Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a likelihood of Crohn's, quantifying a degree of Crohn's disease or determining a heightened cancer risk by analyzing a cell preparation of cell collected from a patient's GI tract. The GI tract cellular sample is fixed on a microscope slide and analyzed by a microscope combined with an image acquisition system and a computer having an image recognition system. The image recognition system detects inflammatory cells that are implicated in the body's inflammatory response and counts how many of such cells are on the slide. The computer generates an absolute number of such cells and percentage values for such cells out the total number of inflammatory cells classified. The computer then utilizes the absolute numbers, the ratios of inflammatory cells with respect to each other—or a combination of both to generate a score. The score represents a probabilistic determination of disease or a quantification of disease or pre-disease.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a likelihood of LPR by analyzing a laryngeal cell preparation. The laryngeal sample is fixed on a microscope slide and analyzed by a microscope combined with an image acquisition system and a computer having an image recognition system. The image recognition system detects mobile cells that are implicated in the body's inflammatory response and counts how many of such cells are on the slide. The computer generates an absolute number of such cells and percentage values for such cells out the total number of mobile cells classified. The computer then utilizes the absolute numbers, the ratios of mobile cells with respect to each other—or a combination of both to generate a score. The score represents a probabilistic determination of inflammation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a sputum cytology preparation. The sputum sample is fixed on a microscope slide and analyzed by a microscope combined with an image acquisition system and a computer having an image recognition system. The image recognition system detects mobile cells that are implicated in the body's inflammatory response and counts how many of such cells are on the slide. The computer generates an absolute number of such cells and percentage values for such cells out the total number of mobile cells classified. The computer then utilizes the absolute numbers, the ratios of mobile cells with respect to each other—or a combination of both to generate a score. The score represents a probabilistic determination of inflammation.

Abstract: A method and system for constructing a digital image of a three-dimensional biological specimen that displays diagnostically important information—substantially to the exclusion of unimportant information. The system de-enhances features in a cellular specimen which are not diagnostically important and enhances those which are. The system selects the sharpest pixel for each pixel location from among a stack of image slices and copies them into a composite image.

Abstract: A method and system for constructing a digital image of a three-dimensional biological specimen that displays diagnostically important information—substantially to the exclusion of unimportant information.

Abstract: A retractable brush structure is attached to a cylindrical rigid rod which in the closed position passes through a channel in an endoscope. After the brush passes through the endoscope, the brush moves against the tissue in order to remove cells from an area under examination. The brush is withdrawn from the endoscope and sample tissue is removed from said brush for examination after it is withdrawn from the endoscope.

Abstract: A retractable brush structure is attached to a cylindrical rigid rod which in the closed position passes through a channel in an endoscope. After the brush passes through the endoscope, the brush moves against the tissue in order to remove cells from an area under examination. The brush is withdrawn from the endoscope and sample tissue is removed from said brush for examination after it is withdrawn from the endoscope.

Abstract: A system to detect epithelial dysplasia is disclosed by examining cells obtained by a non-lacerational trans-epithelial device. The system selects suspect cells based on abnormal morphology, cytometry and/or using molecular diagnostic techniques. In a preferred embodiment, the results of the computer analysis are displayed as a histogram and the images of the suspect cells are reviewed for DNA ploidy by a pathologist on a cell by cell basis.

Abstract: A non-lacerational method and system employing an abrasive brush for obtaining a transepithelial sample of an epithelial lesion which may be keratinized is disclosed in which an analytical system including an imaging system is provided to detect precancerous and cancerous cells. The transepithelial non-lacerational brush produces sufficient cells from all three layers of the epithelium so that an analytical system comprising a programmed computer can detect which cells require further examination because of a likely suspicion of said pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions. The method and system can apply to the diagnosis non-cancerous conditions as well.

Abstract: A sample of an epithelial lesion which may be keratinized is disclosed in which an analytical system including an imaging system is provided to detect precancerous and cancerous cells. A transepithelial non-lacerational brush produces sufficient cells from all three layers of the epithelium so that an analytical system comprising a programmed computer can detect which cells exhibit abnormal keratinization and require further examination because of a likely suspicion of said pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions. The method and system can apply to the diagnosis non-cancerous conditions as well.