FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions about IUL products, laboratory solutions, technical support, and company information.
Microbiology Lab Solutions
DOT
The DOT manual colony counter supports Petri dishes ranging from 60 mm to 150 mm in diameter. A 90 mm centering device is included as standard, while optional adapters are available for 60, 70, 80, 100, 120, and 150 mm plates, providing flexibility for a wide range of microbiological applications.
Yes. The DOT features adjustable LED illumination with four selectable brightness levels, allowing users to optimize contrast and colony visibility. Models equipped with the optional 120 mm magnifier also include upper lighting to improve the detection of translucent and difficult-to-see colonies.
Yes. The DOT can be used for spiral plate counting when fitted with the optional spiral counting template kit. The kit includes transparent and black spiral guides with concentric circle references, enabling accurate colony counting on spiral-inoculated plates.
Yes. The DOT connects to any PC via USB using keyboard emulation technology. Colony count data can be transferred directly into Microsoft Excel®, Word®, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), and other laboratory software for streamlined data recording and traceability.
Yes. The DOT integrates with SphereFlash® Colonies Software, allowing colony count data to be processed automatically. The software can calculate microbial concentrations based on the selected counting method, sample volume, and dilution factors, helping improve efficiency and result accuracy in microbiology laboratories.
Microbiology Lab Solutions
Eddy Jet 2W
Eddy Jet 2W automates microbial inoculation on Petri dishes using spiral plating technology. It creates up to three decimal dilution zones on a single plate, eliminating the need for traditional serial dilutions and helping streamline microbiological workflows.
Each plating cycle uses a sterile disposable microsyringe, eliminating the need for cleaning between samples. This helps prevent cross-contamination while reducing manual handling and preparation time.
Eddy Jet 2W supports multiple plating modes, including: logarithmic (exponential), linear, and uniform plating, including lawn preparation.
The system is compatible with standard 90 mm plates and 150 mm plates.
Built-in verification features allow regular verification of volume and syringe positioning to ensure precise, consistent results.
Yes. Plates prepared with Eddy Jet 2W are fully compatible with the SphereFlash® for automated, high-accuracy colony counting. When a lawn is prepared for AST applications, SphereFlash® can be used for automated, high-accuracy inhibition zone measurement.
Microbiology Lab Solutions
Haloes Caliper
The Haloes Caliper provides digital inhibition zone measurements with a resolution of 0.1 mm, enabling laboratories to detect small differences in zone diameters and improve the accuracy of antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST).
The Haloes Caliper features a perpendicular viewing system and a screen-lens design that eliminate parallax distortion. This ensures clear visualization and accurate measurement of inhibition zones across the entire Petri dish viewing area.
The Haloes Caliper includes a 30 mm verification disk for routine performance checks and measurement validation. Optional 10 mm and 20 mm verification disks are also available for additional accuracy verification and quality control procedures.
The Haloes Caliper is compatible with Petri dishes up to 100 mm in diameter and can accurately measure inhibition zones up to 35 mm, making it suitable for standard antimicrobial susceptibility testing workflows.
Yes. The Haloes Caliper allows users to measure multiple inhibition zones individually on a single Petri dish, enabling accurate recording and analysis of each antibiotic susceptibility result.
Yes. Optional 4-halo and 6-halo placement templates are available to guide antibiotic disc positioning and promote consistent test layouts, helping improve standardization and reproducibility in susceptibility testing.
Lateral Flow Readers
iPeak®
Yes. Each iPeak® reader is supplied with a drawer designed for your specific lateral flow cassette or test strip. Interchangeable drawers can also be used to accommodate different test formats.
The iPeak® reader can analyze up to two test strips per cassette. The number of test and control lines that can be evaluated on each strip depends on the size and configuration of the region of interest.
IUL provides an appliction called LFR Suite for configuring the iPeak® reader for a specific lateral flow test. The software allows you to define reading areas, line positions, detection thresholds, calibration parameters, and result interpretation criteria. The software is available under an annual license that includes up to five computer licenses for assay development and configuration.
