Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing biological and cytological specimen screening and diagnosis. A slide review process is recommended for cytological specimen screening to identify abnormal sub-populations for further review and also diagnosis by a human expert. An automated screener processes a cytological specimen. Using a slide score generated by the automated screener, a slide review process using a slide score classification is determined. The recommendation of slide review processes improves overall performance of the screening process as measured by sensitivity to abnormal specimens, and at the same time reduces the work load of a human reviewer. The system also effectively and smoothly integrates the process of initial screening of the specimen with the process of further review of the specimen and final diagnosis of the specimen.

Abstract: Reference information for a biological slide is obtained. The reference information normalizes the measured object features. Calibrated feature measurement, not based on absolute measurements, self adjusts to match the situation of each slide, where each slide is characterized by the reference information. The reference may be different from slide to slide because of the preparation variations. The calibrated features will not carry the inter-slide variations. In addition, the reference information provides a good indication of the slide condition such as dark stained, air dried, etc. which can be used as slide features for the specimen classification. No alteration of the current practice of specimen preparation is required. The many slide context dependent features improve the classification accuracy of the objects in a specimen.

Abstract: An automated laboratory process monitoring method for a computer controlled automated cytology system initializes lab process assessment slide data so as to produce an initial batch of qualified slides. Monitor parameters are extracted from the initial batch of qualified slides so as to determine control limits. Field data is monitored by comparing the field data to the control limits.

Abstract: An automated biological screening system obtains biological and procedural data from a slide set of a selected clinical laboratory. The integration system tests the data on standardized criteria and passes and fails the data in selected categories. The results of the assessment are used to make process adjustment recommendations based on the results of a laboratory process adjustment procedure. Assessment and adjustment may continue until data from a slide set from the selected clinical laboratory passes in each category. The integration system then sets up, calibrates and installs the automated biological screening system. During operation, the integration system continuously monitors biological data generated by the automated biological screening system. The biological data may also be stored in a central product/service database for additional monitoring. The integration system also serves as an objective standard for reviewing and improving laboratory practices.