JP3575664B2 - Apparatus and method for dispensing culture medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for dispensing a medium such as an agar medium used for various microbial tests or the like into a petri dish or mixing with a sample.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, microbial tests related to GMP validation, such as sterility test in the pharmaceutical industry, bacterial count limit test, environmental drop test, antibiotic potency (efficacy) measurement, body fluid concentration measurement, preservation efficacy test, etc. Mediums such as agar medium are widely used for microbial tests related to the prevention of harmful bacteria based on HACCP, such as viable cell count tests and fungal count tests in the food industry.
[0003]
That is, for example, when measuring the body fluid concentration of an antibiotic in the pharmaceutical industry, 5 to 10 cc of a solid medium mixed with bacteria is dispensed into a petri dish, and a disc or cup is placed on the dispensing surface. Next, the disc or cup is impregnated or dispensed with the specimen, and cultured. Thereafter, the body fluid concentration is measured based on the size of the area where the bacteria grow.
For example, in the case of measuring the titer of an antibiotic, after dispensing and solidifying 20 cc of a base medium (a medium containing nutrients which the bacteria prefer to eat and eat) in a petri dish, a seed layer medium (fungi of the fungus) is placed thereon. 4 cc). Next, a disk or cup is placed on the surface of the seed layer medium, and antibiotics of different concentrations and known or unknown antibiotics are dispensed into the disk or cup and cultured. Thereafter, the area in which the bacteria grow is measured, and the titer of the antibiotic whose titer is unknown is calculated.
The various types of microbial tests described above are roughly classified into a qualitative test and a quantitative test, but the quantitative test always uses an agar medium.
[0004]
By the way, in such various tests, when the number of samples of a sample is large and there are a plurality of types of media, it takes a long time to sample the sample and dispense the medium. In addition, the dispensing operation of the culture medium needs to be performed in a sterile room or the like in order to increase the test accuracy.
Therefore, apparatuses for automatically performing sample sampling and medium dispensing operations are disclosed in, for example, JP-A-5-153961, JP-A-4-248980, and JP-A-3-49676.
[0005]
FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of the medium dispensing / pouring device 100. The dispensing / pouring device 100 is provided with a medium dispensing device 101 for dispensing a medium material and a mixing / stirring device 102 for diluting the medium material. Prepare plates automatically.
[0006]
In the dispensing / pouring device 100, first, empty petri dishes 106 stored in a vertically stacked state are taken out one by one from a rack 112, and are carried out and conveyed onto a conveyor (not shown). After the lid of the petri dish 106 conveyed by the conveyor is opened, the sample diluent 103 is dispensed by the diluted sample liquid dispenser 109. The diluted sample liquid dispensing device 109 sequentially dilutes the sample in the test tube at a plurality of dilution ratios with a diluting liquid, and dispenses the sample diluent 103 to a petri dish 106 by a micro pipette 110.
[0007]
Next, the medium dispensing apparatus 101 transfers the molten agar medium 104 from the medium dispensing nozzle 105 to the inside of the petri dish 106 via a circulation pipe (not shown) and a branch pipe (not shown) from a medium storage tank (not shown). To the set amount.
The mixing / stirring device 102 rotates the stirring plate 107 by the rotation drive mechanism 108, and thereby the sample diluent 103 dispensed into the petri dish 106 by the diluting sample liquid dispensing device 109 and the petri dish 106 by the medium dispensing device 101. The molten agar medium 104 dispensed therein is mixed and stirred.
The mixed sample diluent 103 and agar medium 104 are solidified by the cooling device 111 to produce a pour plate. Thereafter, the petri dish 106 with the lid attached is stored in a rack 113 in a vertically stacked state.
[0008]
Therefore, according to the medium dispensing / pouring device 100 as described above, a predetermined amount of the sample diluent 103 and the agar medium 104 can be mixed to automatically prepare a pour plate. Of course, if the step of dispensing the specimen diluent 103 is omitted and only the agar medium 104 is dispensed, a plate medium can be prepared.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the dispensing / pouring of the medium differs depending on the type of the test in which the medium is used, and is roughly divided into four types of medium: a plate medium, a pour plate, a layered medium and a thin layer medium. Here, the pour step of mixing and agitating the diluted sample solution and the agar medium is performed only when preparing a pour plate.
