METHOD FOR AN AUTOMATIC INSPECTION OF A MULTIPLICITY OF PLATE-LIKE PLASTIC CARRIERS

Abstract

A method for an automatic inspection of a plurality of plate-like plastic carriers, whereby each plastic carrier is closed by a cover and has a unique identification code and a culture medium. A storage container including a multiplicity of plastic carriers is provided, and a computer-controlled handling unit including an optical inspection system is provided. While performing the automatic inspection in an inspection routine, a plastic carrier is removed from the storage container with the aid of the handling unit, the cover of the plastic carrier is subsequently removed, the plastic carrier is supplied to the inspection system, the identification code is read, and at least one image of the plastic carrier, including the surface of the culture solution is recorded. The image is evaluated for a growth of germs and/or faults in the plastic carrier and the result of the evaluation is stored for each plastic carrier.

Claims

1. A method for an automatic inspection of a plurality of plate-like plastic carriers, each plastic carrier being closed by a cover and having an identification code and a culture medium, the method comprising: providing a storage container including the plastic carriers; providing a computer-controlled handling unit including an optical inspection system; performing the automatic inspection in an inspection routine such that: a plastic carrier is removed from the storage container with the aid of the handling unit, and the cover of the plastic carrier is subsequently removed; the plastic carrier is supplied to the inspection system; the identification code is read; at least one image of the plastic carrier including the surface of the culture solution is recorded; in an evaluation step, the at least one image is evaluated for a growth of germs and/or faults in the plastic carrier and/or faults in a surface of the culture medium, and/or damage to the plastic carrier, and/or an impermissible labeling of the plastic carrier; the result of the evaluation is stored for each plastic carrier; and performing the inspection routine multiple times.

2. The method for an automatic inspection according to claim 1, wherein the result of the evaluation and the identification code are assigned to each other and stored for each plastic carrier inspected.

3. The method for an automatic inspection according to claim 1, wherein, if a single fault is detected in the evaluation step, the plastic carrier is evaluated as bad, or if no fault is detected in the evaluation step, the plastic carrier is evaluated as good.

4. The method for an automatic inspection according to claim 3, wherein the storage unit has an area for storing the plastic carriers evaluated as bad and an area for storing the plastic carriers evaluated as good.

5. The method for an automatic inspection according to claim 1, wherein the plastic carriers are designed as settling plates or contact plates.

6. The method for an automatic inspection according to claim 1, wherein an image of the cover is recorded and, in the evaluation step, the image of the cover is evaluated for damage.

7. The method for an automatic inspection according to claim 1, wherein multiple images are recorded at a single viewing angle or from multiple viewing angles with the aid of the inspection unit.

8. The method for an automatic inspection according to claim 7, wherein different illumination sources are used for recording the multiple images.

9. The method for an automatic inspection according to claim 7, wherein multiple focal planes are used for recording the multiple images.

10. The method for an automatic inspection according to claim 1, wherein, for the purpose of quality assurance, images of test specimens are recorded, and the images are subsequently evaluated, and the result of the evaluation is compared with predefined data, and if a difference between the evaluation and the predefined data exceeds a limit value, inspection routines are carried out.

11. The method for an automatic inspection according to claim 1, wherein, in a further method step, the plastic carrier is provided with the cover again and supplied to a storage unit.

12. The method for an automatic inspection according to claim 1, wherein all inspection steps and test results and user accesses are detected and documented and output via an interface.

13. The method for an automatic inspection according to claim 1, wherein, after the at least one germ is detected, the number of all germs on a plastic carrier is also ascertained.

14. The method for an automatic inspection according to claim 1, wherein, after the germs are detected, a type classification is carried out for each germ.

15. The method for an automatic inspection according to claim 1, wherein, the identification code of the plastic carriers in the storage container is read and determined prior to removing the plastic carriers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

[0074] FIG. 1a shows a representation of an optical inspection;

[0075] FIG. 1b shows a flowchart for a first example of the method according to the invention; and

[0076] FIG. 1c shows a flowchart for a second example of the method according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0077] The illustration in FIG. 1a shows a representation of the optical inspection using a stack of plastic carriers KT in a storage area VB.

[0078] Topmost plastic carrier KT, whose cover is closed, is gripped from the stack with the aid of a handling unit, which is not illustrated, and cover D of the plastic carrier is removed in one part of the handling unit. Plastic carrier KT is optically inspected with the aid of light L of a light source, in that at least one image is recorded with the aid of camera unit BI. In one refinement, which is not illustrated, cover D is also optically inspected.

[0079] A flowchart for a first specific embodiment of the method is shown in FIG. 1b, only the differences from the specific embodiment illustrated in connection with FIG. 1a being explained.

[0080] In a method step KTENT, plastic carrier KT, whose cover D is closed, is removed from storage container VB with the aid of the handling unit. In a method step KTID, the identification code of plastic carrier KT is read and stored. In a subsequent method step DENF, cover D is removed.

[0081] In a further method step KTZUF, plastic carrier KT is stored in the part having the optical inspection unit. In a further method step KTINSP, the surface of the plastic carrier is illuminated with the aid of light L, and at least one image is recorded with the aid of sensor unit BI.

[0082] In a subsequent method step KTAUS, the image is evaluated. If the result is negative N in evaluation step KTERG i.e., if, in particular, no germ growth or fungal grown is detected, plastic carrier KT is supplied to a disposal unit in a subsequent method step KTES.

[0083] If the result is positive P in evaluation step KTERG i.e., if, in particular, a germ growth or fungal grown is detected, plastic carrier KT is supplied to a retention unit in a subsequent method step KTSP. In one refinement, further analysis steps are carried out in evaluation step KTERG, for example with regard to ascertaining the number of germs and the type of the germs.

[0084] After method step KTES as well as after method step KTSP, a check is made in a query step WVBKT whether further plastic carriers KT are to be inspected.

[0085] If the result of the check is No N, the method is ended. If the result of the check is Yes J, the method is repeated from the beginning, and next plastic carrier KT is removed from storage container VB.

[0086] A flowchart for a second specific embodiment of the method is shown in FIG. 1c, only the differences from the specific embodiment illustrated in connection with FIG. 1b being explained.

[0087] While plastic carrier KT is sill arranged in storage container VB, identification code ID of at least one of plastic carriers KT is read and stored in method step KT ID.

[0088] In subsequent method step KT ENT, a plastic carrier, whose cover D is closed, is removed from storage container VB with the aid of the handling unit, identification code ID of plastic carrier KT being known from preceding method step KT ID. In a subsequent method step DENT, cover D is removed.

[0089] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.