Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, compositions, and methods for analyzing a sample containing particles. A particle imaging system or analyzer can include a flowcell through which a urine sample containing particles is caused to flow, and a high optical resolution imaging device which captures images for image analysis. A contrast pattern for autofocusing is provided on the flowcell. The image processor assesses focus accuracy from pixel data contrast. A positioning motor moves the microscope and/or flowcell along the optical axis for autofocusing on the contrast pattern target. The processor then displaces microscope and flowcell by a known distance between the contrast pattern and the sample stream, thus focusing on the sample stream. Cell or particle images are collected from that position until autofocus is reinitiated, periodically, by input signal, or when detecting temperature changes or focus inaccuracy in the image data.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, compositions, and methods for analyzing a sample containing particles. A particle imaging system or analyzer can include a flowcell through which a urine sample containing particles is caused to flow, and a high optical resolution imaging device which captures images for image analysis. A contrast pattern for autofocusing is provided on the flowcell. The image processor assesses focus accuracy from pixel data contrast. A positioning motor moves the microscope and/or flowcell along the optical axis for autofocusing on the contrast pattern target. The processor then displaces microscope and flowcell by a known distance between the contrast pattern and the sample stream, thus focusing on the sample stream. Cell or particle images are collected from that position until autofocus is reinitiated, periodically, by input signal, or when detecting temperature changes or focus inaccuracy in the image data.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, compositions, and methods for analyzing a sample containing particles. A particle imaging system or analyzer can include a flowcell through which a urine sample containing particles is caused to flow, and a high optical resolution imaging device which captures images for image analysis. A contrast pattern for autofocusing is provided on the flowcell. The image processor assesses focus accuracy from pixel data contrast. A positioning motor moves the microscope and/or flowcell along the optical axis for autofocusing on the contrast pattern target. The processor then displaces microscope and flowcell by a known distance between the contrast pattern and the sample stream, thus focusing on the sample stream. Cell or particle images are collected from that position until autofocus is reinitiated, periodically, by input signal, or when detecting temperature changes or focus inaccuracy in the image data.

Abstract: A method by which an orthodontic appliance is automatically designed and manufactured from digital lower jaw and tooth shape data of a patient provides for the scanning of the mouth of a patient to produce a three-dimensional digitized model of the shapes of the patient's teeth and their positions in the patient's mouth. The appliance is automatically designed according to the final design, which also can be interactively modified and approved by the orthodontist, with the computer recalculating the effects on the treatment as a result of the doctor's changes. Brackets are fabricated as an integrated set, either by cutting slots therein or by building the brackets in layers. Three-dimensional custom jigs are automatically made to exactly position the brackets on a patient's teeth.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance is automatically designed and manufactured from digital lower jaw and tooth shape data of a patient. A computer calculates the post-treatment positions of the teeth and produces three-dimensional images of the teeth, individually and in their calculated positions. The appliance is automatically designed according to the final design, which also can be interactively modified and approved by the orthodontist, with the computer recalculating the effects on the treatment as a result of the doctor's changes. Brackets are fabricated as an integrated set, either by cutting slots therein or by building the brackets in layers by, for example, stereo lithography. Three-dimensional custom jigs are automatically made to exactly position the brackets on a patient's teeth.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, compositions, and methods for analyzing a sample containing particles. A particle imaging system or analyzer can include a flowcell through which a urine sample containing particles is caused to flow, and a high optical resolution imaging device which captures images for image analysis. A contrast pattern for autofocusing is provided on the flowcell. The image processor assesses focus accuracy from pixel data contrast. A positioning motor moves the microscope and/or flowcell along the optical axis for autofocusing on the contrast pattern target. The processor then displaces microscope and flowcell by a known distance between the contrast pattern and the sample stream, thus focusing on the sample stream. Cell or particle images are collected from that position until autofocus is reinitiated, periodically, by input signal, or when detecting temperature changes or focus inaccuracy in the image data.

