Receiving device for a nutrient carrier

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a receiving device for a nutrient medium carrier, such as, in particular, a Petri dish. The receiving device is designed for insertion into a hermetically sealed isolator in order to detect microbes in the atmosphere of the isolator. The invention therefore also relates to a method for detecting microbes in the atmosphere of an isolator. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Aseptic isolators are used particularly in the pharmaceutical industry to create a defined, sterile atmosphere separate from the surrounding workspace, enabling the processing of sensitive or hazardous products. Isolators are often used, for example, as part of filling systems for containers such as vials, ampoules, or syringes with a biopharmaceutical product. Due to the highly purified and, in particular, sterile atmosphere within the isolator, the risk of product contamination by microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria during the filling process can be significantly reduced or, ideally, largely eliminated. The containers are hermetically sealed within the isolator before being removed for storage, transport, and distribution. This ensures a high degree of sterility for the products contained within the sealed containers.

[0003] The atmosphere in such isolators is typically monitored using a process called biomonitoring to ensure that the isolator chamber remains free of microbiological contamination, even during prolonged use. For this purpose, Petri dishes containing a suitable culture medium are placed in the isolator chamber. This exposes the culture medium to the atmosphere within the isolator chamber. Any microorganisms present in the isolator atmosphere settle in the Petri dish and grow into detectable colonies.

[0004] In the prior art, the handling of Petri dishes inside the isolator, particularly their positioning, opening, and resealing with a lid, is typically performed using a glove opening. The flexible glove openings pose a risk of damage and subsequent leakage. Furthermore, germs that have settled in the culture medium and may have already multiplied there can be transferred during handling via the glove opening and thus spread within the isolator.

[0005] It is therefore known to provide a robot with gripping arms inside the isolator, which takes over the handling of the nutrient medium carriers, i.e. the Petri dishes, so that the need for glove intervention can be avoided.

[0006] For example, WO 2020 / 233854 A1 discloses a packaging system for filling and sealing medicines into containers, which includes a 6-axis robot for handling the Petri dishes.

[0007] WO 2021 / 156263 A1 discloses a method for automated microbial monitoring in an isolator. The transfer of the culture medium carriers from a transfer lock to their respective designated carrier holders is robot-assisted.

[0008] Robots, especially multi-jointed robots and robots with gripper arms, are generally complex in design and therefore expensive. Furthermore, controlling and programming robots is usually difficult and only possible for trained specialists. Adjusting simple parameters, such as repositioning Petri dishes, is therefore often not straightforward. In addition, retrofitting existing isolators with a robot is complex or often impossible.

[0009] EP 1 460 126 discloses a filling plant in whose sterilized work chamber microbial monitoring takes place. A handling device controlled by a robot arm with a suction head ensures that the lid of a Petri dish is lifted at the start of the microbial monitoring and replaced, and is resealed when H₂O₂ vapor decontamination of the work chamber is imminent. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device that allows for the simple and safe handling of nutrient medium carriers in an isolator. The device should have the simplest possible design and, if possible, be usable with existing isolators without much effort.

[0011] To solve this problem, a receiving device for a nutrient medium carrier, such as a Petri dish in particular, is proposed, as specified in claim 1. Furthermore, claim 11 specifies a method for detecting germs in the atmosphere of an isolator. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0012] The present invention therefore provides a receiving device for a nutrient medium carrier, such as in particular a Petri dish, comprising a hermetically sealable interior for receiving the nutrient medium carrier; and a wirelessly remote-controlled drive for opening and closing the receiving device in order to provide access to the nutrient medium carrier or to hermetically seal the interior with the nutrient medium carrier contained therein.

[0013] The recording device can be inserted as a whole into and removed from a hermetically sealed space within an isolator.

[0014] Because the receiving device features a wirelessly remote-controlled drive for opening and closing, and can be inserted into the isolator as a whole with the culture medium carrier inside, no further handling of the carrier inside the hermetically sealed isolator chamber is necessary, e.g., via gloved access or robotic arms. Handling can thus be carried out safely and very simply using a wireless remote control. For this purpose, the culture medium carrier is inserted into the receiving device outside the isolator under a protective atmosphere, and the device is then hermetically sealed. The receiving device can then be placed in the isolator chamber, where it can be sterilized externally while still sealed, without damaging the growth medium during decontamination.Once the isolator is ready for production, the remote control can activate the intake device's drive to open it and provide access to the culture medium carrier. This exposes the culture medium to the atmosphere of the isolator chamber. After a certain exposure time, the intake device can be closed again remotely, preventing any microorganisms from escaping the culture medium carrier and back again. In this state, the intake device, along with the hermetically sealed culture medium carrier it contains, can be removed from the isolator. The culture medium carrier can then be removed from the intake device and transported for incubation and / or microorganism detection. Alternatively, the intake device can be transported along with the carrier.

[0015] Because the sampling device, including the nutrient medium carrier, can be inserted into and removed from the isolator as a single unit, it is particularly well-suited for use in existing isolators or for retrofitting. Its application is especially relevant for so-called "gloveless" isolators, i.e., isolators that do not have gloves. Compared to a typical robotic arm, the sampling device is not only easier to operate and control, but also typically much simpler to construct and therefore generally more cost-effective overall.

