Patents Assigned to Aperio Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8467083
    Abstract: A system and method for processing and analyzing virtual microscopy digital images. In an embodiment, identifications of one or more algorithms and one or more digital slide images are received over a network. In addition, one or more parameter data are received that constrain the execution of the algorithm(s) to defined sub-region(s) of the digital slide image(s). The digital slide image(s) are retrieved, and the identified algorithm(s) are executed to analyze the defined sub-region(s) of the digital slide image(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ole Eichhorn, Allen Olson
  • Patent number: 8456522
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for computing focus information prior to scanning digital microscope slide data with a line scan camera. The methods include a point-focus procedure that works by moving the slide to the desired measurement location, moving the objective lens through a predefined set of height values, acquiring imagery data at each height, and determining the height of maximum contrast. The methods also include a ribbon-focus procedure whereby imagery data are acquired continuously, while the slide and objective lens are in motion. Both methods may be applied with either a static or a dynamic implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Olson, Greg Crandall, Dirk G. Soenksen
  • Patent number: 8385619
    Abstract: Apparatus for and method of fully automatic rapid scanning and digitizing of an entire microscope sample, or a substantially large portion of a microscope sample, using a linear array detector synchronized with a positioning stage that is part of a computer controlled microscope slide scanner. The invention provides a method for composing the image strips obtained from successive scans of the sample into a single contiguous digital image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dirk G. Soenksen
  • Patent number: 8199358
    Abstract: A system and method and non-transitory computer readable medium for processing and analyzing virtual microscopy digital images (“digital slides”) is provided. The non-transitory computer readable medium includes instructions that implement an algorithm server that maintains or has access to a plurality of image processing and analysis routines and digital slides. The algorithm server executes a selected routine on an identified digital slide and provides the resulting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ole Eichhorn, Allen Olson
  • Patent number: 8189891
    Abstract: Systems and methods for retrieving, manipulating, and viewing 3D image objects from 3D virtual microscope slide images (“3D digital slides”) are provided. An image library module provides access to the imagery data in a 3D digital slide and constructs 3D image objects that are coextensive with the 3D digital slide or a 3D sub-portion thereof. From within the 3D image object, cross layer planar views spanning various depths of the 3D digital slide are constructed as well as 3D prisms and other shaped image areas. The image library module allows a 3D image object to be sliced into horizontal and vertical views, skewed cross layer views and regular and irregular shaped 3D image areas for viewing by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ole Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 8164622
    Abstract: Systems and methods for microscope slide scanning using multiple sensor arrays that receive imagery data from a single optical axis are provided. A single, high quality, easily obtained microscope objective lens is used to project an image onto two or more sensor arrays. The sensor arrays can be linear or two dimensional and imaging takes place along a single optical axis. Simultaneous sensor acquisition and parallel data processing reduce the image acquisition time by a factor of N, where N represents the number of sensors employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Greg Crandall
  • Patent number: 8165363
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving quality assurance in pathology using automated quality assessment and digital image enhancements on digital slides prior to analysis by the pathologist are provided. A digital pathology system (slide scanning instrument and software) creates, assesses and improves the quality of a digital slide. The improved digital slide image has a higher image quality that results in increased efficiency and accuracy in the analysis and diagnosis of such digital slides when they are reviewed on a monitor by a pathologist. These improved digital slides yield a more objective diagnosis than reading the corresponding glass slide under a microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith
  • Patent number: 8116547
    Abstract: A digital slide analysis system comprises an algorithm server that maintains or has access to a plurality of image processing and analysis routines. The algorithm server additionally has access to a plurality of digital slide images. The algorithm server executes a selected routine on an identified digital slide and provides the resulting data. Prior to the application of selected routine, the system employs a digital pre-processing module to create a metadata mask that reduces undesirable image data such that the image data processed by the selected routine has an improved signal to noise ratio. The pre-processing module uses a classifier that may be implemented as a pattern recognition module, for example. Undesirable image data is therefore excluded from the image data that is processed by the digital pathology image processing and analysis routine, which significantly improves the digital pathology image analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Olson, Ole Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 8103082
