Abstract: A method for analyzing an image of a tissue section may include obtaining a plurality of image locations, each corresponding to a different one of a plurality of biological structures; obtaining a plurality of locations of a first biomarker in the image; and calculating a distance transform array for at least a portion of the image that includes the plurality of seed locations. The method may include, for each of the plurality of seed locations and based on information from the first distance transform array, detecting whether the first biomarker is expressed at the seed location, and storing, to a data structure associated with the seed location, an indication of whether expression of the first biomarker at the seed location was detected. The method may include detecting, based on the stored indications, co-localization of at least two phenotypes in at least a portion of the tissue section.

Abstract: Techniques for acquiring focused images of a microscope slide are disclosed. During a calibration phase, a “base” focal plane is determined using non-synthetic and/or synthetic auto-focus techniques. Furthermore, offset planes are determined for color channels (or filter bands) and used to generate an auto-focus model. During subsequent scans, the auto-focus model can be used to quickly estimate the focal plane of interest for each color channel (or filter band) rather than re-employing the non-synthetic and/or synthetic auto-focus techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a signaling conjugate, embodiments of a method of using the signaling conjugates, and embodiments of a kit comprising the signaling conjugate. The disclosed signaling conjugate comprises a latent reactive moiety and a chromogenic moiety that may further comprise a linker suitable for coupling the latent reactive moiety to the chromogenic moiety. The signaling conjugate may be used to detect one or more targets in a biological sample and are capable of being covalently deposited directly on or proximally to the target. Particular disclosed embodiments of the method of using the signaling conjugate comprise multiplexing methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to multiplex assays, kits and methods, including automated methods, for identifying PD-L1 positive immune cells, PD-L1 positive tumor cells, and PD-L1 negative immune cells within a tissue sample using two dyes selected from diaminobenzidine (DAB), 4-(dimethylamino) azobenzene-4?-sulfonamide (DABSYL), tetramethylrhodamine (DISCOVERY Purple), N,N?-biscarboxypentyl-5,5?-disulfonato-indo-dicarbocyanine (Cy5), and Rhodamine 110 (Rhodamine).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to techniques for obtaining a synthetic immunohistochemistry (IHC) image from a histochemically stained image. Particularly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to accessing an input image that depicts a tissue section that has been stained with at least one histochemical stain; generating a synthetic image by processing the input image using a trained generator network; and outputting the synthetic image. The synthetic image depicts a tissue section that has been stained with at least one IHC stain that targets a first antigen, and techniques may also include receiving an input that is based on a level of expression of a first antigen from the synthetic image and/or generating, from the synthetic image, a value that is based on a level of expression of the first antigen.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate, among other things, to unmixing more than three stains, while preserving the biological constraints of the biomarkers. Unlimited numbers of markers may be unmixed from a limited-channel image, such as an RGB image, without adding any mathematical complicity to the model. Known co-localization information of different biomarkers within the same tissue section enables defining fixed upper bounds for the number of stains at one pixel. A group sparsity model may be leveraged to explicitly model the fractions of stain contributions from the co-localized biomarkers into one group to yield a least squares solution within the group. A sparse solution may be obtained among the groups to ensure that only a small number of groups with a total number of stains being less than the upper bound are activated.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for image registration and annotation. The devices include computer software products for aligning whole slide digital images on a common grid and transferring annotations from one aligned image to another aligned image on the basis of matching tissue structure. The systems include computer-implemented systems such as work stations and networked computers for accomplishing the tissue-structure based image registration and cross-image annotation. The methods include processes for aligning digital images corresponding to adjacent tissue sections on a common grid based on tissue structure, and transferring annotations from one of the adjacent tissue images to another of the adjacent tissue images.

Abstract: Applicants have developed an amplification system and methodology for IHC and ISH staining that utilizes “click chemistry” to covalently bind reporter molecules to tissue.

