Multi-rotating drum-based dispensing system and method

Abstract

A system and method for selecting reagents and distributing reagents to a target test matrix in an automated laboratory environment. The system adopts a plurality of turntables rotatably mounted on a central turntable. The position of the central turntable and the rotation of each turntable are controlled by a microprocessor-based control system. A plurality of dispensers are installed around the perimeter of each turntable, and each dispenser can store and distribute a specific reagent. This configuration provides a higher reagent density than previously available. The test matrix is ​​located at one or more loading stations. The control system guides the central turntable to a position from which a selected turntable can be rotated so that the selected dispenser is positioned above the test matrix. Then, the selected dispenser is actuated to release a predetermined reagent onto the test matrix. The system can be configured to enable multiple reagents (each reagent from an associated dispenser) to be distributed to a single or multiple test matrix. Each of these actuated dispensers is positioned above the target test matrix located at one or more loading stations.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 775,030, filed on December 4, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] The efficacy of testing various reagents in an automated laboratory environment requires a system that can continuously introduce the precise dosage of one or more selected reagents into one or more specified cultures or test containers (such as plates or culture dishes), and is introduced into the test matrix in these containers at an accurate predetermined position. For example, systems and methods for automatically distributing antibiotic disks to the inoculated agar maintained in a culture dish are known in the art. Such a system usually uses a plurality of disc dispensers, which are mounted on a movable platform and a specified loading area where the target culture dish is located. The platform is moved so that the selected dispenser for accommodating a disc impregnated with a specific antibiotic is positioned above or near the specific area of ​​the culture dish, and the disc is distributed. Then, the movable platform can be repositioned to bring the dispenser for accommodating a second antibiotic disc to a position relative to the culture dish. Then the disc of the second antibiotic is distributed in the culture dish. The culture dish can be repositioned before distribution so that subsequent discs are distributed in a predetermined distance from each other, thereby allowing a clear area for antimicrobial interaction with different microorganisms to occur when not disturbed by adjacent microbial colonies, and it is observed. The system may continue to dispense the disks at a number of predetermined locations within the culture dish.

[0004] In order to maximize the flexibility of such a system, it is desirable to have a variety of antibiotic discs available for distribution on the plate. In order to ensure that cross contamination does not occur between the various antibiotics distributed by the system, it is unacceptable to place multiple antibiotics in the same dispenser. Therefore, it is necessary to install a separate dispenser on a movable platform for each type of antibiotic to be distributed. Therefore, the prior art system has been limited by mechanical constraints on the number of dispensers that can be reasonably installed on a movable platform, and the movable platform can be accurately and selectively positioned above the culture plate or culture plate support, and the delivery culture plate is aligned with the dispenser to receive the microorganism disc distributed by the dispenser. Various arrangements have been proposed, including installing a dispenser around the periphery of a turntable, which can rotate around a central hub, thereby positioning a specific dispenser above a container located on the periphery of the turntable. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,996,163, entitled "Disc Dispensing Device, Tubular Container for Use in such a Disc Dispensing Device and Method of Dispensing Discs" and U.S. Pat. No. 9,557,343, entitled "Disc Dispensing Device, Tubular Container for Use in such a Disc Dispensing Device and Method of Dispensing Discs," both of which are assigned to BD Kiestra BV and incorporated herein by reference. However, as the number of dispensers increases, such a system based on a single turntable will become larger as the diameter of the turntable increases to accommodate the increasing number of dispensers. In the controlled and often space-constrained environment of a commercial sample testing laboratory, a test device with a large physical footprint is generally undesirable. In addition, assuming that the angular velocity at which the turntable can rotate remains within the same limits, the average time required to rotate the turntable to dispense a particular antibiotic will be greater than the average time for a smaller diameter turntable due to the use of a large diameter turntable filled with dispensers. This will result in reduced system output. In addition, as the size of the turntable increases, its weight may also increase, which requires a more powerful drive mechanism and leads to higher system costs. Therefore, the density of cartridge dispensers that can be achieved in a single turntable is limited. In addition, large turntables are more difficult to handle, store and clean.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved test system and method for dispensing a wide variety of reagents from separate dedicated dispensers, wherein a selected dispenser is quickly and accurately positioned to dispense the selected reagents onto a test matrix within a small landing zone. This functionality needs to be achieved without adversely affecting the throughput rate of the dispensed reagents. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention provides a system and method for selecting reagents and distributing reagents to target test substrates in an automated laboratory environment. The present invention utilizes a plurality of carousels rotatably mounted on a central turntable. The position of the central turntable and the rotation of each turntable are controlled by a microprocessor-based control system. A plurality of dispensers are installed around the perimeter of each turntable, and each dispenser can store and distribute a specific reagent. The test substrate is positioned at one or more loading stations. The control system guides the central turntable to a position from which a selected turntable can be rotated so that the selected dispenser is positioned above the test substrate. Then, the selected dispenser is actuated to release a predetermined amount of reagent onto the test substrate, which is a disc of immersion in the case of antibacterial. The present invention can be implemented so that a plurality of reagents (each reagent from an associated dispenser) can be simultaneously distributed on a culture plate with a single or multiple culture medium. An example of a suitable test substrate is a culture medium. Plate culture medium is well known to those skilled in the art and is therefore not described in detail herein. Culture medium and test substrate are interchangeably used herein. Each of these simultaneously actuated dispensers is positioned over a target culture medium located at one or more loading stations.