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing and optimizing virtual microscope slide image quality are provided. In order to determine whether a virtual slide image has any out of focus areas and is therefore a candidate for manual inspection, the various focus points used to scan the virtual slide image are used to calculate a best fit surface for the virtual slide image. The distance of each focus point from the best fit surface is then calculated and the largest distance is compared to a predetermined value. If the largest distance from a focus point to the best fit surface is larger than the predetermined value, then the virtual slide image is designated as needing a manual inspection and possible re-scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Olson, Dirk G. Soenksen, Kiran Saligrama
  • Patent number: 8094902
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing, storing, and viewing extremely large imagery data rapidly produced by a linear-array-based microscope slide scanner are provided. The system receives, processes, and stores imagery data produced by the linear scanner as a series of overlapping image stripes and combines the data into a seamless and contiguous baseline image. The baseline image is logically mapped into a plurality of regions that are individually addressed to facilitate viewing and manipulation of the baseline image. The system enables dynamic imagery data compression while scanning and capturing new image stripes that eliminates the overhead associated with storing uncompressed image stripes. The system also creates intermediate level images, thereby organizing the baseline image into a variable level pyramid structure referred to as a virtual slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg J. Crandall, Ole Eichhorn, Allen H. Olson, Dirk G. Soenksen
  • Patent number: 8086077
    Abstract: Systems and methods that acquire digital slides and other large images and store these images into commercially available PACS systems using DICOM-standard messaging are provided. A digital slide or other large two-dimensional image is acquired and each separate resolution level of the digital slide or large image is divided into a series of regions that are each identified as a DICOM image. All of the regions at the same resolution in the digital slide or other large image are collectively identified as a DICOM series. A plurality of DICOM series, representing multiple resolution levels in a digital slide are collectively identified and stored as a DICOM study.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ole Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 8059336
    Abstract: Apparatus for and method of rapid three dimensional scanning and digitizing of an entire microscope sample, or a substantially large portion of a microscope sample, using a tilted sensor synchronized with a positioning stage. The system also provides a method for interpolating tilted image layers into a orthogonal tree dimensional array or into its two dimensional projection as well as a method for composing the volume strips obtained from successive scans of the sample into a single continuous digital image or volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolai Ptitsyn, Ole Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 8055042
    Abstract: Apparatus for and method of fully automatic rapid scanning and digitizing of an entire microscope sample, or a substantially large portion of a microscope sample, using a linear array detector synchronized with a positioning stage that is part of a computer controlled microscope slide scanner. The invention provides a method for composing the image strips obtained from successive scans of the sample into a single contiguous digital image. The invention also provides a method for statically displaying sub-regions of this large digital image at different magnifications, together with a reduced magnification macro-image of the entire sample. The invention further provides a method for dynamically displaying, with or without operator interaction, portions of the contiguous digital image. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, all elements of the scanner are part of a single-enclosure that has a primary connection to the Internet or to a local intranet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dirk G. Soenksen
  • Patent number: 8023714
    Abstract: A portion of imagery data is obtained from a digital slide and a protocol of image analysis/diagnostic tasks is performed on the portion of imagery data by a pathologist or an image analysis module. The result of each task (e.g., success or no success) is recorded and a score is determined for the portion of the imagery data. Multiple portions of imagery data from the digital slide are analyzed and scored and the various scores from the multiple portions of imagery data are calculated to determine an overall score for the digital slide. Regions of the digital slide can be scored separately. Multiple rounds of scoring (by different pathologists and/or different image analysis algorithms) may be employed to increase the accuracy of the score for a digital slide or region thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dirk G. Soenksen
  • Patent number: 8010555
