Microorganism evaluation system

A microorganism evaluation system comprising a viewing section for image acquisition, the viewing section comprising:

• a viewing port in visual communication with an optical system cavity opening formed in the viewing section, the viewing port configured to accommodate a fluid flow through the viewing port;
• imaging equipment operably installed on the viewing section adjacent to the viewing port in optical communication with the optical system cavity opening and thus with the viewing port;
• a plurality of imaging light sources operably installed within a side wall of the viewing port so as to provide substantially side illumination therein;
• and
• at least one independently controlled light stimulation device operably installed in the viewing section and configured to selectively emit light for invoking a motile response in a microorganism within the fluid flow in the viewing port, whereby the system allows for continuous viewing section flow throughput and synchronizes illumination of the plurality of imaging light sources and the at least one light stimulation device of the viewing section for improved image acquisition by the imaging equipment.

A method of illumination synchronization within a microorganism evaluation system comprising a viewing section for fluid flow therethrough and image acquisition, the method comprising:

• flowing a fluid through a viewing port from a viewing section body inlet to and out of a viewing section body outlet;
• independently controlling an at least one imaging light source operably installed in the viewing section to selectively illuminate the viewing port;
• independently controlling an at least one light stimulation device operably installed in the viewing section to selectively emit visible light for invoking a motile response in a microorganism within the fluid flow in the viewing port, whereby use of the system allows for continuous viewing section flow throughput and synchronizing illumination of the at least one imaging light source and the at least one light stimulation device of the viewing section for improved image acquisition, a cycle of the system being defined as the time period from the start of one discrete illumination event of the at least one imaging light source to the next;
• and
• acquiring an image of a microorganism during the cycle.