[0016] The nutrient medium carrier can be, in particular, a Petri dish. The nutrient medium is then contained within the Petri dish, which may, in particular, have a lid. Preferably, the nutrient medium carrier has a tray and a lid, the lid being advantageously lockable to the tray. This makes the nutrient medium carrier safe and, in particular, transportable outside the receiving device in such a way that the nutrient medium contained within is protected from the environment. However, it is also quite possible for the nutrient medium carrier to have a tray and a lid that cannot be locked together. In principle, it is also conceivable that the nutrient medium carrier is a simple plate that holds the nutrient medium.

[0017] A Petri dish is defined as a shallow, round, usually transparent dish, which may or may not have a lid. If the Petri dish has a lid, it may extend over or under the dish; that is, the lid's rim may extend radially beyond the dish or be completely enclosed within it.

[0018] The nutrient medium carrier, especially the Petri dish, can form part of the receiving device and be distributed together with it, for example.

[0019] When the recording device is sealed, its interior is hermetically sealed from the environment. Any germs present can therefore neither enter nor escape from the interior. If a culture medium carrier is placed inside the sealed recording device, it too is hermetically sealed from the environment.

[0020] The drive mechanism serves to open and close the recording device, i.e., to release or hermetically seal the interior. The drive mechanism is preferably a motor, in particular an electric motor. Remote control of the drive mechanism can be achieved, for example, via infrared, radio frequency, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. The recording device preferably has a correspondingly designed and, depending on the specific requirements, dedicated remote control. However, the remote control can also be a smartphone with an app installed to operate the recording device.

[0021] An "isolator" is generally understood to be a container whose interior can be hermetically isolated, i.e., separated, from a surrounding workspace. A defined atmosphere can be created inside the isolator for handling sensitive or hazardous products, particularly pharmaceuticals. An isolator can be stationary or mobile. It is typically located within a building, forming a workspace surrounding the isolator. This contrasts with a cleanroom, such as in a laboratory or other building, which itself constitutes the workspace. An isolator can, in particular, form part of a filling system used, for example, to fill containers with a pharmaceutical product.

[0022] The recording device preferably also includes at least one energy storage element, such as a battery, for supplying the drive with electrical energy. The battery can be rechargeable or disposable. The presence of an energy storage element makes handling the recording device particularly easy when inserting it into or removing it from the insulator.

[0023] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the receiving device is designed to lift a lid of the nutrient medium carrier from a tray of the carrier when opened. This allows the nutrient medium carrier to be inserted into the receiving device outside the isolator while still sealed, and only opened within the hermetically sealed space of the isolator. Preferably, the receiving device is also designed to replace the lid on the tray when closing. This allows the nutrient medium carrier to be resealed while still inside the isolator.

[0024] Preferably, the receiving device has a first retaining element for holding the lid of the nutrient medium carrier. This first retaining element can be used, in particular, to open and / or close the nutrient medium carrier when opening or closing the receiving device. Furthermore, the receiving device preferably has a second retaining element for holding the tray of the nutrient medium carrier. This second retaining element can also be used, in particular, to open and / or close the nutrient medium carrier when opening or closing the receiving device. If both the first and second retaining elements are present, the nutrient medium carrier can be opened and closed particularly securely.

[0025] The first retaining element is preferably one or more clamping elements that clamp the lid of the nutrient medium carrier, preferably from one or more radial directions. Although not preferred, the first retaining element could alternatively be a fixing element that rests against the lid from below, i.e., in the direction in which the lid is lifted from the tray when opened.

[0026] The second retaining element is preferably formed by a fixing element that rests on the tray from above, i.e., in the opposite direction to the direction in which the closure lid is lifted from the tray when opened. The fixing element, which can be designed as a fixing ring, preferably rests on the outer radial edge of the tray. Preferably, the fixing element also clamps the tray securely so that it cannot be rotated relative to the fixing element when the interior of the receiving device is closed. Such clamping of the tray can, in particular, serve to allow the closure lid to be rotated relative to the tray in order to unlock or lock the nutrient medium carrier using a bayonet or threaded closure.In principle, it is also conceivable that the second holding element, as in the preferred variant of the first holding element mentioned above, is one or more clamping elements which clamp the shell of the nutrient medium carrier preferably from one or more radial directions.

[0027] As mentioned, the nutrient medium carrier preferably has a tray which can be closed by a lid. The tray and lid together preferably define an interior space that serves to hold a nutrient medium. The lid is preferably lockable to the tray. This enables the safe transport of the nutrient medium carrier outside the receiving device. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the receiving device is designed to unlock and lock the nutrient medium carrier contained within its hermetically sealed interior; that is, to unlock the lid relative to the tray and lock it to the tray, respectively, in order to make the interior of the nutrient medium carrier accessible or to close it. This makes handling the nutrient medium carrier particularly safe, as it can then be unlocked and opened, and then reclosed and locked, inside the hermetically sealed isolator.

[0028] To unlock and lock the nutrient medium carrier inside the receiving device, the receiving device preferably has an actuating element that allows manual unlocking and locking of the nutrient medium carrier. This makes the receiving device particularly easy to manufacture and operate. The actuating element preferably forms part of the locking mechanism described below. In other embodiments, however, it can also be advantageous if the receiving device has an actuating element that is motor-driven, i.e., allows automatic unlocking and locking of the nutrient medium carrier.