Abstract: A system (10) and method by which an orthodontic appliance (25) is automatically designed and manufactured from digital lower jaw and tooth shape data of a patient provides for the scanning of the mouth of a patient (12), preferably from a model (20) of the patient's mouth, to produce a three-dimensional digitized model (26) of the shapes of the patient's teeth and their positions in the patient's mouth. Then a computer (30) calculates the post-treatment positions of the teeth and produces three-dimensional images of the teeth, individually and in their calculated positions.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a specimen containing particles that can be difficult to differentiate. The system and method determines a first collective count of a selected group of particles in the specimen, treats at least a portion of the specimen to alter a subgroup of the selected group of particles, determines a second collective count of any of the selected group of particles in the treated portion of the specimen, and subtracts the second collective count from the first collective count to determine a differentiation count for the subgroup of particles altered by the treating of the specimen. The system and method is described with the example of determining concentrations of red and white blood cells in a specimen (e.g. spinal fluid), using auto-particle recognition techniques, without attempting to distinguish and count red versus white blood cells co-existing in the same specimen portion.

Abstract: A method by which an orthodontic appliance is automatically designed and manufactured from digital lower jaw and tooth shape data of a patient provides for the scanning of the mouth of a patient to produce a three-dimensional digitized model of the shapes of the patient's teeth and their positions in the patient's mouth. The appliance is automatically designed according to the final design, which also can be interactively modified and approved by the orthodontist, with the computer recalculating the effects on the treatment as a result of the doctor's changes. Brackets are fabricated as an integrated set, either by cutting slots therein or by building the brackets in layers. Three-dimensional custom jigs are automatically made to exactly position the brackets on a patient's teeth.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a specimen containing particles that can be difficult to differentiate. The system and method determines a first collective count of a selected group of particles in the specimen, treats at least a portion of the specimen to alter a subgroup of the selected group of particles, determines a second collective count of any of the selected group of particles in the treated portion of the specimen, and subtracts the second collective count from the first collective count to determine a differentiation count for the subgroup of particles altered by the treating of the specimen. The system and method is described with the example of determining concentrations of red and white blood cells in a specimen (e.g. spinal fluid), using auto-particle recognition techniques, without attempting to distinguish and count red versus white blood cells co-existing in the same specimen portion.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a specimen containing particles that can be difficult to differentiate. The system and method determines a first collective count of a selected group of particles in the specimen, treats at least a portion of the specimen to alter a subgroup of the selected group of particles, determines a second collective count of any of the selected group of particles in the treated portion of the specimen, and subtracts the second collective count from the first collective count to determine a differentiation count for the subgroup of particles altered by the treating of the specimen. The system and method is described with the example of determining concentrations of red and white blood cells in a specimen (e.g. spinal fluid), using auto-particle recognition techniques, without attempting to distinguish and count red versus white blood cells co-existing in the same specimen portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating the boundary of an object. An electronic image of the object is formed, having a plurality of image pixels. Groups of the image pixels are identified that represent edge segments of the object. Patches are formed around the image pixel groups, where each patch is dimensioned and positioned to entirely contain one of the image pixel groups. A patch merge process is preformed that merges any two of the patches together that overlap each other by a predetermined amount, to form a merged patch that is dimensioned and positioned to entirely contain the two merged patches. The merge process continues for any overlapping patches and merged patches until none of the patches and the merged patches overlap each other by the predetermined amount. All the edge segments contained within one of the merged patches are associated as representing the boundary of the object.

