Frequently Asked Questions
Our device has been thoroughly tested and has been validated by the VLB Berlin (Versuch- u. Lehranstalt für Brauerei in Berlin).
As written by the VLB Berlin “The results of the Oculyze system are closely comparable with those obtained using the microscopic Thoma chamber method … using the Oculyze system does not require laboratory equipment such as a microscope and does not require trained staff for the microscopic examination. Using the Thoma chamber everything has to be done manually (counting the cells and calculation of the results), while the Oculyze system automates the counting and calculation of the results. With the Oculyze system the cell concentration and viability can be analysed within one fast measurement. Finally we can say, that the Oculyze system offers a very good, fast and cost efficient alternative for the determination of the cell concentration and viability of bottom fermenting yeast strains without the need of complex laboratory equipment.”
You can read the full report here.
As written by the VLB Berlin “The results of the Oculyze system are closely comparable with those obtained using the microscopic Thoma chamber method … using the Oculyze system does not require laboratory equipment such as a microscope and does not require trained staff for the microscopic examination. Using the Thoma chamber everything has to be done manually (counting the cells and calculation of the results), while the Oculyze system automates the counting and calculation of the results. With the Oculyze system the cell concentration and viability can be analysed within one fast measurement. Finally we can say, that the Oculyze system offers a very good, fast and cost efficient alternative for the determination of the cell concentration and viability of bottom fermenting yeast strains without the need of complex laboratory equipment.”
You can read the full report here.
You can watch a video demo here.
We have developed a hand-held microscope with high magnification (~400X), it allows for the visualization of objects less than 10µm (i.e. yeast cells). The solution consists of a portable optical module, a smartphone, an application and a connection to the server hosting the image analysis software. The optical module is attached to a smartphone and the magnified image is visible through the app on the screen. The system then sends the images using WLAN or cellphone data to the server that analyses the pictures using advanced computer vision techniques and returns the results within seconds. All images are processed and saved in the cloud.
We have developed a hand-held microscope with high magnification (~400X), it allows for the visualization of objects less than 10µm (i.e. yeast cells). The solution consists of a portable optical module, a smartphone, an application and a connection to the server hosting the image analysis software. The optical module is attached to a smartphone and the magnified image is visible through the app on the screen. The system then sends the images using WLAN or cellphone data to the server that analyses the pictures using advanced computer vision techniques and returns the results within seconds. All images are processed and saved in the cloud.
Each package comes equipped with:
- Oculyze BB microscope
- strong & sturdy portable carry case
- measuring cylinder
- methylene violet
- pasteur pipettes
- reaction containers
- cleaning cotton swabs
- sample chambers
- plastic syringes
- bellows
Additionally, each customer will have access to our customer support team.
- Oculyze BB microscope
- strong & sturdy portable carry case
- measuring cylinder
- methylene violet
- pasteur pipettes
- reaction containers
- cleaning cotton swabs
- sample chambers
- plastic syringes
- bellows
Additionally, each customer will have access to our customer support team.
The Oculyze BB 2.0 is compatible with most Android mobile phones and tablets. A full list of compatible devices is available here.
To download our latest Oculyze BB 2.0 app, please visit the Google Play Store.
We offer worldwide shipping. Delivery times depend on where you are ordering from. Typically, delivery times range from 2 to 10 days.
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal and credit card payment with Visa, Mastercard or Amex. Orders inside the European SEPA zone can be paid by using SEPA Direct Debit.
The trial period lasts for 30 days and starts on the day of your first analysis. During this period we offer a money back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied and decide to return the device. There are no restocking fees, you only have to pay for return shipping.
Our app is available in five languages: English, German, Russian, Spanish and Simplified Chinese. Our customer support and sales teams are happy to assist you in the following languages: English, German, Spanish, Italian, Finnish, Turkish and Portuguese.
The automated solution is optimized for normal brewers yeast (saccharomyces) and does not distinguish the yeast type or check for bacteria. Oculyze app has a feature to analyze Brettanomyces bruxellensis (Brett) concentration. More information is available here. We also have a manual count option available in our app that will allow you to count anything you want, including brettanomyces and lactobacillus.
Examples:
Lactobacillus in wort with a very high concentration.
Lactobacillus in water with a low concentration.
Brettanomyces.