No. The iPeak® operates as a standalone lateral flow reader during routine use. A computer is only required during the initial assay setup and method configuration process.
Assay methods are transferred to the iPeak® reader by scanning a 2D Data Matrix code generated by the Development Software Application. This simplifies method installation and helps ensure consistent configuration across multiple readers.
Yes. The iPeak® reader can export results in CSV, PDF, and PNG formats. CSV files include line-intensity measurements and test metadata, PDF files provide a summary report with the test image, and PNG files contain an image of the analyzed test. Results can be transferred through USB, SFTP, secure cloud upload, or an HL7-compatible connection to a LIMS or middleware platform. HL7 transfers can be configured for automatic real-time transmission or manual data export.
The iPeak® automatically verifies illumination before each reading to confirm appropriate lighting and test alignment. An adjustment drawer is included for fine-tuning the camera settings when required. Under validated operating conditions, the system can achieve a coefficient of variation below 5% for mid-range signals.
The iPeak® reader is CE-marked and UKCA-listed for in vitro diagnostic use. Research-use-only versions are also available. Regulatory availability and intended use may vary by market.
Yes. IUL offers OEM customization for the iPeak® reader, including custom colors, logos, branding, and product design elements.
The standard iPeak® reader uses a dedicated drawer into which the lateral flow cassette is placed. The test-strip reading area and barcode, when present, must fit within the dimensions supported by the drawer. When a cassette’s region of interest falls outside these specifications, the iPeak® reader may be customized for drawer-free operation. In these cases, certain features of the cassette’s external housing must be considered during product development.
Lateral Flow Readers
iPeak® Dual
The iPeak® Dual is an open-system lateral flow reader designed to analyze both colorimetric and fluorescence lateral flow assays on the same instrument. It supports qualitative, semi-quantitative, and quantitative test interpretation, allowing assay developers to use one reader platform across different lateral flow detection technologies.
Yes. The iPeak® Dual combines colorimetric and fluorescence lateral flow reading in a single device. This makes it suitable for assay portfolios that include conventional colorimetric tests as well as fluorescence-based lateral flow assays.
Yes. The iPeak® platform is designed as an open system and can be adapted to different lateral flow cassette formats using cassette-specific drawers. IUL can develop a customized drawer to ensure consistent positioning of the cassette and its test region for colorimetric or fluorescence analysis.
The iPeak® Dual can analyze up to two colorimetric strips or up to two fluorescence strips per cassette, depending on the cassette design and assay configuration. IUL recommends reviewing the cassette specifications when defining the final reader configuration.
The iPeak® Dual can analyze up to seven lines per strip for colorimetric assays and up to four lines per strip for fluorescence assays. The actual configuration depends on the test format and available reading area.
The iPeak® Dual can be configured using IUL’s LFR Suite. Assay developers can define parameters such as result interpretation criteria, threshold values, calibration curves, and the number of strips and lines used by the test. This allows individual methods to be developed for different colorimetric and fluorescence assays.
No. A computer is used during assay development and method configuration with LFR Suite, but the iPeak® Dual is designed to operate as a standalone lateral flow reader during routine testing. The operator can select the appropriate assay method, insert the test, perform the reading, and review the result directly on the instrument.
Yes. The iPeak® Dual can store up to 200 results, including images, and export data as PDF reports, CSV files, and PNG images. It supports Wi-Fi, Ethernet, printer, and PC connectivity, as well as TCP/IP, SFTP, and HL7 v2.8 for integration with laboratory information systems.
Yes. The iPeak® Dual supports laboratory system integration through TCP/IP, SFTP, and HL7 v2.8. This allows test results to be transferred from the reader into a LIMS, LIS, middleware platform, or other connected laboratory workflow.
Yes. The iPeak® Dual can be customized for OEM and private-label applications. Available options include branding, colors, housing, packaging, software configuration, and cassette-specific mechanical adaptations.
