Apparatus and methods for verifying the location of areas of interest within a sample in an imaging system
First Claim
1. A method for verifying a location of an area of interest within a sample, the method comprising:
- locating a datum mark on the sample;
identifying the area of interest within the sample;
determining the location of the area of interest relative to the mark; and
relocating the datum, wherein the location of the area of interest is verified if a dimensional error in locating the datum relative to relocating the datum is less than a tolerance value.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for verifying the location of an area of interest within a sample are disclosed. An imaging system includes an optical system and a stage movable relative to the optical system. A computer server is in communication with the imaging system and with a review station. The imaging system is capable of spatially locating a datum mark on the sample and determining a spatial offset value of the mark relative to a nominal position thereof. The coordinate systems of a respective one of the imaging system and the review station can be standardized. The method includes locating a datum mark on the sample, and identifying an area of interest within the sample. The method further includes determining the location of the area of interest relative to the mark. The method further includes locating again the datum, and checking that a dimensional error in locating the datum mark is less than a tolerance value to verify location of the area of interest.
92 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for verifying a location of an area of interest within a sample, the method comprising:
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locating a datum mark on the sample; identifying the area of interest within the sample; determining the location of the area of interest relative to the mark; and relocating the datum, wherein the location of the area of interest is verified if a dimensional error in locating the datum relative to relocating the datum is less than a tolerance value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for verifying a location of an area of interest within a sample, the method comprising:
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locating a datum mark on the sample; assigning a reference coordinate value to a location of the mark; identifying an area of interest within the sample; assigning a coordinate value to the location of the area of interest; and spatially relocating the mark, thereby determining a spatial offset value of the relocated mark relative to the reference coordinate value; wherein the location of the area of interest is verified if the spatial offset value is less than a tolerance value. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for verifying a location of an area of interest within a cytological specimen on a slide located in an automated cytological imaging system, the method comprising:
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placing the slide within an optical path of the imaging system; centering a datum mark on the slide within a field of view of the imaging system; assigning a reference coordinate value to a location of the mark; storing in memory the reference coordinate value; scanning the specimen to identify an area of interest within the specimen; centering the area of interest within the field of view of the imaging system; assigning a coordinate value to the area of interest; returning to the reference coordinate value location; spatially relocating the mark; and comparing the reference coordinate value to a coordinate value resulting from spatially relocating the mark, thereby determining a spatial offset value of the mark, wherein the location of the area of interest is verified if the spatial offset value is less than a tolerance value. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method for verifying a location of an area of interest within a cytological specimen on a slide located in an automated cytological imaging system, the method comprising:
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locating a datum mark on the sample; identifying the area of interest within the sample; determining the location of the area of interest relative to the mark; and relocating the datum, wherein the location of the area of interest is verified if a dimensional error in locating the datum relative to relocating the datum is less than a tolerance value. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification