Petri Dish Filler Provides Automated Filling of Biplates and Pour-Plate Functionality

An automated Petri dish filler now offers the unique flexibility for high-throughput filling of Petri dishes of various sizes, Petri dishes with two compartments, and test tubes of various diameters and length. Furthermore, an integrated shaker function provides a convenient solution for pour-plate applications.

Integra Biosciences (Chur, Switzerland), a manufacturer of instruments for media processing, has several new features and a product range extension expanding the versatility and further improving the effectiveness of its MediaJet automated Petri dish filler.

For many applications, the amount of required agar can be reduced by using two-compartment Petri dishes. However, pouring biplates by hand is time-consuming and inefficient. With the MediaJet biplate option the user has an efficient solution to fill two-compartment Petri dishes automatically. A new MediaJet shaker function enables the automation of pour plate production. Depending on the volume or viscosity of the medium used for pouring, different shaking levels are selectable according to requirements. Furthermore, a new special Petri dish processing mode has been implemented that allows generation of agar dishes with highly planar surfaces--a feature that will particularly benefit automatic colony counting. Designed to incorporate seamlessly into Installation Quality/Operation Quality (IQ/OQ)-certified environments--the new device provides facility, via an optional inkjet printer module, to automatically imprint Petri dishes with all the relevant data on either the side or bottom of plates to ensure complete traceability.

The MediaJet vario Petri dish filler can be converted from filling 90 mm diameter dishes to 60 mm or 35 mm diameter dishes in less than five minutes, providing invaluable flexibility to the media preparation. Using a proven mechanical dish guidance system, monitored by a set of sensors throughout the filling process, the compact filler provides truly effective, walk-away operation. Operational downtime and media loss due to "dish jams” resulting from variations in the diameter, shape, and rim profile of the disposable plastic Petri dishes are eliminated. All functions on the device are conveniently controlled via a large graphical user interface. The intuitive software is completely self-explanatory even to occasional users and allows storage of up to 20 filling methods.

The device has a unique agar spread function capability that provides the most efficient use of agar through ensuring homogeneous distribution and an even surface. By minimizing the agar level in each Petri dish the new system enables up to 20% savings on media use compared to some traditional systems. For consistent agar plate quality, maintaining a clean environment during the dispensing process is essential. The surface of the MediaJet filling chamber is manufactured from a single piece of chemically resistant polyethylene facilitating convenient and efficient cleaning. A powerful ultraviolet (UV) lamp further provides optimal bactericidal efficiency over the full length of the rotor where the dishes are opened during the dispensing process.

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Integra Biosciences