[0010]
Among these, the dispensing / pouring device 100 as described above can be used for dispensing / pouring the plate medium and the pour plate. However, regarding the dispensing of the superimposed medium and the thin layer medium, the dispensed amount of the medium is small, and the dispensed medium may not be easily extended. I couldn't.
[0011]
That is, in the above-mentioned multi-layer dispensing, the dispensing amount of the medium of the seed layer to be layered is small (for example, about 4 cc), the medium is difficult to uniformly spread at the time of dispensing, and the temperature of the previously solidified base layer is room temperature. It has dropped to near (usually 20 to 24 ° C). For this reason, it must be quickly and evenly spread after dispensing.
In addition, regarding the thin layer dispensing, the dispensing amount of the medium is small (for example, about 5 cc), and the surface of the petri dish has water repellency due to the influence of a silicone-based release agent used for cutting a plastic petri dish. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult for the medium to uniformly spread during dispensing.
[0012]
Furthermore, also regarding the dispensing / pouring of the plate medium and the pour plate, the dispensing / pouring device 100 described above has insufficient fluidity depending on the concentration of the medium on the petri dish, and the smoothness of the medium is reduced. There was a problem. If the temperature of the medium is maintained at a high temperature, the fluidity of the medium can be maintained and a small amount can be dispensed. However, if the medium is heated to 50 ° C. or more, the bacteria of the specimen will be killed. For this reason, at the time of dispensing / pouring the pour plate, the overlay medium and the thin layer medium, it is not possible to maintain the temperature of the medium at a high temperature and maintain the fluidity of the medium.
[0013]
Therefore, the conventional dispensing / pouring apparatus 100 automates the dispensing / pouring of the plate medium and the pour plate, and the dispensing of the layered medium and the thin layer medium with a small amount (for example, less than 7 cc) of the medium. I can't. Therefore, there has been a problem that the dispensing operation has to rely on manual labor and requires a great deal of labor and time.
[0014]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, and even when the dispensed amount of the medium is small, the medium can be dispensed satisfactorily and the thickness unevenness of the medium can be reliably prevented. It is an object of the present invention to provide a medium dispensing apparatus and method suitable for dispensing any of a plate medium, a pour plate, a layered medium and a thin layer medium.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above object of the present invention is a conveying means for conveying a petri dish along a predetermined route,
Provided in the transport path of the petri dish by the transport means, in a state inclined at a predetermined angle from a horizontal plane, while making a circular motion along a predetermined forward and reverse directions in the horizontal plane, along the circumferential direction of the circular motion A movable table that changes the tilt direction in a predetermined forward direction and a reverse direction in a horizontal plane, and performs a combined rocking motion of the circular motion and the change in the tilt direction on the mounted petri dish,
This is achieved by a medium dispensing device including a medium dispensing means for dispensing a predetermined amount of medium into a petri dish placed on the movable table.
[0016]
Further, an object of the present invention is to transport the petri dish along a predetermined path by a transport means, and place the petri dish on a movable table provided in a transport path of the petri dish by the transport means,
In this state, a predetermined amount of medium is dispensed by a medium dispensing means into a petri dish placed on a movable table,
Further, while the movable table is tilted at a predetermined angle from the horizontal plane, circular motion along predetermined forward and reverse directions is performed in the horizontal plane, and the tilt direction is predetermined along the circumferential direction of the circular motion in the horizontal plane. By changing in the forward and reverse directions of
The method is achieved by a method of dispensing a culture medium, wherein a petri dish mounted on the movable table is caused to perform a rocking movement in which the circular movement and the change in the tilt direction are combined.
[0017]
Preferably, the dispensing means dispenses a predetermined amount of the culture medium at a position higher than the center in the petri dish placed on the movable table so that at least a part thereof contacts the inner surface of the side wall of the petri dish.
