AUTOMATED IMAGE ANALYSIS
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.
1 . An automated imaging process, comprising:
obtaining digital images of objects in a biological sample;
selecting a plurality of objects of interest from the digital images;
obtaining multiple images of the selected objects of interest at a plurality of different wavelengths;
combining two or more of said multiple images to produce a combined image of the selected objects; and
analyzing the combined image in order to characterize the selected objects.
2 . The automated imaging process of claim 1 , wherein the objects of interest comprise objects of relatively high optical density compared with other objects in the biological sample.
3 . The automated imaging process of claim 1 , wherein the digital images are obtained from at least one wavelength in the range from ultraviolet to infrared.
4 . The automated imaging process of claim 3 , wherein the digital images are obtained from at least one wavelength of less than about 670 nm.
5 . The automated imaging process of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of different wavelengths are at uniform increments.
6 . The automated imaging process of claim 1 , wherein the objects of interest comprise cells.
7 . The automated imaging process of claim 1 , wherein the process is used to determine a normal specimen.
8 . The automated imaging process of claim 1 , wherein the process is used to identify an infection or other disease.
9 . The automated imaging process of claim 1 , wherein the characterization of the selected objects includes detection of a marker.
10 . The automated imaging process of claim 1 , wherein the characterization of the selected objects comprises detection of a spectral signature of an abnormal or infected cell.
11 . An automated imaging process, comprising:
obtaining digital images of objects in a biological sample;
selecting at least one object of interest from the digital images;
obtaining at least one image of the at least one selected object of interest at a plurality of different wavelengths to form a set of multi-wavelength images;
analyzing the set of multi-wavelength images in order to characterize the at least one selected object.
12 . The automated imaging process of claim 11 , wherein the at least one object of interest comprises an object of relatively high optical density relative to other objects in the biological sample.
13 . The automated imaging process of claim 11 , wherein the digital images are obtained from at least one wavelength in the range from ultraviolet to infrared.
14 . The automated imaging process of claim 13 , wherein the digital images are obtained from at least one wavelength of less than about 670 nm.
15 . The automated imaging process of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of different wavelengths are at uniform increments.
16 . The automated imaging process of claim 11 , wherein the at least one object of interest comprise cells.
17 . The automated imaging process of claim 16 , wherein the process is used to identify a nucleus.
18 . The automated imaging process of claim 17 , wherein the process is used to identify the density of the nucleus.
19 . The automated imaging process of claim 11 , wherein the characterization of the selected object includes detection of a marker.
20 . The automated imaging process of claim 11 , wherein the process is used to determine a normal specimen.
21 . The automated imaging process of claim 11 , wherein the process is used to identify an infection or other disease.
22 . The automated imaging process of claim 11 , wherein the characterization of the selected object comprises detection of a spectral signature of an abnormal or infected cell.