    Abstract: Images created by one or more image acquisition devices are initially stored in remote data bases at one or more remote or satellite locations and copies of the images are subsequently transferred to a central server at a central storage location over a network and stored in a central data base. A common catalog listing local image files stored at the central data base and remote image files stored at one or more remote data bases is stored at the central location and is accessed by users to search for images. User requests for images associated with local image files result in transfer of the requested images by the central server to the user. User requests for images associated with remote image files are relayed by the central server to the associated remote location, and the requested images are then relayed to the user from the remote location via the central server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ole Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 7978894
    Abstract: Apparatus for and method of fully automatic rapid scanning and digitizing of an entire microscope sample, or a substantially large portion of a microscope sample, using a linear array detector synchronized with a positioning stage that is part of a computer controlled microscope slide scanner. The invention provides a method for composing the image strips obtained from successive scans of the sample into a single contiguous digital image. The invention also provides a method for statically displaying sub-regions of this large digital image at different magnifications, together with a reduced magnification macro-image of the entire sample. The invention further provides a method for dynamically displaying, with or without operator interaction, portions of the contiguous digital image. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, all elements of the scanner are part of a single-enclosure that has a primary connection to the Internet or to a local intranet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dirk G. Soenksen
  • Patent number: 7949168
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing, storing, and viewing extremely large imagery data rapidly produced by a linear-array-based microscope slide scanner are provided. The system receives, processes, and stores imagery data produced by the linear scanner as a series of overlapping image stripes and combines the data into a seamless and contiguous baseline image. The baseline image is logically mapped into a plurality of regions that are individually addressed to facilitate viewing and manipulation of the baseline image. The system enables dynamic imagery data compression while scanning and capturing new image stripes that eliminates the overhead associated with storing uncompressed image stripes. The system also creates intermediate level images, thereby organizing the baseline image into a variable level pyramid structure referred to as a virtual slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg J. Crandall, Ole Eichhorn, Allen H. Olson, Dirk G. Soenksen
  • Publication number: 20110044518
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing, storing, and viewing extremely large imagery data rapidly produced by a linear-array-based microscope slide scanner are provided. The system receives, processes, and stores imagery data produced by the linear scanner as a series of overlapping image stripes and combines the data into a seamless and contiguous baseline image. The baseline image is logically mapped into a plurality of regions that are individually addressed to facilitate viewing and manipulation of the baseline image. The system enables dynamic imagery data compression while scanning and capturing new image stripes that eliminates the overhead associated with storing uncompressed image stripes. The system also creates intermediate level images, thereby organizing the baseline image into a variable level pyramid structure referred to as a virtual slide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg J. Crandall, Ole Eichhorn, Allen H. Olson, Dirk G. Soenksen
  • Patent number: 7893988
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for computing focus information prior to scanning digital microscope slides with a line scan camera. The methods include a point-focus procedure that works by moving the slide to the desired measurement location, moving the objective lens through a predefined set of height values, acquiring imagery data at each height, and determining the height of maximum contrast. The methods also include a ribbon-focus procedure whereby imagery data are acquired continuously, while the slide and objective lens are in motion. Both methods may be applied with either a static or a dynamic implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Olson, Greg Crandall, Dirk G. Soenksen
  • Patent number: 7860292
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating and viewing three dimensional virtual slides are provided. One or more microscope slides are positioned in an image acquisition device that scans the specimens on the slides and makes two dimensional images at a medium or high resolution. This two dimensional images are provided to an image viewing workstation where they are viewed by an operator who pans and zooms the two dimensional image and selects an area of interest for scanning at multiple depth levels (Z-planes). The image acquisition device receives a set of parameters for the multiple depth level scan, including a location and a depth. The image acquisition device then scans the specimen at the location in a series of Z-plane images, where each Z-plane image corresponds to a depth level portion of the specimen within the depth parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ole Eichhorn, Greg Crandall, Dirk Soenksen, Steven Hashagen, Mark Wrenn