Abstract: A system and method for automatically and quantitatively determining the optimal dilution of a reagent is provided. In one embodiment of the claimed method, a plurality of dilution sets are received, where each of the dilution sets consist of a different respective dilution value and a respective plurality of immunoassay staining intensity values. A respective dynamic range metric is determining for each of the plurality of dilution sets relative to the respective plurality immunoassay staining intensity values. Having found the respective dynamic range metric, a dilution set having the numerically optimal dynamic range metric is selected and the dilution value of that dilution set is selected as being representative of an optimal dilution level of the reagent for use in a quantitative immunoassay. In one embodiment, a system is provided with a microscope, an image sensor, and processor module configured determine an optimal dilution of a reagent for use in an quantitative immunoassay.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically evaluating quality of a slide-mounted tissue sample includes receiving a digital image of a magnified portion of the slide-mounted tissue sample. At least one quantitative quality indicator is automatically determined for at least one of the samples, and the digital image of the magnified portion of the sample. Each of the quantitative quality indicators is automatically compared to a respective minimum acceptable quality threshold. The quantitative quality indicators and associated quality thresholds are selected for suitability with an automated quantitative immunoassay. Failure of one or more of the quantitative quality indicators to meet its respective minimum acceptable quality threshold suggests that the sample is unsuitable for subsequent automated pathological evaluation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for standardizing quantitative measurements from a microscope system. The process includes a calibration procedure whereby an image of a calibration slide is obtained through the optics of the microscope system. The calibration slide produces a standard response, which can be used to determine a machine intrinsic factor for the particular system. The machine intrinsic factor can be stored for later reference. In use, images are acquired of a target sample and of the excitation light source. The excitation light source sample is obtained using a calibration instrument configured to sample intensity. The calibration instrument has an associated correction factor to compensate its performance to a universally standardized calibration instrument. The machine intrinsic factor, sampled intensity, and calibration instrument correction factor are usable to compensate a quantitative measurement of the target sample in order to normalize the results for comparison with other microscope systems.