Automated microscope for blood cell analysis
First Claim
1. An apparatus for analyzing stained blood cells on a microscope slide which comprises:
- (a) a computer comprising;
i. a processor;
ii. random access memory;
iii. a monitor in communication with the computer; and
iv. an input device in communication with the computer;
(b) a base having a flat surface lying in the X-Y plane;
(c) a gripper to acquire and transport the microscope slides and which serves as a microscope stage;
the gripper being constrained to move in the X-Y plane(d) a motor to move the gripper in the X direction;
(e) a motor to move the gripper in the Y direction;
(f) a microscope tower fixed with respect to the base(g) two microscopes with optical axes lying parallel to the Z direction, wherein the microscopes have upper parts attached to the microscope tower and lower parts comprising objectives of different powers and aligned to the optical axes, the lower parts being constrained to move in the z direction along their optical axes,(h) wherein a first of the two upper parts is aligned with a first of the objectives along a first of the optical axes,(i) wherein a second of the two upper parts is aligned with a second of the objectives along a second of the optical axes,(i) wherein the motors allow the gripper to move a cell located on the slide under either the first or second aligned microscope objectives;
(k) at least one focusing actuator for moving the two microscope objectives in the Z direction; and
(l) a light source to illuminate the microscope slides.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method of automated blood cell analysis uses technologies from other systems to create a new, robust, improved type of automated microscope, which uses electronic motors and a closed loop control system to minimize ambient factors, such as jarring and temperature changes. Pre-stained blood smear slides are first coated with a thin film of oil and are loaded into a carousel from which they can individually be analyzed. The slides are moved under a low magnification microscope; an optimal area of examination is determined; a focal plane map is calculated for that area, and the positions of white blood cell candidates are computed. The slide is then moved under a high power microscope where a refined focal plane map is computed and the individual white blood cell candidates are imaged. The cells are preclassified and the images are made available for analysis by the technician. Additionally, samples of red blood cells, equivalent to what the technician would do manually, are imaged and presented to the technician for evaluation. The technician may make notes on those cells, both red and white blood cells and archive them.
32 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for analyzing stained blood cells on a microscope slide which comprises:
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(a) a computer comprising; i. a processor; ii. random access memory; iii. a monitor in communication with the computer; and iv. an input device in communication with the computer; (b) a base having a flat surface lying in the X-Y plane; (c) a gripper to acquire and transport the microscope slides and which serves as a microscope stage;
the gripper being constrained to move in the X-Y plane(d) a motor to move the gripper in the X direction; (e) a motor to move the gripper in the Y direction; (f) a microscope tower fixed with respect to the base (g) two microscopes with optical axes lying parallel to the Z direction, wherein the microscopes have upper parts attached to the microscope tower and lower parts comprising objectives of different powers and aligned to the optical axes, the lower parts being constrained to move in the z direction along their optical axes, (h) wherein a first of the two upper parts is aligned with a first of the objectives along a first of the optical axes, (i) wherein a second of the two upper parts is aligned with a second of the objectives along a second of the optical axes, (i) wherein the motors allow the gripper to move a cell located on the slide under either the first or second aligned microscope objectives; (k) at least one focusing actuator for moving the two microscope objectives in the Z direction; and (l) a light source to illuminate the microscope slides. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification