Automated placental measurement

1. A method of analyzing a placenta comprising:

(a) selecting the placenta to be analyzed;

(b) obtaining a digital image of an entire chorionic surface of the placenta;

(c) inputting the digital image into a processor; and

(d) performing an analysis on the digital image in the processor, wherein the processor applies a mathematical algorithm to the digital image in which the algorithm does not include the step of comparing the sample image to a known or reference image.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mathematical algorithm analyzes a placental shape, placental diameter, major or minor axes, placental circumference, centrality of umbilical cord location, or placental area.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mathematical algorithm is used to assess the timing of an event or stress to the developing placenta or fetus.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein results of timing of an event or stress are used to assess future health risks to a patient.

5. A system for analyzing a placenta and histology slides of placental tissue comprising:

a source of a digital image of the placenta;

a processor, in communication with the source, for performing an analysis on the digital image in the processor, wherein the processor applies a mathematical algorithm to the digital image in which the algorithm does not include the step of comparing the sample ma e to a known or reference image; and

an output, in communication with the processor, for outputting the analysis.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the processor is configured such that the mathematical algorithm analyzes a placental shape, placental diameter, major or minor axes, placental circumference, centrality of umbilical cord location, or placental area.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the processor is configured such that results of timing of an event or stress are used to assess future health risks to a patient.

8. A system for analyzing a placenta comprising:

a source for a digital image of each placental sample from the placenta;

a processor, in communication with the source, for performing an analysis on the digital images, wherein a mathematical algorithm is applied to the digital images to reconstruct a three dimensional model of the placenta in which the algorithm does not include the step of comparing the sample image to a known or reference image; and

an output for outputting the analysis.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured such that the mathematical algorithm analyzes a three dimensional placental shape, placental thickness, or placental volume.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured such that results of timing of an event or stress are used to assess future health risks to a patient.

11. An article of manufacture for analyzing a placenta and histology slides of placental tissue comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and

code stored on the medium, the code, when executed on a processor, controlling the processor for performing an analysis on a digital image of a placental sample from the placenta, wherein the processor applies a mathematical algorithm to the digital image in which the algorithm does not include the step of comparing the sample image to a known or reference image.

12. An article of manufacture for analyzing a placenta comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and

code stored on the medium, the code, when executed on a processor, controlling the processor for performing an analysis on digital images of a plurality of placental samples from the placenta, wherein a mathematical algorithm is applied to the digital images to reconstruct a three dimensional model of the placenta in which the algorithm does not include the step of comparing the sample image to a known or reference image.