Patents Assigned to Applied Imaging
  • Publication number: 20100045698
    Abstract: A method is provided for displaying a client-side multi-component image. A plurality of image component channels derived from captured images of a sample are stored in a server, the plurality of image component channels being stored in the form of a plurality of image data records. A client then requests one or more of the plurality of image data records and the server transmits to the client the one or more of the plurality of image data records requested. At the client, the client-side multi-component image is composited from the image data records transmitted the composited client-side multi-component image is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Applied Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Shields, James Raine, Gavin Hope
  • Publication number: 20090238435
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems that acquire digital images of a microscope slide having a large variation in pixel value brightness, like, for instance, fluorescent microscope slides. The methods and the systems generate a well contrasted composite image with preserved areas of low and high fluorescent intensity from the input images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Applied Imaging Corp.
    Inventor: Kevin Shields
  • Publication number: 20090129660
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for automatic detection of the location of cell colonies on a specimen slide, in particular under the coverslip of a specimen slide. Slide scanning can be performed using an automated microscope with motorized axes. The location of the colonies can be determined by image analysis, which is followed by automatically finding metaphase cells and associating them with each colony. The invention also provides an automated, Hough-transform-based method for identifying the location of the slide coverslip and, if desired, analyzing only the image area contained within the coverslip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Applied Imaging Corp.
    Inventor: Mark Gregson
  • Patent number: 7233340
    Abstract: Computerized techniques are provided for linking digitized images of serial sections of a biological tissue sample. Linked, digitized images of the serial section are displayed on a display and manipulation of one digitized image causes other digitized images to be similarly manipulated. To link digitized images, a copy of a digitized image of one serial section is positioned over a digitized image of another serial section. The digitized image of the other serial section is visible through the copy. The copy is registered to the digitized image of the other serial section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: William Hughes, Duncan William Borthwick
  • Patent number: 7133543
    Abstract: Scanning and analysis of cytology and histology samples uses a flatbed scanner to capture images of the structures of interest such as tumor cells in a manner that results in sufficient image resolution to allow for the analysis of such common pathology staining techniques as ICC (immunocytochemistry), IHC (immunohistochemistry) or in situ hybridization. Very large volumes of such material are scanned in order to identify cells or clusters of cells which are positive or warrant more detailed examination, and if analysis at higher resolution is necessary, information regarding these positive events is transferred to a secondary microscope, such as a conventional scanning microscope, to allow further analysis and review of the selected regions of the slide containing the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Nico Peter Verwoerd, Johannes Vrolijk, Wilhelmina E. Mesker, Willem C. R. Sloos, Jan Bonnet, Padraig S. O'Kelly, Mark Gregson, Kevin Shields, Hendrikus J. Tanke
  • Publication number: 20060051736
    Abstract: A sample configured to be cut to form a set of serial sections. The sample includes a sample block; at least one tissue sample substantially embedded in the sample block; and a least one control-marker core substantially embedded in the sample block and having a select shape as viewed from an end of the control-marker core, wherein each serial section includes a cross section of the tissue sample and a cross section of the control-marker core, each cross section of the tissue sample is referred to as the tissue section and each cross section of the control-marker core is referred to as the control marker, and wherein each control marker has the select shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Applicant: Applied Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Kevin Shields, Eric Kanazawa
  • Publication number: 20040170309
    Abstract: Computerized techniques are provided for linking digitized images of serial sections of a biological tissue sample. Linked, digitized images of the serial section are displayed on a display and manipulation of one digitized image causes other digitized images to be similarly manipulated. To link digitized images, a copy of a digitized image of one serial section is positioned over a digitized image of another serial section. The digitized image of the other serial section is visible through the copy. The copy is registered to the digitized image of the other serial section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Applied Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: William Hughes, Duncan William Borthwick
  • Patent number: 6633662
