Microscopic image analysis systems are a game-changer in immunology, transforming how researchers and clinicians study immune cells, tissues, and reactions. These systems rely on cutting-edge optics, digital cameras, and sophisticated software to capture, process, and quantify visual data from various immunological assays. Microvision Instruments offers a suite of innovative software solutions designed to streamline and optimize lab-based immunological analysis. This includes reading antibiograms to determine antibiotic sensitivity or controlling serum dosage via the Single Radial Immunodiffusion (SRID) technique.
- Single radial immunodiffusion reader
Automatic or semi-automatic diameter measuring of precipitation arcs
- Antibiogram reader: test for antibiotic resistance
- FDA CFR 21 Part 11 standard compliant via INTEGRITY MANAGER software
Enhanced precision and reliability
Automated and objective quantification
Streamlined workflows and accelerated results
Automated workflows
FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliant
Full audit trail, Windows Active Directory compatible, role and rights definition
SSRID (SINGLE RADIAL IMMUNODIFFUSION) ANALYSIS FOR SERUM QUANTIFICATION AND ANTIBIOGRAM READER FOR ANTIBIOTIC EFFICIENCY
Serum dosage control using the SRID technique
This initial phase remains manual. The operator prepares the agarose gel which contains the specific antibody, and cut the wells. Then, he pipettes the serum samples (both standards with known concentrations and unknown test samples) into the wells. The gel is incubated to allow the antigen to diffuse from visible precipitation rings.
Antibiogram reader to test for antibiotic resistance
In an antibiogram, a test sample containing the bacteria is applied to a Petri dish to achieve uniform growth. Then, paper discs, each saturated with a different antibiotic, are placed on the surface. After an incubation period, the antibiotic diffuses into the culture medium. If the bacteria is sensitive to an antibiotic, its growth will be inhibited, creating a clear “halo” or zone of inhibition around the disc. The larger this zone, the more sensitive the bacteria. If no zone of inhibition appears, the bacteria is resistant.
IMAGE ACQUISITION AND SRID ANALYSES
IMMULAB TRANSFORMS THE MANUAL AND SUBJECTIVE SRID OR ANTIBIOGRAM READING METHODS INTO A DIGITIZED AND AUTOMATED WORKFLOW
Image acquisition
Once the samples are prepared, they are placed on a High-Definition scanner imaging system. The IMMULAB radial immunodiffusion software is interfaced with this hardware to control it and capture a high-quality digital image of the plate. It manages lighting and focus to obtain an optimal digital image of the sample.
HD SCANNER
- Flatbed scanner
- 6400 dpi resolution
- Dual-lens system
Image analysis
Automatically and quickly, the IMMULAB IDR software takes over to provide objective and reproducible image analysis and measurement, depending on the chosen application.
- Automatic or semi-automatic diameter measuring of precipitation arcs
- FDA CFR 21 Part 11 standard compliance (using INTEGRITY MANAGER software)
- Customized analysis report
IMMULAB consolidates all image analysis information into a comprehensive report, which includes the analysis images and key measurements.
For SRID analyses, the report includes raw measurements, calculated concentrations for each sample, the calibration curve, and sample information (ID number, date, etc.). Whe, used to test for antibiotic reisstance, the report contains the original antibiogram image, measured diameters, and result interpretation (S, I, or R).
All analysis elements are stored in a database. The optional INTEGRITY MANAGER software module interfaces with IMMULAB to ensure precise compliance with the FDA 21 CFR Part 11 regulation.
Complying FDA 21 CFR PART 11
Compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for immunological analyses is a mark of quality that guarantees the scientific validity of data, protects patient safety, and ensures the commercial viability of products. The optional INTEGRITY MANAGER software module interfaces with Microvision Instruments’ life science solutions to enable you to work in compliance with the FDA 21 CFR Part 11 standard. All data captured by the software, including inhibition zone diameter measurements, calculated serum concentrations, calibration curves, and final results, are considered electronic records. As the standard requires that this data be secure, accurate, and tamper-proof, INTEGRITY MANAGER ensures data traceability (audit trail), logs every modification (who did what, when, and why), and protects against unauthorized modification or deletion of raw data.
What is the SRID (Single Radial Immunodiffusion) technique?
An immunoassay based on the Single Radial Immunodiffusion (SRID) technique is a method used to quantify the concentration of a specific protein, or antigen, in a sample. It’s a fundamental and reliable test in immunology that relies on the principle of antigen-antibody precipitation. The Single Radial Immunodiffusion (SRID) technique us a cornerstone of vaccinology, primarily used for quantifying the concentration of an antigen in a vaccine. It’s a critical method for ensuring that each batch of a vaccine is consistent, safe and potent.