Abstract: Most automatic particle classification methods produce errors. The invention provides a method for improving the accuracy of particle classification while shortening the amount of manual review time required from the operator. The method uses class weights, which are statistically-derived correction factors that accounts for frequency of classification errors. A first class weight and a second class weight are assigned to the first class and the second class, respectively. The number of particles in each of the first and the second classes is multiplied by the first class weight and the second class weight, respectively, to generate a corrected number of particles in each of the classes. If particles are reclassified, the class weights are recalculated in response to the reclassification. The method is usable with a complete classification where all the particles in a sample are classified, or a selective classification of a subset of the particles in the sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for classifying a plurality of elements in images, where electronic images of a field of view containing elements are formed. Each of the elements has a plurality of features. A first subgroup of the plurality of features from the images of the plurality of elements are extracted and processed to segregate the plurality of elements into first and second groups. A classification class only for each of the elements in the first group is determined by selecting and processing a second subgroup of the extracted features to determine a physical characteristic of the element, and by selecting and processing a third subgroup of the extracted features in response to the determined physical characteristic to determine a classification class of the element. The second group of elements bypasses the determination of classification class.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a specimen containing particles that can be difficult to differentiate. The system and method determines a first collective count of a selected group of particles in the specimen, treats at least a portion of the specimen to alter a subgroup of the selected group of particles, determines a second collective count of any of the selected group of particles in the treated portion of the specimen, and subtracts the second collective count from the first collective count to determine a differentiation count for the subgroup of particles altered by the treating of the specimen. The system and method is described with the example of determining concentrations of red and white blood cells in a specimen (e.g. spinal fluid), using auto-particle recognition techniques, without attempting to distinguish and count red versus white blood cells co-existing in the same specimen portion.

Abstract: Most automatic particle classification methods produce errors. The invention provides a method for improving the accuracy of particle classification while shortening the amount of manual review time required from the operator. The method uses class weights, which are statistically-derived correction factors that accounts for frequency of classification errors. A first class weight and a second class weight are assigned to the first class and the second class, respectively. The number of particles in each of the first and the second classes is multiplied by the first class weight and the second class weight, respectively, to generate a corrected number of particles in each of the classes. If particles are reclassified, the class weights are recalculated in response to the reclassification. The method is usable with a complete classification where all the particles in a sample are classified, or a selective classification of a subset of the particles in the sample.

Abstract: A system (10) and method by which an orthodontic appliance (25) is automatically designed and manufactured from digital lower jaw and tooth shape data of a patient provides for the scanning of the mouth of a patient (12), preferably from a model (20) of the patient's mouth, to produce a three-dimensional digitized model (26) of the shapes of the patient's teeth and their positions in the patient's mouth. Then a computer (30) calculates the post-treatment positions of the teeth and produces three-dimensional images of the teeth, individually and in their calculated positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating the boundary of an object. An electronic image of the object is formed, having a plurality of image pixels. Groups of the image pixels are identified that represent edge segments of the object. Patches are formed around the image pixel groups, where each patch is dimensioned and positioned to entirely contain one of the image pixel groups. A patch merge process is preformed that merges any two of the patches together that overlap each other by a predetermined amount, to form a merged patch that is dimensioned and positioned to entirely contain the two merged patches. The merge process continues for any overlapping patches and merged patches until none of the patches and the merged patches overlap each other by the predetermined amount. All the edge segments contained within one of the merged patches are associated as representing the boundary of the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for classifying a plurality of elements in images, where electronic images of a field of view containing elements are formed. Each of the elements has a plurality of features. A first subgroup of the plurality of features from the images of the plurality of elements are extracted and processed to segregate the plurality of elements into first and second groups. A classification class only for each of the elements in the first group is determined by selecting and processing a second subgroup of the extracted features to determine a physical characteristic of the element, and by selecting and processing a third subgroup of the extracted features in response to the determined physical characteristic to determine a classification class of the element. The second group of elements bypasses the determination of classification class.

Abstract: A system (10) and method by which an orthodontic appliance (25) is automatically designed and manufactured from digital lower jaw and tooth shape data of a patient provides for the scanning of the mouth of a patient (12) , preferably from a model (20) of the patient's mouth, to produce a three-dimensional digitized model (26) of the shapes of the patient's teeth and their positions in the patient's mouth. Then a computer (30) calculates the post-treatment positions of the teeth and produces three-dimensional images of the teeth, individually and in their calculated positions.