    Abstract: Detection of fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) is achieved by employing a combination of brightfield and fluorescence images of nuclear and cytoplasmic markers. The brightfield and fluorescence images are all obtained with a single multi-bandpass dichroic mirror. The objects in the sample are stained with a fluorescent dye that selectively stains nuclei and a dye that selectively stains fetal hemoglobin in the cytoplasm of fetal RBCs. UV excitation provides fluorescent emissions from the stained cell nuclei and visible illumination provides brightfield transmission of light that is absorbed by the stained cytoplasm. The images are processed to determine regions where the fluorescent emissions by cell nuclei in response to the UV excitation and the absorption by fetal hemoglobin of the brightfield illumination overlap or are in close proximity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Applied Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Ilya Ravkin
  • Patent number: 6524798
    Abstract: The invention provides a high efficiency method for combined immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization. In one aspect, the method is used to simultaneously determining a cell phenotype and genotype by contacting a cell with an antigen-specific antibody bound to a ligand, contacting the cell with polynucleotide probe to form a complex of the probe and a nucleic acid in the cell, contacting the cell with a detectably labeled anti-ligand, and detecting the polynucleotide-probe complex and the anti-ligand-ligand complex. The presence of the anti-ligand is correlated with the presence of the antigen and the presence of the probe-nucleic acid complex is correlated with the presence of the nucleic acid in the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Applied Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Simon Goldbard, Tsai-Hsia Hong, Michael A. Zoccoli, Emily Lin
  • Publication number: 20030012420
    Abstract: Scanning and analysis of cytology and histology samples uses a flatbed scanner to capture images of the structures of interest such as tumor cells in a manner that results in sufficient image resolution to allow for the analysis of such common pathology staining techniques as ICC (immunocytochemistry), IHC (immunohistochemistry) or in situ hybridization. Very large volumes of such material are scanned in order to identify cells or clusters of cells which are positive or warrant more detailed examination, and if analysis at higher resolution is necessary, information regarding these positive events is transferred to a secondary microscope, such as a conventional scanning microscope, to allow further analysis and review of the selected regions of the slide containing the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: Applied Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Nico Peter Verwoerd, Johannes Vrolijk, Wilhelmina E. Mesker, Willem C.R. Sloos, Jan Bonnet, Padraig S. O'Kelly, Mark Gregson, Kevin Shields, Hendrikus J. Tanke
  • Publication number: 20020081014
    Abstract: Detection of fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) is achieved by employing a combination of brightfield and fluorescence images of nuclear and cytoplasmic markers. The brightfield and fluorescence images are all obtained with a single multi-bandpass dichroic mirror. The objects in the sample are stained with a fluorescent dye that selectively stains nuclei and a dye that selectively stains fetal hemoglobin in the cytoplasm of fetal RBCs. UV excitation provides fluorescent emissions from the stained cell nuclei and visible illumination provides brightfield transmission of light that is absorbed by the stained cytoplasm. The images are processed to determine regions where the fluorescent emissions by cell nuclei in response to the UV excitation and the absorption by fetal hemoglobin of the brightfield illumination overlap or are in close proximity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: APPLIED IMAGING CORPORATION
    Inventor: IIya Ravkin
  • Patent number: 6270971
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and reagents for detecting a chromosomal aberration in an animal chromosome or karyotype. One or more detectably-labeled chromosome-specific probes from a first animal species are hybridized to chromosomes of a second animal species. This results in a banding pattern that can be compared to the pattern found in a normal chromosome or karyotype.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm A Ferguson-Smith, Johannes F Wienberg, Stefan Müller
  • Patent number: 6259807
    Abstract: Detection of fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) is achieved by employing a combination of brightfield and fluorescence images of nuclear and cytoplasmic markers. The brightfield and fluorescence images are all obtained with a single multibandpass dichroic mirror. The objects in the sample are stained with a fluorescent dye that selectively stains nuclei and a dye that selectively stains fetal hemoglobin in the cytoplasm of fetal RBCs. UV excitation provides fluorescent emissions from the stained cell nuclei and visible illumination provides brightfield transmission of light that is absorbed by the stained cytoplasm. The images are processed to determine regions where the fluorescent emissions by cell nuclei in response to the UV excitation and the absorption by fetal hemoglobin of the brightfield illumination overlap or are in close proximity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Imaging Corp.
