Abstract: Systems and methods analyzing body fluids contain cells including blood, bone marrow, urine, vaginal tissue, epithelial tissue, tumors, semen, and spittle are disclosed. The systems and methods utilize an improved technique for applying a monolayer of cells to a slide and generating a substantially uniform distribution of cells on the slide. Additionally aspects of the invention also relate to systems and method for utilizing multi-color microscopy for improving the quality of images captured by a light receiving device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying images of cells in a sample include obtaining a plurality of images of cells in the sample, where each image corresponds to one of the cells in the sample, determining values of at least one property for each of the cells based on the plurality of images, arranging the plurality of images to form a first image array, where the images are ordered in the first image array based on the values of the at least one property, displaying the first image array, sorting the plurality of images to form a second image array in which an ordering of the images is different from the first image array, and displaying the second image array, where the sample includes blood and the cells include red blood cells.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable media for processing one or more biological specimens carried by specimen slides. Images of objects in a specimen are acquired and objects of interest in the acquired images are identified. Additional images of identified objects of interest may be acquired at multiple wavelengths. Cellular features of objects of interest are extracted from images and may be used for classifying the specimen, e.g., as normal or suspicious/abnormal, based a probabilistic model that utilizes the extracted features.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for classifying biological specimen. A number of objects of interest are identified in a biological specimen. The nuclear area and nuclear integrated optical density for each object of interest in the specimen are measured and used for generating a scatter plot. The specimen is classified as normal or suspicious based on the distribution of points within the scatter plot.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein permit automated preparation of biological specimens for examination. The disclosed systems and methods provide fast, efficient, and highly uniform specimen processing using minimal quantities of fluids. The methods include at least a fixing phase for fixing a biological specimen to a substrate such as a microscope slide, a staining phase for staining the specimen, and a rinsing phase for rinsing the specimen. One or more of the fixing, staining, and rinsing phases include one or more agitation cycles for distributing reagents evenly and uniformly across the specimen. The systems can be implemented as a standalone device or as a component in a larger system for preparing and examining biological specimens.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer software for determining the stain quality of a plurality of biological specimens. A number of objects of interest are identified in a biological specimen. A first feature of each object of interest (e.g., nuclear area) and a second feature of each object of interest (e.g., nuclear integrated optical density) are measured, and a scatter plot of the first and second features is generated. The stain quality of the specimens are determined based on the distribution of points within the scatter plot.

Abstract: Method and system for processing specimen slides. A first image of a unique feature, such as a fiducial mark, of a specimen slide is acquired, and a second image of the same region of a fiducial mark is acquired at a later time. The first and second fiducial mark images are compared in order to determine whether they are images of the same fiducial mark of the same specimen slide, thereby allowing the system to detect when one specimen slide has been swapped with another specimen slide. The comparison may also involve images of multiple features on the specimen carrier, e.g., sets of multiple fiducial marks.

Abstract: Systems and methods analyzing body fluids contain cells including blood, bone marrow, urine, vaginal tissue, epithelial tissue, tumors, semen, and spittle are disclosed. The systems and methods utilize an improved technique for applying a monolayer of cells to a slide and generating a substantially uniform distribution of cells on the slide. Additionally aspects of the invention also relate to systems and method for utilizing multi-color microscopy for improving the quality of images captured by a light receiving device.

Abstract: Systems and methods analyzing body fluids such as blood and bone marrow are disclosed. The systems and methods may utilize an improved technique for applying a monolayer of cells to a slide to generate a substantially uniform distribution of cells on the slide. Additionally aspects of the invention also relate to systems and methods for utilizing multi color microscopy for improving the quality of images captured by a light receiving device.

Abstract: Systems and methods analyzing body fluids such as blood and bone marrow are disclosed. The systems and methods may utilize an improved technique for applying a monolayer of cells to a slide to generate a substantially uniform distribution of cells on the slide. Additionally aspects of the invention also relate to systems and methods for utilizing multi color microscopy for improving the quality of images captured by a light receiving device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of specimens. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for reviewing specimen slides, including apparatus for holding the slides. The invention also relates to an automatic focusing method for an imaging system and methods for accommodating vibration in the imaging system. In particular, the methods and apparatus may be applied to the automated analysis of cytological specimen slides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of specimens. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for reviewing specimen slides, including apparatus for holding the slides. The invention also relates to an automatic focusing method for an imaging system and methods for accommodating vibration in the imaging system. In particular, the methods and apparatus may be applied to the automated analysis of cytological specimen slides.

Abstract: Method and system for processing specimen slides. A first image of a unique feature, such as a fiducial mark, of a specimen slide is acquired, and a second image of the same region of a fiducial mark is acquired at a later time. The first and second fiducial mark images are compared in order to determine whether they are images of the same fiducial mark of the same specimen slide, thereby allowing the system to detect when one specimen slide has been swapped with another specimen slide. The comparison may also involve images of multiple features on the specimen carrier, e.g., sets of multiple fiducial marks.

Abstract: Systems and methods analyzing body fluids such as blood and bone marrow are disclosed. The systems and methods may utilize an improved technique for applying a monolayer of cells to a slide to generate a substantially uniform distribution of cells on the slide. Additionally aspects of the invention also relate to systems and methods for utilizing multi color microscopy for improving the quality of images captured by a light receiving device.

Abstract: One automated imaging process, as described herein, includes: a) obtaining digital images of objects in a biological sample; b) selecting a plurality of objects of interest from the digital images; c) obtaining multiple images of the selected objects of interest at a plurality of different wavelengths; d) combining one of said multiple images with a corresponding digital image to produce a combined image; and e) analyzing the combined image in order to characterize the biological sample.

Abstract: One automated imaging process, as described herein, includes: a) obtaining digital images of objects in a biological sample; b) selecting a plurality of objects of interest from the digital images; c) obtaining multiple images of the selected objects of interest at a plurality of different wavelengths; d) combining one of said multiple images with a corresponding digital image to produce a combined image; and e) analyzing the combined image in order to characterize the biological sample.

Abstract: A microscope illumination system includes a light source having at least four LED light sources, each LED source emitting light within a different portion of the visible spectrum. Each of the at least four LED light sources may be independently controllable. The resultant light emitted from the at least four LED sources substantially approximates that from an incandescent light source. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one red LED, at least one green LED, at least one blue LED, and at least one yellow LED. Other color combinations are also possible. The illumination may be positioned to place a sample holder such as a slide within the optical path of the light source. The system further includes an optical magnification system for magnifying an image of the biological sample. This may include a camera or traditional magnification optics.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable media for processing one or more biological specimens carried by specimen slides. Images of objects in a specimen are acquired and objects of interest in the acquired images are identified. Additional images of identified objects of interest may be acquired at multiple wavelengths. Cellular features of objects of interest are extracted from images and may be used for classifying the specimen, e.g., as normal or suspicious/abnormal, based a probabilistic model that utilizes the extracted features.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of specimens. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for reviewing specimen slides, including apparatus for holding the slides. The invention also relates to an automatic focusing method for an imaging system and methods for accommodating vibration in the imaging system. In particular, the methods and apparatus may be applied to the automated analysis of cytological specimen slides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of specimens. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for reviewing specimen slides, including apparatus for holding the slides. The invention also relates to an automatic focusing method for an imaging system and methods for accommodating vibration in the imaging system. In particular, the methods and apparatus may be applied to the automated analysis of cytological specimen slides.