[0007] One embodiment of the reagent dispensing system has a control system, and the control system includes a processor and a memory. The system has a rotatably mounted center turntable, and the rotatably mounted center turntable is positionable in response to a command received from the control system. The system also has a plurality of turntables, which are rotatably mounted on the rotatably mounted center turntable, and each turntable is positionable in response to a command received from the control system. The system further includes a plurality of distributor tubes, which are installed around the perimeter of a plurality of distributor tubes. The mechanical actuation of the distributor tube causes distribution of a predetermined reagent contained in the actuated distributor tube. Alternatively, the mechanical actuator is suitable for actuating at least one of a plurality of distributor tubes according to the command received from the control system.

[0008] An example of a predetermined reagent is a disc. Optionally, the disc is dispensed from the cartridge using a vertical plunger. Optionally, the vertical plunger is actuated by a rotating cam, wherein the rotating cam responds to commands received from a control system.

[0009] Optionally, the reagent dispensing system further comprises a plunger assembly accommodating the vertical plunger.Before actuating the vertical plunger, the plunger assembly can be brought close to the substrate on which the disc is to be dispensed.

[0010] In operation, predetermined reagent is distributed on the surface of test matrix.Test matrix is ​​normally the culture medium arranged in culture plate.This reagent dispensing system optionally has proximity sensor, and this proximity sensor communicates with control system and is suitable for scanning and measuring the surface of test matrix.An example of proximity sensor is ultrasonic sensor.

[0011] In operation, the disc reservoir is placed in the dispenser barrel. The disc reservoir has a machine-readable identification label attached thereto. The system has at least one optical sensor that communicates with a control system and is adapted to read the machine-readable identification label, wherein a memory of the control system contains information associating each machine-readable label with at least one of (a) the type of reagent contained in the dispenser barrel (and the disc reservoir held therein), or (b) the amount of reagent available for distribution in the dispenser barrel to which the machine-readable label is attached. The machine-readable identification label typically has a bar code, and at least one optical sensor is a bar code reader.

[0012] The culture plate optionally has a machine readable identification label attached thereto. The system further comprises at least one optical sensor that communicates with the control system and is suitable for reading the machine readable identification label. The memory of the control system comprises the information that the machine readable identification label is associated with at least one of the following: the type of the test matrix (a) contained in the plate, the type of the reagent (b) assigned to the test medium, the position of the reagent (c) assigned to the test matrix, the type of any other reagent (d) assigned to the test matrix, or the position that (e) can be used for distributing other reagents thereon on the test matrix. Similarly, the machine readable identification label is usually with a bar code, and at least one optical sensor is a bar code reader.

[0013] Optionally, at least two turntables are mounted concentrically.

[0014] A method for automatically distributing reagents in a system is also described herein. The system includes a control system including a processor and a memory. The system also includes a rotatably mounted central turntable, which is positionable in response to a command received from the control system. The system also includes a plurality of turntables, which are rotatably mounted on the rotatably mounted central turntable, and each turntable is independently positionable in response to a command received from the control system. The system further includes a plurality of distributor barrels, which are installed around the perimeter of each turntable in a plurality of turntables. The mechanical actuation of the distributor barrel causes the distribution of a reagent of a predetermined dose contained in the actuated distributor barrel. The system also includes at least one test matrix (e.g., culture medium) carried by a culture plate.

