the head 94 carries the sowing handle to the sterilizer 130, and the first seeded Petri dish is removed from the work surface 2 and is stored in the output rotor 171;

-

the same operations are repeated for the other containers that are present in module 13, so that a Petri dish is planted for each container;

-

the discharge unit 10 pushes the conveyor module to a tray 101;

-

the operations are repeated with the next tray module 71.

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At the end of the process, the operator will remove the tray 101 with the containers already processed, and the output rotor with seeded Petri dishes.

In addition to these described stages, obviously the device will perform the rest of the necessary operations such as Properly activate and deactivate sensors 81 and 120, identify seeded Petri dishes, etc.

Although embodiments have been described In particular, the person skilled in the art may modify elements and details of the device according to the needs of each case.

For example, although on the device agree with the described embodiment reusable seeding handles are used which are sterilized between one sample and the next, in other embodiments the device could use type handles disposable, in which case instead of a sterilizer the device present a supplier of new handles and a deposit of handles used, and manipulator 9 would be appropriate for operations corresponding.

Although an embodiment of the invention in which Petri dishes are inoculated and seeded, provided with a culture medium, with urine or stool samples, in order to perform bacterial cultures, a device with essential features of the present invention could also be used for other types of sample processing Biological: for example, it could be used to perform antibiograms, of the type used to determine the sensitivity of a bacterial colony to an antibiotic or group of antibiotics: in this case the sample containers would contain samples of the bacteria to study, and the Petri dishes would include antibiotics, but the process performed by the device Sample processing would be similar.

It should also be noted that some modules for support a plurality of containers, preferably aligned, with the characteristic of having two moving parts that define a release position and a holding position of the containers, and in particular modules with the described configuration, could also be used in other types of processing devices of samples, which have uncovering and capping units of the containers and collection and transfer of samples to plates crop, and any type of conveyor to displace the modules to the work positions that are necessary. This processing device could also use the units of loading and unloading of modules and other machine elements described and claimed herein.

Similarly, in a processing devices of samples provided with an uncovering and capping unit for containers, a unit for collecting and transferring samples to plates of cultivation, and any type of conveyor to displace the containers to the different work positions, you could use a suitable head in the collection and transfer unit for hold at least a first sowing handle and a second handle of planting different from the first, and provide means to place a planting handle in an active or working condition and any another planting handle in an inactive condition. The two handles of planting could be mounted in the manner described in relation to Figure 8

Claims (36)

1. Device for the processing of biological samples, comprising means of transport (6) of sample containers (14), a unit (8) for uncovering and capping the containers, and a unit (9) for collecting samples of the containers (14) and for their transfer to culture plates (15), characterized in that the transport means comprise a linear conveyor (6) adapted to transport the containers (14) successively in two opposite directions, from an uncapping and capping position (P1) of the containers to a sample collection position (P2), and again to the uncapping and capping position (P1). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a container loading unit (7) (14) located along the conveyor (6). Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises a container unloading unit (10) (14) located along the conveyor (6). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linear conveyor (6) is a conveyor belt (61) on which the containers (14) are held. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises support modules (13) of the containers (14) during the processing of the samples in the device. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that each support module (13) is adapted to support at least two containers (14). Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the modules (13) are adapted to support a plurality of containers (14) aligned in the direction of advance of the conveyor. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the container support modules (13) (14) comprise a body with at least two parts (131a, 131b), movable relative to each other to define a position of release of the containers, in which the containers (14) are housed with play between the two pieces (131a, 131b) of the body, and a position for holding them, in which the containers are imprisoned between the two pieces (131a, 131b). Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the two pieces (131a, 131b) of the module body have a recess (132) for each container (14), the recesses (132) of one piece being faced ( 131a) with the recesses (132) of the other piece (131b) to define between them some housings for the containers (14), and the module (13) presenting means for keeping the two pieces in the position of release of the containers ( 14), in the absence of external forces. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the recesses (132) of the two pieces (131a, 131b) are provided with half-shells (133) of flexible material. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the support modules (13) are adapted to be transported by the linear conveyor (6). 12. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that it comprises, in correspondence with the uncovering and capping unit (8), means (86) for acting on each container support module (13) of containers and cause the passage of the container release position to the container holding position. 13. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 12, characterized in that it comprises loading means (7) of the modules (13) on the linear conveyor (6). 14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the loading means (7) of the modules comprise a first storage tray (71) of the modules (13), in which the modules are stored next to each other. another in a position parallel to the direction of the linear conveyor (6), and a pushing mechanism (72, 73) of the modules (13) from the first tray (71) towards said conveyor (6). 15. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 14, characterized in that it comprises discharge means (10) of the modules (13) of the linear conveyor (6). 16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the discharge means (10) of the modules (13) comprise a second storage tray (101) of the modules (13), in which the modules are stored next to each other in a position parallel to the direction of the linear conveyor (6), and a pushing mechanism (102) of the modules from the conveyor (6) to the second tray (6).

