Interscience easySpiral Pro® Automated Spiral Plater
| Brand | Interscience |
|---|---|
| Origin | France |
| Model | easySpiral Pro® |
| Dispensing Volume | 1000 µL |
| Preset Volumes | 50, 100, or 200 µL |
| Counting Range | 100–1×10⁷ CFU/mL |
| Cycle Time | 25 s |
| Overflow Pressure | 8 bar |
| Disinfectant Capacity (Standard Mode) | 600 cycles (2 L bottle) |
| Same-Sample Sequential Plating | up to 50 Petri dishes (50 µL each) |
| Automatic Disinfection Protocol | Compatible with 90 mm and 150 mm Petri dishes |
| Spiral Modes | Exponential, Circular, Uniform |
| Data Export | Excel™ format |
| Programmable Volume Range | 10–1000 mL |
| Dimensions | 38 × 42 × 29 cm |
| Weight | 15.6 kg |
| Power Supply | 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz |
Overview
The Interscience easySpiral Pro® Automated Spiral Plater is an ISO 7218- and AFNOR V08-100-compliant instrument engineered for high-throughput, standardized microbial enumeration in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and environmental laboratories. It implements the spiral plating principle—where a precise volume of liquid sample is deposited onto a rotating agar plate while the dispensing tip follows a logarithmic Archimedean spiral trajectory—to generate statistically valid colony counts across a continuous dilution gradient. Unlike manual or semi-automated methods, the easySpiral Pro® integrates fluid handling, mechanical actuation, and real-time process control into a single compact platform, enabling reproducible colony isolation without serial dilution steps. Its core architecture centers on a patented electro-mechanical rotary arm system, calibrated for sub-microliter volumetric accuracy and optimized for minimal carryover between samples.
Key Features
- Complete plating cycle—including tip rinsing, sample aspiration, spiral deposition, and post-cycle disinfection—in ≤25 seconds per plate.
- Three preconfigured dispensing volumes (50 µL, 100 µL, 200 µL) plus fully programmable range from 10 µL to 1000 µL via USB interface.
- Overflow-based cleaning system operating at 8 bar pressure ensures thorough removal of residual sample and biofilm from internal fluid paths, minimizing cross-contamination risk.
- Disinfectant reservoir supports up to 600 automated cleaning cycles using a standard 2 L bottle—reducing consumable frequency by up to 67% versus conventional systems.
- Compatible with both 90 mm and 150 mm Petri dishes; accommodates same-sample sequential plating across up to 50 plates at fixed 50 µL volume without manual intervention.
- No proprietary consumables required—uses standard sterile pipette tips and commercially available disinfectants, lowering total cost of ownership and lab footprint.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The easySpiral Pro® accepts liquid suspensions of bacteria, yeasts, molds, and spores in buffered peptone water, saline, or other ISO/USP-compatible diluents. It is validated for use with selective and non-selective agars including PCA, TSA, VRBA, and mFC. All operational parameters adhere to ISO 7218:2017 (Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs — General requirements and guidance for microbiological examinations) and AFNOR V08-100 (Validation of spiral plating methods), supporting GLP and GMP environments where traceability and method validation are mandatory. The device’s mechanical design prevents aerosol generation during dispensing and includes physical barriers to limit operator exposure during routine operation.
Software & Data Management
A dedicated USB-connected configuration utility enables full parameter programming—including volume, spiral type (exponential, circular, uniform), rotation speed, and rinse duration—without external software installation. Each plating event generates a timestamped log file containing sample ID, volume dispensed, plate dimensions, mode selected, and disinfection cycle status. Exported data is natively formatted for Microsoft Excel™, facilitating integration into LIMS or statistical analysis platforms. Audit trails meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records when used with appropriate IT governance controls (e.g., user access management, electronic signatures). No cloud dependency or vendor-hosted services are required.
Applications
- Routine aerobic plate count (APC) and total viable count (TVC) in food safety testing laboratories.
- Environmental monitoring in cleanrooms and aseptic processing facilities per EU GMP Annex 1 guidelines.
- Method validation and verification studies for ISO 11133-compliant culture media performance assessment.
- Antimicrobial efficacy testing (e.g., ISO 13688, EN 13697) requiring precise inoculum delivery across multiple replicates.
- Research applications involving colony isolation for sub-culturing, antibiotic susceptibility screening, or genomic library preparation.
FAQ
Does the easySpiral Pro® require calibration certificates or annual service contracts?
No mandatory annual service contract is required; however, Interscience recommends biannual verification using NIST-traceable volumetric standards and AFNOR V08-100 reference strains to maintain compliance with ISO 17025-accredited testing protocols.
Can the instrument be integrated into a laboratory information management system (LIMS)?
Yes—via its native Excel™ export functionality and structured CSV-compatible log files, enabling scripted ingestion into most LIMS platforms supporting flat-file import workflows.
Is the overflow disinfection system compatible with all common disinfectants?
It is validated for use with sodium hypochlorite (≤5,000 ppm), peracetic acid (≤1%), and quaternary ammonium compounds meeting EN 13697 specifications; compatibility with novel formulations must be verified per manufacturer’s chemical resistance documentation.
What maintenance is required beyond routine cleaning?
Daily wipe-down of exterior surfaces and weekly inspection of the dispensing tip alignment and O-ring integrity are sufficient; no lubrication or internal component replacement is needed within the first 24 months under normal usage conditions.
