Lanjing LJ-J100 Fully Automated Colony Counter

Overview

The Lanjing LJ-J100 Fully Automated Colony Counter is an image-based microbiological enumeration system engineered for precision, reproducibility, and operational efficiency in regulated and research-intensive laboratory environments. It operates on the principle of digital image acquisition followed by algorithmic segmentation and morphological classification of microbial colonies grown on standard Petri dishes (e.g., 90 mm or 100 mm diameter). By integrating a calibrated 8-megapixel color CMOS imaging module within a light-tight enclosure and leveraging adaptive illumination control, the system captures high-contrast, low-noise images under standardized optical conditions—enabling reliable detection of colonies as small as 0.5 mm in diameter. Designed to replace manual counting and semi-automated systems, the LJ-J100 supports quantitative microbiological analysis in compliance with internationally recognized methodologies including ISO 4833-1:2013 (microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs), ISO 7218:2017 (general requirements and guidance for microbiological examinations), and USP <61> / <62>. Its self-contained architecture eliminates dependency on external computers, reducing configuration complexity and enhancing data integrity.

Key Features

• Fully integrated imaging station with light-sealed dark chamber to eliminate ambient light interference and ensure consistent illumination geometry.
• Dual independent LED illumination system: top and bottom light sources are individually controllable via physical knobs, supporting brightness adjustment and mode selection (top-only, bottom-only, or dual illumination) to optimize contrast for diverse media types (e.g., chromogenic agar, blood agar, R2A, PCA).
• High-resolution 8-MP color camera with fixed-focus macro lens, factory-calibrated for accurate spatial measurement; automatic pixel-to-millimeter conversion enabled by embedded optical parameter database (lens focal length, working distance, sensor pitch).
• On-device computing platform: 15.6-inch capacitive touchscreen (1920×1080), Windows 10 64-bit OS, 256 GB SSD storage—no external PC required for operation or data retention.
• Intelligent colony recognition algorithms with two primary modes: “Dispersed Colony Mode” for well-isolated colonies with sharp edges; “Aggregated Colony Mode” for clustered or partially fused colonies on uniform-background media using adaptive thresholding and watershed segmentation.
• Interactive correction tools including adjustable global/local threshold sliders, circular/rectangular region-of-interest (ROI) masking, and freehand drawing for manual inclusion/exclusion—supporting GLP-aligned traceability and method validation documentation.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The LJ-J100 accommodates standard Petri dishes (90 mm and 100 mm) and is compatible with common solid culture media including nutrient agar, tryptic soy agar (TSA), plate count agar (PCA), violet red bile agar (VRBA), and chromogenic formulations used in E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts, and molds enumeration. All image capture and analysis workflows adhere to principles outlined in ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for testing laboratories, with built-in user access control, electronic signature support, and immutable raw image archiving. Audit trail functionality records operator ID, timestamp, parameter settings, and all manual corrections—facilitating FDA 21 CFR Part 11 readiness when deployed in pharmaceutical or clinical microbiology settings.

Software & Data Management

The proprietary LJ-Count software provides a secure, role-based interface supporting multi-user login with password-protected accounts. Each user’s activity—including image acquisition, analysis parameters, corrections, and export actions—is logged chronologically. Quantitative results are stored in encrypted internal memory with version-stamped metadata; original images remain unaltered and accessible for retrospective review. Final reports can be exported in PDF format with embedded image thumbnails, statistical summaries (total CFU, dilution factor, concentration per gram/mL), and operator attribution. Bilingual UI (English/Chinese) allows seamless switching without restart, accommodating international lab personnel and multilingual SOP documentation requirements.

Applications

The LJ-J100 serves routine and advanced applications across multiple sectors: quality control of raw materials and finished products in food and beverage manufacturing; environmental monitoring in cleanrooms and water treatment facilities; sterility testing and bioburden assessment in pharmaceutical production; antimicrobial efficacy evaluation per ISO 11137 or ASTM E2149; and academic research involving microbial diversity, biofilm quantification, or antibiotic resistance screening. Its robustness and ease of validation make it suitable for ISO 13485-certified medical device labs and GLP-compliant contract research organizations.

FAQ

Does the LJ-J100 require periodic recalibration?
No—factory calibration is retained across power cycles; auto-calibration occurs at startup using stored optical parameters. Physical recalibration is only necessary after lens replacement or mechanical impact.
Can the system process images from external cameras or pre-captured files?
No—the LJ-J100 is designed exclusively for native image acquisition via its integrated camera to ensure metrological traceability and repeatability.
Is the software compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements?
It supports core elements including electronic signatures, audit trails, and data immutability; full Part 11 compliance depends on site-specific validation protocols and IT infrastructure configuration.
What training and technical support options are available?
Lanjing provides on-site installation verification, operator training, and remote diagnostics; firmware updates and application notes are distributed through secure customer portal access.
How is data backup managed?
Users may export datasets (images + metadata) via USB 3.0 port; automated daily backups to network-attached storage (NAS) can be configured via optional enterprise license.