[0015] According to this method described herein, the central turntable of rotatable installation is positioned so that selected rotating disk is placed near the position of at least one test matrix.Selected rotating disk is rotated so that selected distributor tube is positioned at the position for the reagent of predetermined dose to be distributed to at least one test matrix.Selected distributor tube is actuated so that the reagent of predetermined dose is distributed to the test matrix.

[0016] Alternatively, the reagent of predetermined dose is a disc. These discs are provided to the distributor barrel as a disc reservoir. The distributor barrel selected by actuation makes the discs be distributed by the vertical plunger. Alternatively, the distributor barrel selected by cam actuation. As mentioned above, an example of test matrix is ​​the culture medium carried by the culture plate. Alternatively, the surface of the test matrix is ​​assessed with a proximity sensor so that discs are placed on the surface.

[0017] Optionally, each dispenser barrel has a machine readable identification tag associated therewith. Optionally, the machine readable identification tag is carried by a disc dispenser held in the dispenser barrel. The machine readable identification tag is read with an optical sensor. The data associated with the machine readable identification tag read from the memory access of the control system. The accessed data indicate at least one of the following: (a) the type of reagent contained in the dispenser barrel that is labeled with the machine readable identification tag, or (b) the available reagent amount in the dispenser barrel that is labeled with the machine readable identification tag.

[0018] Alternatively, the culture plate has a machine-readable identification tag attached thereto. According to the method, the machine-readable identification tag is read with an optical sensor. The data associated with the label read from the memory access of the control system. The accessed data indicate at least one of the following: (a) the type of test matrix or culture medium contained in the culture plate, (b) the type of the reagent on the test matrix, (c) the position of the reagent on the test matrix, (d) alternatively, the type of other reagents to be assigned to the test matrix, or (e) alternatively, the position of other reagents that can be used to be assigned on the test matrix. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a four-cartridge based dispensing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2A is positioned as a prime dispenser Figure 1 Top view of a four-cartridge-based dispensing system.

[0022] Figure 2B It is positioned to distribute reagent trays Figure 1 Top view of a four-cartridge-based dispensing system.

[0023] Figure 3A is Figure 1 A perspective view of a reagent disc dispensing cartridge used in a multi-disc cartridge based dispensing system.

[0024] Figure 3B Side, front, and cross-sectional views of the compound cam are provided.

[0025] Figure 3C It is in unfilled state Figure 3A A partially cutaway perspective view of a reagent disc dispensing cartridge.

[0026] Figure 3D It is in the process of being filled Figure 3A A partially cutaway perspective view of a reagent disc dispensing cartridge.

[0027] Figure 3E It is in the filled state Figure 3A A partially cutaway perspective view of a reagent disc dispensing cartridge.

[0028] Figure 3F It is engaged by an external cam Figure 3A A partially cutaway perspective view of a reagent disc dispensing cartridge.

[0029] Figure 3G is fully engaged by a compound cam Figure 3A A partially cutaway perspective view of a reagent disc dispensing cartridge.

[0030] Figure 4A Before engaging with the compound cam Figure 3A Side view of a reagent disc dispensing cartridge.

[0031] Figure 4B It is engaged by the outer cam part Figure 3A Side view of a reagent disc dispensing cartridge.

[0032] Figure 4C Is fully engaged by the external cam Figure 3A Side view of a reagent disc dispensing cartridge.

[0033] Figure 4D After the compound cam is engaged Figure 3A Side view of a reagent disc dispensing cartridge.

[0034] Figure 5 2 is a top view of a four-cartridge based reagent tray dispensing system utilizing an X-shaped center turntable.

[0035] Fig. 6A is a top view of a five-cartridge based reagent disc dispensing system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 6B is a top view of a dual carousel cartridge based dispensing system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Fig. 7A is a top view of a concentric dual-carousel cartridge based dispensing system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 7B is a top view of a dispensing system based on an alternative concentric double carousel cartridge according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The term "turntable" as used herein is used to describe the rotatable support of a carousel 102, 104, 106, etc. The term used does not mean that the turntable is circular. In fact, as described herein, the geometry of the turntable depends on the design selection to a great extent. The turntable is used to transfer the turntable to the necessary position so that the turntable can transfer the selected reagent disc distribution cylinder to align with the culture plate, thereby the selected reagent disc distribution cylinder can distribute the disk to the selected position of the culture plate.