Preferably, the dispensing means dispenses a predetermined amount of culture medium at a reference position into a petri dish placed on the movable table. Here, the “reference position” in the present invention is a predetermined circumferential stop position with respect to the movable table that circularly moves in a horizontal plane.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a movable table of a culture medium dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a state where the tilt direction of the movable table shown in FIG. 1 changes by 180 degrees in a horizontal plane. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view taken along arrow B of the movable table shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a view shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a connecting portion between a shaft of a base plate and a boss portion of an eccentric rotary crank, and FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an abutting portion between a base plate shown in FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a medium dispensing means and a lid holding mechanism of the medium dispensing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 shows a tip shape of a medium dispensing nozzle of the medium dispensing means shown in FIG. FIG. 9 shows a side view and a bottom view, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a petri dish in which the medium is dispensed by the step and a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state change of the medium dispensed in the petri dish shown in FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a petri dish in which a medium is dispensed by a medium dispensing means at the time of producing a multilayer plate, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the culture medium dispensing apparatus 10 according to the present invention includes a medium dispenser 10 in a petri dish 11 having a diameter of about 10 cm which is conveyed to a movable table 30 by a petri dish conveying mechanism 20 which is a conveying means. A medium such as an agar medium is dispensed by the injection means 50. Then, the culture medium in the Petri dish 11 is uniformly extended by the combined swing motion of the predetermined circular motion of the movable table 30 and the change of the tilt direction.
[0020]
The petri dish transport mechanism 20 transports the petri dish 11 placed on the transport path 21 in a predetermined direction (transport direction A) by pressing the petri dish 11 with the transport bar member 22. The transport bar member 22 is fixed at predetermined intervals to an endless chain 23 wound around a sprocket (not shown), and the movement of the endless chain 23 accompanying rotation of the sprocket driven by driving means (not shown). Moves along a predetermined route.
[0021]
The movable table 30 is inclined at a predetermined angle θ (for example, θ = 4 °) from a horizontal plane obliquely upward toward the downstream side in the transport direction A of the petri dish 11 in the transport path of the petri dish 11 by the petri dish transport mechanism 20. In the state shown in FIG. 2 (hereinafter, referred to as a reference position), a part of the transport path 21 is configured.
Further, the movable table 30 makes a circular motion along predetermined forward and reverse directions in a horizontal plane, and, while maintaining the tilt angle θ, changes the tilt direction along the circumferential direction of the circular motion in the horizontal plane. It is changed from the reference position in the predetermined forward and reverse directions. Accordingly, the movable table 30 causes the mounted petri dish 11 to move the combined rocking motion of the circular motion and the change in the tilt direction in the forward direction and the reverse direction for a predetermined time (for example, 2.5 times in the forward direction). Second, 0.5 second stop, 2.5 seconds in the reverse direction). The stop position of the movable table 30 is always a reference position by controlling a motor described later based on a signal from the fixed position detection sensor 31 (FIG. 3).
[0022]
That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the movable table 30 is fixed in a state substantially parallel to the base plate 33 via the columns 32. The movable table 30 causes the circular motion and the tilting direction of the mounted petri dish 11 to change due to the change of the circular motion and the tilting direction of the base plate 33 along the forward and reverse directions with the rotation of the eccentric rotary crank 34 and the support rod 35. The change of the combined rocking movement.
[0023]
The eccentric rotary crank 34 includes a shaft 36 connected to a rotary shaft 40 of a motor 39, an eccentric rotary plate 38 eccentrically fixed to the shaft 36 by a predetermined amount, and a protruding portion substantially at the center of the upper surface of the eccentric rotary plate 38. And a boss 37 provided. The eccentric rotary plate 38 and the boss 37 rotate eccentrically by the rotation of the shaft 36 accompanying the rotation of the rotation shaft 40 of the motor 39.