Lateral Flow Readers
iPeak® Europium
Yes. The iPeak® Europium is an open-system fluorescence lateral flow reader that can be adapted to different cassette and strip formats. A customized drawer can be designed around your assay geometry so that the relevant test and control regions are correctly positioned for fluorescence measurement. (IUL)
The iPeak® Europium is designed for europium-labeled fluorescent lateral flow assays. It uses 365 nm excitation and 615 nm emission and supports qualitative, semi-quantitative, and quantitative fluorescence analysis. (IUL)
The iPeak® Europium can analyze up to two lateral flow strips, with up to four test lines per strip, depending on cassette geometry and the assay's reading area. (IUL)
The reader can be configured using IUL's assay-development software. Developers can establish the assay method and define the relevant reading and analysis parameters for their europium fluorescence test before transferring the method to the reader for routine use. (IUL)
No. A computer is used during assay development and configuration, but routine tests can subsequently be performed directly on the iPeak® Europium as a standalone fluorescence lateral flow reader. (IUL)
Methods developed for a specific fluorescence lateral flow assay can be encoded in a Data Matrix and scanned by the reader. This allows the appropriate assay configuration to be loaded efficiently and helps standardize methods between instruments and testing locations. (IUL)
Yes. The iPeak® Europium stores test results and images and provides USB and network connectivity for result export. Data can also be sent to an external SFTP server or integrated with laboratory information systems through HL7-compatible connectivity. (IUL)
The iPeak® Europium combines controlled fluorescence excitation, image acquisition, and IUL image-processing algorithms to increase the usable dynamic range of europium-labeled lateral flow assays. This enables measurement of fluorescent signals across low- and high-concentration samples while supporting objective qualitative and quantitative interpretation. (IUL)
Yes. The iPeak® Europium includes a built-in temperature sensor to monitor the operating conditions of the lateral flow test. This information can help support assay traceability and controlled test workflows. (IUL)
Yes. IUL offers OEM customization of the iPeak® Europium for fluorescence lateral flow applications, including customized colors, logos, branding, and adaptations for specific assay and cassette formats. (IUL)
The iPeak® Europium uses 365 nm excitation and 615 nm emission, a configuration designed for europium-based fluorescent labels used in lateral flow assays. (IUL)
Lateral Flow Readers
iPeak® Plus
Yes. The iPeak® Plus is an open-system lateral flow reader designed to accommodate different colorimetric lateral flow cassette formats. A customized drawer can be developed to match the dimensions and geometry of your assay. IUL can evaluate your cassette design and configure the reader for your specific lateral flow test. (IUL)
The iPeak® Plus can analyze up to five lateral flow strips in one cassette, with up to seven lines per strip, depending on the cassette design and available reading area. This makes it particularly suitable for large or multiplex lateral flow cassettes. (IUL)
The iPeak® Plus can be configured for a specific lateral flow assay using IUL's assay-development software. During method development, parameters such as the reading region, test and control line positions, analysis settings, and result interpretation can be defined for the assay. The resulting method can then be transferred to the reader for routine testing. (IUL)
No. Once the assay method has been configured and transferred to the device, the iPeak® Plus operates as a standalone lateral flow reader for routine testing. A computer is primarily used during assay development and method configuration. (IUL)
Assay methods can be transferred to the iPeak® Plus using a Data Matrix code generated during method development. The reader scans the code to load the corresponding assay configuration, simplifying deployment of standardized methods across different devices or testing sites. (IUL)
Yes. The iPeak® Plus stores test results and images and supports data export through USB and network connectivity. Results can also be transferred to an external SFTP server or integrated with laboratory information systems using HL7-compatible connectivity, supporting traceability and centralized data management. (IUL)
The iPeak® Plus uses controlled illumination, image acquisition, and image-processing technology to provide objective analysis of colorimetric lateral flow tests. Its optical design helps reduce the influence of reflections, shadows, and subjective visual interpretation while supporting qualitative, semi-quantitative, and quantitative analysis. (IUL)
The iPeak® Plus is designed as a professional lateral flow reader for applications including health and veterinary diagnostics, point-of-care testing, food safety, drug testing, environmental testing, and research. Regulatory status and intended use should be confirmed for the specific product configuration and target market. (IUL)
Yes. IUL offers OEM customization of the iPeak® Plus, including product colors, logos and branding, as well as adaptations for specific lateral flow cassette designs and applications. Its design and manufacturing approach also supports customized reader development for commercial assay platforms. (IUL)
The iPeak® Plus is designed especially for larger and multi-strip lateral flow cassettes. It can accommodate configurations containing up to five strips, subject to cassette dimensions and the position of the test regions. IUL can review the cassette design and create a suitable drawer or customized reader configuration. (IUL)
Microbiology Lab Solutions
Masticator
The Masticator is suitable for a wide range of samples, including meat, dairy, pharmaceutical tablets, and cosmetic creams, processed safely in sterile bags.
