Abstract: There are provided an image analyzing apparatus and an image analyzing method where, in analyzing a microscopic image of a microbe or a cell tissue, the manpower-independent observation and quantification are executed so as to enhance the analyzing performance. The configuration of the apparatus and the method is as follows: A frequency conversion processing, such as Wavelet transformation, is executed toward the microscopic image of the microbe or the cell tissue and, based on the result obtained, the quantitative analysis is executed. The configuration allows the automatic quantitative judgement to be executed concerning factors such as the position, the number, the magnitude, the degree of activity, the area ratio, the configuration, the direction, and the color. This condition makes it possible to reduce a burden imposed on a person who are in charge of the observation. Also, the noise can be eliminated, which also enhances the analyzing performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus of optically detecting morphological change of an organism specimen such as an animal/plant cell. In a candidate compound screening for detecting a candidate compound among compounds, a camera of a microscope apparatus takes images of an organism specimen in a plate before and after a dosage of each compound-containing solution to the organism specimen by a dispensing head. An image processor processes the taken microscopic images and provides numerical data as a quantitative indicator of a state of the organism specimen. The screening apparatus judges whether each compound solved in each solution is the candidate compound by comparing numerical data before and after the dosage of the solution with each other.

Abstract: A biochemical substance is efficiently observed with focusing accurately and rapidly on the substance disposed on an inside of a container. A focusing mark, which is used as a reference when a focal point of an optical system is adjusted, is disposed on the outside of a transparent bottom of each well in a micro plate. A focus-shift-distance corresponding to a distance between the mark and a desired position to be observed is determined. The optical system focuses on the mark, and then, the focal point the optical system is shifted by the focus-shift-distance. This shift allows an object to be focused on accurately and rapidly even when unclear images are obtained.

Abstract: A microscopic observation apparatus captures a microscopic image of a specimen stored in a container. Each well in the container is positioned in an image-shooting position of a camera by controlling a table transfer unit for moving a specimen table holding the container based on central point coordinates of each well whose origin is reference point R defined for the container and relative coordinates of an observation point in the well whose origin is this central point coordinates. This enables the efficient capturing of microscopic images of the specimens.

Abstract: An evaluation apparatus of a biological sample for acquiring numerical data showing the state of biological samples from the image data obtained by taking an image of the biological samples, an evaluation method, and a storage medium storing a program for executing such evaluation method are disclosed. A condition pass/fail determining unit determines if the measuring area being set as numerical data acquiring area in the image to be evaluated conforms to the predetermined condition as the condition for acquiring numerical data. A digitization unit obtains the numerical data from the image of which measuring area is judged to be conforming to the predetermined condition. A measuring area changing unit changes the measuring area. The evaluation apparatus, evaluation method, and storage medium are capable of acquiring highly objective numerical data efficiently only from appropriate objects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus of optically detecting morphological change of an organism specimen such as an animal/plant cell. In a candidate compound screening for detecting a candidate compound among compounds, a camera of a microscope apparatus takes images of an organism specimen in a plate before and after a dosage of each compound-containing solution to the organism specimen by a dispensing head. An image processor processes the taken microscopic images and provides numerical data as a quantitative indicator of a state of the organism specimen. The screening apparatus judges whether each compound solved in each solution is the candidate compound by comparing numerical data before and after the dosage of the solution with each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for efficiently observing a biochemical substance with focusing accurately and rapidly on the substance disposed on an inside of a container is provided. A focusing mark, which is used as a reference when a focal point of an optical system is adjusted, is disposed on the outside of a transparent bottom of each wells in a micro plate. A focus-shift-distance corresponding to a distance between the mark and a desired position to be observed is determined. The optical system focuses on the mark, and then, the focal point the optical system is shifted by the focus-shift-distance. This shift allows an object to be focused on accurately and rapidly even when unclear images are obtained.

Abstract: In an automatic testing apparatus comprising, a specimen holder area adapted to hold thereon a specimen substrate for receiving therein a specimen, a reagent injector adapted to inject a reagent toward the specimen in the specimen substrate on the specimen holder area to mix the specimen with the reagent, a mixture reaction device adapted to hold thereon the specimen substrate including the mixture of the specimen and the reagent within a predetermined circumferential condition during a time period, and a transferring device for transferring the specimen substrate relative to the specimen holder area, the mixture reaction device has a take-in area to which the specimen substrate is transferred from the specimen holder area by the transferring device, and the take-in area is arranged adjacent to the specimen holder area.

Abstract: In a method for distributing liquids, in which a distribution tip attached detachably to the lower end of a distribution nozzle can be replaced at any time necessary, a tip rack having a plurality of unused distribution tips lined up thereon is placed on a fitting stage to have the distribution tips fitted with a distribution nozzles. Then, the existence, or non-existence, of a distribution tip left behind on the tip rack without being attached to a distribution nozzle after the fitting operation is finished is detected by a detection section formed of an interrupting-type light sensor, the targeted place of detection by the light sensor being the lower end of the distribution tip. Under the above-described structure, misfitting of a distribution tip can be detected with a high certainty at an early stage before an operation for sucking/discharging liquids is started.

Abstract: An incubator includes (a) a housing, (b) a sample shelf holding at least one plate accommodating a sample, (c) a controller maintaining an environment inside of the housing at a given condition, (d) a first opening provided on the housing, (e) a first door for closing the first opening, (f) a second opening provided on the housing and smaller than the first opening and yet large enough for at least one plate being passed through, and (g) a second door for closing the second opening. This construction allows the incubator to minimize opening when the plate is taken out or restored during a test or a culture so that environment changes in the housing can be restrained. As a result, the incubator produces reliable data.

Abstract: A distribution apparatus for distributing liquid samples using distribution tips, which distribution tips are held in a tip rack placed in a feeder section and fitted relative to a distribution head. The distribution apparatus has a fitting stage, provided in a space between the feeder section and a distribution stage, for supporting the tip rack and fitting the distribution tips. A distribution tip alignment device is provided in the fitting stage, which aligns dislocated distribution tips at the bottom ends to a correct formation by making contact with the side wall surfaces of the distribution tips. The tip ends of the distribution tips, which are attached to nozzles of the distribution head, are aligned by the distribution tip alignment device at a certain specific pitch, at the time when the distribution tips are attached to the nozzles, or after they are attached to the nozzles. By so doing, a liquid sample can be distributed to small diameter wells without having a dislocation problem.