    Inventor: Ilya Ravkin
  • Patent number: 6225636
    Abstract: Techniques for acquiring and analyzing M-FISH images in a manner that allows for proper image registration; and techniques for combining a plurality of registered images to provide labeled images. Epi-illumination embodiments use multiple filter cubes for different subsets of the entire set of desired dyes. The registration problem is addressed by configuring the different multiband cubes so that pairs of cubes have a common dye for which they are configured. Accordingly, a first set of images generated with a first cube includes an image that corresponds to (contains the same features as) one of the images in a second set of images generated with a second cube. This allows the first set of images to be precisely and accurately aligned with the second set of images. A method for generating a labeled image typically includes a normalization of the pixel intensities within each image, followed by a transformation to ratio images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacques Ginestet
  • Patent number: 6169816
    Abstract: Detection of fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) is achieved by employing a combination of brightfield and fluorescence images of nuclear and cytoplasmic markers. The brightfield and fluorescence images are all obtained with a single multi-bandpass dichroic mirror. The objects in the sample are stained with a fluorescent dye that selectively stains nuclei and a dye that selectively stains fetal hemoglobin in the cytoplasm of fetal RBCs. UV excitation provides fluorescent emissions from the stained cell nuclei and visible illumination provides brightfield transmission of light that is absorbed by the stained cytoplasm. The images are processed to determine regions where the fluorescent emissions by cell nuclei in response to the UV excitation and the absorption by fetal hemoglobin of the brightfield illumination overlap or are in close proximity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Ilya Ravkin
  • Patent number: 6087134
    Abstract: Methods are provided for analyzing DNA of a rare cell in a cell population. In one embodiment, the method involves covering a cell monolayer with a photosensitive material. By illuminating the area over a cell of interest, the material is solidified, permitting manipulation of the underlying cell and/or protection of the cell from DNA-inactivating agents that destroy DNA in other cells in the monolayer. In another embodiment, the monolayer is overlaid with a solid material that becomes soluble when illuminated. By illuminating the area over a cell of interest, that cell can be specifically exposed and DNA from the cell amplified. The methods are particularly useful for analyzing fetal cells found in maternal blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Applied Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander Michael Saunders
  • Patent number: 5962234
    Abstract: An in vitro method of identifying or isolating fetal cells from a blood sample is described. Fetal nucleated erythrocytes or erythroblasts are identified by using an antibody or antibody fragment specific for embryonic hemoglobin or an embryonic hemoglobin chain. Once the fetal cells are identified, they can be treated to render the fetal nucleic acids or proteins available for identification or amplification. Detecting the occurrence or existence of selected fetal nucleic acids or proteins allows a quantitative or qualitative diagnostic or prenatal evaluation, including determining the sex of the fetus, determining chromosomal, single gene or protein abnormalities, and determining the presence or absence of particular genes, nucleic acid sequences or proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Applied Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Mitchell Golbus
  • Patent number: 5880473
    Abstract: Techniques for acquiring and analyzing M-FISH images in a manner that allows for proper image registration; and techniques for combining a plurality of registered images to provide labeled images. Epi-illumination embodiments use multiple filter cubes for different subsets of the entire set of desired dyes. The registration problem is addressed by configuring the different multiband cubes so that pairs of cubes have a common dye for which they are configured. Accordingly, a first set of images generated with a first cube includes an image that corresponds to (contains the same features as) one of the images in a second set of images generated with a second cube. This allows the first set of images to be precisely and accurately aligned with the second set of images. A method for generating a labeled image typically includes a normalization of the pixel intensities within each image, followed by a transformation to ratio images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Applied Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacques Ginestet
  • Patent number: 5731156
    Abstract: An in vitro method of identifying or isolating fetal cells from a blood sample is described. Fetal nucleated erythrocytes or erythroblasts are identified by using an antibody or antibody fragment specific for embryonic hemoglobin or an embryonic hemoglobin chain. Once the fetal cells are identified, they can be treated to render the fetal nucleic acids or proteins available for identification or amplification. Detecting the occurrence or existence of selected fetal nucleic acids or proteins allows a quantitative or qualitative diagnostic or prenatal evaluation, including determining the sex of the fetus, determining chromosomal, single gene or protein abnormalities, and determining the presence or absence of particular genes, nucleic acid sequences or proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Applied Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Mitchell Golbus
  • Patent number: 5489386
    Abstract: A density gradient medium for the isolation and enrichment of rare cells, including fetal nucleated erythrocytes from a peripheral blood sample is described. The medium comprises a colloidal density gradient medium dispersed in a meltable gel. In one aspect of the invention, the density gradient medium is hypertonic to facilitate separation of maternal red blood cells from fetal blood cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Applied Imaging
    Inventor: Alexander M. Saunders