[0040] Figure 1A partial perspective view of a four-turntable embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown, turntables 102, 104, 106 and 108 are rotatably mounted on a central turntable 110. Each of these turntables is configured to rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around a central hub 111, 112, 114 and 116, respectively. This rotation is responsive to a control signal received from a microprocessor-based control system (117). This rotation of each turntable can be driven by any conventional mechanism known to those skilled in the art. An example is a servo or stepper motor that is mounted on the central turntable and can be driven by such a motor via a belt system, a gear system or other similar transmission devices known in the art. Such mechanisms are well known in the art and are not described in detail herein. Similarly, the central turntable 118 is configured to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise around a central hub 120 by a direct drive or transmission-linked electric motor system in response to a control signal from a microprocessor-based control system. The rotatable plate positions the central hub via a direct drive or transmission linked electric motor system in response to control signals from a microprocessor based control system. Such a microprocessor system would include a processor 119, memory 121, various sensors (optical, ultrasonic, etc.), a motor controller, and a user interface.

[0041] In this embodiment, each carousel has 32 radially mounted removable reagent dispensers. Figure 1 In FIG. 2 , for the sake of visual clarity, a limited number of dispenser groups 130, 132, 134, and 138 are shown on each of the four turntables (102, 104, 106, and 108, respectively). FIG. 2 provides Figure 1 A top view of the cartridge-based dispenser is shown, showing 30 cartridge dispensers 218 mounted on each carousel, bringing the total number of dispensers in the system to 128. Figure 2A and Figure 2B Also shown are a disc primer station 202 (consisting of an actuator 204 and a barcode reader 206), a loading station 208 (consisting of a plate platform 122, an ultrasonic proximity sensor 210, a barcode reader 212), a compound cam 214 and a cam shaft 216.

[0042] Figure 3A304, 314, 315, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, 430, 440, 460, 470, 480, 490, 500, 600, 610, 620, 640, 480, 490, 500, 62 ...

[0043] Figure 3B A side view, a front view, and a cross-sectional view are provided of the compound cam 214 and the camshaft 216. As shown, the compound cam is composed of outer cams 318 and 320, and an inner cam 322. The gap (g) between the inner surfaces of the outer cams is fixed to a distance greater than the diameter of the vertical plunger 304, thereby allowing the outer cams to be rotated without contacting the vertical plunger.

[0044] Figure 3C 306. A cross-sectional view of a distributor is provided in FIG. 307. Reagent disc 312 is shown as being stacked in the reagent disc reservoir 306. Typically, all reagent discs loaded in a specific distributor all contain the same reagent. The memory of the control system stores information that the unique machine-readable label 310 attached to a given reservoir is associated with the specific type of the reagent disc contained therein. The control system memory can also store information that a specific distributor is associated with a specific slot on a specific rotating disk (one of four rotating disks in this specific embodiment). The control system can use this information to selectively locate the center turntable and the rotating disk so that the selected distributor is placed in a specific position in the distribution system, thereby distributing the reagent disc of the selected type at the selected position of the culture plate. In addition, when the rotating disk is replaced, the configuration sequence will read all standard or rotation-insensitive perimeter bar codes, which enables the label position on the disc reservoir installed to be read to construct a position diagram regardless of how it is. The disc loader 314 is shown as being installed in the housing 302 in a manner that allows horizontal movement in the cavity 316, and is biased toward the loading port 308 by a spring 324. The disc filling actuator 204 is also Figure 3C Shown in.

[0045] The operation of distributing the reagent tray that holds specific reagent from the dispensing system based on the barrel requires the coordinated operation of the central turntable 110, the rotating disk 102,104,106 and 108, the plate platform 122 and the reagent tray filling actuator 204. The positioning and actuation of these parts are controlled by the control system based on the microprocessor. This processing operation begins with the matrix 126 that holds the culture plate 124 being placed on the plate platform 122. This placement can be completed by an automatic plate handling system well known in the art, or it can be manually performed. After the culture plate is placed, the plate platform 122 is rotated by the microprocessor control system so that the machine-readable label 128 is positioned for the bar code reader 212 to read. The bar code read can be cross-referenced with the information stored in the memory of the microprocessor-based control system to check / confirm that the culture plate 124 is the correct plate for storing the reagent from the distributor 218. The label 128 is also used for rotationally orienting this plate and placing the reagent tray relative to the label position.