[0024]
The plurality of support rods 35 (three at the positions corresponding to the vertices of the virtual triangle in FIG. 4 in this embodiment) are provided upright at predetermined intervals from the rotation center on the upper surface of the eccentric rotary plate. The length to the tip of each support rod 35 is adjustable manually or the like. In the present embodiment, one of the support rods 35 at the lower side in FIG. It is set so that the quantitative length becomes longer. Note that one may be set to be shorter than the other two by a predetermined amount.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 6, a cap 41 made of an abrasion-resistant resin such as MC nylon is screwed to the tip of each support rod 35 in a replaceable manner. Instead of the cap 41, a roller made of a wear-resistant resin or the like may be rotatably supported at the tip of each support rod 35.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6, the base plate 33 is supported by respective support rods 35 abutting on a bottom surface via a cap 41. Further, the base plate 33 is connected to a boss 37 of the eccentric rotary crank 34 via a shaft 42 fixedly penetrating substantially at the center so as to be relatively rotatable and tiltable within a predetermined angle range.
[0027]
That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the shaft 42 of the base plate 33 has a self-aligning ball bearing 49 having a lower end fixed to an opening edge 43a of a concave portion 43 formed in a boss 37 of the eccentric rotary crank 34. Supported by The lower end of the shaft 42 is positioned with respect to the inner ring of the self-aligning ball bearing 49 by a retaining ring 44 and a flange 45, and the outer ring of the self-aligning ball bearing 49 is positioned at the opening edge 43a. In the fitted state, it is fixed by a stop screw 49a. Therefore, the shaft 42 is rotatable relative to the boss 37 and can be tilted within a predetermined angle range.
[0028]
The tilt angle θ of the movable table 30 is determined by the difference in the length of each support rod 35, and can be appropriately changed by adjusting the length of each support rod 35.
One end of each of a plurality of (four in this embodiment) spring members 46 is connected to the bottom surface of the base plate 33 further radially outward than the contact position of each support rod 35. The other end of each spring member 46 is connected to the upper end of the fixed column 12, and elastically restricts the horizontal movement of the base plate 33 within a predetermined range.
[0029]
When the eccentric rotary crank rotates eccentrically with the rotation of the motor 39, the eccentric rotary plate 38 makes a circular motion along predetermined forward and reverse directions in a horizontal plane. At the same time, the respective support rods 35 and the boss portions 37 on the eccentric rotary plate 38 together with the eccentric rotary plate 38 make circular motions along predetermined forward and reverse directions in a horizontal plane.
Therefore, the base plate 33 is inclined by a predetermined angle θ from a horizontal plane in a predetermined direction by a difference in length of each support rod 35 by a circular motion of the eccentric rotary plate 38, and in a predetermined normal direction and a predetermined reverse direction. A circular motion along the horizontal plane is caused in the horizontal plane, and the inclination direction is changed along the circumferential direction of the circular motion in a predetermined forward direction and a reverse direction in the horizontal plane. Therefore, the movable table 30 fixed to the base plate 33 via the support post 32 is subjected to a combined swing motion of the circular motion and the change of the tilt direction.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 3, the fixed position detection sensor 31 detects the reference position of the movable table 30 by detecting the rotational direction position of the fixed position detection disk 47 by the sensor body 48.
The fixed position detecting disk 47 is fixed to the base end of the shaft 36 of the eccentric rotary crank 34 in a substantially horizontal state. Therefore, the fixed position detection disk 47 rotates with the rotation of the rotating shaft 40 of the motor 39 and rotates in synchronization with the movable table 30. The rotational position of the fixed position detecting disk 47 is detected by detecting a notch (not shown) formed at a predetermined position on the outer edge by, for example, an optical sensor main body 48.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 7, the medium dispensing means 50 causes a predetermined amount of medium to be discharged from the medium dispensing nozzle 51 in a predetermined direction at a predetermined pressure. That is, the culture medium dispensing nozzle 51 is attached to the tip of the cylinder rod 53 of the air cylinder 52. When dispensing the culture medium, the culture medium dispensing nozzle 51 is protruded in a predetermined direction toward the petri dish 11 with the operation of the air cylinder 52. Alternatively, a predetermined amount of culture medium is discharged at a predetermined discharge pressure by a syringe type medium dispensing pump (not shown).
