Patents Assigned to Bacus Research Laboratories, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20030123717
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for constructing a virtual microscope slide comprised of digitally scanned images from a microscope specimen. The digitally scanned images are arranged in a tiled format convenient for viewing without a microscope, and for transferring the tiled images for viewing by another at a remote location. Several original microscope views at a low magnification are digitized and stored as digitized images coherently seamed together to provide an overall virtual, macro image of the specimen at a lower resolution. Several original microscope views at higher magnifications are digitized and stored as digitized images coherently seamed together to provide virtual micro images at higher resolution. A data structure is formed with these virtual macro and micro digitized images along with their mapping coordinates. Preferably, a generic viewing program is also provided in the data structure that allows remote users to manipulate and interpret the tiled images on the user's monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: Bacus Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Bacus, James V. Bacus
  • Publication number: 20030039384
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an image of a tissue sample microarray include placing a plurality of tissue samples in an array on a microscope slide. The tissue samples are then simultaneously and uniformly treated, as by staining. Images of the tissue making up the microarray are captured and stored together with identifying information related thereto. The images may be displayed from the digital storage medium using a programmed processor which can select various magnifications for display. The images also can be accessed by network and remotely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: Bacus Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Bacus, James V. Bacus
  • Patent number: 6522774
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for constructing a virtual microscope slide comprised of digitally scanned images from a microscope specimen. The digitally scanned images are arranged in a tiled format convenient for viewing without a microscope, and for transferring the tiled images for viewing by another at a remote location. Several original microscope views at a low magnification are digitized and stored as digitized images coherently seamed together to provide an overall virtual, macro image of the specimen at a lower resolution. Several original microscope views at higher magnifications are digitized and stored as digitized images coherently seamed together to provide virtual micro images at higher resolution. A data structure is formed with these virtual macro and micro digitized images along with their mapping coordinates. Preferably, a generic viewing program is also provided in the data structure that allows remote users to manipulate and interpret the tiled images on the user's monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Bacus Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Bacus, James V. Bacus
  • Patent number: 6466690
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an image of a tissue sample microarray include placing a plurality of tissue samples in an array on a microscope slide. The tissue samples are then simultaneously and uniformly treated, as by staining. Images of the tissue making up the microarray are captured and stored together with identifying information related thereto. The images may be displayed from the digital storage medium using a programmed processor which can select various magnifications for display. The images also can be accessed by network and remotely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Bacus Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Bacus, James V. Bacus
  • Publication number: 20020135678
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for viewing microscopic images include transmitting tiled microscopic images from a server to a client. The client assembles the tiled images into a seamless virtual slide or specimen image and provides tools for manipulating image magnification and viewpoint. The method and apparatus also provides a virtual multi-headed microscope function which allows scattered viewers to simultaneously view and interact with a coherent magnified microscopic image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: Bacus Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Bacus, James V. Bacus
  • Patent number: 6404906
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for using a computer controlled microscope system to provide a reconstructed, seamless image from several contiguous fields of view to show the architecture and spatial relationship of biological material in a specimen. The specimen is scanned with a microscope and a digital scanner to provide digitized titles of contiguous, fields of view at a predetermined magnification, optical resolution and pixel resolution. Preferably, an automated X, Y stage with higher positional spatial resolution than the spatial pixel resolution of the digital scanner is used to acquire the contiguous fields of view and the image registration information which is used to reconstruct and to display on a monitor the reconstructed image formed of the contiguous multiple fields of view. Preferably, a macro image of contiguous image titles at a low magnification and optical resolution is obtained and the user navigates within the macro image and selects areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Bacus Research Laboratories,Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Bacus, James W. Bacus
  • Patent number: 6396941
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for viewing microscopic images include transmitting tiled microscopic images from a server to a client. The client assembles the tiled images into a seamless virtual slide or specimen image and provides tools for manipulating image magnification and viewpoint. The method and apparatus also provides a virtual multi-headed microscope function which allows scattered viewers to simultaneously view and interact with a coherent magnified microscopic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Bacus Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Bacus, James V. Bacus
  • Publication number: 20020061127
