FIG 11.

BD Kiestra total laboratory automation (TLA). The BD Kiestra TLA system is composed of task-specific modules. The stand-alone InoqulA module is capable of automated plate inoculation and streaking of up to 400 plates per hour using the roll bead method (A). Fully automated inoculation, streaking, barcoding, and sorting of inoculated media can be conducted by a combination of the SorterA, BarcodeA, and InoqulA modules, an optional biosafety cabinet for manual plating of nonliquid specimens can also be integrated into front-end workflow (B). Work Cell Automation (WCA) (C) incorporates an ErgonomicA technologist workstation (D) and incubators equipped with high-resolution cameras for imaging culture plates (ReadA). Work Cell Automation modules can be configured into large or small total laboratory automation systems (E) with multiple InoqulA, ErgonomicA, and ReadA modules to accommodate additional specimen volume in medium- to high-throughput microbiology laboratories. (Courtesy of BD Kiestra.)