HengAo HDP-150 Automated Petri Dish Dispenser

Overview

The HengAo HDP-150 Automated Petri Dish Dispenser is an engineered solution for high-throughput, precision-based agar or liquid media dispensing into standard 90 mm Petri dishes. Designed for laboratories engaged in microbiological culture preparation—particularly in pharmaceutical quality control, environmental monitoring, and food safety testing—the instrument operates on a gravimetric or volumetric dispensing principle, calibrated to deliver consistent volumes per dish with minimal operator intervention. Its architecture integrates stepper-motor-driven peristaltic or piston-based fluid handling, coupled with optical dish detection and programmable dispensing logic, enabling repeatable performance across extended unattended runs. Unlike manual or semi-automated systems, the HDP-150 eliminates inter-operator variability in volume delivery and reduces contamination risk through closed-path tubing and contact-free dish positioning.

Key Features

• Programmable dispensing volume (user-defined range compatible with standard microbiological media formulations)
• Auto-sensing dish presence detection via infrared optical sensors, preventing mis-dispensing or overflow
• Touchscreen interface with intuitive menu navigation and multi-language support (English, Chinese, Spanish)
• Modular tubing path designed for rapid sterilization and media changeover; compatible with autoclavable or single-use fluid paths
• Integrated calibration routine traceable to NIST-traceable standards, supporting lab-specific validation protocols
• Low-noise operation (<65 dB(A)) suitable for shared laboratory environments
• Emergency stop button and overfill protection circuitry compliant with IEC 61000-6-2 electromagnetic compatibility requirements

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HDP-150 accommodates viscous and particulate-containing media—including molten agar, nutrient broths, selective enrichment media (e.g., MacConkey, XLD), and chromogenic formulations—without clogging, thanks to its wide-bore dispensing nozzle (internal diameter ≥2.5 mm) and pulse-modulated flow control. It supports all commercially available polystyrene and polypropylene 90 mm Petri dishes meeting ISO 7218:2017 and ASTM D3124-16 dimensional specifications. The system is designed to align with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) documentation requirements; audit trail functionality (via optional USB logging) records time-stamped dispensing events, user IDs, and parameter changes—supporting compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated software configuration.

Software & Data Management

The onboard firmware enables storage of up to 50 customizable dispensing protocols, each defining volume, pause duration, dish spacing, and acceleration profile. Exportable CSV logs capture batch-level metadata including total dishes processed, average dispense volume per cycle, and deviation alerts. While the base unit does not include network connectivity, optional RS-232 or USB-to-PC interface allows integration into LIMS environments for automated data ingestion. Firmware updates are performed via secure USB drive with SHA-256 hash verification, ensuring integrity during field upgrades.

Applications

• Preparation of plates for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) per CLSI M02-A13 and EUCAST guidelines
• High-volume plate production in contract testing laboratories serving food and beverage clients under ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation
• Environmental microbiology workflows requiring standardized membrane filtration followed by pour-plate or spread-plate inoculation
• Pharmaceutical sterility testing (USP <71>) where uniform agar depth is critical for colony isolation and enumeration
• Academic research labs scaling up mutant screening or bioprocess development requiring >1,000 plates/week

FAQ

What types of culture media are compatible with the HDP-150?
The system handles aqueous and agar-based media with viscosities up to 1,200 mPa·s at 45°C, including blood agar, Sabouraud dextrose agar, and buffered peptone water. Media containing suspended particles ≤100 µm (e.g., charcoal, bile salts) may require pre-filtration.
Is the HDP-150 compliant with ISO 13485 or FDA registration requirements?
As a Class I non-sterile laboratory device, it falls outside mandatory FDA 510(k) submission scope; however, its design documentation, risk management file (per ISO 14971), and manufacturing traceability meet baseline requirements for inclusion in QMS audits conducted under ISO 13485:2016.
Can dispensing volume be adjusted in real time during a run?
No—volume parameters are fixed per protocol and locked upon run initiation to ensure regulatory consistency; adjustments require pausing, reprogramming, and recalibration verification.
Does the system support custom dish sizes beyond 90 mm?
Mechanical and sensor geometry are optimized exclusively for 90 mm Petri dishes conforming to ISO 648:2021 tolerances; adaptation to other diameters is not supported without hardware modification.
What maintenance intervals are recommended?
Daily wipe-down of dispensing head and tray surface; weekly inspection of tubing elasticity and nozzle clearance; biannual verification of volumetric accuracy using certified gravimetric standards.