Neural network based automated cytological specimen classification system and method
First Claim
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1. An automated cytological specimen classifier for classifying cells contained in a smear on a slide to identify cells that are likely to be malignant or pre-malignant, comprising:
- (a) microscope means for obtaining a vie of at least part of a cytological specimen including cells and other material located generally randomly on a slide in an arrangement which can include other than a single layer of cells,(b) camera means for creating an image of such view,(c) image digitizing means for producing a digital representation of such image,(d) a primary classifier means for detecting objects in a digital representation of a cytological specimen based on a detectable feature, said primary classifier means comprising a classifier means for detecting cells that are likely to be malignant or pre-malignant as well as other cells and material that initially appear to have characteristics of a malignant cell or a pre-malignant cell based on integrated optical density, and(e) a secondary classifier for distinguishing pre-malignant and malignant cells form other cells and material among the objects detected by the primary classifier, said secondary classifier means comprising a neural computer apparatus means for effecting such distinguishing as a function of training thereof.
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Abstract
An automated screening system and method for cytological specimen classification in which a neural network is utilized in performance of the classification function. Also included is an automated microscope and associated image processing circuitry.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. An automated cytological specimen classifier for classifying cells contained in a smear on a slide to identify cells that are likely to be malignant or pre-malignant, comprising:
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(a) microscope means for obtaining a vie of at least part of a cytological specimen including cells and other material located generally randomly on a slide in an arrangement which can include other than a single layer of cells, (b) camera means for creating an image of such view, (c) image digitizing means for producing a digital representation of such image, (d) a primary classifier means for detecting objects in a digital representation of a cytological specimen based on a detectable feature, said primary classifier means comprising a classifier means for detecting cells that are likely to be malignant or pre-malignant as well as other cells and material that initially appear to have characteristics of a malignant cell or a pre-malignant cell based on integrated optical density, and (e) a secondary classifier for distinguishing pre-malignant and malignant cells form other cells and material among the objects detected by the primary classifier, said secondary classifier means comprising a neural computer apparatus means for effecting such distinguishing as a function of training thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 27, 31, 38, 39, 40)
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- 19. A method of classifying cytological specimens, comprising using a primary classifier apparatus primarily classifying a specimen which is generally randomly arranged and can include other than in a single layer to determine locations of interest, and secondarily classifying such locations of interest using a neural network computer apparatus.
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26. An automated cytological specimen classifier, comprising:
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(a) microscope means for obtaining a view of at least part of a cytological specimen including cells and other material located generally randomly in an arrangement which can include other than a single layer of cells, (b) camera means for creating an image of such view, (c) image digitizing means for producing a digital representation of such image, (d) primary classifier means for detecting objects in a digital representation of a cytological specimen based on a detectable feature, said primary classifier means comprising a classifier for detecting cells that are likely to be of a predetermined cell type as well as other cells and material that initially appear to have characteristics of such predetermined cell type, and (e) secondary classifier means for distinguishing cells of such predetermined cell type from other cells and material among the objects detected by said primary classifier means, said secondary classifier means comprising a neural computer apparatus means for effecting such distinguishing as a function of training thereof. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification