Abstract: A technique capable of providing a user with information obtained by OCT imaging in a useful way, particularly for assisting in assessment of an embryo effectively. The image processing method includes acquiring original signal data indicating an intensity distribution of signal light from each position in three-dimensional space including a cultured embryo obtained by optical coherence tomography imaging, generating spherical coordinate data based on the original signal data, the spherical coordinate data indicating a relationship between each position in the three-dimensional space represented using spherical coordinates having an origin set inside the embryo and the intensity of the signal light from the position, and outputting the intensity distribution of the signal light as a two-dimensional map based on the spherical coordinate data using two deflection angles of the spherical coordinates as coordinate axes.

Abstract: A data processing method that is suitable for obtaining quantitative information from data obtained by OCT imaging. The image processing method includes acquiring original image data corresponding to a three-dimensional image of a cultured embryo obtained by optical coherence tomography imaging of the embryo and executing a region segmentation the three-dimensional image into a plurality of regions on the basis of the original image data. In the region segmentation, a local thickness calculation is performed on the three-dimensional image to determine an index value indicating a size of an object included in the three-dimensional image, the three-dimensional image is segmented into a region indicated by the index value greater than a predetermined first threshold and a region indicated by the index value less than the first threshold, and each of the regions resulting from the segmentation is further segmented by the watershed algorithm.

Abstract: It is provided a technique capable of noninvasively and quantitatively evaluating the state of cultured three-dimensional cell-based structure. A method of evaluating a three-dimensional cell-based structure according to the present invention comprises: performing tomography of the cultured three-dimensional cell-based structure (step S103); generating stereoscopic data indicating the three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional cell-based structure based on image data acquired by the tomography (step S104); and counting the number of structures isolated from each other in the three-dimensional cell-based structure based on the stereoscopic data (step S105).

Abstract: A data processing method that is suitable for obtaining quantitative information from data obtained by OCT imaging. The image processing method includes acquiring original image data corresponding to a three-dimensional image of a cultured embryo obtained by optical coherence tomography imaging of the embryo and executing a region segmentation the three-dimensional image into a plurality of regions on the basis of the original image data. In the region segmentation, a local thickness calculation is performed on the three-dimensional image to determine an index value indicating a size of an object included in the three-dimensional image, the three-dimensional image is segmented into a region indicated by the index value greater than a predetermined first threshold and a region indicated by the index value less than the first threshold, and each of the regions resulting from the segmentation is further segmented by the watershed algorithm.

Abstract: A technique capable of providing a user with information obtained by OCT imaging in a useful way, particularly for assisting in assessment of an embryo effectively. The image processing method includes acquiring original signal data indicating an intensity distribution of signal light from each position in three-dimensional space including a cultured embryo obtained by optical coherence tomography imaging, generating spherical coordinate data based on the original signal data, the spherical coordinate data indicating a relationship between each position in the three-dimensional space represented using spherical coordinates having an origin set inside the embryo and the intensity of the signal light from the position, and outputting the intensity distribution of the signal light as a two-dimensional map based on the spherical coordinate data using two deflection angles of the spherical coordinates as coordinate axes.

Abstract: It is provided a technique capable of noninvasively and quantitatively evaluating the state of cultured three-dimensional cell-based structure. A method of evaluating a three-dimensional cell-based structure according to the present invention comprises: performing tomography of the cultured three-dimensional cell-based structure (step S103); generating stereoscopic data indicating the three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional cell-based structure based on image data acquired by the tomography (step S104); and counting the number of structures isolated from each other in the three-dimensional cell-based structure based on the stereoscopic data (step S105).

Abstract: The expression level of a histamine-releasing factor (HRF) polynucleotide in a biological sample of a subject is measured and the HRF polynucleotide content is compared with that of a normal biological sample. An HRF polynucleotide expression level considerably higher than that of the normal biological sample is employed as an indication of a disease relating to endometriosis or a risk thereof.

Abstract: The level of a histamine-releasing factor (HRF) protein in a biological sample of a subject is measured and the HRF protein level is compared with that of a normal biological sample. A significantly higher HRF protein level compared with that of the normal biological sample is used as an indicator of a disease related to endometriosis or the degree of its risk.

Abstract: The expression level of a histamine-releasing factor (HRF) polynucleotide in a biological sample of a subject is measured and the HRF polynucleotide content is compared with that of a normal biological sample. An HRF polynucleotide expression level considerably higher than that of the normal biological sample is employed as an indication of a disease relating to endometriosis or a risk thereof.