Online database that includes indices representative of a tissue population

• US 6,581,011 B1
• Filed: 06/23/1999
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: TissueInformatics, Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Johnson, Peter C., Brady, Mary Del
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen, Marianne P.
• Application Number:
  US09/338,908
• Time in Patent Office: 1,455 Days
• Field of Search: 435/6, 128/664, 702/19, 364/300
• US Class Current: 702/19
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/20 relating to practices or guidelines
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

A sample of normal tissue specimens obtained from a subset of a population of subjects with shared characteristics is profiled in order to generate a plurality of structural indices that correspond to statistically significant representations of characteristics of tissue associated with the population. The structural indices include cell density, matrix density, blood vessel density and layer thickness. Alternatively, the sample of normal tissue specimens obtained from the subset of the population of subjects with shared characteristics can also be profiled in order to generate a plurality of cell function and/or mechanical indices that correspond to statistically significant representations of characteristics of tissue associated with the population. Structural, mechanical and/or cell function indices for a plurality of tissue populations are determined and then stored in a database, and subscribers/users are granted access to all or part of the database based on a subscription fee. In addition to using the information in the database for general research purposes, subscribers may use the database information to classify tissue specimens (e.g., human tissue specimens, animal tissue specimens, plant tissue specimens, food tissue specimens, or manufactured tissue specimens) provided by the subscriber. In particular, a subscriber can measure parameters (e.g., structural, mechanical and/or cell function indices) associated with the subscriber'"'"'s tissue specimens and then compare this information to corresponding parameters for normal tissue in the database in order to classify the subscriber'"'"'s tissue specimens as either normal or abnormal.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for providing information on tissue specimens to a subscriber comprising the steps of:

(A) obtaining tissue specimens for a plurality of tissue types from a subset of a population of subjects with shared characteristics,

(B) imaging each of the tissue specimens,

(C) determining for each tissue type from the imaging in (B) a distribution of values for each of cell density, matrix density, blood vessel density, and layer thickness,

(D) calculating average indices for each of the distribution of values in (C),

(E) calculating dispersion indices for each of the average indices in (D),

(F) storing the average indices and dispersion indices in a database, and

(G) providing to the subscriber, in exchange for a fee, access to said average indices and dispersion indices in said database,

wherein the number of tissue specimens in (A) includes a sufficient number of specimens such that the indices correspond to a statistically significant representation of those indices for the population as a whole.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue specimens comprise normal tissue.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue specimens comprise abnormal tissue.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue specimens comprise normal and abnormal tissue of the same tissue type, and wherein in the determination of distribution of values and corresponding indices, data from normal tissue is used to determine a distribution of values and corresponding indices for normal tissue and data from abnormal tissue is used to determine a distribution of values and corresponding indices for abnormal tissue.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue types comprise skin.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue types comprise liver.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue types comprise kidney.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue types comprise muscle.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue types comprise brain.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue types comprise intestine.

11. A computer implemented method for providing information on tissue specimens to a subscriber comprising the steps of:

(A) obtaining tissue specimens for a plurality of tissue types from a subset of a population of subjects with shared characteristics,

(B) assaying each of the tissue specimens,

(C) determining for each tissue type from the assaying in (B) a distribution of values for each of location, type and amount of DNA,

(D) calculating average indices for each of the distribution of values in (C),

(E) calculating dispersion indices for each of the average indices in (D),

(F) storing the average indices and dispersion indices in a database, and

(G) providing to the subscriber, in exchange for a fee, access to said average indices and dispersion indices in said database,

wherein the number of tissue specimens in (A) includes a sufficient number of specimens such that the indices correspond to a statistically significant representation of those indices for the population as a whole.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the tissue specimens comprise normal tissue.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the tissue specimens comprise abnormal tissue.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the tissue specimens comprise normal and abnormal tissue of the same tissue type, and wherein in the determination of distribution of values and corresponding indices, data from normal tissue is used to determine a distribution of values and corresponding indices for normal tissue and data from abnormal tissue is used to determine a distribution of values and corresponding indices for abnormal tissue.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the tissue types comprise skin.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the tissue types comprise liver.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the tissue types comprise kidney.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the tissue types comprise muscle.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the tissue types comprise brain.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the tissue types comprise intestine.