[0046] As a result of pre-programming or in response to instructions received through the user interface, the control system actuates the central turntable 118 and the associated turntable 102, 104, 106 or 108 to align the dispenser 218 containing the desired reagent disc with the disc loading actuator 204. The disc loading actuator 204 is mounted relative to the plane of the turntable to allow the disc loading actuator to enter the dispenser loading port 308 of the correctly aligned dispenser 218 when activated.

[0047] Once dispenser 218 is aligned with the disc loading actuator 204, the machine readable label 310 will be read by the bar code reader 206. The bar code information is cross-referenced with the memory of the control system to confirm that it is associated with the type of reagent disc that indicates the system is distributed. If correct association has been confirmed, the distribution process continues. If there is a mismatch, the system will generate an error signal to indicate that the required dispenser has not yet been correctly positioned to align with the disc loading device. This may be the result of various system failures, including that the center turntable or individual turntable positioning system fails. The error signal will be used to remind the technician or operator to correct this situation. Assuming that correct bar code / reagent association is confirmed, the control system will send a command to activate the disc loading actuator 204.

[0048] This activation causes the reagent disk fill actuator 204 to be pushed toward and into the dispenser fill port 308 (see Figure 3D ). The activation may be electromechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc. As the disc loading actuator 204 enters the dispenser loading port 308, it pushes the reagent disc loader 314 toward the reagent disc reservoir 306, causing it to translate through the chamber 316, compressing the spring 324, and pushing the bottommost reagent disc 326 out from under the reagent disc stack 312 and into position directly under the vertical plunger 304. Figure 3E Shown, the disc filling actuator 204 retracts subsequently, and spring 324 pushes the disc loader 308 back to its initial position, and reagent disc 326 is still located below the vertical plunger 304.Confirm that it has gone through the whole journey and distributed the reagent disc by monitoring the disc filling actuator 204.If the reagent disc filling actuator 204 can't actuate or is prevented from pushing the disc from the disc reservoir 306, then show that the disc reservoir is empty or stuck, and error state occurs and summons technicians.In the whole process, vertical plunger 304 keeps being biased to the position extending upwards by internal spring (not shown).Then, control system sends the command of repositioning rotating disk (for example 102), so that distributor 218 is located above the culture plate 124, and the top of plunger assembly 303 and vertical plunger 304 is located just below the compound cam 214.

[0049] After the distributor 218 is positioned as described above, the control system sends a signal to the camshaft 216 ( Figure 4A ) sends a signal to the drive system (not shown) to rotate the camshaft 360° in a clockwise direction. This rotation causes the compound cam 214 fixed to the camshaft 216 to rotate around the axis of the shaft, so that the compound cam 214 contacts and eventually fully depresses the vertical plunger 304. This action Figure 3F-3G and Figure 4A-4D Shown in.

[0050] Figure 4A 218 prior to engagement with the compound cam 214. The top of the vertical plunger 304 is biased upward to an extended position by an internal spring (not shown) (see also FIG. Figure 3C and Figure 3E ).like Figure 4A As shown, neither the outer cam (outer cam 320 is shown) nor the inner cam (whose position is shown by the dashed shaded area) is in contact with the distributor 218. The position of the camshaft 216 is represented by the dashed circle area. Figure 4B , the compound cam 214 has been rotated clockwise so that the outer cams 318 and 320 (only 320 is shown) contact and depress the top of the plunger assembly 303, thereby causing the internal spring (not shown) to compress and push the plunger assembly 303 downward toward the surface of the culture medium 126. It should be noted that the outer cams do not engage the vertical plunger 304. Instead, the spacing (g) between the inner walls of the outer cams allows them to engage the plunger assembly 303 without ever contacting the vertical plunger 304. Figure 4C , the composite cam 214 is shown rotated to a position where the inner cam 322 is fully engaged with the vertical plunger 304. In this fully depressed state, the bottom of the vertical plunger 304 pushes the reagent disc 326 onto the surface of the culture medium 126 in the culture plate 124 with a predetermined force provided by a tamper spring 328 (see also Figure 3F ). The compound cam 214 will then rotate a full 360° back to its initial starting position, as shown in FIG. Figure 4D The plunger assembly 303 and the vertical plunger 304 (biased by an internal spring not shown) are retracted upward and away from the plate 124.