[0032]
Then, the medium dispensing means 50 moves the medium toward a dispensing position G (see FIGS. 9A and 11A) higher than the center in the Petri dish 11 on the movable table 30. The culture medium is dispensed into the petri dish 11 so that at least a part of the pool contacts the inner surface of the side wall of the petri dish 11.
As shown in FIG. 8A, the tip of the culture medium dispensing nozzle 51 has a shape that diverges downward in a side view. As shown in FIG. 8B, the flow path opening 54 of the culture medium dispensing nozzle 51 is formed in an oval shape with its longitudinal direction along the flow direction of the culture medium, for example, dimension E = 2 mm, dimension F = 2.5 mm.
[0033]
A lid holding mechanism 60 is provided above the movable table 30, as shown in FIG. The lid holding mechanism 60 suctions the lid 13 of the petri dish 11 on the movable table 30 by the suction disk 62 provided at the tip of the holding arm 61 before the medium is dispensed into the petri dish 11 by the medium dispensing means 50. The lid 13 is lifted as the holding arm 61 is raised, and the lid 13 is opened. Further, the lid holding mechanism 60 lowers the holding arm 61 after the medium is dispensed into the petri dish 11 and before the rocking movement by the movable table 30, and releases the suction of the lid 13 by the suction disk 62. Then, cover 13 is placed on petri dish 11.
[0034]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
For example, when the thin plate is dispensed by the dispensing apparatus 10, the petri dish 11 supplied from the petri dish supply unit (not shown) is transported to the movable table 30 by the petri dish transport mechanism 20, and is moved to the reference position. It is placed on a certain movable table 30 (the state shown in FIG. 2).
[0035]
After the lid 13 is removed by the lid holding mechanism 60, the petri dish 11 on the movable table 30 is supplied with a predetermined amount (about 5 cc) of the culture medium containing viable bacteria in advance. Dispensed from. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 10A, the medium dispensing means 50 moves at least one of the medium pools toward a dispensing position G higher than the center in the petri dish 11. The culture medium is dispensed into the petri dish 11 such that the portion contacts the inner surface of the side wall of the petri dish 11.
The dispensed culture medium is tilted obliquely upward at a predetermined angle θ toward the downstream side in the transport direction A, as shown in FIG. Flows.
[0036]
Further, the petri dish 11 into which the medium has been dispensed is again covered with the lid 13 by the lid holding mechanism 60. In this state, the movable table 30 is rotated forward for a predetermined time (for example, 2.5 seconds), and the placed petri dish 11 is circularly moved in the forward direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 10) along the horizontal direction. While maintaining the inclination angle θ, the inclination direction is changed in the forward direction along the circumferential direction of the circular motion in the horizontal plane, and the rocking motion is performed. As a result, the culture medium flows counterclockwise along the inner surface of the side wall of the petri dish 11 as shown in FIG. 10B, and flows so as to cover the downstream side in the transport direction A from the center of the petri dish 11. As shown in FIG. 10A, the movable table 30 rotates forward in the flow direction when the culture medium pool flows along the inner surface of the side wall of the petri dish 11 due to the inclination.
[0037]
Next, after the movable table 30 is stopped for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds), it is reversed for a predetermined time (for example, 2.5 seconds), and the petri dish 11 is moved in the reverse direction along the horizontal direction (clockwise in FIG. 10). Direction), the tilt direction is changed in the reverse direction in the horizontal plane along the circumferential direction of the circular motion while maintaining the tilt angle θ, and the rocking motion is performed. As a result, the culture medium flows so as to cover the central portion in the petri dish 11 as shown in FIGS. 10 (c) and 10 (d), and is uniformly spread.
[0038]
Then, after the medium in the petri dish 11 is uniformly extended by the combined swinging motion of the circular motion and the change in the tilt direction of the movable table 30, the petri dish 11 is immediately maintained in a horizontal state. It is conveyed to a horizontal stage, and is left still for a predetermined time (for example, 8 seconds) in a horizontal state. Thereby, the culture medium in the Petri dish 11 is solidified uniformly without causing thickness unevenness or the like.