[0029] The nutrient medium carrier can, in particular, have a threaded or bayonet closure. A bayonet closure is a closure in which the two parts to be joined are connected by inserting them into one another and then rotating them in opposite directions. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the receiving device has a locking mechanism for unlocking and locking such a nutrient medium carrier with a threaded or bayonet closure. The locking mechanism is preferably designed to rotate the lid relative to the tray of the nutrient medium carrier and, in the case of a bayonet closure, to first insert the lid and the tray into or onto each other. To ensure reliable operation of the locking mechanism, it preferably has one or more cam guides.The one or more cam guides advantageously serve to provide a guide for the insertion or interlocking of the lid and dish and / or for the rotation of the lid relative to the dish. Since many commercially available nutrient media carriers, and especially Petri dishes, have a threaded or bayonet closure, this design of the receiving device is particularly advantageous. A threaded or bayonet closure also allows for a particularly simple yet secure locking of a lid to a dish of a nutrient media carrier.

[0030] The locking mechanism preferably comprises a first retaining element for holding the lid of a nutrient medium carrier, wherein the first retaining element is movable from a starting position to a depressed position and from the depressed position to a depressed rotated position in order to lock a nutrient medium carrier having a bayonet fitting. If the receiving device has a second retaining element, this preferably serves to hold the shell of the nutrient medium carrier in a fixed position during the depressing and rotation of the first retaining element.

[0031] The locking mechanism is preferably designed to be manually operated by a user for unlocking and locking. However, it is also conceivable that a motor is present to operate the locking mechanism. The motor can, but need not, be formed by the aforementioned drive.

[0032] The receiving device preferably comprises a receiving vessel and a sealing lid, which together define the interior space intended for receiving the nutrient medium carrier. Preferably, when the receiving device is closed, the interior space is limited exclusively by the receiving vessel and the sealing lid. The receiving vessel and / or the sealing lid preferably includes a sealing element to hermetically seal the interior space from the environment. The sealing element advantageously extends completely around the interior space. Preferably, the sealing lid is pivotable about a hinge over an angular range of at least 45°, more preferably at least 90°, and even more preferably at least 180°, for opening and closing the interior space. A pivoting of the sealing lid relative to the receiving vessel by at least 45° or at least 90° allows for a sufficiently large or large opening, respectively.Complete exposure of the upper portion of the interior enclosed by the collection vessel. This makes the collection device particularly well-suited for use in isolators with vertical airflow. A rotation of at least 180° allows optimal air circulation to the exposed collection vessel from all sides, meaning the device is then not only well-suited for use in isolators with vertical airflow, but also in isolators with horizontal airflow.

[0033] Preferably, the angular range over which the closure lid can pivot relative to the receiving vessel around the swivel joint is selectable. This means that, preferably via remote control, the angular range over which the closure lid pivots when opened can be set, or that the pivoting of the closure lid can be stopped via remote control, for example, after a certain angular range. The nutrient medium carried by the nutrient medium carrier can thus be optimally positioned and exposed to the airflow of the isolator, which can be any horizontal and / or vertical airflow. The receiving device preferably has a control unit that regulates the pivoting of the closure lid by means of the drive, and the receiving device also advantageously has a memory element for storing the angular range over which the closure lid is to pivot when opened.In this way, the opening position of the closure lid relative to the receiving vessel can be adapted to the specific application and the conditions present in the isolator.

[0034] In order to achieve and ensure a particularly good hermetic seal of the interior to the outside when closed, the recording device preferably has a fully circumferential sealing lip that is at least double-layered.

[0035] The present invention further relates to a method for detecting and, in particular, monitoring germs in the atmosphere of an isolator, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: Inserting a recording device, preferably designed as described above, into a chamber of the isolator, wherein the recording device has a hermetically sealed interior in which a nutrient medium carrier, such as a Petri dish in particular, is received; hermetically sealing the chamber of the isolator with the recording device received therein as a whole; and opening the interior of the recording device by means of a remote control which is arranged outside the hermetically sealed chamber of the isolator.

[0036] The above-mentioned process steps are preferably carried out in the specified order. However, the process can include any number of additional process steps.

[0037] When the interior is opened, the remote control is typically located in a working space surrounding the isolator. The remote control is usually operated by a user, i.e., a person. In certain designs, the remote control may also have an interface to a computer or control unit to enable machine-controlled operation.

[0038] Following the aforementioned process steps, the nutrient medium carrier, along with the nutrient medium it carries, is typically exposed to the atmosphere of the hermetically sealed isolator chamber for a certain period of time, known as the exposure time. Any germs present in the atmosphere of the isolator chamber can settle on the nutrient medium during this exposure time.

[0039] The process may also include the following steps, which are preferably carried out after the steps mentioned above: Hermetically sealing the interior of the recording device by means of the remote control after a certain exposure time, during which a nutrient medium carried by the nutrient medium carrier was exposed to the atmosphere of the hermetically sealed space of the isolator; opening the space of the isolator; and removing the recording device as a whole from the space of the isolator.

[0040] To open the isolator chamber, the isolator preferably has an access opening, which serves in particular for inserting and removing the recording device. The access opening can be designed as an airlock, which allows the recording device to be inserted or removed in such a way that the atmosphere in the isolator chamber is not affected at all or only to a minimal extent. The insertion and / or removal of the recording device is usually carried out by a user, for example, laboratory personnel, but can alternatively also be carried out by a machine, such as a robot.

[0041] The nutrient medium carrier can have a tray and a lid. The lid is preferably lifted from the tray when the interior of the receiving device is opened. Thus, opening the receiving device preferably also makes the nutrient medium contained in the carrier accessible. Preferably, the lid is replaced on the tray when the interior of the receiving device is closed.

