Automatic colony counting and zone measurement.
The next generation instrument for colony counting, zone measurements, (inhibition and AST), membranes and a range of other applications.
ProtoCOL 3 has a unique 3 channel LED lighting system configured for exceptional illumination of all sample types. High definition, colour images taken with a 1.4 mega pixel scientific grade CCD camera ensure that even the smallest colony can be seen and counted, while zone measurements are fast, accurate and reproducible.
ProtoCOL 3 HD, the newest addition to the range, has an ultra-HD 5 megapixel camera which captures high definition images and measures zones with >99.9% accuracy, making the ProtoCOL 3 HD a must-have for vaccine potency testing and other laboratories wanting to optimize zone reading accuracy.
The ProtoCOL 3 system is available with a mounted touchscreen processor which enables ease of control while the easy-to-use software produces highly accurate results. Alternatively, the ProtoCOL 3 can now be used with a new or existing stand-alone desktop or laptop computer via USB connection – no additional PCI cards are required.
The ProtoCOL 3 comes inclusive with both colony counting and inhibition zone measuring ability. To extend its range of applications, inexpensive additional modules can be added to the software for:
- Spiral
- OPKA
- SBA
- Multi-sector
- Multi-well
- Ames
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing (eAST).
Results can be automatically transferred to Excel or a LIMS system. The system can also be used with 1D barcodes. All data generated is GLP/GMP/21 CFR Part 11 compliant with a full audit trail and can be used to produce professional reports. Each system comes complete with 2 validation plates. Additional application-specific validation plates are available on request.
Specifications
| ProtoCOL 3/ProtoCOL 3 Plus | ProtoCOL 3 HD/ProtoCOL 3 HD Plus | |
| Design | Ergonomic housing constructed in high density foam Integral CCD camera and lens ProtoCOL 3 Plus comes with a mounted all-in-one PC |
Ergonomic housing constructed in high density foam Integral CCD camera and lens ProtoCOL 3 HD Plus comes with a mounted all-in-one PC |
| Light shield | 2 sliding doors to prevent excessive ambient light | 2 sliding doors to prevent excessive ambient light |
| Camera | Integrated, sensitive 1.4 megapixels with f1.2 lens | Integrated, high definition 5 megapixels with f1.5 lens |
| Resolution | For standard 150mm Petri dish, smallest detectable colony is 43 microns | For standard 150mm Petri dish, smallest detectable colony is 43 microns |
| Imaging | 3 channel capture for colour images | 3 channel camera for colour images |
| Lighting | Unique 3 channel (red, green, blue) LED lighting Multi-array LED lighting (computer controlled) Lower lighting with upper reflective lighting for all applications |
Unique 3 channel (red, green, blue) LED lighting Multi-array LED lighting (computer controlled) Lower lighting with upper reflective lighting for all applications |
| External connections | VESA mounted, small form factor (Mini-ITX) PC with i3 (Skylake) 2.7GHz processor 4GB Ram 500GB hard drive Lan, WiFi and Windows 10 17″ touchscreen monitor featuring 10 touch points and PCAP technology. Due to its glass overlay, it guarantees high durability, scratch-resistance and perfect picture performance |
VESA mounted, small form factor (Mini-ITX) PC with i3 (Skylake) 2.7GHz processor 4GB Ram 500GB hard drive Lan, WiFi and Windows 10 17″ touchscreen monitor featuring 10 touch points and PCAP technology. Due to its glass overlay, it guarantees high durability, scratch-resistance and perfect picture performance |
| Count modes | Separation of touching colonies, exclusion areas, colour mode, shape mode, size mode | Separation of touching colonies, exclusion areas, colour mode, shape mode, size mode |
| Software | Win7/10 compatible | Win7/10 compatible |
| Database | SQL database stores all data and image locations | SQL database stores all data and image locations |
| Dimensions | 450mm (h) x 500mm (d) x 400mm (w) 700mm (h) x 500mm (d) x 400mm (w) |
450mm (h) x 500mm (d) x 400mm (w) 700mm (h) x 500mm (d) x 400mm (w) |
Wide range
of applications
The system can be configured for a wide range of plate types. These include:
- Pour plates
- Spiral plates
- Multi-well
- SBA (serum bactericidal assay)
- OPKA (opsonophagocytic killing assay)
- Ames
- Inhibition zones
- AST (antibiotic susceptibility testing)
- SRD (single radial immunodiffusion)
- Chromogenic
- Multi-sector
- MIC
- Dilution series
ProtoCOL 3 is being used at a world renowned vaccine research facility for testing and designing new and existing vaccines against serious bacterial diseases. One of the ways scientists there test the efficacy of vaccines is to mix serum from vaccinated participants with bacteria in an SBA assay.