[0039]
Thereafter, the petri dish 11 is conveyed to a label sticking section (not shown), and a label (not shown) in which necessary information such as a type of bacteria, a sample number, and a dispensing date is bar-coded and displayed in the label sticking section. Affixed. The petri dish 11 to which the label has been attached is conveyed to and stored in a petri dish stacking storage unit (not shown).
[0040]
That is, according to the above-described embodiment, the movable table 30 that maintains the inclination angle θ with respect to the petri dish 11 on the movable table 30 to which a predetermined amount of the culture medium has been dispensed by the culture medium dispensing means 50, has a positive direction along the horizontal direction. The swing motion is a combined swing motion of a circular motion in the direction and the reverse direction, and an operation of changing the inclination direction in a predetermined forward direction and a reverse direction in a horizontal plane along the circumferential direction of the circular motion. As a result, flows in different directions are generated in the culture medium, and the flow in one direction collides with the flow in the other direction, and the medium is dispensed uniformly.
Therefore, since the amount of the medium to be dispensed is small (for example, 5 cc) and the surface of the Petri dish 11 has water repellency due to the effect of the release agent used to remove the Petri dish 11, the medium can be uniformly distributed at the time of dispensing. It is possible to satisfactorily dispense the thin-layer medium that is difficult to extend.
[0041]
In the above embodiment, the case of dispensing a thin plate is described. However, it is needless to say that the method can be suitably used for dispensing a plate medium, a pour plate, an overlay medium, or a thin layer medium. .
For example, in the case of a multilayer medium, as shown in FIG. 11A, the medium dispensing means 50 moves at least a part of the medium pool toward a dispensing position G higher than the center in the petri dish 11. The medium is dispensed into the petri dish 11 so as to contact the inner surface of the side wall of the petri dish 11.
As shown in FIG. 11B, the dispensed culture medium is transported in the Petri dish 11 in the transport direction A by the movable table 30 being inclined obliquely upward at a predetermined angle θ toward the downstream side in the transport direction A. It flows upstream.
[0042]
Thereafter, similarly to the case of the thin-layer medium described above, the petri dish 11 into which the medium has been dispensed is circularly moved in the forward and reverse directions along the horizontal direction by the movable table 30, and the inclination angle θ is maintained. The tilting direction is changed in the forward direction and the reverse direction in the horizontal plane along the circumferential direction of the circular motion, and the rocking motion is performed. Thereby, the culture medium flows so as to cover the entire inside of the Petri dish 11 and is uniformly spread.
Therefore, the amount of the medium to be dispensed in the seed layer is small (for example, 4 cc), the medium is difficult to uniformly spread at the time of dispensing, and the temperature of the previously solidified base layer is close to room temperature (normally 20 to 24 ° C.) Because of the lowering, the dispensing of the overlay medium, which requires an effective treatment in a short time, can be performed well.
[0043]
As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the movable table 30 is placed by the circular motion along the forward and reverse directions and the change in the tilt direction of the base plate 33 due to the rotation of the eccentric rotary crank 34 and the support rod 35. The petri dish 11 is caused to perform a swing motion in which the circular motion and the change in the tilt direction are combined.
Therefore, even if the dispensed amount of the medium is a small amount, it is possible to reliably prevent unevenness in the thickness of the medium and the like, and to dispense any of the plate medium, the pour plate, the overlay medium or the thin layer medium. It can be suitably used. This makes it possible to automate the dispensing operation of any of the plate medium, the pour plate, the overlay medium, and the thin layer medium, and to improve the workability of these dispensing operations and the inspection accuracy and reliability. be able to.
[0044]
Further, the movable table 30 is controlled based on the position detection signal from the fixed position detection sensor 31 so as to always stop at the reference position. 11 can be kept constant. Thereby, the shape of the culture medium immediately after dispensing into the petri dish 11 can be given a certain reproducibility, and the culture medium can be spread more uniformly.