[0051] Compared with the system that adopts vertical plunger and static plunger assembly, above-mentioned two-stage distribution action has advantage.During the first distribution stage, plunger assembly 303 engages with outer cam 318 and 322 and lowers towards the surface of substrate.Then, inner cam 322 engages with vertical plunger 304, impels the opposite end of this plunger to extend below plunger assembly 303, and reagent disc is pushed onto the surface of target substrate.By at first reducing plunger assembly so that it is closer to the surface of target substrate, vertical plunger is minimized in the distance that reagent disc must pass through being pushed onto the substrate surface.By making plunger assembly and substrate surface close approach to the mechanical stability provided and vertical plunger for the corresponding reduction combination of the distance that distribution disc must extend causes the disc placement accuracy and repeatability of raising.

[0052] The independent characteristic of each distributor provides many advantages for the distribution system.As previously discussed, each distributor can be easily connected / disconnected with a given turntable.There is no associated power connection or complicated mechanical linkage.The cam actuation allows each distributor to be free from the constraints of any such connection, which makes them easily interchangeable and avoids any physical connection with the actuating mechanism that may hinder the rotation of the turntable.This independent characteristic also provides the inherent protection that prevents cross contamination.The mechanical device that contacts with the reagent disc and finally helps to eject the reagent disc is fully contained in the distributor.There is no distribution mechanism associated with the loading station that will contact with the disc from a plurality of distributors.

[0053] Along with the distribution of reagent disc 326, the memory of control system is updated so that the quantity of the reagent disc stored in the reagent disc distributor 306 of reagent disc distribution cylinder 218 is reduced one by one. For each of the distributors installed on four rotating disks, the memory of control system keeps similar disc counts so that the distribution system can remain on the accurate list of the disc quantity in each reagent disc distribution cylinder in the system. Then, the system can avoid selecting an empty distributor, and (by user interface) provides an alarm to the operator when a specific distributor becomes exhausted.

[0054] Once reagent disc is assigned to be contained on the culture medium in a given culture plate, if no extra reagent disc will be placed thereon, then this culture plate can be removed from the distribution system. If needed, extra reagent disc is assigned to this culture plate, then the command from the control system based on microprocessor causes the culture plate to be rotated by platform 122 to correctly aim at the different regions of the matrix in this plate, thereby extra reagent disc can be placed thereon. This extra disc can be distributed from any reagent disc distribution cylinder installed on any one of the four rotating disks. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, between placed reagent discs, a minimum angular spacing of 60 ° is applied. This allows six reagent discs to be positioned equidistantly on a single plate, thereby the effectiveness of any given plate is maximized, and reagent disc can not be placed too close to each other, and therefore there will not be the risk of cross contamination or false results, which is due to the overlapping area that the antibiotic from adjacent discs has diffused into and the influence of multiple antibiotics (or antibiotic concentration) on the microbial community in the overlapping area causes.

[0055] Different physical configurations may be achieved using alternative center turntable geometries and different numbers of mounted turntables without departing from the scope of the disclosed invention. For example, Figure 5 Shown is an X-shaped center turntable 502 with four installed turntables (504, 506, 508 and 510). This X-shaped turntable operates in the same manner as the circular turntable system described in detail above. However, this configuration allows the loading station 512 to be arranged so that the reagent disc (being installed on the turntable 504) from distributor 514 and the reagent disc (being installed on the turntable 506) from distributor 516 can be distributed to the surface of the matrix in plate 518 simultaneously. This simultaneous distribution may require a plurality of composite cams, and will require the system to control the arrangement of two reagent disc distribution cylinders. On each of the relative turntable, there is a barrel to realize simultaneous distribution of reagent discs on the corresponding target position on the relative culture plate 124. This dual distribution capability will improve the output of the plate in the distribution system. According to other turntable / turntable configurations of the present invention, Fig. 6A (five-disc configuration) and Figure 6B (double turntable configuration).

