Fluidot FDT-MF80 Fully Automated Petri Dish Dispenser

Overview

The Fluidot FDT-MF80 Fully Automated Petri Dish Dispenser is an engineered solution for precise, repeatable, and contamination-controlled dispensing of liquid microbiological growth media into standard Petri dishes (90 mm and 100 mm diameters). Based on positive-displacement peristaltic pumping technology, the system ensures volumetric accuracy without cross-contamination between samples—critical for clinical microbiology, food safety testing, and environmental monitoring. Its compact footprint (W × D × H: 620 × 580 × 540 mm) enables seamless integration into Class II biosafety cabinets and laminar flow hoods, eliminating the need for dedicated cleanroom space. Unlike gravity-fed or syringe-based dispensers, the FDT-MF80 maintains consistent flow dynamics across viscosity ranges typical of agar-containing media (0.5–5% w/v), supported by programmable priming, back-suction, and air-gap elimination routines.

Key Features

• Three independently configurable stack stations—each holding up to 40 standard Petri dishes—allow continuous unattended operation for extended batch runs.
• Removable, autoclavable fluid path assembly (including pump tubing, dispensing nozzles, and manifold connectors) enables full traceability and validation of cleaning-in-place (CIP) and sterilization-in-place (SIP) protocols.
• Integrated UV-C lamp (254 nm) inside the sealed dispensing chamber provides ≥3-log reduction of surface microorganisms prior to each run, supporting ISO 14644-1 Class 5 ambient compliance during open-dish handling.
• Programmable orbital mixing module applies controlled lateral oscillation post-dispensing to homogenize inoculated media—configurable from 5 to 60 cycles at amplitude settings of 5–20 mm—ensuring uniform microbial suspension distribution before solidification.
• Intelligent dish presence detection uses dual infrared sensors to verify dish positioning in real time; absence triggers immediate pause with visual/audio alert and logged event timestamp.
• Touchscreen HMI (7-inch capacitive display) supports multi-user access control, parameter locking, and versioned method storage—facilitating SOP adherence and regulatory review.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The FDT-MF80 accommodates a broad range of microbiological media formulations—including nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, blood agar, chromogenic selective media, and buffered peptone water—without modification to hardware. It meets mechanical and electrical safety requirements per IEC 61010-1 and electromagnetic compatibility standards per IEC 61326-1. While not pre-certified as a medical device, its architecture aligns with design controls outlined in ISO 13485 for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) support equipment. When operated with documented procedures and electronic records enabled, it supports compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (electronic signatures), ISO/IEC 17025 (testing laboratory competence), and EU Annex 11 (computerized systems in GMP environments).

Software & Data Management

The embedded firmware stores all dispense logs—including date/time stamp, operator ID, method name, volume setpoint, actual dispensed volume (via pump rotation count calibration), stack position, and error events—in a tamper-evident binary file format. Export is available via USB 2.0 to CSV or PDF reports compatible with LIMS integration. Optional Ethernet/Wi-Fi module enables remote monitoring and centralized fleet management. Audit trail functionality records all parameter changes, user logins, and system status transitions with immutable timestamps—meeting GLP audit requirements for traceability and accountability.

Applications

This instrument is routinely deployed in accredited laboratories performing standardized microbial enumeration and isolation assays per AOAC, ISO 4833-1, ISO 6887-1, USP <61>, and EN ISO 11133. Key use cases include: preparation of plates for total viable count (TVC), coliform screening, pathogen enrichment (e.g., Salmonella, Listeria), antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) plate setup, environmental monitoring in pharmaceutical cleanrooms, and QC release testing of sterile products. Its modular design also supports research applications requiring high-throughput plate replication, such as CRISPR library screening or antibiotic synergy matrix generation.

FAQ

What types of Petri dishes are compatible with the FDT-MF80?
Standard polystyrene or polypropylene Petri dishes with diameters of 90 mm or 100 mm and heights up to 18 mm.
Can the system dispense viscous media containing heated agar?
Yes—media up to 45°C may be loaded into the reservoir; the peristaltic pump maintains stable flow up to 500 mPa·s dynamic viscosity.
Is validation documentation provided?
Factory acceptance test (FAT) report and IQ/OQ templates are included; PQ must be performed on-site per user-defined media and plate types.
How is calibration verified?
Calibration is based on pump motor step count vs. gravimetric measurement using NIST-traceable analytical balance; certificate of calibration is issued annually upon service.
Does the system support barcode scanning for sample tracking?
Barcode reader integration is available as an optional add-on module compatible with common 1D/2D symbologies (Code 128, QR, DataMatrix).