Automated detection of objects in a biological sample

1. A method for automated detection of a cell proliferative disorder, comprising,

a) identifying a processing parameter for a sample on a slide, the sample labeled with an antibody that binds to a protein associated with a cell proliferative disorder;

b) scanning the slide at a plurality of locations at a lower magnification on an optical system, comprising a microscope subsystem having a plurality of objectives, an automated X-Y-Z stage, a CCD camera and a processing algorithm,

c) acquiring a low magnification image at the low magnification at each location in the scanned area;

d) transforming substantially all pixels of the image from a first color space to a second color space;

e) processing each lower magnification image using a computer processor and the processing algorithm to detect rare candidate objects of interest in said second color space with reference to a plurality of predetermined thresholds;

f) storing stage coordinates of each location for each candidate object of interest;

g) adjusting the optical system to a higher magnification;

h) repositioning the stage to the location for each candidate object of interest;

i) acquiring a higher magnification image of each candidate object of interest; and

j) storing each higher magnification image.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cell proliferative disorder is a neoplasm.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cell proliferative disorder is breast cancer.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antibody is selected from the group consisting of an anti-HER2/neu antibody, anti-estrogen receptor antibody, anti-progesterone receptor antibody, anti-p53 antibody, and anti-cyclin D1 antibody.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing parameter is selected from the group consisting of a positive control, a negative control, and a test sample.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detection of the candidate object of interest is by size, color, and/or shape.

7. An automated system for quantification of a cell proliferative disorder, comprising:

a microscope subsystem, comprising

an automated stage configured to hold a microscope slide,

a plurality of microscope objectives of various magnifications in optical communication with the stage, and

an image acquisition camera optically coupled to the objectives to acquire an image from the objectives;

a bar code reader, wherein the bar code reader detects processing parameters associated with a bar code on a slide;

a computer comprising:

a computer program residing on a computer-readable medium with instructions for causing the system to:

execute a processing parameter associated with a bar code,

selecting a position on the stage,

obtaining a low magnification image of the candidate object of interest,

transforming substantially all pixels of the image from & first color space to a second color space,

identifying a rare candidate object of interest in said second color space based upon color, shape, and/or size with reference to a plurality of predetermined thresholds;

storing the position of the rare candidate object of interest,

adjusting the magnification of the lens to a higer magnification;

repositioning the stage to the position of the rare candidate object of interest,

obtaining a higher magnification image of the candidate object of interest,

storing the higher magnification image,

allowing retrieval of the images acquired; and

a monitor configured to view the images.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the image acquisition camera is a CCD camera.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the automated stage comprises an X-Y automated stage.

10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the automated stage is an X-Y-Z automated stage.