Methods and systems of performing an assay. A system for performing an assay includes an enclosure defining a temperature-controlled space. An imaging system, an actuator and a dispenser are disposed within the space. The actuator receives a well plate having wells. The actuator is to move the well plate relative to the imaging system to enable the imaging system to obtain image data of one of the wells. The dispenser includes a pump, an outlet and a reservoir holder to receive a reservoir containing a compound. The pump is to be fluidly coupled to the reservoir and an outlet. The pump is to pump the compound from the reservoir through the outlet into one of the wells. The system also includes a controller. The controller is to cause the dispenser to dispense the compound into the first one of the wells while the imaging system obtains the image data.

The present invention relates to a device for obtaining images of bacterial cultures in a dish. The proposed device includes a support for a culture dish to be analyzed surrounded by an annular light emitting source facing an image capturing device and a non-reflective surface which, in conjunction with a reflective surface arranged in the periphery of the support, form a preferably spherical-shaped contrast observation chamber, providing a glare- and reflection-free, uniform tangent illumination of the support.

Methods and systems of performing an assay. A system for performing an assay includes an enclosure defining a temperature-controlled space. An imaging system, an actuator and a dispenser are disposed within the space. The actuator receives a well plate having wells. The actuator is to move the well plate relative to the imaging system to enable the imaging system to obtain image data of one of the wells. The dispenser includes a pump, an outlet and a reservoir holder to receive a reservoir containing a compound. The pump is to be fluidly coupled to the reservoir and an outlet. The pump is to pump the compound from the reservoir through the outlet into one of the wells. The system also includes a controller. The controller is to cause the dispenser to dispense the compound into the first one of the wells while the imaging system obtains the image data.

This image acquisition apparatus includes a bottom surface position detection apparatus, and acquires an image of biological cells disposed in wells of a vessel. The bottom surface position detection apparatus includes a holder, a light irradiator, a detector, and a controller. The holder horizontally holds a vessel. The light irradiator irradiates a bottom portion of the vessel with a light beam. The detector detects a first reflected light beam reflected from a first bottom surface that is a bottom surface of the vessel and a second reflected light beam reflected from a second bottom surface that is a bottom surface of the wells. The controller calculates the position of the second bottom surface, based on a first peak position of the first reflected light beam and a second peak position of the second reflected light beam both detected by the detector. Thus, the bottom surface position of the wells in the vessel is detected even if the vessel has the bottom portion uneven in thickness or has a curved bottom surface.

The present invention relates to a device for obtaining images of bacterial cultures in a dish. The proposed device includes a support for a culture dish to be analyzed surrounded by an annular light emitting source facing an image capturing device and a non-reflective surface which, in conjunction with a reflective surface arranged in the periphery of the support, form a preferably spherical-shaped contrast observation chamber, providing a glare- and reflection-free, uniform tangent illumination of the support.