Automatic microbial air sampling system and method

An automated remote microbial air sampling system for use with an isolator and sample containers, comprising:

• a sampling enclosure adapted to be positioned outside of the isolator;
• an atrium located within the sampling enclosure for exposing the sample containers to a gas sample;
• an infeed sample receiver for storing at least one sample container, including an outlet opening associated with the sampling enclosure for passing the sample container from the infeed sample receiver to the atrium;
• a remote sampling device connected in flow communication with the atrium and adapted to be placed within the isolator and to receive the gas sample from the isolator and pass it to the atrium;
• and
• an outfeed sample receiver for storing at least one exposed sample container, including an inlet opening associated with the sampling enclosure for passing the sample container from the atrium to the outfeed sample receiver;
• wherein the infeed sample receiver includes a hollow column portion that has an outlet opening and an inlet opening disposed above the outlet opening.

An automated remote microbial air sampling system for use with an isolator and sample containers, comprising:

• a sampling enclosure adapted to be positioned outside of the isolator;
• an atrium located within the sampling enclosure for exposing the sample containers to a gas sample;
• an infeed sample receiver for storing at least one sample container, including an outlet opening associated with the sampling enclosure for passing the sample container from the infeed sample receiver to the atrium;
• a remote sampling device connected in flow communication with the atrium and adapted to be placed within the isolator and to receive the gas sample from the isolator and pass it to the atrium;
• and
• an outfeed sample receiver for storing at least one exposed sample container, including an inlet opening associated with the sampling enclosure for passing the sample container from the atrium to the outfeed sample receiver;
• and a load arm located within the sampling enclosure and adjacent to the inlet opening of the infeed sample receiver, including a sample retention surface for preventing the sample container from exiting the inlet opening when the load arm is in a mid position and allowing the sample container to exit the inlet opening when the load arm is in a retracted position, and a forward surface for moving the sample container to the atrium when the load arm is extended.

An automated remote microbial air sampling system for use with an isolator and sample containers, comprising:

• a sampling enclosure adapted to be positioned outside of the isolator;
• an atrium located within the sampling enclosure for exposing the sample containers to a gas sample;
• an infeed sample receiver for storing at least one sample container, including an outlet opening associated with the sampling enclosure for passing the sample container from the infeed sample receiver to the atrium;
• a remote sampling device connected in flow communication with the atrium and adapted to be placed within the isolator and to receive the gas sample from the isolator and pass it to the atrium;
• an outfeed sample receiver for storing at least one exposed sample container, including an inlet opening associated with the sampling enclosure for passing the sample container from the atrium to the outfeed sample receiver;
• and a lower explosive limit sensor connected in flow communication with the remote sampling device for receiving and analyzing the gas sample downstream from the atrium.

In combination with an isolator, an automated remote microbial air sampling system comprising:

• a sampling enclosure associated with and positioned outside of the isolator;
• an atrium located within the sampling enclosure for exposing a sample container to a gas sample drawn from the isolator;
• an infeed sample receiver for storing a least one sample container, including an outlet opening associated with the sampling enclosure for passing the sample container from the infeed sample receive to the atrium;
• a remote sampling device connected in flow communication with the atrium and adapted to be placed within the isolator and to draw the gas sample from the isolator and pass it to the atrium;
• and
• an outfeed sample receiver for storing at least one exposed sample container, including an inlet opening associated with the sampling enclosure for passing the sample container from the atrium to the outfeed sample receiver.

An automated remote microbial air sampling system for use with an isolator and sample containers, comprising:

• a sampling and transfer enclosure positioned outside of the isolator, the sampling and transfer enclosure being defined between a main housing and a cover;
• an atrium located within the sampling enclosure for exposing the sample containers to a gas sample;
• an infeed sample receiver for storing at least one sample container, including an outlet opening associated with the sampling enclosure for passing the sample container from the infeed sample receiver to the atrium;
• a remote sampling device connected in flow communication with the atrium and placed within the isolator to receive the gas sample from the isolator and pass it to the atrium;
• and
• an outfeed sample receiver for storing at least one exposed sample container, including an inlet opening associated with the sampling enclosure for passing the sample container from the atrium to the outfeed sample receiver.

An automated remote microbial air sampling system for use with an isolator and sample containers which have a microbe growth promoting media in a base portion and a removable lid portion, the system comprising:

• a sampling enclosure positioned outside of the isolator;
• an atrium located within the sampling enclosure for exposing the sample containers to a gas sample;
• an infeed sample receiver for storing at least one sample container, including an outlet opening associated with the sampling enclosure for passing the sample container from the infeed sample receiver to the atrium;
• a remote sampling device connected in flow communication with the atrium an adapted to be placed within the isolator and to receive the gas sample from the isolator and pass it to the atrium;
• a liftable rotatable cover arm for lifting, swinging and lowering the lid portion with respect to the base portion, and for holding the lid portion aloft within the sampling enclosure during exposure of the media in the base portion of the sample container to the gas sample;
• and
• an outfeed sample receiver for storing at least one exposed sample container, including an inlet opening associated with the sampling enclosure for passing the sample container from the atrium to the outfeed sample receiver.

An automated remote microbial air sampling system for use with an isolator and sample containers, comprising:

• a sampling enclosure adapted to be positioned outside of the isolator;
• an atrium located within the sampling enclosure for exposing the sample containers to a gas sample;
• an infeed sample receiver for storing at least one sample container, including an outlet opening associated with the sampling enclosure for passing the sample container from the infeed sample receiver to the atrium;
• a remote sampling device connected in flow communication with the atrium and adapted to be placed within the isolator and to receive the gas sample from the isolator and pass it to the atrium;
• and
• an outfeed sample receiver for storing at least one exposed sample container, including an outfeed inlet opening associated with the sampling enclosure for passing the sample container from the atrium to the outfeed sample receiver and an outfeed outlet located above the outfeed inlet opening.