[0042] The tray and lid of the nutrient medium carrier can be locked together. In this case, the lid is preferably unlocked relative to the tray within the hermetically sealed interior of the receiving device, and particularly preferably before the receiving device is inserted into the isolator chamber. Unlocking is preferably done manually using an actuating element provided for this purpose on the receiving device.

[0043] After the exposure time, the lid is preferably locked to the tray inside the hermetically sealed interior of the receiving device, particularly preferably after the receiving device has been removed from the isolator chamber. The locking is preferably done manually using an actuating element provided for this purpose on the receiving device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which serve only for illustration and are not to be interpreted restrictively. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an insulator with a recording device inserted therein according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a recording device according to an embodiment of the invention, in the closed state; Fig. 3 a side view of the recording device Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a view of the recording device of the Fig. 2 , in a fully open state, with a nutrient medium carrier held therein; Fig. 5 a view of the receiving device of the Fig. 2 , in a fully open state, without nutrient medium carrier; Fig. 6 a view of the receiving device of the Fig. 2 , in a partially opened state, with a nutrient medium carrier held therein; Fig. 7 a central sectional view through the receiving vessel of the receiving device Fig. 2 , with nutrient medium carrier included therein; Fig. 8 an enlarged detail view of the in Fig. 7 dashed-bordered area; Fig. 9 a perspective exploded view of the receiving vessel of the receiving device of the Fig. 2 ; Fig. 10 an enlarged detail view of the in Fig. 9 dashed-bordered area; Fig. 11 a central sectional view through the cover of the recording device of the Fig. 2 ; Fig. 12 an enlarged detail view of the in Fig. 11dashed-bordered area; Fig. 13 a central sectional view through the closure lid and the receiving vessel of the receiving device of the Fig. 2 , in closed state, with a nutrient medium carrier contained therein; Fig. 14 a perspective exploded view of parts of the closure cover of the receiving device of the Fig. 2 ; and Fig. 15, a perspective exploded view of the [unclear] in the cover of the recording device of the Fig. 2 'accommodated locking mechanism'. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS

[0045] The Figure 1 Figure 1 shows an insulator 1 with a recording device 2 according to the invention inserted therein. Figures 2 to 15 Figures 2 show the recording device according to the invention and parts thereof in different views.

[0046] As in the Figure 1As can be seen, the recording device 2 as a whole was inserted through an access opening 12 of the isolator 1 into a hermetically insulated space 11 of the isolator 1. The recording device 2 contains a [missing information - likely a component or device]. Figure 1 An invisible culture medium carrier is taken up, which is positioned in an interior of the receiving device 2 and hermetically sealed from the environment, i.e., from chamber 11 of the isolator 1. The culture medium carrier, which carries a culture medium, was inserted into the previously sterilized receiving device 2 before the latter, after possible re-sterilization, was placed in the isolator 1. The isolator 1 can be, in particular, a gloveless isolator such as, but not exclusively, the so-called Vanrx SA25 product isolator from Vanrx (part of Cytiva), Canada.

[0047] After the access opening 12 has been closed and the chamber 11 has been hermetically sealed to the outside, sterilization of the chamber 11 can be carried out. For this purpose, a so-called VHP (vaporized hydrogen peroxide) decontamination can be performed, in particular, but not exclusively. The culture medium carrier is protected by the receiving device 2 during this time. When the isolator is ready for production, the receiving device 2 in the now closed and sterilized isolator 1 can be wirelessly opened from the outside using a remote control 5, thereby exposing the culture medium arranged on the culture medium carrier to the atmosphere in chamber 11 of the isolator 1.The culture medium can thus be used for bio-monitoring during a certain exposure time, meaning that any germs present in room 11 will settle on the culture medium and can therefore be detected: In a further step, the culture medium can be incubated outside of the isolator 1 in order to subsequently identify the resulting germ populations.

[0048] After the exposure time has elapsed, the recording device 2 is resealed using the remote control 5, so that the culture medium carrier, including the culture medium, is hermetically sealed from the environment. Opening and closing the recording device 2, and thus all handling of the culture medium carrier inside the hermetically sealed isolator 1, is therefore carried out exclusively using the remote control 5. Neither gloved access nor a robot is required. This largely eliminates the possibility of unintentional transfer of germs into chamber 11 of the isolator 1. The isolator 1 can be a conventional isolator with or without glove access.

[0049] After closing the receiving device 2, the access opening 12 can then be opened and the still-closed receiving device 2 removed as a whole from the isolator 1. Outside the isolator 1, the receiving device 2 can then be opened and the culture medium carrier removed from it, for example, for incubation and / or analysis. The receiving device 2 can be used for further purposes with different culture medium carriers or with new culture media.

[0050] One possible embodiment of a recording device 2, as described in the Figure 1 for example, it can be used in the Figures 2 to 15 in various

[0051] Views shown. As in the Figures 2 and 3As can be clearly seen, the receiving device 2 has a base part 21 on which a receiving vessel 3 is arranged, which can be closed by means of a closure lid 4. The closure lid 4 is pivotable relative to the receiving vessel 3 about a swivel joint 27, which is arranged laterally to the receiving vessel 3 and the closure lid 4. The swivel joint 27 thus connects the receiving vessel 3 and the closure lid 4.

[0052] The base part 21 has four support feet 22, with which the recording device 2 can be placed on a flat surface as intended or on or in a holder provided for this purpose.

