Robotic control for aseptic processing
AssigneesPharma Integration S.R.L., Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.
InventorsGiovanni Scialò, Davide Recchia, Claudio Bechini
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices and methods for sampling, detecting and/or characterizing particles, for example, via collection, growth and analysis of viable biological particles such as microorganisms. Devices and methods of the invention include particle samplers and impactors including a sampling head comprising one or more intake apertures, a selectively removable cover, an impactor base connected to the sampling head, and one or more magnets fixed to the sampling head, the selectively removable cover and/or the impactor base. The one or more magnets allow for robotic manipulation of the impactor devices.
Claims23
An impactor comprising:
- a sampling head comprising one or more intake apertures for sampling a fluid flow containing particles and a selectively removable cover for covering the one or more intake apertures;
- and
- an impactor base operationally connected to receive at least a portion of the fluid flow from the sampling head;
- the impactor base comprising an impact surface for receiving at least a portion of the particles in the fluid flow and an outlet for exhausting the fluid flow;
- a first cover magnet fixed to an underside of the selectively removable cover;
- and
- a second cover magnet spaced apart from the first cover magnet and protruding from the underside of the selectively removable cover;
- wherein the sampling head and the impactor base engage to enclose the impact surface.
A method for sampling biological particles from a fluid flow, the method comprising:
- drawing a fluid flow through one or more intake apertures and into a sampling head of an impactor, wherein the fluid flow contains biological particles;
- impacting at least some of the biological particles onto an impact surface of an impactor base, the impactor base engaging the sampling head to enclose the impact surface;
- exhausting the fluid flow from the sampling head;
- manipulating the impactor or a component thereof via a magnet fixed to the impactor, wherein the manipulating comprises manual manipulation of the impactor or a component thereof via a magnetic hand tool;
- and
- growing at least a portion of the biological particles received by the impact surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.