[0056] Fig. 7AAnother kind of multi-turntable embodiment of the present invention is provided.In this embodiment, two concentrically positioned turntables 702,704 are rotatably mounted on annular turntable 706.As previously described embodiment, these turntables can rotate independently in response to the command signal received from the control system.As shown in the figure, outer turntable 702 has 64 independent barrels installed radially, so that reagent disc is distributed to the surface of the matrix contained in plate 708.This distribution is performed in the same manner as previously described embodiment.It should be noted that outer turntable 702 has associated filling station 710, loading station 712 and compound cam device 714; All these parts are operated in almost the same manner as similar counterparts in previously described embodiment.Inner turntable 704 is shown as 32 distributors installed radially, so that reagent disc is distributed to the surface of the matrix contained in plate 716.Equally, this distribution is performed in the same manner as previously described embodiment utilizing filling station 718, loading station 720 and compound cam device 722.

[0057] Figure 7B An alternative concentric rotating disk embodiment is shown in FIG. Fig. 7A As with the embodiment of the invention, the outer turntable 702 has an associated filling station 710, a loading station 712, and a compound cam assembly 714, while the inner turntable 704 has a filling station 718, a loading station 720, and a compound cam assembly 722. Fig. 7A Unlike the embodiment of the embodiment, the dual turntables are positioned so that they straddle the plate 716, allowing one disk to be placed from the outer turntable and the other disk to be placed from the inner turntable. These disks will be located on opposite ends of the plate 716, separated by an angular distance of 180°. These disks can be placed simultaneously or sequentially. This allocation strategy will greatly shorten the production time of the system.

[0058] In some embodiments, the present invention provides the method for measuring the surface of the substrate in the plate.Extra sensor and controls can be included in the system.For example, a proximity sensor (such as ultrasonic proximity sensor 210) can be provided at each plate platform to sense the height on the surface of the substrate contained in a given plate.Then this information can be used for multiple purposes by the system.For example, this measurement can allow the previously distributed disk on the sensing substrate surface.This can provide the system with a fault protection that the distributed disk layout on the substrate surface in the identified plate is carried out internal tracking.If a certain position on a specific plate that is identified as unoccupied in the control system memory senses the reagent disk, or if the sensor fails to indicate that there is a disk in the specific position that is identified as occupied in the control system memory, the system will generate an error signal indicating obvious inconsistency.Then, a technician or an operator can solve this problem through the user interface.

[0059] Proximity sensor can also be used for providing real-time quality inspection on substrate, thereby can carry out the scanning of height / thickness consistency to substrate surface before introducing reagent sheet.Before any reagent disc is distributed on the plate, can identify the plate containing inferior substrate, remove it from the system and replace with acceptable substitute.Proximity sensor can also be used for allowing to accurately adjust the plate platform height.Hydraulic pressure, pneumatic or electromechanical vertical platform height adjustment system can be implemented as response to the control signal from microprocessor-based control system and accurately adjust the plate height according to the surface proximity measured value.This height adjustment will guarantee that the disk of each distribution can be implanted into the accurate predetermined piercing position that enters substrate surface by the vertical plunger of distributor.This guarantees that (multiple) reagent held in each disk can react uniformly in given plate and between plate and plate.

[0060] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are only used to illustrate the principles and applications of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various modifications can be made to the illustrative embodiments and other arrangements can be conceived without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A reagent dispensing system, comprising: a control system comprising a processor and a memory; a rotatably mounted central turntable capable of being positioned in response to commands received from said control system; a plurality of turntables rotatably mounted on said rotatably mounted central turntable, each turntable being positionable in response to commands received from said control system; a plurality of dispenser cartridges mounted about a perimeter of the plurality of rotating disks, wherein mechanical actuation of a dispenser cartridge results in dispensing of a predetermined agent contained within the actuated dispenser cartridge, wherein each of the plurality of dispenser cartridges comprises a disc reservoir and a vertical plunger, and wherein the predetermined agent is an antibiotic disc, and wherein the antibiotic disc is dispensed from the dispenser cartridge via the vertical plunger, wherein the vertical plunger is actuated by a rotating cam, wherein the rotating cam is responsive to commands received from the control system; and The reagent dispensing system also includes a plunger assembly that houses the vertical plunger, wherein prior to actuating the vertical plunger, the plunger assembly is brought into proximity with a substrate onto which the antibiotic disc is to be dispensed.

2. The reagent dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising a mechanical actuator adapted to actuate at least one of the plurality of dispenser cartridges in accordance with a command received from the control system.

3. The reagent dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the antibiotic disk is dispensed onto a surface of a test matrix.