[0053] The base part 21 forms a drive housing 24 laterally to the swivel joint 27, in which a drive 25 in the form of an electric motor is housed (see Figure 3The drive 25, which can be controlled by remote control 5, serves to open and close the recording device 2 by pivoting the cover 4 around the swivel joint 27. A battery 26, which is also housed in the base part 21, as shown in the Figure 3 The battery 26 is charged wirelessly, e.g., by induction, so that no plugs are required on the recording device 2. The base part 21 also preferably includes an electronic control unit, a storage element, and / or a wireless communication device, none of which are visible in the figures.

[0054] While the recording device 2 is in the Figures 2 and 3 shown in the closed state, the Figures 4 and 5 The recording device 2 is shown in the fully open position. The Figure 4the recording device 2 with and the Figure 5 without a nutrient medium carrier 7 inserted therein. The nutrient medium carrier 7 is designed here as a Petri dish with a tray 71 and a lid 72 that can be inserted into the tray 71. Tray 71 and lid 72 can be locked together by means of locking elements 711 and 721. The locking elements 711 and 721 preferably form, and as is the case in the illustrated embodiment, a bayonet closure. In the present embodiment, the nutrient medium carrier 7 is a Petri dish known as the ICRplus Settle Plate from Merck KGaA, Germany. A cross-sectional view through the closed and locked nutrient medium carrier 7 is shown in the Figure 7 shown.

[0055] The pivoting of the closure lid 4 by 180° relative to the receiving vessel 3, as described in the Figures 4 and 5As shown, this has the advantage that the nutrient medium contained in dish 71 can then be optimally exposed to the atmosphere in chamber 11 of insulator 1. This allows air to flow towards the nutrient medium from all sides.

[0056] Preferably, the angular range through which the closure lid 4 can be pivoted relative to the receiving vessel 3 about the pivot joint 27 is adjustable. Thus, the closure lid 4 can, for example, be pivoted by only 90° when opened, as shown in the Figure 6 This shows what can be advantageous depending on the situation and application.

[0057] The recording vessel 3 of the recording device 2 is in the Figures 7 to 10shown in more detail. It has a receiving tray 31 with a central circular recess 311. A support ring 32 is inserted into the recess 311, which serves to support the tray 71 of the nutrient medium carrier 7. A retaining ring 33 serves as a holding element for the tray 71 when the receiving device 2 is opened; this retaining ring has a radially inwardly extending, circumferential retaining rib 331 for resting on the tray 71 (see Figure 7 and in particular Figure 8 ). By resting the fixing ring 33 on the tray 71, the tray is clamped downwards towards the receiving tray 31 when the receiving device 2 is closed and cannot move with the closing cover 4 when it is lifted and / or turned.

[0058] When closing the recording device 2, a sliding ring 45, explained further below, comes into contact (see Figures 11 to 13The fixing ring 33 lies between the retaining ring 33 and the sealing lid 4 and thus serves to clamp the dish 71 in place. Furthermore, the fixing ring 33, with its central opening, serves to center the dish 71 after the nutrient medium carrier 7 has been inserted into the receiving vessel 3. The fixing ring 33 has two diametrically opposed engagement recesses 332 on its outer edge, which facilitate the removal of the fixing ring 33 from the receiving vessel 31. Removing the fixing ring 33 is necessary when the nutrient medium carrier 7 is to be removed from the receiving device 2.

[0059] The modular design of the receiving vessel 3, comprising receiving tray 31, support ring 32, and fixing ring 33, offers the additional advantage, besides those already mentioned, that the receiving vessel 3 can be relatively easily adapted to other shapes, sizes, and / or types of nutrient medium carriers 7. This simply requires the addition of one or more appropriately adapted fixing rings 33.

[0060] When the receiving device 2 is closed, a hermetically sealed interior 23 is formed, which is jointly and exclusively bounded by the receiving vessel 3 and the sealing lid 4. To ensure a hermetic seal, the receiving shell has two fully circumferential sealing lips 312 (see Figure 10 ), which are each designed to fit around a sealing ring 42 of the closure cover 4. For example, in the Figure 6 and 11The visible sealing ring 42 is inserted into a groove located in the area of ​​the underside of the closure cover 4 and extends completely around the radial outer surface of the closure cover 4. Due to the double design of the sealing lip 312, a particularly efficient hermetic insulation of the interior 23 is achieved and ensured.

[0061] The formation of the closure cover 4 is in the Figures 11 to 15 As can be seen. The closure cover 4 has a shell structure 41 as its basic supporting structure, as is found, for example, in the Figure 11 and 14 This is clearly visible. In the lower area of ​​the jacket structure 41, the aforementioned groove with the sealing ring 42 inserted therein is formed on the radial outer side.

