Automated Agar Sterilizer
and Petri Dish Filler
From the originators of automatic agar preparation and
dispensing equipment comes the biggest advance in agar
sterilizers - the 10 liter digital AgarMatic®.
Microprocessor-controled, this automated instrument is
engineered for high-speed sterilization of agar or nutrient
broth with minimal lab supervision. On only 24" (60 cm),
of bench space, the AgarMatic® can produce
ready-to-pour, high-quality agar and no steam supply is
needed. Just add water and dehydrated medium and set
the automatic controls. In slightly over an hour, 1 to 10
liters of agar will be completely sterilized, cooled and
maintained at a preset temperature, ready to be dispensed into plates, tubes or flasks while yu attend
to other lab activities.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
The only agar sterilizer built for complete steam-sterilization of the agar dispensing port and dip
tube, above and below liquid level.
Absolute vent filter cartridge repeatedely sterilzable in place by pressurized steam through the
filter; readily replaceable.
Prevents boiling and foaming of medium by maintaining positive pressure in vessel during
heat-up and cool-down.
Readily removable ASME-coded pressure vessel simplifies cleaning.
Vessel design allows all but 15 mL of agar to be recovered.
Thermally-actuated lid lock prevents physical contact with vessel during sterilization and
cool-down.
Magnetic drive eliminates seals on agitator shaft that can fail and cause contamination.
Unique stirring paddle shortens sterilization cycle, reducing exposure of agar to high
temperatures. Prevents carmelization, ensuring superior quality agar.
Automatically adjusts heating and cooling cycles depending on agar volume to avoid
temperature undershoot and overshoot.
Self-diagnostic test assist in problem analysis.
Analog and digital outputs facilitate data logging on 6-channel recorder or host computer.
In-House Plate Preparation Made Simple
Superior Quality Agar
High quality agar is assured by the short exposure of heat-sensitive constituents of high temperatures.
To enhance heat transfer and reduce heat-up and sterilization time, a special stirring paddle slowly
sweeps the walls of the vessel, keeping agar in continuous motion. Further thermal efficiency is
achieved in the water jacket which distributes heat uniformly to the medium. Thermally controlled
jacket water eliminates hot spots and insulates the sterilizer vessel, helping to maintain precise
sterilization and dispensing temperatures. Critical protection against thermal overshoot and
undershoot is also acheived by the microprocessor controller which automatically adjusts the heating
and cooling cycles depending on the volume of medium. Sterilization time and temperature may be
varied depending on the application.
Self-Diagnostic Safety Features
Audible alarms and a flashing display provide many self-diagnostic messages to assist the operator in
correcting any problems that should occur. Three self-diagnostic testing sequences are automatically
performed for preliminary detection of any malfunctions. The first is an automatic self-test check of the
system's power supply and cable connections initiated at startup. The second is a test for any
agitation and temperature errors in the main control system, as well as in the thermally-actuated
lid-latching mechanism. The third self-diagnostic test detects any aberrant heat-up and cool-down
times, and determines the integrity of the entire system.
Removable Sterilizing Vessel
The medium sterilization chamber is an ASME-coded stainless steel pressure vessel that is
water-jacketed to produce superior quality medium in less processing time. Easily removed from the
console without tools, the sterilizer can be washed and cleaned in a sink whenever necessary.
The headplate is mounted on a swivel and rotates
360º out of the way for easy access to the
sterilization chamber (left). The ASME certified
sterilization vessel (right) is readily removable for
cleaning. ASME code stamp is shown on the side
of the vessel.
OPERATIONAL SAFETY FEATURES
Component
Function
THERMALLY-ACTULATED LID LATCH
Prevents physical contact with vessel during sterilization
until heated surfaces have cooled down.
PRESSURE-RELIEF VALVES
Prevents excess pressure in outer and inner vessels; Ability
to test integrity of pressure-relief valves in jacket and vessel.
EXHAUST FILTER
Absolute filter cartridge repeatedly sterilizable in place by
pressurized steam.
EXHAUST VENTING SEQUENCE
Eliminates boiling and foaming of medium and sterilizes
exhaust filter in place.
HEATER THERMOSTAT
High temperature limiting safety switch cuts out heater if
maximum temperature is exceeded.
MAGNETIC CIRCUIT-BREAKER
Protects against electrical overload or short circuit.
READY SIGNAL
Alerts operator to dispense ready condition and for addition
of heat-labile supplements.
FUSE PROTECTION
Individual protection of heater and drive motor in addition to
main circuit-breaker.
VESSEL CAPTIVE BOLTS
Fool-proof closure of sterilizer vessel headplate achieved
with manual bolts having insulated handles for ease of use.
Automatic Dish Filling with the PourMatic
The development of the self-stacking dish filler in
1980 has made it possible for thousands of
laboratories the world over to automate the labor
intensive operations of aseptic plate preparation.
Thanks to the MP-1000 PourMatic®, up to 320
plates can be poured and stacked in about 20
minutes without operator intervention. When
coupled to the AgarMatic sterilizer, hundreds of
diagnostic plates can be prepared quickly and
conveniently in only 44" (110 cm) of bench space
with minimal lab supervision.
The system not only saves time and labor, but
also produces superior quality agar plates with virtually no contamination. Plates are processed at the
rate of 15 dishes per minute, and high quality agar is further assured by the rapid pouring time as well
as the slow stirring speed and shortened exposure to high temperature. In-house media making has
become so simple today that laboratories can produce agar plates whenever needed without having to
stockpile prepared plates for long periods, or to remelt unused agar.
MP-1000 is an automated dish-filling system that produces high quality agar plates at low cost. In
only 20" (52 cm) of bench space, this self-stacking automated dish filler pours up to 900 plates per
hour or 320 plates per carousel. Without operator intervention, the PourMatic aseptically dispenses
agar into 100 or 60 mm Petri dishes and stacks the sterile plates in a carousel for cooling. Coupled
with the AgarMatic media sterilizer, diagnostic plates can now be produced automatically whenever
needed, eliminating large inventories or refrigerated plates. Since PourMatic has a 15 year record of
dependable operation, it has become a standard in clinical and Q.C. laboratories throughout the world.
With a variety of technological advanced features, the MP-1000 ensures a high degree of reliability
under continuous operation year after year after year.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
In-house automated system pours and stacks 320 plates in 20 minutes (900 plates/hr).
Dish filling operation is virtually unattended; signals alarm at end of process.
Self-stacking dish filler aseptically dispenses measured amounts of sterile agar.
Prepare fresh plates whenever needed and eliminate storage and delivery problems.
Specialized plates prepared quickly on demand.
Tubing loads in seconds with cam-action pump lever.
Dispense volumes adjustable from 5 mL to 40 mL per plate.
Optical sensing of dish position improves reliability and reduces maintenance.
User keys-in actual dispensing volume.
Programmed plate vibrations attain smooth, uniform and bubble-free agar.
Dispense area protected by dust cover and germicidal lamp that eliminates contamination.
Membrane-touch pad easily wiped clean.
Needs only 20" (52 cm) of bench space.
Easier clean-up with spill channel conveying waste to pull-out catch basin.
Adaptable for pouring bi-plates with optional bi-plate dispensing kit.
NEW FEATURES
Dish carrier speed can be reduced for gentle transfer of larger volume plates without spillage
and increased for rapid production rates.
Tubing loads in seconds with single-pump lever - needs no screws or tools.
User selected cooling time.
Optional printer for plate coding with no increase in process time. |