Brettanomyces Claussenii
Examples:
Lactobacillus in wort with a very high concentration.
Lactobacillus in water with a low concentration.
Brettanomyces.
Brettanomyces Claussenii
That always depends on the liquid you are working with (e.g. what other solid ingredients can be seen in the microscope) and the morphology of your yeast. Our analysis is optimized for brewers yeast (S. cerevisiae) in wort, must or water. If your solution and yeast look the same, the device should also work for you. We have breweries, distilleries, yeast labs and wineries as customers. Take advantage of the 30 day money back guarantee to look at your yeast and ask questions to the Oculyze support team.
Our microscope is manufactured in the heart of Germany using high quality materials and components sourced from European suppliers. Each device and package is hand selected and hand packaged by our team here. The device accessories are sourced from German Biotech companies.
If you want to measure in an undiluted sample, the optimal range is 8.5x10⁵ - 3.5x10⁷ cells/ml. This corresponds to 5-100 cells per image. However, if you have higher concentrations, you can always dilute your sample to fit within this range.
We provide a 1 year warranty. Contact us at sales@oculyze.de for more information.
One image has a size of around 180 kB. For a standard measurement with 5 images you will need 0.9 MB.
Chambers
Your package comes with two chambers that can last for months if they are cleaned properly after each use. Please refer to the maintenance video on our training page for a how-to-guide on cleaning your chambers. Please visit our web shop or contact us at sales@oculyze.de to find out more about ordering additional chambers.
Alkaline Methylene Violet
- You can purchase the ready to use solution from our web shop.
- Or you can mix it yourself. The needed components are: Methylene Violet 3RAX, Glycine and 1M Sodium hydroxide solution.
The recipe can be found here: DE or EN
Alkaline Methylene Blue
- There is no ready to use solution available for purchase.
- You will need to mix it yourself. The needed components are: Methylene Blue, Glycine and 1M Sodium hydroxide solution.
The recipe can be found here: DE or EN.
For Methylene Violet and Methylene Blue components we have a list of different suppliers based on your location. If you are interested please contact us at sales@oculyze.de
Your package comes with two chambers that can last for months if they are cleaned properly after each use. Please refer to the maintenance video on our training page for a how-to-guide on cleaning your chambers. Please visit our web shop or contact us at sales@oculyze.de to find out more about ordering additional chambers.
Alkaline Methylene Violet
- You can purchase the ready to use solution from our web shop.
- Or you can mix it yourself. The needed components are: Methylene Violet 3RAX, Glycine and 1M Sodium hydroxide solution.
The recipe can be found here: DE or EN
Alkaline Methylene Blue
- There is no ready to use solution available for purchase.
- You will need to mix it yourself. The needed components are: Methylene Blue, Glycine and 1M Sodium hydroxide solution.
The recipe can be found here: DE or EN.
For Methylene Violet and Methylene Blue components we have a list of different suppliers based on your location. If you are interested please contact us at sales@oculyze.de
All of our servers are hosted in Germany. We make every effort to protect Oculyze and our users from unauthorized access to or unauthorized alteration, disclosure or destruction of data.
- we encrypt many of our services using SSL
- access to your Oculyze data is secured in all our services via a login
- we review our collection, storage and processing practices, including physical security measures, to protect against unauthorized access to systems
- we restrict access to personal data to Oculyze employees and contractors who must know the data in order to process it for us and who are subject to strict confidentiality obligations and may be subject to disciplinary action or terminated if they fail to comply with these obligations
Additionally, we conduct regular backups of our system to ensure that your data is always accessible. Even if you lose your device, your previous data and results will not be lost.
- we encrypt many of our services using SSL
- access to your Oculyze data is secured in all our services via a login
- we review our collection, storage and processing practices, including physical security measures, to protect against unauthorized access to systems
- we restrict access to personal data to Oculyze employees and contractors who must know the data in order to process it for us and who are subject to strict confidentiality obligations and may be subject to disciplinary action or terminated if they fail to comply with these obligations
Additionally, we conduct regular backups of our system to ensure that your data is always accessible. Even if you lose your device, your previous data and results will not be lost.
The best place to find this information is on our training page, which you can access here.
Our advanced image recognition has been developed and improved constantly over several years. It is able to separate even strongly clustered cells.
Example
Example
