Multiple carousel cartridge-based dispensing system and method

A method for automated dispensing of reagents in a system wherein the system comprises:

• a control system comprising a processor and a memory;
• a rotatably mounted central turntable positionable in response to commands received from the control system;
• a plurality of carousels, carried by and rotatably mounted upon the rotatably mounted central turntable, each independently positionable in response to command received from the control system;
• a plurality of dispenser cartridges, mounted about a circumference of each of the plurality of carousels, wherein each dispenser cartridge comprises a reagent disc reservoir carrying reagent discs to be dispensed therefrom and a vertical plunger;
• a mechanical actuator positioned above a loading station;
• wherein when a dispenser cartridge is rotated into alignment with the mechanical actuator, a mechanical actuation of a dispenser cartridge results in dispensing the reagent disc contained within the actuated dispenser cartridge;
• and
• at least one test medium carried by a culture plate;
• the method comprising:
• positioning the rotatably mounted central turntable so as to place a selected carousel in a position proximate to the at least one test medium located in the loading station;
• rotating a selected carousel to position a selected dispenser cartridge in a position to dispense the reagent disc on to the at least one test medium;
• and
• actuating the mechanical actuator to act upon the selected dispenser cartridge causing the reagent disc to be dispensed via the vertical plunger to dispense the reagent disc on to the test medium.