HRH-PB186 Automated Agar Plate Dispenser

Overview

The HRH-PB186 Automated Agar Plate Dispenser is an integrated laboratory automation system engineered for the precise, aseptic, and unattended preparation of microbiological culture media into standard Petri dishes. Designed around Couette-flow dispensing principles and gravimetric feedback-controlled peristaltic pumping, the instrument delivers reproducible volumetric delivery across diverse agar-based and liquid media formulations—including nutrient agar, tryptic soy agar, MacConkey agar, and selective enrichment broths. Its architecture supports end-to-end workflow integration—from post-sterilization media transfer through quantitative dispensing, dish stacking, and optional on-board steam sterilization—enabling full compliance with GLP and GMP-aligned laboratory practices. The system operates within controlled cleanroom environments (ISO 14644-1 Class 5 when paired with certified laminar flow enclosures), minimizing bioburden risk during plate fabrication.

Key Features

• Two standardized plate configurations: dedicated modules for 60 mm and 90 mm Petri dishes, each with mechanically indexed tray loading and stack-height sensing.
• 4.3-inch resistive color touchscreen with context-aware UI navigation, multilingual support (English, Spanish, French), and audit-trail-enabled user authentication.
• Peristaltic pump calibrated to ±2% volumetric accuracy (per SN/T 1538.1–2016 Annex B), with real-time flow rate monitoring and automatic recalibration prompts.
• Anti-drip dispensing nozzle assembly incorporating pneumatic pressure compensation and post-dispense vacuum retraction to eliminate residual droplet formation.
• Vacuum-assisted lid separation mechanism ensures consistent, jam-free separation of dish lids from bases—even after prolonged storage or high-humidity conditions.
• Built-in 254 nm UV-C lamp (15 W, 1.5 mJ/cm² dose at 10 cm) with programmable irradiation cycles (1–30 min) for surface decontamination between batches.
• Optional integrated Class N steam autoclave module (121 °C, 15 psi, 15–30 min cycle) compliant with EN 285 and ISO 17665-1, enabling closed-loop medium sterilization and dispensing without manual transfer.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The HRH-PB186 accommodates viscous media ranging from 3 cP (liquid broths) to 1,200 cP (molten agar at 45–48 °C), with temperature-stabilized tubing paths maintaining media integrity during transit. It supports all standard polystyrene and polypropylene Petri dishes meeting ISO 7218 and ASTM D4169 specifications. Regulatory alignment includes adherence to SN/T 1538.1–2016 for medium preparation quality assurance, as well as compatibility with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when deployed with validated electronic record systems. Instrument firmware logs all critical events—including dispense volume, cycle time, UV exposure duration, and error codes—with timestamped, non-erasable entries suitable for internal QA audits and external accreditation reviews (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025, CAP, CLIA).

Software & Data Management

Firmware v3.2.1 provides embedded data logging with SD card backup (up to 16 GB), supporting CSV export of batch records including operator ID, media lot number, plate count, average dispense volume, and deviation metrics. Optional Ethernet/Wi-Fi connectivity enables integration with LIMS platforms via HL7 or ASTM E1384-compliant protocols. All user actions are captured in a tamper-evident audit trail, satisfying ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available). Password-protected configuration modes restrict access to calibration parameters and sterilization settings, ensuring procedural integrity across multi-shift operations.

Applications

• Routine clinical microbiology labs preparing plates for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) under CLSI M02/M100 guidelines.
• FDA-regulated food safety laboratories performing aerobic plate counts (APC), coliform enumeration, and pathogen isolation per BAM and ISO 6579 protocols.
• Environmental monitoring programs requiring ISO 14698-1 compliant settle plate generation in cleanrooms and isolators.
• Academic and contract research organizations automating high-throughput screening workflows involving mutant library plating or antibiotic gradient assays.
• Reference laboratories conducting proficiency testing where inter-laboratory consistency depends on standardized plate volume (e.g., 15–20 mL for 90 mm dishes).

FAQ

What regulatory standards does the HRH-PB186 comply with?

The system conforms to SN/T 1538.1–2016 for medium preparation quality assurance and supports compliance with ISO/IEC 17025, CLSI M02, and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when operated with validated software configurations.
Can the instrument handle molten agar without clogging?

Yes—the heated fluid path maintains temperatures between 42–48 °C, and the silicone tubing set is rated for continuous operation at ≤50 °C with viscosities up to 1,200 cP.
Is remote monitoring supported?

Ethernet and Wi-Fi interfaces enable real-time status polling and alarm notification via SNMP or custom REST API endpoints, compatible with enterprise network management systems.
How often does the peristaltic pump require recalibration?

Calibration is recommended every 200 operating hours or after tubing replacement; the system prompts users automatically and guides them through a three-point volumetric verification sequence.
Does the optional autoclave module meet international sterilization validation requirements?

The integrated autoclave meets EN 285:2015 for large steam sterilizers and supports IQ/OQ/PQ documentation packages aligned with ISO 13485 and GMP Annex 1 frameworks.