Method and apparatus for detection of foam in specimen containers

An apparatus for detecting foam in a specimen container;

• the apparatus comprising:
• an imaging device positioned proximate to an imaging station;
• and
• a server comprising a processor and memory, the memory having computer readable program code, and the processor programmed to:
• image the specimen container;
• analyze an image of the specimen container;
• and
• detect foam in the specimen container based on the analysis of the image.

A method for dissipating foam in a specimen container and determining the fill level in the container, the method comprising:

• inoculating a specimen container with a test sample, the specimen container having an internal chamber with a culture medium disposed therein for culturing any microorganisms that may be present in the test sample;
• optionally acquiring an image or measuring a liquid level of said inoculated specimen container using an imaging system;
• transferring said inoculated specimen container to a holding structure and agitating the holding structure and inoculated specimen container thereby substantially dissipating any foam that may be present in said specimen container;
• and
• subsequently transferring said container to said imaging system, wherein said fill level in said container is determined by first acquiring an image with said imaging system and using imaging processing software for comparing the liquid level in the container with one or more marks on said specimen container.