21. The method of claim 11, wherein the tissue types comprise plant tissue.

22. A compute r implemented method for providing information on tissue specimens to a subscriber comprising the steps of:

(A) obtaining tissue specimens for a plurality of tissue types from a subset of a population of subjects with shared characteristics,

(B) assaying each of the tissue specimens,

(C) determining for each tissue type from the assaying in (B) a distribution of values for each of location, type and amount of mRNA,

(D) calculating average indices for each of the distribution of values in (C),

(E) calculating dispersion indices for each of the average indices in (D),

(F) storing the average indices and dispersion indices in a database, and

(G) providing to the subscriber, in exchange for a fee, access to said average indices and dispersion indices in said database,

wherein the number of tissue specimens in (A) includes a sufficient number of specimens such that the indices correspond to a statistically significant representation of those indices for the population as a whole.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the tissue specimens comprise normal tissue.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the tissue specimens comprise abnormal tissue.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the tissue specimens comprise normal and abnormal tissue of the same tissue type, and wherein in the determination of distribution of values and corresponding indices, data from normal tissue is used to determine a distribution of values and corresponding indices for normal tissue and data from abnormal tissue is used to determine a distribution of values and corresponding indices for abnormal tissue.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the tissue types comprise skin.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the tissue types comprise liver.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the tissue types comprise kidney.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein the tissue types comprise muscle.

30. The method of claim 22, wherein the tissue types comprise brain.

31. The method of claim 22, wherein the tissue types comprise intestine.

32. The method of claim 22, wherein the tissue types comprise plant tissue.

33. A computer implemented method for providing information on tissue specimens to a subscriber comprising the steps of:

(A) obtaining tissue specimens for a plurality of tissue types from a subset of a population of subjects with shared characteristics,

(B) assaying each of the tissue specimens,

(C) determining for each tissue type from the assaying in (B) a distribution of values for each of location, type and amount of cellular proteins,

(D) calculating average indices for each of the distribution of values in (C),

(E) calculating dispersion indices for each of the average indices in (D),

(F) storing the average indices and dispersion indices in a database, and

(G) providing to the subscriber, in exchange for a fee, access to said average indices and dispersion indices in said database,

wherein the number of tissue specimens in (A) includes a sufficient number of specimens such that the indices correspond to a statistically significant representation of those indices for the population as a whole.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the tissue specimens comprise normal tissue.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the tissue specimens comprise abnormal tissue.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the tissue specimens comprise normal and abnormal tissue of the same tissue type, and wherein in the determination of distribution of values and corresponding indices, data from normal tissue is used to determine a distribution of values and corresponding indices for normal tissue and data from abnormal tissue is used to determine a distribution of values and corresponding indices for abnormal tissue.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the tissue types comprise skin.

38. The method of claim 33, wherein the tissue types comprise liver.

39. The method of claim 33, wherein the tissue types comprise kidney.

40. The method of claim 33, wherein the tissue types comprise muscle.

41. The method of claim 33, wherein the tissue types comprise brain.

42. The method of claim 33, wherein the tissue types comprise intestine.

43. The method of claim 33, wherein the tissue types comprise plant tissue.

44. A computer implemented method for providing information on tissue specimens to a subscriber comprising the steps of:

(A) obtaining tissue specimens for a plurality of tissue types from a subset of a population of subjects with shared characteristics,

(B) assaying each of the tissue specimens,

(C) determining for each tissue type from the assaying in (B) a distribution of values for each of location, type and amount of cellular lipids,

(D) calculating average indices for each of the distribution of values in (C),

(E) calculating dispersion indices for each of the average indices in (D),

(F) storing the average indices and dispersion indices in a database, and

(G) providing to the subscriber, in exchange for a fee, access to said average indices and dispersion indices in said database,

wherein the number of tissue specimens in (A) includes a sufficient number of specimens such that the indices correspond to a statistically significant representation of those indices for the population as a whole.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the tissue specimens comprise normal tissue.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the tissue specimens comprise abnormal tissue.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein the tissue specimens comprise normal and abnormal tissue of the same tissue type, and wherein in the determination of distribution of values and corresponding indices, data from normal tissue is used to determine a distribution of values and corresponding indices for normal tissue and data from abnormal tissue is used to determine a distribution of values and corresponding indices for abnormal tissue.

48. The method of claim 44, wherein the tissue types comprise skin.

49. The method of claim 44, wherein the tissue types comprise liver.

50. The method of claim 44, wherein the tissue types comprise kidney.

51. The method of claim 44, wherein the tissue types comprise muscle.

52. The method of claim 44, wherein the tissue types comprise brain.

53. The method of claim 44, wherein the tissue types comprise intestine.

54. The method of claim 44, wherein the tissue types comprise plant tissue.

55. A computer implemented method for providing information on tissue specimens to a subscriber comprising the steps of:

(A) obtaining tissue specimens for a plurality of tissue types from a subset of a population of subjects with shared characteristics,

(B) assaying each of the tissue specimens,

(C) determining for each tissue type from the assaying in (B) a distribution of values for each of location, type and amount of cellular ion distributions,

(D) calculating average indices for each of the distribution of values in (C),

(E) calculating dispersion indices for each of the average indices in (D),

(F) storing the average indices and dispersion indices in a database, and

(G) providing to the subscriber, in exchange for a fee, access to said average indices and dispersion indices in said database,

wherein the number of tissue specimens in (A) includes a sufficient number of specimens such that the indices correspond to a statistically significant representation of those indices for the population as a whole.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the tissue specimens comprise normal tissue.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein the tissue specimens comprise abnormal tissue.