4. The reagent dispensing system of claim 3, wherein the test matrix is ​​contained in a plate.

5. The reagent dispensing system of claim 3, further comprising a proximity sensor in communication with the control system and adapted to scan and measure the surface of the test matrix.

6. The reagent dispensing system of claim 5, wherein the proximity sensor comprises an ultrasonic sensor.

7. A reagent dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein each disc reservoir of each dispenser barrel has a machine-readable identification label affixed thereto, and the reagent dispensing system further comprises at least one optical sensor in communication with the control system and adapted to read the machine-readable identification label, wherein the memory of the control system contains information associating each machine-readable label with at least one of: (a) the type of reagent contained in the dispenser barrel having the machine-readable label, or (b) the amount of reagent available for dispensing in the dispenser barrel.

8. The reagent dispensing system according to claim 7, wherein: The machine-readable identification tag comprises a barcode, and wherein the at least one optical sensor is a barcode reader.

9. The reagent dispensing system according to claim 4, wherein: The plate has a machine-readable identification label affixed thereto, and the reagent dispensing system further includes at least one optical sensor in communication with the control system and adapted to read the machine-readable identification label, wherein the memory of the control system contains information associating the machine-readable identification label with at least one of: (a) the type of test matrix contained in the plate, (b) the type of reagent that has been dispensed onto the test matrix, (c) the location on the test matrix to which the reagent has been dispensed, (d) the type of any other reagent dispensed onto the test matrix, or (e) a location on the test matrix that can be used to dispense other reagents thereon.

10. The reagent dispensing system according to claim 9, wherein: The machine-readable identification tag comprises a barcode, and wherein the at least one optical sensor is a barcode reader.

11. The reagent dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein: At least two of the turntables are concentrically mounted.

12. A method for automatically dispensing a reagent in a system, wherein the system comprises: a control system comprising a processor and a memory; a rotatably mounted central turntable capable of being positioned in response to commands received from said control system; a plurality of turntables rotatably mounted on said rotatably mounted central turntable, each turntable being independently positionable in response to commands received from said control system; a plurality of dispenser cartridges mounted about a perimeter of each of the plurality of carousels, wherein mechanical actuation of a dispenser cartridge results in dispensing of a predetermined dose of an agent contained within the actuated dispenser cartridge; as well as at least one test matrix carried by the culture plate; wherein the predetermined dose of agent is an antibiotic disc, and wherein each of the plurality of dispenser cartridges comprises a disc reservoir and a vertical plunger, wherein the antibiotic disc is dispensed through the vertical plunger, wherein the vertical plunger is actuated by a rotating cam, wherein the rotating cam is responsive to commands received from the control system; and The system also includes a plunger assembly that houses the vertical plunger; The method comprises: positioning the rotatably mounted central turntable to position the selected turntable proximate to the at least one test matrix; rotating the selected carousel to position the selected dispenser cartridge in a position for dispensing an antibiotic disc onto the at least one test matrix; and The vertical plunger of the selected dispenser cartridge is actuated using the rotary cam to dispense the antibiotic disc onto the test matrix, wherein prior to actuating the vertical plunger, the plunger assembly is brought into proximity with the test matrix onto which the antibiotic disc is to be dispensed.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the test matrix is ​​contained in a plate.

14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the steps of: The surface of the test substrate is evaluated using a proximity sensor.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein each dispenser cartridge has a machine-readable identification tag associated therewith, and the method further comprising: reading the machine-readable identification tag with an optical sensor; as well as accessing data associated with the read machine-readable identification tag from the memory of the control system; wherein the accessed data indicates at least one of: (a) a type of antibiotic disc contained in the dispenser cartridge bearing the machine-readable identification tag, or (b) an amount of antibiotic disc available in the dispenser cartridge bearing the machine-readable identification tag.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the plate has a machine-readable identification label affixed thereto, and the method further comprises: reading the machine-readable identification tag with an optical sensor; as well as accessing data associated with the read tag from the memory of the control system; The accessed data indicates at least one of: (a) the type of test matrix contained in the plate, (b) the type of reagent that has been dispensed onto the test matrix, (c) the location on the test matrix to which the reagent has been dispensed, (d) the type of other antibiotic discs that are to be dispensed onto the test matrix, or (e) locations on the test matrix that can be used to dispense other antibiotic discs.

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