aCOLyte 3 HD, Automated Colony Counter

The aCOLyte 3 HD from Synbiosis is an innovative, automated colony counting device designed to enhance efficiency, productivity, and reliability in laboratory settings. This latest model is equipped with user-friendly software, enhancing its performance compared to previous versions. Its advanced algorithm, previously exclusive to the ProtoCOL 3 models, enables precise colony counting on pour and spiral plates.

The device is compatible with plates up to 90mm in diameter and features versatile LED lighting for both transmitted and epi illumination. Additionally, a detachable screen is available to mitigate the effects of strong ambient light. The aCOLyte 3 HD is designed for easy integration with any compatible laptop or desktop PC, connecting via a USB port.

Key features include:

• Affordability: Positioned as a cost-effective solution for electronic colony counting, the aCOLyte 3 HD offers valuable traceability and consistent results, with data and images stored on a PC. This allows for easy report generation in Excel.
• Automated Functionality: This device rapidly counts plates, typically achieving accurate counts in under a second.
• Image Display: It displays the image on the computer screen, marking the counted colonies for easy verification. The zoom function aids in closely examining plates to ensure accuracy.
• Advanced Algorithm: Utilizing Synbiosis's sophisticated algorithm, the aCOLyte 3 HD effectively counts colonies and includes a colony separator for enhanced accuracy, especially with touching colonies.
• Sensitive CCD Camera: An integral CCD colour camera adjusts sensitivity, allowing for the imaging and counting of colonies as small as 0.1mm.
• Switchable Lighting: The LED lighting can be switched from upper to lower options, enabling counting on both light and dark media.
• Database Integration: The MS SQL Server Express database automatically stores all data.

The aCOLyte 3 HD is suitable for total viable counts in diverse fields such as environmental monitoring, food safety, pharmaceuticals, clinical research, and molecular biology. It is effective for counting a range of organisms, including:

• E. coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella spp, and mixed organisms on plate count or nutrient agar
• Staphylococcus aureus and mixed organisms on plate count agar, Columbia blood agar, or nutrient agar
• E. coli on LB medium, and yeast on potato dextrose agar.

Minimum PC specification:

• Processor: Intel Core 2 or Core i processor, 2.13 GHz or better
• 2 GB of RAM, 4 GB is recommended.
• CD-ROM drive (required for software installation)
• 2 free independent USB 2.0 ports, at least one supporting high-speed mode. Note that there are three possible port speeds with USB 2.0: low-speed (1.5 Mbps), full-speed (12 Mbps), and high-speed (up to 480 Mbps). The aCOLyte camera requires a high-speed port.
• Graphics: Intel X4500 or better (Windows 7 Experience rating for graphics should be a minimum of 3.0, ideally higher)
• Hard drive: 160GB (or larger)
• Operating system: Windows 7/10 compatible (Home versions are not suitable; Windows Vista is not supported)
• Monitor: 1280 x 1024 minimum resolution (not compatible with lower resolutions as some elements of the application become inaccessible)
• Note: the combination of the minimum display resolution and the USB ports will preclude most laptops