Abstract: An imaging system and method for microbial growth detection, counting or identification. One colony may be contrasted in an image that is not optimal for another type of colony. The system and method provides contrast from all available material through space (spatial differences), time (differences appearing over time for a given capture condition) and color space transformation using image input information over time to assess whether microbial growth has occurred for a given sample.

Abstract: A system for capturing an image of a plated culture dish. The system includes an imaging device having a camera with a telecentric lens adapted to capture an image of the plated culture dish, a minor adapted to ensure that a label on the side of the plated culture dish is captured in an image of the plated culture dish that is captured by the imaging device. The system further includes at least one light system for illuminating the plated culture dish for image capture. The mirror is placed adjacent to the side of the plated culture dish on which the label is placed and at least a portion of the minor extends beneath a bottom portion of the plated culture dish at the side of the plated culture dish.

Abstract: An imaging system and method for microbial growth detection, counting or identification. One colony may be contrasted in an image that is not optimal for another type of colony. The system and method provides contrast from all available material through space (spatial differences), time (differences appearing over time for a given capture condition) and color space transformation using image input information over time to assess whether microbial growth has occurred for a given sample.

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.

Abstract: An image capture system and method for imaging biological samples disposed in culture media supported by a plate. The system has a calibration module, an image acquisition module and an image presentation module. When the system receives a culture plate for imaging, default values for the culture plate and media are used to begin image acquisition at a given time. The captured image is then used to create a pixel by pixel map of the image. The system inspects the pixel-by-pixel map for saturated pixels and for signal to noise ratio and acquires a new image if the number of saturated pixels is at or above a predetermined threshold or the signal to noise ratio for the pixel is below a predetermined threshold. From this inspection a new value of photon flux and/or exposure time is determined and a new image is captured using the new value and the steps are repeated.

Abstract: An imaging system and method for microbial growth detection, counting or identification. One colony may be contrasted in an image that is not optimal for another type of colony. The system and method provides contrast from all available material through space (spatial differences), time (differences appearing over time for a given capture condition) and color space transformation using image input information over time to assess whether microbial growth has occurred for a given sample.

Abstract: An imaging system and method for microbial growth detection, counting or identification. One colony may be contrasted in an image that is not optimal for another type of colony. The system and method provides contrast from all available material through space (spatial differences), time (differences appearing over time for a given capture condition) and color space transformation using image input information over time to assess whether microbial growth has occurred for a given sample.

Abstract: An image capture system and method for imaging biological samples disposed in culture media supported by a plate. The system has a calibration module, an image acquisition module and an image presentation module. When the system receives a culture plate for imaging, default values for the culture plate and media are used to begin image acquisition at a given time. The captured image is then used to create a pixel by pixel map of the image. The system inspects the pixel-by-pixel map for saturated pixels and for signal to noise ratio and acquires a new image if the number of saturated pixels is at or above a predetermined threshold or the signal to noise ratio for the pixel is below a predetermined threshold. From this inspection a new value of photon flux and/or exposure time is determined and a new image is captured using the new value and the steps are repeated.

Abstract: An image capture system and method for imaging biological samples disposed in culture media supported by a plate. The system has a calibration module, an image acquisition module and an image presentation module. When the system receives a culture plate for imaging, default values for the culture plate and media are used to begin image acquisition at a given time. The captured image is then used to create a pixel by pixel map of the image. The system inspects the pixel-by-pixel map for saturated pixels and for signal to noise ratio and acquires a new image if the number of saturated pixels is at or above a predetermined threshold or the signal to noise ratio for the pixel is below a predetermined threshold. From this inspection a new value of photon flux and/or exposure time is determined and a new image is captured using the new value and the steps are repeated.

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.

Abstract: An imaging system and method for microbial growth detection, counting or identification. One colony may be contrasted in an image that is not optimal for another type of colony. The system and method provides contrast from all available material through space (spatial differences), time (differences appearing over time for a given capture condition) and color space transformation using image input information over time to assess whether microbial growth has occurred for a given sample.

Abstract: An image capture system and method for imaging biological samples disposed in culture media supported by a plate. The system has a calibration module, an image acquisition module and an image presentation module. When the system receives a culture plate for imaging, default values for the culture plate and media are used to begin image acquisition at a given time. The captured image is then used to create a pixel by pixel map of the image. The system inspects the pixel-by-pixel map for saturated pixels and for signal to noise ratio and acquires a new image if the number of saturated pixels is at or above a predetermined threshold or the signal to noise ratio for the pixel is below a predetermined threshold. From this inspection a new value of photon flux and/or exposure time is determined and a new image is captured using the new value and the steps are repeated.