    Abstract: An apparatus and method acquires and stores multiple resolution images from a specimen on a support and provides to the user a low magnification, reconstructed macro image of the entire specimen, or a large portion thereof, to aid the person in selecting points of interest to be viewed or analyzed at higher magnifications and resolution. The reconstructed image is formed of a large number of tiled, stored images which are coordinated and assembled to form the macro image of the specimen which is displayed on a monitor. Preferably, the stored, reconstructed image is reduced further in size by a software system before it is displayed to the user. The display may be on a local monitor over a local area network or sent over the Internet to the user who is typically a pathologist. The user selects by a marker such as a cursor the defined area of interest or region and then views higher magnification images or has them analyzed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Applicant: Bacus Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Bacus, James W. Bacus
  • Publication number: 20010050999
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for using a computer controlled microscope system to provide a reconstructed, seamless image from several contiguous fields of view to show the architecture and spatial relationship of biological material in a specimen. The specimen is scanned with a microscope and a digital scanner to provide digitized titles of contiguous, fields of view at a predetermined magnification, optical resolution and pixel resolution. Preferably, an automated X, Y stage with higher positional spatial resolution than the spatial pixel resolution of the digital scanner is used to acquire the contiguous fields of view and the image registration information which is used to reconstruct and to display on a monitor the reconstructed image formed of the contiguous multiple fields of view. Preferably, a macro image of contiguous image tiles at a low magnification and optical resolution is obtained and the user navigates within the macro image and selects areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: Bacus Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Bacus, James W. Bacus
  • Patent number: 6272235
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for constructing a virtual microscope slide comprised of digitally scanned images from a microscope specimen. The digitally scanned images are arranged in a tiled format convenient for viewing without a microscope, and for transferring the tiled images for viewing by another at a remote location. Several original microscope views at a low magnification are digitized and stored as digitized images coherently seamed together to provide an overall virtual, macro image of the specimen at a lower resolution. Several original microscope views at higher magnifications are digitized and stored as digitized images coherently seamed together to provide virtual micro images at higher resolution. A data structure is formed with these virtual macro and micro digitized images along with their mapping coordinates. Preferably, a generic viewing program is also provided in the data structure that allows remote users to manipulate and interpret the tiled images on the user's monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Bacus Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Bacus, James W. Bacus
  • Patent number: 6226392
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for using a computer controlled microscope system to provide a reconstructed, seamless image from several contiguous fields of view to show the architecture and spatial relationship of biological material in a specimen. The specimen is scanned with a microscope and a digital scanner to provide digitized titles of contiguous, fields of view at a predetermined magnification, optical resolution and pixel resolution. Preferably, an automated X, Y stage with higher positional spatial resolution than the spatial pixel resolution of the digital scanner is used to acquire the contiguous fields of view and the image registration information which is used to reconstruct and to display on a monitor the reconstructed image formed of the contiguous multiple fields of view. Preferably, a macro image of contiguous image tiles at a low magnification and optical resolution is obtained and the user navigates within the macro image and selects areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Bacus Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Bacus, James W. Bacus
  • Patent number: 6101265
    Abstract: An apparatus and method acquires and stores multiple resolution images from a specimen on a support and provides to the user a low magnification, reconstructed macro image of the entire specimen, or a large portion thereof, to aid the person in selecting points of interest to be viewed or analyzed at higher magnifications and resolution. The reconstructed image is formed of a large number of tiled, stored images which are coordinated and assembled to form the macro image of the specimen which is displayed on a monitor. Preferably, the stored, reconstructed image is reduced further in size by a software system before it is displayed to the user. The display may be on a local monitor over a local area network or sent over the Internet to the user who is typically a pathologist. The user selects by a marker such as a cursor the defined area of interest or region and then views higher magnification images or has them analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Bacus Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Bacus, James W. Bacus
  • Patent number: 6031930
    Abstract: A system is provided for analysis of neoplasia in tissue at a very early stage as well as later stages of its progression and for reporting the progression or regression of the neoplasia. The system performs multi-parametric measurements of the morphological structure and texture of the tissue structure and correlates these measurements on a common morphological grading scale. The system performs certain tissue measurements which are more highly discriminating for one kind of neoplasia and performs other tissue measurement, which are more highly discriminating, for another kind of neoplasia. Diverse tissue measurements may be made on diverse tissue types such as breast, colon, or cervix tissue, etc. from animals or humans which tissue has subjected to different carcinogens or chemopreventive agents. The measurements are made in different units and on different scales; and then these measurements are combined and reported on a valid, objective, common, universal scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Bacus Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Bacus, James V. Bacus