3m Innovative Properties Company

Doyle T Potter

Michael R Plumb

Christine A Binsfeld

Andrew D Dubner

Kevin R Green

The invention is directed to counting techniques for counting biological agents on a biological growth plate or similar medium. In order to automate the counting of biological agents, a biological growth plate is inserted into a biological scanning unit. Upon insertion of the biological growth plate, the biological scanning unit generates an image of the plate. Then, the amount of biological agents that appear in the image, such as a number of bacteria colonies, can be counted or otherwise determined using image processing and analysis routines performed either by the scanning unit or an external computing device, such as a desktop computer, workstation or the like. A variety of counting rules are described herein that can be used to improve the accuracy of automated counts of biological agents on a biological growth plate.

Counting biological agents on biological growth plates

Methods are provided to process a biological growth plate using a biological growth plate scanner. The scanner includes an imaging device, a processor, and an image processing profile memory. The scanner scans a plate type indicator associated with the biological growth plate. In some embodiments, the processor uses the plate type indicator to verify the suitability of the biological growth plate for use in the scanner. In some embodiments, the processor uses the plate type indicator to unlock the scanner for operation.

Methods of processing a biological growth plate in a biological growth plate scanner

A biological scanner provides automated selection of image processing profiles to scan different types of biological growth plates. The scanner automatically identifies the type of plate to be scanned by the scanner, and then selects one of the image processing profiles appropriate for the identified plate type. For example, the image processing profiles may apply different color, shape, size and proximity criteria in counting different types of bacterial colonies. The scanner may identify the plate type by reference to a variety of machine-readable indicators, such as optically or magnetically readable marks, carried on the plate. Accordingly, biological growth plates carrying particular indicators that permit plate type identification are also contemplated. The plates may be scanned in order to read or count different types of bacterial colonies, or the amount of a particular biological agent on the biological growth plate.

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White Bear Lake, MN, United States of America

Doyle T Potter