[0045]
In the above-described embodiment, the movable table 30 is inclined 4 degrees obliquely upward toward the downstream side in the transport direction A. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the inclination angle is the same as that of the agar medium. It is appropriately selected according to the type, the dispensed amount, and the like. Further, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the petri dish transport mechanism 20, the movable table 30, and the medium dispensing means 50 in the above-described embodiment, but may adopt various configurations.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the medium dispensing apparatus and method of the present invention, even if the amount of the medium is small, the medium can be uniformly dispensed or mixed with the sample, and the medium can be dispensed. Can be reliably prevented.
Therefore, it is possible to automate the dispensing operation of any of the plate medium, the pour plate, the layered medium and the thin layer medium, and to improve the workability of such dispensing work and the inspection accuracy and reliability. Can be.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a movable table of a medium dispensing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the tilt direction of the movable table shown in FIG. 1 changes by 180 degrees in a horizontal plane.
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the movable table shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing a connection portion between a shaft of a base plate and a boss of an eccentric rotary crank shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a contact portion between a base plate shown in FIG. 1 and a tip of a support rod.
FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a medium dispensing means and a lid holding mechanism of the medium dispensing apparatus shown in FIG.
8 is a side view and a bottom view showing a tip shape of a medium dispensing nozzle of the medium dispensing means shown in FIG.
9A and 9B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view taken along a line CC, respectively, showing a petri dish in which a culture medium is dispensed by a culture medium dispensing unit in manufacturing a thin plate.
FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state change of a medium dispensed into the petri dish shown in FIG.
11A and 11B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD, respectively, showing a petri dish in which a culture medium has been dispensed by the culture medium dispensing means in producing a multilayer plate.
FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional medium dispensing apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Medium dispensing device
11 Petri dish
20 Petri dish transport mechanism (transport means)
21 Transport path
22 Transfer bar member
30 movable table
31 Fixed position detection sensor
32 pillars
33 Base plate
34 Eccentric rotating crank
35 Support rod
37 Boss
38 Eccentric rotating plate
39 motor
50 Medium dispensing means
51 Medium dispensing nozzle

Claims (6)

Conveying means for conveying the petri dish along a predetermined route;
Provided in the transport path of the petri dish by the transport means, in a state inclined at a predetermined angle from a horizontal plane, while making a circular motion along a predetermined forward and reverse directions in the horizontal plane, along the circumferential direction of the circular motion A movable table that changes the tilt direction in a predetermined forward direction and a reverse direction in a horizontal plane, and performs a combined rocking motion of the circular motion and the change in the tilt direction on the mounted petri dish,
A medium dispensing device, comprising: a medium dispensing means for dispensing a predetermined amount of medium into a petri dish placed on the movable table. The dispensing means dispenses a predetermined amount of medium so that at least a portion thereof comes into contact with the inner surface of the side wall of the petri dish at a position higher than the center in the petri dish placed on the movable table. The medium dispensing device according to claim 1. 3. The medium dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing unit dispenses a predetermined amount of the culture medium at a reference position into a petri dish placed on the movable table. 4. While transporting the Petri dish along a predetermined path by the transport means, placing the Petri dish on a movable table provided in the transport path of the Petri dish by the transport means,
In this state, a predetermined amount of medium is dispensed by a medium dispensing means into a petri dish placed on a movable table,
Further, while the movable table is tilted at a predetermined angle from the horizontal plane, circular motion along predetermined forward and reverse directions is performed in the horizontal plane, and the tilt direction is predetermined along the circumferential direction of the circular motion in the horizontal plane. By changing in the forward and reverse directions of
A method for dispensing a culture medium, comprising: causing a petri dish placed on the movable table to perform a rocking movement in which the circular movement and the change in the tilt direction are combined. The dispensing means dispenses a predetermined amount of medium so that at least a portion thereof comes into contact with the inner surface of the side wall of the petri dish at a position higher than the center in the petri dish placed on the movable table. The method for dispensing a medium according to claim 4. The method for dispensing a culture medium according to claim 4, wherein the dispensing means dispenses a predetermined amount of culture medium at a reference position in a petri dish placed on the movable table.

Images