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17. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 16, characterized in that the uncovering and capping unit (8) comprises sensing means (81) for positioning a particular container (14) of a support module (13) of containers in the uncovering and capping position (P1). 18. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 17, characterized in that the unit (9) for collecting samples from the containers (14) and transferring them to culture plates (15) comprises sensing means (120 ) to place a specific container (14) of a container support module (13) in the sample collection position (P2). 19. Device according to any one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that said sensor means (120) comprise sensors for detecting the position of the support module (13) of the containers (14) along the path of the modules (13). 20. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that the sensors for detecting the position of the module comprise a plurality of sensors (120), in number equal to that of the containers (14) that a module (13) can support, located along the path of the modules (13) and arranged to detect a label (135) associated with the modules (13). 21. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a code reader (82) for detecting an identification code associated with each container (14), the code reader (82) being arranged in correspondence with the uncapped and capped position (P1). 22. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the uncovering and capping unit (8) of the containers (14) comprises an gripper (85) of the cap of a container (14), located in the uncovering and capping position (P1) of the device, said clip (85) being provided with at least one opening and closing movement in order to release or hold a plug, and a vertical movement. 23. Device according to claim 22, characterized in that the gripper (85) of the plug is also provided with a rotational movement about the vertical axis. 24. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the unit (9) for collecting samples from the containers (14) and their transfer to culture plates (15) comprises a manipulator (9) for at least one sowing handle (91, 92), said manipulator (9) being provided with means to move the handle between the sample collection position (P2), in which a free end of the handle (91, 92) is introduced inside a sample container (14), and a position (P3) for depositing the sample on a culture plate (15), in which said free end of the handle (91, 92) comes into contact with the plate of cultivation (15). 25. Device according to claim 24, characterized in that the manipulator (9) is suitable for holding at least a first sowing handle (91) and a second sowing handle 92) different from the first, and is provided with means for placing a planting handle in an active or working condition and any other planting handle in an inactive condition. 26. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the means for placing a sowing handle in an active or working condition and any other sowing handle in an inactive condition comprise a rotating head (94) about an axis horizontal, intended to hold the sowing handles (91, 92) perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the head (94). 27. Device according to any one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that the manipulator (9) is also provided with means for moving at least one seeding handle (91, 92) to a sterilizing station (130) . 28. Device according to any one of claims 24 to 27, characterized in that the manipulator (9) for the sowing handle (91, 92) is also provided with means for displacing the free end of the sowing handle (91 , 92) on the culture plate (15) according to at least one sowing movement. 29. Device according to claim 28, characterized in that the manipulator (9) is suitable for moving the free end of the sowing handle (91, 92) over the cultivation plate (15) according to a plurality of sowing movements . 30. Device according to any one of claims 24 to 29, characterized in that it comprises a platform with rotating means for holding a culture plate (15) in said position (P3) for depositing a sample on a plate. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises first storage means (16) for storing virgin culture plates (15), and feeding means (162, 164) of said plates from the first storage means (16) to the position (P3) of depositing a sample on a plate. 32. Device according to claim 31, characterized in that it comprises second storage means (17) for storing culture plates (15) on which a sample has been deposited, and withdrawal means (175, 172, 174) of said plates from the position (P3) of depositing a sample on a plate to the second storage means (17). 33. Device according to any one of claims 31 or 32, characterized in that the storage means (16, 17) comprise a housing (161, 171) of a generally cylindrical shape, adapted to rotate about its axis, and which has defined in its periphery a series of recesses (163, 173), each suitable to accommodate a plurality of stacked culture plates. 34. Procedure for processing biological samples, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

to)

load sample containers (14) on a conveyor (6),

b)

transport a container (14) to a uncovering and capping position (P1),

C)

uncover the container (14) that is located on the conveyor (6) in the uncapped position and covered (P1),

d)

transport the container (14) uncapped to a sample collection position (P2),

and)

collect a sample from the container (14) uncovered that is on the conveyor in the position of sample collection (P2), and deposit it on a culture plate (fifteen);

F)

transport the container (14) again to the uncovering and capping position (P1),

g)

cover again the container (14) that is on the conveyor in the uncovering and capping position (P1), and

h)

unload the container (14) from conveyor (6).

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35. Procedure for processing biological samples, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

i)

load on a conveyor (6) a support module (13) with a plurality of sample containers (14),

j)

transport the module (13) to a uncovering and capping position (P1),

k)

uncover a container (14) of the module (13),

l)

transport the module (13) with the container (14) uncapped to a sample collection position (P2),

m)

collect a sample from the container (14) and deposit it on a culture plate (15);

n)

transport the module (13) back to the uncovering and capping position (P1),

or)

cover the container (14) again,

p)

repeat steps j) to o) with the other containers (14) of the module (13), and

q)

download module (13) from conveyor (6) once all the processes have been processed containers (14) that it supports.

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36. Method according to claim 35, characterized in that at least for stage k) the container support module (13) is passed (14) from a container release position, in which the containers (14) are housed with play in the module (13), and a holding position thereof, in which the containers (14) are trapped in the module (13).