[0062] As also in the Figures 11 and 13As can be seen, the casing structure 41 has a central, vertically extending through-opening in which a locking mechanism 6 is arranged. A retaining plate 44 is attached to the underside of the locking mechanism 6, which is described below. This retaining plate covers the interior of the closure cover 4 from below, thus forming a lower end of the closure cover 4. The retaining plate 44 is essentially circular and has a central upward curve. A through-opening is formed in the center of the curve, which serves to fix the main plate 44 to the actuating rod 62. This fixation is achieved via a screw 43. The screw 43 is screwed through the through-opening provided in the retaining plate 44 into an actuating rod 62 of the locking mechanism 6. Figures 11 and 13 ), whereby the retaining plate 44 is fixed to the actuating rod 62 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0063] On its outer surface, the retaining plate 44 has radially outwardly open recesses 441, into which a clamping element 46 and a locking element 451 are each inserted. In the fully assembled state, the clamping element 46 and the locking element 451 are thus each held in the recess 441, which is bounded by the retaining plate 44 and the outer shell structure 41. The clamping element 46 is arranged radially inside the locking element 451. The locking elements 451 each form part of a sliding ring 45, meaning that the locking elements 451 are integrally connected to each other by the sliding ring 45. The locking elements 451 serve to fix the sliding ring 45 to the retaining plate 44 in a rotationally fixed manner. By being inserted in the recess 441, the clamping elements 46, which are otherwise not connected to each other, are also fixed to the retaining plate 44 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0064] The clamping elements 46, extending axially downwards towards the receiving vessel 3, form retaining elements designed to radially clamp the lid 72 of the nutrient medium carrier 7. When the receiving device 2 is closed, the sliding ring 45, which does not extend completely around the circumference, first slides downwards axially along the radial outer surface of the lid 72. This loosely clamps the lid 72 along a certain, but not entirely, circumferential area. Furthermore, the sliding ring 45 centers the lid 72 with respect to the closing lid 4, allowing the clamping elements 46 to slide radially downwards along the outer surface of the lid 72 and clamp it securely (see Figure 13 The cover 72 is thereby clamped firmly against rotation on the retaining plate 44.

[0065] The in the Figures 11, 13 and 14The recognizable retaining plate 44 has a lower stop surface which serves to press the lid 72 down towards the tray 71.

[0066] The functioning of the locking mechanism '6' results from a combination of the Figures 11, 13 and 15The locking mechanism 6 has as its central element the actuating rod 62, which extends centrally and vertically, as mentioned above. At its upper end, an actuating knob 61 is fixedly attached to the actuating rod 62 by means of a screw 613. The actuating knob 61 serves for manual operation of the locking mechanism 6 by a user. In the present embodiment, the actuating knob 61 has an upper knob element 611 and a lower knob element 612, which are interlocked in such a way that together they form a predominant part of the outer surface of the actuating knob 61. In the region of their radially outer edge, an outer sealing ring is clamped between the two knob elements 611 and 612 to prevent the ingress of particles and liquids into the interior of the actuating knob 61.An inner sealing ring 615 is arranged in a radial outer groove located on an upper section of the actuating rod 62, extending into the actuating knob 61. The inner sealing ring 615 is clamped between the actuating rod 62 and the lower knob element 612, thereby sealing these two elements against each other.

[0067] In other embodiments, the actuating knob 61 can also be formed as a single piece. Depending on the embodiment, the actuating knob 61 can also be removable from the actuating rod 62, in particular without the use of a tool. For example, the actuating knob 61 can be attached to the actuating rod 62 by means of a snap-fit ​​connection. Removing the actuating knob 61 before inserting the receiving device 2 into the isolator 1 reduces the probability of contamination.

[0068] The actuating rod 62 has a circumferential central flange 621 located in the middle of its longitudinal extent. On diametrically opposite sides, a short guide web 622 extends radially outwards from the central flange 621. In combination with a guide unit 65 of the locking mechanism 6, the two guide webs 622 serve to guide the cover 72 when unlocking and locking the nutrient medium carrier 7 with the receiving device 2 closed. The central flange 621 and the guide webs 622 are preferably integrally formed on the vertical rod-shaped portion of the actuating rod 62.

[0069] Viewed from top to bottom, the guide unit 65 comprises an upper cam guide 651, a middle cam guide 652, a lower cam guide 653, and an intermediate ring 655, which are connected to each other in a rotationally secure manner by means of connecting pins 654. The elements 651, 652, 653, and 655 are all ring-shaped with a central through-opening through which the actuating rod 62 extends. However, in the cam guides 651, 652, and 653, the central through-opening is non-circular in each case to form a cam that allows rotational movement of the actuating rod only over a certain predetermined angular range and permits axial displacement of the actuating rod only in certain predefined rotational positions.

[0070] The basic position of the actuating rod 62 and thus of the locking mechanism 6 is in the Figures 11, 13 and 15Shown: The guide webs 622 of the confirmation rod 62 are located at the level of the middle cam guide 652. Viewed from above ( Figure 15 The actuating rod 62 is rotated counterclockwise to such an extent that the guide webs 622 rest against the cam guide 652. In this basic position of the locking mechanism, the locked nutrient medium carrier 7 is typically inserted by the user into the open receiving device 2. The situation after closing the receiving device 2 by means of the drive 25 is described in Figure 13 The nutrient medium carrier 7 remains locked and is positioned in the now hermetically sealed interior 23 of the receiving device 2. Due to the pressure exerted by the sealing cap 4 on the fixing ring 33, the tray 71 is clamped in the receiving tray 31 by the fixing ring 33. The lid 72 is slightly clamped by the sliding ring 45.