The front-opening door provides easy access to the chamber for fast cleaning. The SWAP model also features removable paddles for enhanced hygiene and thorough maintenance.
Compatible with sterile bags up to 400 mL capacity for standard microbiological sample preparation.
Slim paddles (Masticator SWAP only) are designed for larger, dense samples like meat, improving homogenization through more targeted pressure.
Yes. All models include a programmable timer (15 seconds to continuous). The Silver model also offers adjustable stroke speed for greater process control.
Yes. Panoramic and SWAP models feature transparent viewing windows for real-time process monitoring.
Yes. Optional 400 mL bag holders improve stability during loading and handling, enhancing workflow efficiency.
Yes. Optional stands and drip trays help manage spills and support a clean, organized laboratory environment.
Microbiology Lab Solutions
Poly Stainer
The Poly Stainer supports a wide range of microbiology and laboratory staining methods, including Gram staining, Acid-Fast staining, Trichrome staining, and Ziehl–Neelsen staining. Its programmable design also allows laboratories to create and customize staining protocols to meet specific workflow requirements.
The Poly Stainer can process up to 20 microscope slides in a single run, helping laboratories increase throughput while maintaining consistent and reproducible staining results.
Yes. The Poly Stainer can store up to 10 user-defined staining programs, with each program supporting up to 10 sequential steps. Protocols can include dipping, oscillation, rinsing, and drying actions, providing flexibility for a wide variety of staining applications.
Yes. The Poly Stainer features an integrated rinse bath and a drying station with optional warm-air drying. These functions help ensure slides are thoroughly rinsed and properly dried throughout the automated staining process.
The optional Quick Drain System automatically empties and refills the rinse bath after each rinsing step. This helps reduce reagent carryover, improve washing efficiency, and shorten overall staining cycle times.
Microbiology Lab Solutions
Smart Dilutor W
The Smart Dilutor W performs real-time gravimetric verification for every dispensing process, helping eliminate errors commonly associated with manual pipetting while improving efficiency in high-throughput laboratories. Users can also perform gravimetric calibration directly from the instrument menu using a standard weight, without requiring external service support.
Yes. The Smart Dilutor W can dispense into a wide range of sample containers, including bottles, flasks, beakers, and other vessels. Optional accessories, such as a flask adapter and multilevel arm, provide flexibility for different container sizes and configurations.
The Smart Dilutor W with Filter enables in-line sterile filtration directly from bottle-based diluent sources, creating a closed and controlled workflow. This reduces the risk of contamination, eliminates the need to autoclave diluent bottles before use, and streamlines routine dilution procedures.
Yes. The Smart Dilutor W accurately dispenses sterile diluents, broths, and other liquids, making it ideal for preparing culture media and supporting microbiology laboratory workflows.
Yes. The Smart Dilutor W supports data export to a PC for electronic record keeping, traceability, and compliance documentation. It can also connect to a printer for immediate printing of results and reports.
