In the pharmaceutical and food industry, microbiological control remains a key factor in ensuring the safety and high quality of products. Traditional methods based on manual control of microbiological purity require the involvement of multi-person teams of specialists and a long waiting time for results. Bactomatic, an innovative device developed by TKM Projekt, significantly changes this state of affairs, introducing full automation, shortened detection time and advanced analysis algorithms.
Can we already talk about a new era of microbiological control in the industry? Let’s check the most important functions of the Bactomatic device!
Bactomatic by TKM Projekt as a response to key industry challenges
Any downtime in production caused by microbiological contamination involves real costs and a high risk for companies. The key challenges that many production plants face on a daily basis include:
- manual microbiological analysis – manual tests are often carried out by teams of 15-20 microbiologists, which significantly increases operating costs;
- long waiting time for results – in the case of traditional control methods, information about possible contamination is obtained only after 24 hours, preventing a quick response to potential threats;
- risk of production losses – if contamination is detected, the entire batch may have to be disposed of, generating serious financial losses for the manufacturer;
- image issues – problems with microbiological purity can significantly damage the image of the company and weaken its market position.
Understanding these challenges, TKM Projekt has developed Bactomatic – a device that eliminates the indicated problems by providing an automated system based on modern technology that allows for early detection of problems, reduction of production costs and disposal of contaminated product. This is the result of TKM Projekt’s many years of experience in designing and implementing innovative solutions for the industry. The company not only provides technology, but also offers comprehensive consulting, helping to integrate the device with existing processes in production plants.
Technologies used in Bactomatic – a breakthrough in microbiological diagnostics
Bactomatic is used to automate microbiological work, including testing the microbiological purity of products, early detection of growth, quantitative and qualitative assessment of microbial colonies grown on solid media. Thanks to the use of the latest technologies, the device offers accuracy at an unprecedented level.
Advanced Imaging and Sample Analysis
Bactomatic enables advanced imaging, and the development of samples is recorded and monitored by three modules:
- 2D camera – RGB, 24 mpix;
- hyperspectral camera – 224 spectral bands every 2.7 nm, range 400-1000 nm;
- 3D scanner – vertical resolution 2 μm.
Bactomatic allows monitoring of the kinetics of colony growth, which in practical application significantly shortens the time to detect colonies. Precise imaging also allows for the generation of quick reports in the event of detection of monitored microorganisms or exceeding the quantitative colony, allowing for immediate reaction from the microbiologist.
Intelligent algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI)
The Bactomatic device is equipped with an innovative vision system for hourly measurement of microbial growth, for which advanced artificial intelligence algorithms were used. AI allows for precise, real-time analyses.
An additional advantage is the built-in filtration and airflow system that guarantees high chamber cleanliness, thus eliminating the risk of contamination during the sample imaging process.
Automation and efficiency
Bactomatic enables simultaneous testing of samples on up to 150 Petri dishes, and analysis results can appear after 6-8 hours – much faster than traditional methods. The device detects colonies from 0.03 mm in size with an efficiency of 95%.
Bactomatic and its benefits for the industry
Bactomatic primarily helps to increase the level of safety and efficiency of microbiological tests. Automatic analysis of samples using advanced technology minimizes human errors, providing more precise results and reducing the risk of contamination.
Reducing the detection time allows for a reduction of production losses by up to 60% due to the possibility of quick detection of contaminated batches and their effective separation.
Additionally, Bactomatic provides full control over the process – the device automatically generates reports and notifications in real time, enabling immediate response to detected threats. All this means that microbiologists can focus on more demanding tasks, instead of conducting repetitive and mass manual analyses.