[0071] To unlock the nutrient medium carrier 7 with the receiving device 2 closed, i.e., to actuate its bayonet lock between the tray 71 and the cover 72, the operating knob 61 is manually pressed downwards by a user and then turned counterclockwise. This advances the operating rod 62 with its guide webs 622 axially to the level of the lower cam guide 653. The retaining plate 44 then comes into contact with the cover 72 and presses it towards the tray 71. Simultaneously, the clamping elements 46 slide downwards along the outside of the cover 72 and clamp it with a significantly greater clamping force than previously exerted by the sliding ring 45. The cover 72 is thus held rotationally fixed to the retaining plate 44 and therefore to the operating rod 62.The subsequent counterclockwise rotation of the actuating rod 62 rotates the lid 72 relative to the tray 71, thereby disengaging the locking elements 711 and 721 of the bayonet closure. The nutrient medium carrier 7 is thus unlocked, and the receiving device 2 can be opened. Due to the clamping of the lid 72 by the clamping elements 46, it is moved along with the closure lid 4 when opened and lifted off the tray 71. The nutrient medium contained in the nutrient medium carrier 7 is thus exposed to the surrounding atmosphere.

[0072] After the receiving device 2 is reclosed by means of the drive 25, the interior 23 of the receiving device 2, containing the nutrient medium carrier 7, is again hermetically sealed from the environment. However, the nutrient medium carrier 7 is still unlocked, meaning that the locking elements 711 and 721 of the bayonet fitting are not engaged. The locking mechanism 6 is still in the same position as when the receiving device 2 was opened, meaning that the guide webs 622 of the actuating rod 62 are positioned at the level of the lower cam guide 653.

[0073] To lock the nutrient medium carrier 7 when the receiving device 2 is closed, i.e., to lock the tray 71 and lid 72 together using the bayonet fitting, the user manually turns the operating knob 61 clockwise and then pulls it upwards. Turning it clockwise causes the lid 72, which remains held by the clamping elements 46, to rotate as well. This re-engages the locking elements 711 and 721 of the tray 71 and lid 72, thus locking the nutrient medium carrier 7. When the operating knob 61 is subsequently pulled axially upwards, the clamping elements 46 are retracted relative to the lid 72, as it is now held against the tray 71 by the locked bayonet fitting. The lid 72 is therefore no longer clamped by the clamping elements 46, and the locking mechanism 6 is returned to its original position. Figures 11, 13 and 15shown basic position.

[0074] The recording device 2 can then be reopened using the drive 25, whereby the cover 72 remains on the tray 71 when opened. This is because, firstly, the cover 72 is held to the tray 71 by the bayonet fitting, and secondly, it is no longer clamped by the clamping elements 46.

[0075] Another position of the locking mechanism 6, which is hereinafter referred to as the disassembly position, is made possible by the upper cam guide 651. For this, the operating knob 61 must be turned clockwise from its home position by the user and then pulled upwards: Since the upper cam guide 651 has a radial inner surface that perfectly mirrors the central flange 621 and the guide webs 622, any further rotation of the operating rod 62 is impossible in the disassembly position. In the disassembly position, the operating rod 62, together with the attached retaining plate 44, is thus positioned relative to the position described in the Figures 11 and 13In the situation shown, the locking mechanism is retracted further upwards into the casing structure 41. The disassembly position facilitates the removal of the closure cover 4, for example, for cleaning and / or sterilization purposes. By pressing down the actuating knob 61 from the disassembly position and then turning it counterclockwise, the locking mechanism 6 can easily be returned to its initial position.

[0076] With regard to the locking mechanism 6, markings are preferably provided on the outside of the closure cover 4 and the operating knob 61, which enable a user to recognize the disassembly position, the home position, and the position in which the nutrient medium carrier 7 inside the receiving device 2 is unlocked. Corresponding markings are provided in the Figures 2 and 14 recognizable.

[0077] As from the Figures 11, 13 and 15Furthermore, it can be seen that the locking mechanism 6 can have a compression spring 63 to exert a force on the actuating rod 62 axially in the direction of the home position or disassembly position. The compression spring 63 can in particular be designed as a coil spring which extends around the actuating rod 62 and bears axially on one side against the central flange 621 of the actuating rod 62 and on the other side against a spring stop washer 661 which is stationary relative to the outer shell structure 41.

[0078] The spring stop washer 661 is part of a lower mounting unit 66, which also includes a lower mounting washer 662. The lower mounting washer 662 is screwed into an internal thread of the outer shell structure 41 via an external thread, thereby forming a lower termination of the locking mechanism 6. To seal the locking mechanism 6 and thus the cover 4 at the bottom, a lower outer sealing ring 663 is provided, which is arranged circumferentially between the lower mounting washer 662 and the outer shell structure 41, sealing them against each other. A lower inner sealing ring 664 seals the lower mounting washer 662 circumferentially in the area of ​​its central through-hole against the actuating rod 62. The spring stop washer 661, which also has a central through-hole for the actuating rod 62, rests on the upper surface of the lower mounting washer 662.

[0079] The locking mechanism 6 has an upper mounting unit 64 with an upper mounting washer 641. The upper mounting washer 641 is located above the upper cam guide 651. An upper sealing ring 642 is clamped between the outer shell 41 and the upper mounting washer 641 to seal the outer shell 41 and the upper mounting washer 641 against the actuating rod 62. The actuating rod 62 extends through a central through-opening in the upper mounting washer 641.