In vaccinology, SRID has been the standard method for decades to determine the potency of influenza vaccines. It measures the concentration of hemagglutinin (a key influenza virus antigen) to ensure that each vaccine dose is sufficiently concentrated to induce a protective immune response. In the lab, it can also be used to assay other proteins or antigens to control the purity of a preparation or to monitor a biological reaction. SRID is a conceptually simple technique based on the fundamental principles of biochemistry and immunology. It is easy to implement and provides stable, reliable and reproducible results. However, one of the major challenges of SRID is the subjectivity and lack of precision manual measurement. Image analysis solution directly addresses this problem by automating the measurement process and significantly improving the reliability of the results.
For what?
- Vaccine development and manufacturing
- Quality control of biological products
- Quantifying proteins of interest in laboratory experiments
- Assaying immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA) for the diagnosis of immune deficiencies
- Standardization of reagents
- Quantifying proteins in scientific studies
- Developing new therapeutic or diagnostic approaches
- Quality control of veterinary feed/food
- Diagnosis of animal diseases
Why use SRID analysis software for immunological assays?
Software modernizes the SRID technique to enhance its performance, offering the following key advantages:
- Reduced inter-operator variability. Manual measurement of the ring diameter can vary from one technician to another. Our IDR software uses algorithms to objectively and reproducibly detect the edges of the precipitation ring, ensuring consistent results regardless of the operator.
- Improved precision. IDR software measures the ring diameter with millimeter-level precision. It also accounts for the shape of the rings to accurately calculate their surface area, providing more reliable data.
- Automation and efficiency. The software can simultaneously analyze multiple wells on a single plate, or even multiple plates in batches. It automatically generates data (diameters, concentrations) and can export it to a spreadsheet or a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
- Data retention and traceability. The digitized image and measurement data are securely stored, ensuring better traceability and allowing for later verification of results. This is a crucial point for laboratories subject to strict quality standards like FDA 21 CFR Part 11.
What is antibiogram reading to test for antibiotic resistance?
In clinical microbiology, antibiogram reading to test for antibiotic resistance is the gold standard for measuring antibiotic efficacy. It’s a critical process that determines a bacterium’s susceptibility or resistance to different antibiotics, ensuring the effectiveness of both prescribed treatments and new drug molecules under development.
For what?
- Antibiotic efficiency
- Combating antibiotic resistance
Why automate your antibiogram analysis with a software?
Automating your antibiogram analysis with software transforms a manual process into an efficient, precise, and highly reliable workflow. It’s a critical step for any lab looking to improve its performance and ensure data integrity.
- Unmatched precision and objectivity. Manual reading of antibiograms is subjective and prone to human error. A software solution eliminates this by using advanced algorithms to precisely measure inhibition zone diameters. This ensures that every reading is objective and reproducible, providing consistent results regardless of who performs the test.
- Increased efficiency and productivity. Manual analysis is a slow process that can delay critical results. With software, you can analyze an entire Petri dish in seconds, saving valuable time and freeing up your lab technicians for more complex tasks. This increased throughput allows your lab to handle a higher volume of samples and deliver results faster.
- Data Integrity and compliance. In today’s regulated environment, data integrity is non-negotiable. INTERGITY MANAGER interfaced with IMMULAB automatically records and stores all measurements and interpretations in a secure, digital format. This creates a complete electronic audit trail that documents every action ensuring full compliance with strict quality standards like FDA 21 CFR Part 11.
Industries
Clinical microbiology laboratories
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry
In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD)
Academic research and university laboratories
Food and agricultural industry and veterinary industry
MICROVISION INSTRUMENTS : THE GLOBAL REFERENCE IN IMMUNOLOGY
With over 100 systems installed with major clients worldwide, we are positioned as the global standard for immunological analysis. Some of our references include:
OTHER MICROVISION INSTRUMENTS IMMUNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
IMMULAB
The purpose of the standard slide is to ensure that the measuring system is capable of identifying and measuring objects from 10 to 2500 microns, at the same magnification, with a tolerance of ± 1 microns per particle.
- Numbered test chart generated by photolithography
- Engraved onto a glass transparent plate
- 75mm*50mm*1.5mm
- 2050 particules and fibers (from 10μm to 2,5mm) randomly distributed over a 37mm diameter
- Circle defined by 4 points
THE IDR IMMULAB SOFTWARE
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FAQ
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