Microbiology Lab Solutions
SphereFlash®
SphereFlash® can analyze 55–90 mm Petri dishes and widely used commercial microbiology media, including Compact Dry™, Petrifilm™, MC-MEDIA® PAD, and Easy Plate. The system supports the detection and counting of bacteria, yeasts, and molds on chromogenic, selective, and general-purpose agar, as well as plates used for membrane filtration microbiology.
Yes. SphereFlash® uses high-resolution imaging and dual illumination to improve the detection of crowded, overlapping, clustered, or low-contrast colonies. When additional review is required, users can manually add, remove, or exclude colonies to refine the final count.
Yes. SphereFlash® supports automated inhibition zone measurement with the Halos PRO software. It can be used for inhibition zone analysis in research, pharmacopeial applications, and routine microbiology workflows.
SphereFlash® uses a patented spherical imaging chamber to create a controlled and consistent illumination environment. By minimizing shadows, reflections, and variations in ambient light, the system helps laboratories achieve standardized and reproducible colony-counting results across operators and samples.
Yes. Users can manually add, remove, or exclude colonies and inhibition zones when reviewing results. Exclusion areas can also be defined to prevent artifacts such as labels, bubbles, debris, or unwanted contamination from affecting the analysis.
SphereFlash® includes calibration and verification disks for routine performance checks. These checks can be performed directly in the laboratory, helping users verify system performance without requiring routine external calibration service or unnecessary instrument downtime.
The appropriate SphereFlash® software depends on the level of automation, traceability, and analysis required:
Colonies LITE (standard inclusion): Designed for basic colony counting.
Colonies PRO: Adds custom methods, audit trails, traceability, and LIMS connectivity for advanced colony-counting workflows.
Halos PRO: Designed for inhibition zone measurement and includes custom methods, audit trails, traceability, and LIMS connectivity.
SphereFlash® AI: Provides advanced automated image analysis for complex plates and higher-throughput workflows, together with custom methods, audit trails, traceability, and LIMS connectivity.
Not for standard SphereFlash® software. Colonies LITE, Colonies PRO, and Halos PRO can operate without an internet connection. An internet connection is required for SphereFlash® AI when images are processed using its cloud-based analysis capabilities.
Yes. A connected PC is required when using Colonies LITE, Colonies PRO, or Halos PRO. With SphereFlash® AI, the instrument only needs to be connected when capturing new images. Previously saved images can be uploaded and analyzed from the PC without the instrument being connected.
Yes. SphereFlash® supports results export in multiple formats, including CSV, Excel, PNG, and PDF. Reports can include annotated images, simplifying microbiology documentation, data review, and result sharing.
SphereFlash® software configurations including Colonies PRO, Halos PRO, and SphereFlash® AI provide features such as user management, audit trails, traceability, and controlled data export that can support laboratories implementing 21 CFR Part 11 Subpart B data-integrity and electronic-record workflows.
Compliance ultimately depends on the laboratory's complete validated system, procedures, configuration, and intended use.
Yes. LIMS integration is available with Colonies PRO, Halos PRO, and SphereFlash® AI, helping laboratories transfer results into digital laboratory workflows and reduce manual data handling.
SphereFlash® users have access to training videos, product documentation, and remote technical assistance. These resources help laboratories with instrument installation, software operation, method setup, and optimization of colony-counting and inhibition-zone workflows.
Microbiology Lab Solutions
Spin Air
Spin Air is an active microbial air sampler that draws a defined volume of air through a perforated sampling head. Airborne microorganisms are impacted onto a rotating agar plate, ensuring even particle distribution across the agar surface for accurate microbial detection and analysis.
To operate Spin Air, insert a Petri dish into the holder and secure the sampling head. Select the desired air sampling volume, optional delay time, and rotation speed. The instrument automatically samples the programmed air volume and stops when the sampling cycle is complete.
No. Spin Air uses a rotating agar plate combined with a perforated sampling head to distribute microorganisms evenly across the entire agar surface. This design minimizes colony overlap and eliminates the need for statistical correction tables.