58. The method of claim 55, wherein the tissue specimens comprise normal and abnormal tissue of the same tissue type, and wherein in the determination of distribution of values and corresponding indices, data from normal tissue is used to determine a distribution of values and corresponding indices for normal tissue and data from abnormal tissue is used to determine a distribution of values and corresponding indices for abnormal tissue.

59. The method of claim 55, wherein the tissue types comprise skin.

60. The method of claim 55, wherein the tissue types comprise liver.

61. The method of claim 55, wherein the tissue types comprise kidney.

62. The method of claim 55, wherein the tissue types comprise muscle.

63. The method of claim 55, wherein the tissue types comprise brain.

64. The method of claim 55, wherein the tissue types comprise intestine.

65. The method of claim 55, wherein the tissue types comprise plant tissue.

66. A computer implemented method for providing information on tissue specimens to a subscriber comprising the steps of:

(A) obtaining tissue specimens for a plurality of tissue types from a subset of a population of subjects with shared characteristics,

(B) analyzing each of the tissue specimens,

(C) determining for each tissue type from the analysis in (B) a distribution of values for modulus of elasticity,

(D) calculating average indices for each of the distribution of values in (C),

(E) calculating dispersion indices for each of the average indices in (D),

(F) storing the average indices and dispersion indices in a database, and

(G) providing to the subscriber, in exchange for a fee, access to said average indices and dispersion indices in said database,

wherein the number of tissue specimens in (A) includes a sufficient number of specimens such that the indices correspond to a statistically significant representation of those indices for the population as a whole.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the tissue specimens comprise normal tissue.

68. The method of claim 66, wherein the tissue specimens comprise abnormal tissue.

69. The method of claim 66, wherein the tissue specimens comprise normal and abnormal tissue of the same tissue type, and wherein in the determination of distribution of values and corresponding indices, data from normal tissue is used to determine a distribution of values and corresponding indices for normal tissue and data from abnormal tissue is used to determine a distribution of values and corresponding indices for abnormal tissue.

70. The method of claim 66, wherein the tissue types comprise skin.

71. The method of claim 66, wherein the tissue types comprise liver.

72. The method of claim 66, wherein the tissue types comprise kidney.

73. The method of claim 66, wherein the tissue types comprise muscle.

74. The method of claim 66, wherein the tissue types comprise brain.

75. The method of claim 66, wherein the tissue types comprise intestine.

76. The method of claim 66, wherein the tissue types comprise plant tissue.

77. A computer implemented method for providing information on tissue specimens to a subscriber comprising the steps of:

(A) obtaining tissue specimens for a plurality of tissue types from a subset of a population of subjects with shared characteristics,

(B) analyzing each of the tissue specimens,

(C) determining for each tissue type from the analysis in (B) a distribution of values for mechanical strength,

(D) calculating average indices for each of the distribution of values in (C),

(E) calculating dispersion indices for each of the average indices in (D),

(F) storing the average indices and dispersion indices in a database, and

(G) providing to the subscriber, in exchange for a fee, access to said average indices and dispersion indices in said database,

wherein the number of tissue specimens in (A) includes a sufficient number of specimens such that the indices correspond to a statistically significant representation of those indices for the population as a whole.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein the tissue specimens comprise normal tissue.

79. The method of claim 77, wherein the tissue specimens comprise abnormal tissue.

80. The method of claim 77, wherein the tissue specimens comprise normal and abnormal tissue of the same tissue type, and wherein in the determination of distribution of values and corresponding indices, data from normal tissue is used to determine a distribution of values and corresponding indices for normal tissue and data from abnormal tissue is used to determine a distribution of values and corresponding indices for abnormal tissue.

81. The method of claim 77, wherein the tissue types comprise skin.

82. The method of claim 77, wherein the tissue types comprise liver.

83. The method of claim 77, wherein the tissue types comprise kidney.

84. The method of claim 77, wherein the tissue types comprise muscle.

85. The method of claim 77, wherein the tissue types comprise brain.

86. The method of claim 77, wherein the tissue types comprise intestine.

87. The method of claim 77, wherein the tissue types comprise plant tissue.