[0080] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the figures and the description, and a multitude of modifications are possible. For example, the nutrient medium carrier need not necessarily have a lid that can be locked with a tray. The nutrient medium carrier could just as easily be formed by a flat plate. Accordingly, the receiving device, although preferred, does not necessarily have to have a locking mechanism. Furthermore, opening the receiving device does not necessarily have to be accomplished by pivoting a locking lid. In certain embodiments, the locking lid could, for example, also be moved translationally away from the receiving vessel or shifted relative to a window opening to open it. If a locking mechanism is present, it can be operated by a motor drive instead of manually.Several of the described individual elements are not strictly necessary and could be omitted or designed differently in other embodiments. For example, the guide cams 651, 653, and 654, as well as the upper mounting washer 641, the spring stop washer 661, and / or the lower mounting washer 662, could be formed together by a single, one-piece element, thereby eliminating the need for the connecting pins 654. Further modifications are possible. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 insulator 31 Receiving tray 11 Hermetically insulated 311 in-depth Space 312 Sealing lip 12 Access opening 32 washer ring 33 Fixing ring 2 Recording device 331 Restraint bridge 21 Base part 332 Intervention recess 22 support foot 23 interior 4 Lid 24 drive housing 41 Coat structure 25 drive 42 sealing ring 26 battery 43 screw 27 Swivel joint 44 Mounting plate 441 recess 3 Receiving vessel 45 sliding ring 451 Latching element 641 Upper mounting washer 46 Clamping part 642 Upper sealing ring 5 remote control 65 Command unit 651 Upper stage tour 6 locking mechanism 652 Middle stage set tour 653 Lower stage tour 61 operating knob 654 Connecting pin 611 Upper knob element 655 Intermediate ring 612 Lower knob element 613 screw 66 Lower mounting unit 614 Outer sealing ring 661 Spring stop washer 615 Inner sealing ring 662 Lower mounting washer 663 Lower outer sealing ring 62 Actuating rod 664 Lower inner sealing ring 621 Center flange 622 Management bridge 7 nutrient medium carrier 71 Peel 63 Compression spring 711 locking element 72 Lid 64 Upper mounting unit 721 locking element

Claims

1. A receiving device (2) for a culture medium carrier (7), such as in particular a Petri dish, comprising a hermetically sealable interior space (23) for receiving the culture medium carrier (7); and a wirelessly remote-controllable drive (25) for opening and closing the receiving device (2) in order to allow access to the culture medium carrier (7) or to hermetically seal the interior space (23) with the culture medium carrier (7) received therein; characterized in that the receiving device (2) as a whole can be inserted into and removed from a hermetically isolatable space (11) of an isolator (1).

2. The receiving device (2) according to claim 1, additionally comprising at least one energy storage element, such as in particular a battery (26), for supplying the drive (25) with electrical energy.

3. The receiving device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiving device (2) is adapted to lift a lid (72) of the culture medium carrier (7) from a dish (71) of the culture medium carrier (7) when opened and to put the lid (72) back onto the dish (71) when closed.

4. The receiving device (2) according to claim 3, comprising a first retaining element (44, 45, 46) for retaining the lid (72) and a second retaining element (33) for retaining the dish (71) when the receiving device (2) is opened and closed.

5. The receiving device (2) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the lid (72) can be locked to the dish (71), and wherein the receiving device (2) is adapted to unlock and lock the culture medium carrier (7) received in the hermetically sealed interior space (23).

6. The receiving device (2) according to claim 5, comprising a locking mechanism (6) for unlocking and locking a culture medium carrier (7) which comprises a threaded or bayonet lock (711, 721).

7. The receiving device (2) according to claim 6, wherein the locking mechanism (6) comprises a first retaining element (44, 45, 46) for retaining the lid (72), and wherein the first retaining element (44, 45, 46) is movable from an initial position to a depressed position and from the depressed position to a depressed rotated position in order to lock a culture medium carrier (7) having a bayonet lock (711, 721).

8. The receiving device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a receiving vessel (3) and a closure lid (4), which together delimit the interior space (23), wherein the closure lid (4) can be pivoted about a rotary joint (27) over an angular range of at least 45°, preferably at least 90°, and in particular preferably at least 180°, in order to open and close the interior space (23).

9. The receiving device (2) according to claim 8, wherein the angular range over which the closure lid (4) can be pivoted about the pivot joint (27) is selectable.

10. he receiving device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a completely circumferential, at least double sealing lip (312) for hermetically sealing the interior space (23) in the closed state.

11. A method for detecting germs in the atmosphere of an isolator (1), comprising at least the following steps: - Inserting a receiving device (2), preferably a receiving device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, into a space (11) of the isolator (1), wherein the receiving device (2) comprises a hermetically sealed interior space (23) in which a culture medium carrier (7), such as in particular a Petri dish, is received; - Hermetically sealing the space (11) of the isolator (1) with the receiving device (2) received therein as a whole; and - Opening the interior space (23) of the receiving device (2) by means of a remote control (5) which is located outside the hermetically sealed space (11) of the isolator (1).

12. The method according to claim 11, additionally comprising the following steps: - Hermetically sealing the interior space (23) of the receiving device (2) by means of the remote control (5) after a certain exposure time during which a culture medium carried by the culture medium carrier (7) was exposed to the atmosphere of the hermetically sealed space (11) of the isolator (1); - Opening the space of the isolator (11); and - Removing the receiving device (2) as a whole from the space (11) of the isolator (1).

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the culture medium carrier (7) comprises a dish (71) and a lid (72), and wherein the lid (72) is lifted from the dish (71) when the interior space (23) of the receiving device (2) is opened.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the dish (71) and the lid (72) of the culture medium carrier (7) can be locked together, and wherein the lid (72) is unlocked relative to the dish (71) in the hermetically sealed interior space (23) of the receiving device (2), preferably before the receiving device (2) is introduced into the space (11) of the isolator (7).