Patent FR-2915488-A1 (FR)
Title: Apparatus for spreading micro-organism solutions having a sample of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, virus or body fluid inside a container for cell culture, comprises an installation, and a device for storing a batch of culture petridish
Inventor: JACOTOT LAURENT
IPC: C12M1/16
Filed: 2007-04-30
Abstract: The apparatus for spreading micro-organism solutions (17) having a sample of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, virus or body fluid inside a container (3) for cell culture, comprises an installation for automated spreading of the solution on a culture medium layer that covers a base of the container using rolling or sliding elements, a device for storing a batch (2) of culture petridish, a device of affixing an identification mark on each dish of the batch, a robot for pipetting and depositing solutions containing micro-organisms in a dish of the whole batch, and an evacuation device (19). The apparatus for spreading micro-organism solutions (17) having a sample of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, virus or body fluid inside a container (3) for cell culture, comprises an installation for automated spreading of the solution on a culture medium layer that covers a base of the container using rolling or sliding elements, a device for storing a batch (2) of culture petridish, a device of affixing an identification mark on each dish of the batch, a robot for pipetting and depositing solutions containing micro-organisms in a dish of the whole batch, an evacuation device (19), devices for transferring culture petridishes, a programmable unit (22) for managing an order for pipetting and deposition of solutions containing micro-organisms in the culture petridish in accordance with an order for affixing the identification marks on the culture dish, and a device for controlling the affixing of the identification marks. The automated spreading installation comprises a dispenser for distributing a dose of rolling or sliding elements in each culture petridish of a batch, and an agitator for shaking culture petridish. The robot, the spreading installation and the dispenser are arranged in upstream of the agitator. The agitator is laid in upstream of the evacuation device. The dispenser comprises a pipe for storing rolling or sliding elements, an evacuation unit for rolling or sliding elements, a sampling body, a device for removably mounting a stock of rolling or sliding elements, a base, an actuator for operating the sampling body between its loading and unloading positions, and a removable head. The sampling body defines a hole for selecting a dose of rolling or sliding elements, and is movable between a loading position in which an outlet of storing pipe meets the selection hole located below the storage pipe and unloading position. The sampling body seals the outlet of the storage pipe. The actuator and sampling body comprise detachable complementary units for coupling with each other. The agitator comprises a unit for gripping the petridish to make the bottom of dish horizontal, and an actuator for conducting the gripping device according to horizontal back and forward linear movements. The gripping devices are movable around a vertical axis (Z-Z') to change the direction of movements of the culture dish between two cycles of linear alternative movements. The gripping device comprises first and second jaws for clamping culture petridish. The first clamping jaw is slidable with respect to the second clamping jaw. Independent claims are included for: (1) a method for spreading solutions inside a container; and (2) a method for preparation of a spreading solution.