Spin Air supports both 90 mm and 60 mm Petri dishes. For 90 mm plates, use the 90 mm sampling head with an airflow rate of 100 L/min. For 60 mm plates, use the 60 mm sampling head with an airflow rate of 60 L/min to ensure optimal sampling performance.
Spin Air is suitable for microbial air monitoring in pharmaceutical cleanrooms (Grades A, B, C, and D), hospitals, aseptic manufacturing environments, research laboratories, non-sterile production areas, and outdoor environmental monitoring applications.
Yes. Spin Air complies with EN 17141:2020, the European standard for environmental microbiological monitoring in cleanrooms and controlled environments, supporting regulatory compliance in pharmaceutical and healthcare facilities.
Yes. Spin Air can export sampling data to a computer via a communication cable and integrate with compatible Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS). Results can also be printed with traceability information using a connected printer.
Yes. By connecting a Spin Air Mate unit to the main Spin Air sampler, two locations can be monitored simultaneously. Both units must use the same airflow rate and sampling head size for accurate and synchronized sampling.
Yes. When connected to a Spin Air Mate unit, Spin Air can simultaneously sample using different culture media, such as TSA with polysorbate and lecithin (TSApl) for bacteria and malt extract agar (MEA) for fungi. Both units must use the same airflow rate and sampling head size.
Spin Air should be calibrated every two years or after sampling 1 million liters of air, whichever occurs first. Regular calibration helps maintain sampling accuracy and compliance with environmental monitoring requirements.
About IUL
Yes. IUL has in-house multidisciplinary engineering capabilities covering areas such as mechanical design, electronics, software development, prototyping, and 3D printing. This integrated approach allows IUL to develop, test, customize, and industrialize both microbiology instruments and lateral flow reader solutions, including OEM projects.
IUL solutions are used by microbiology laboratories, quality-control laboratories, diagnostic organizations, industrial partners, and research laboratories across sectors including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, livestock control, environmental testing, and human and veterinary diagnostics. IUL also works with distributors and OEM partners internationally.
IUL was founded in Barcelona in 1987 and has been designing, manufacturing and marketing automated solutions for microbiology laboratories since then.
IUL is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain. The company also has operations in Leonberg, Germany, and Alexandria, Virginia, USA, supporting customers in international markets.
CERTIFICATIONS & QUALITY
Yes. All IUL products are CE marked, demonstrating conformity with the applicable European Union health, safety, and environmental protection requirements. CE marking supports the commercialization of IUL laboratory instruments within the European Economic Area (EEA).
Yes. IUL is certified to ISO 13485:2016, the international quality management standard for medical devices. The certification supports IUL’s activities in lateral flow reader solutions and medical-device-related applications.
Yes. IUL’s quality management system is ISO 9001 certified. IUL states that it has applied ISO 9001 quality-management criteria since 2003 as part of its commitment to continual improvement.
Yes. IUL operates a quality management system certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 13485:2016 for medical-device-related activities. These certifications reflect IUL’s commitment to quality management, regulatory requirements and continuous improvement.
CUSTOMERS
IUL solutions are designed for microbiology and quality-control laboratories across sectors including food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, livestock control, environmental testing, human and veterinary diagnostics. IUL works with both laboratory end users and distribution partners internationally.
GLOBAL PRESENCE
Yes. IUL serves international customers from its headquarters in Barcelona and through operations in the United States and Germany. Its German operation supports Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, while its U.S. operation is based in Alexandria, Virginia.
OEM
Yes. IUL offers OEM solutions for both microbiology instrumentation and lateral flow reader technologies. The company can support partners with product development, customization, integration, manufacturing, and technical expertise to create solutions tailored to specific applications and market requirements.
PRODUCTS
IUL manufactures laboratory instruments and automation solutions for gravimetric dilution, homogenization, inoculation, colony counting and zone reading, automated slide staining, microbial air sampling and lateral flow test reading.
SUSTAINABILITY
IUL is committed to improving the environmental performance of its operations through responsible resource use, waste reduction and continuous improvement.