Automated method and system for obtaining and preparing microorganism sample for both identification and antibiotic susceptibility tests

Inventors

Hansen, Timothy R. • HOLTZ, Rick • Kleefstra, Martijn • Marcelpoil, Raphael Rodolphe • Pierpont, Rick • Pohl, Brent Ronald • Shedlosky, Alyssa • Shindledecker, Scott • Skevington, Edward • Smith, Kerry Lynn • Wiles, Timothy

Assignees

BD Kiestra BV

Abstract

A method and automated apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and subjecting the obtained sample to a plurality of downstream tests including a test to identify the microorganism and a test to identify the susceptibility of the microorganism to antibiotics. The method includes the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of the selected colony of microorganisms; preparing a suspension of a sample of microorganisms automatically by submerging the pick tool with the sample in a suspension, after which the pick tool is vibrated in at least the vertical direction to release the sample from the pick tool in the suspension. The turbidity of the suspension is monitored to ensure that the concentration of microorganism in suspension is sufficient so that the suspension is used a source for sample for both identification and antibiotic susceptibility of the microorganisms in the sample. The apparatus and system optionally provide for downstream processing of samples prepared for antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST). Such apparatus includes further processing after inoculation of an AST panel for the AST test. Such further processing includes capping and transferring inoculated panels to AST instrument.

Core Innovation

The automated microorganism sample preparation system uses image information to identify and designate a colony for picking and prepares a single sample suspension from a plated culture. The system measures suspension turbidity and adjusts the amount of sample or suspension when the measurement is outside a predetermined value. Automated pipettors and a loading robot then provide aliquots for microorganism identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing panel loading.

The system also detects sample-string formation as the pick tool conveys a sample and provides a mechanism for severing the string, with [procedural detail omitted for safety]. Alternative preparation-system layouts accommodate turbidity-based preparation for identification, including MALDI, and antibiotic susceptibility testing within an integrated specimen-analysis workflow. The problem identified in the background section is not explicitly described in patent.

Claims Coverage

The claim coverage encompasses two independent claims, claim 1 and claim 7, setting forth five main inventive features.

Together, the independent claims cover automated colony designation, sample-suspension preparation, turbidity-based concentration adjustment, suspension allocation for identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing, sample-string handling, and automated panel loading.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications