#insights

UIn clinical microbiology, incubation has traditionally been a passive process. Samples are placed in the incubator and generally left undisturbed for a predefined period, being evaluated only once incubation is complete, although certain critical samples may be analysed more frequently, potentially impacting the incubation process. While reliable, this approach offers little visibility into what happens during incubation and no significant opportunity for early action when microbial growth appears. To meet the growing demand for faster diagnostics—especially for critical or sterile samples—continuous monitoring during incubation is emerging as a new approach. This is the concept behind AIPLAK‘s continuous monitoring system, an independent imaging system that observes culture plates throughout incubation without affecting incubation conditions.

Two complementary imaging approaches

AIPLAK integrates two clearly differentiated imaging systems:

• A post-incubation imaging system, used once the established incubation time has been completed or growth detected and alarm generated, enabling digital review, interpretation, and AI-based workflows.
• A Continuous Monitoring System, designed to monitor plates during incubation without altering incubation process and provide early visibility and growth alarm, rather than final interpretation.

Both systems serve different purposes but are fully complementary, creating a continuous flow of information from incubation to diagnosis.

How the Continuous Monitoring System works

The Continuous Monitoring System captures images of culture plates every 15 minutes, directly from outside the incubation chamber. This external design ensures that:

• Plates always remain inside the incubator
• Incubation conditions are never disturbed

The system continuously tracks plate evolution by using a specific AI algorithm. When it detects patterns consistent with microbial growth, it generates an alarm so the laboratory can assess whether early review or action is required.

These alarms are not a diagnostic decision. They are notifications that help laboratories prioritize attention while maintaining full professional control.

From passive incubation to active monitoring

By adding continuous visibility, the incubator becomes an active participant in the laboratory workflow, rather than a device that simply waits for time to pass.

This capability is particularly valuable for:

• Sterile samples, where any growth is unexpected and clinically significant
• Critical samples, where earlier awareness can influence patient management
• High-priority workflows, where time is essential

In these cases, laboratories gain the option to evaluate samples earlier, without disrupting standardized incubation protocols.

A unique capability enabling new laboratory models

The Continuous Monitoring System is unique in the market. While most solutions focus on digital imaging after incubation, continuous, non-intrusive monitoring during incubation enables new models of sample management and laboratory organization.

Laboratories can dynamically prioritize samples, improve oversight of incubation processes, and allocate resources more efficiently based on real-time information rather than fixed timelines.

Greater impact when combined with post-incubation imaging and AI

The full value of AIPLAK emerges when continuous monitoring is combined with post-incubation imaging and AI-based workflows. Early alerts during incubation complement structured digital interpretation after incubation, helping laboratories accelerate diagnosis for selected samples while maintaining safety and consistency.

AIPLAK’s Continuous Monitoring System (with its specific AI Modules) brings real-time insight into microbiology incubation without compromising incubation conditions, transforming incubation from a passive step into an active, informative process. As a unique solution on the market, and combined with post-incubation imaging and AI, it helps laboratories improve prioritization, accelerate diagnosis for critical samples, and explore smarter ways of working—always under the control of laboratory professionals.