Abstract: The interiors of casings 13, 14a, 14b and 14c of a base portion 11 and an operating arm 12 of a robot 3 placed in an isolator 1 communicate with each other for passage of a gas. A top end opening 25a of a vent tube 25 connected to a gas feed device 21 in a gas supply unit 4 provided outside the isolator extends through the casings and opens inside end casing 14a. A drawing device 23 in the air supply unit communicates with a base portion opening 13a formed in the base portion. At the time of sterilization of the isolator, the pressure inside the isolator is increased relative to the pressure inside the robot, and the gas supply unit is operated to cause a flow of a gas inside the robot from the casing 14a to the casing 13, thereby preventing any internal portion of the robot from being corroded by the sterilizing gas.

Abstract: In a work isolator which is a work chamber maintained in a sterile condition, a predetermined sample containers to be subjected to a sterile test are extracted by a rejection device from containers filled with a material and sealed by a filling and sealing line, and a robot places the extracted sample containers on a collection pallet. The sample containers are moved from the work isolator to an accommodation device together with the pallet. The accommodation device is separated from the work isolator while being maintained in a sterile condition and is then connected to a test isolator which is a testing chamber maintained in a sterile condition. The sample containers are moved from the accommodation device into the test isolator while being maintained in a sterile condition. The sample containers are maintained in the sterile condition at all times from the work chamber to the testing chamber.

Abstract: In order to sample microorganisms in a first isolator 1 before, during, and after the operation of a filling system 4, first and second robots 6 and 7 that are provided in the first isolator 1 carry a sampling apparatus 5 to first and second sampling positions A and B to sample naturally dropping microorganisms, carry the sampling apparatus 5 to a third sampling position C to sample microorganisms floating around a filling nozzle 17b, and sample microorganisms adhering to the surfaces of the predetermined filling nozzle 17b and a cap feeder 18b at fourth and fifth sampling positions D and E, respectively.