The present invention relates to the field of testing and evaluation of biological samples and provides an apparatus for cultured samples including at least one independently accessible module adapted for incubating at least one of a number of samples wherein the at least one module is operatively associated with a light source and a movable optical inspection means adapted for motion about a viewing axis through the module to enable a sweeping of viewing area. The invention also provides a method of assessing cultured samples for viability, including the steps of: disposing biological samples in a substantially elliptical arrangement within a culturing chamber of an independently accessible module and imaging individual samples of the substantially elliptical arrangement with optical inspection means driven within an X-Y plane that is normal to a viewing axis through the module to obtain time lapse measurement of development of individual samples.