Abstract: A real time assay monitoring system and method can be used to monitor reagent volume in assays for fluid replenishment control, monitor assays in real-time to obtain quality control information, monitor assays in real-time during development to detect saturation levels that can be used to shorten assay time, and provide assay results before the assay is complete, enabling reflex testing to begin automatically. The monitoring system can include a real time imaging system with a camera and lights to capture images of the assay. The captured images can then be used to monitor and control the quality of the staining process in an assay, provide early assay results, and/or to measure the on-site reagent volume within the assay.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a system and method for processing an image of a biological specimen stained for a presence of at least one lymphocyte biomarker is disclosed. The system and method are configured to detect lymphocytes in the image and compute a foreground segmentation mask based on the lymphocytes detected within the image. Outlines of the detected lymphocytes are identified in the image by filtering the image with the computed foreground segmentation mask. A shape metric may be derived for each of the detected lymphocytes based on the identified lymphocytes outlines. The derived shape metric may be associated with location information for each of the detected lymphocytes and a value of each of the derived shape metric may be compared to a predetermined threshold value. A predictive cell motility label may be assigned to each of the detected lymphocytes based on the comparison.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a computer system designed to (i) receive a series of images as input; (ii) compute a number of metrics derived from focus features and color separation features within the images; and (iii) evaluate the metrics to return (a) an identification of the most suitable z-layer in a z-stack, given a series of z-layer images in a z-stack; and/or (b) an identification of those image tiles that are more suitable for cellular based scoring by a medical professional, given a series of image tiles from an area of interest of a whole slide scan.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for an image visualization system (120) that includes a contextually adaptive digital pathology interface. At least one image of a biological sample stained for the presence of one or more biomarkers is obtained (300). The image is displayed on a display screen at a first zoom level (310), in which a first subset of user selectable elements is contemporaneously displayed (320). As a result of user input, the image being is displayed at a second zoom level (330), in which a second subset of user selectable elements are contemporaneously displayed with the image (340). The one or more elements within the second subset of user selectable elements are disabled or hidden at the first zoom level, or one or more elements within the first subset of user selectable elements are disabled Or hidden at the second zoom level.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for image registration and annotation. The devices include computer software products for aligning whole slide digital images on a common grid and transferring annotations from one aligned image to another aligned image on the basis of matching tissue structure. The systems include computer-implemented systems such as work stations and networked computers for accomplishing the tissue-structure based image registration and cross-image annotation. The methods include processes for aligning digital images corresponding to adjacent tissue sections on a common grid based on tissue structure, and transferring annotations from one of the adjacent tissue images to another of the adjacent tissue images.

Abstract: An automated system is provided for performing slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a slide tray holding a plurality of slides in a substantially horizontal position and a workstation that receives the slide tray. In a particular embodiment, a workstation delivers a reagent to slide surfaces without substantial transfer of reagent (and reagent borne contaminants such as dislodged cells) from one slide to another. A method for automated processing of slides also is provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of foreground segmentation and nucleus ranking for scoring dual ISH images. The method has been developed to better identify those nuclei, within a selected field of view, that meet the criteria for dual ISH scoring.

Abstract: Methods for in situ detecting proximity of two targets of interest featuring an antibody conjugated with a cleavable bridge component having a detectable moiety and an antibody conjugated with a non-cleavable bridge component. The bridge components each have a chemical ligation group adapted to form a covalent bond under particular conditions and when the targets are in close proximity. Following covalent bond formation, the cleavable bridge component can be cleaved from the antibody, effectively transferring the detectable moiety to the non-cleavable bridge component. Detection of the detectable moiety is indicative of the targets being in close proximity. The methods are compatible with both chromogenic and fluorogenic detection systems. The methods may be used to perform assays wherein one or more than one proximity event is detected on the same slide.

Abstract: Automated systems and methods are presented for retrospectively analyzing clinical trial data. A plurality of image derived from biological samples of patients in a cohort population are accessed. Image features are computed based on the plurality of images. A diagnostic feature metric is derived based on the computed image features. A cut point value is determined by applying a statistical minimization method using the derived diagnostic feature metric and patient outcome data from the cohort population, in which the cut point value identifies a patient in the cohort population as positive or negative for a diagnostic test.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for an image visualization system (120) that includes a contextually adaptive digital pathology interface. At least one image of a biological sample stained for the presence of one or more biomarkers is obtained (300). The image is displayed on a display screen at a first zoom level (310), in which a first subset of user selectable elements are contemporaneously displayed (320). As a result of user input, the image being is displayed at a second zoom level (330), in which a second subset of user selectable elements are contemporaneously displayed with the image (340). The one or more elements within the second subset of user selectable elements are disabled or hidden at the first zoom level, or one or more elements within the first subset of user selectable elements are disabled or hidden at the second zoom level.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure is a method of contactlessly urging, directly, or moving a substance on the surface of a substrate, the method employing a gas knife (300) configured to produce a gas curtain having parallelogram flow.

Abstract: Single-stranded oligonucleotide probes, systems, kits and methods for chromosome enumeration, gene copy enumeration, or tissue diagnostics. The probes are particularly suited for detecting gene amplification, deletion, or rearrangement in tissue samples in a single, dual, or multiplexed assay. The probes exhibit improved performance compared to industry leading dual-stranded probes; particularly in terms of the rate of hybridization.