Cytological imaging systems and methods

Abstract

The present invention relates to the analysis of specimens. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for reviewing specimen slides, including apparatus for holding the slides. The invention also relates to an automatic focusing method for an imaging system and methods for accommodating vibration in the imaging system. In particular, the methods and apparatus may be applied to the automated analysis of cytological specimen slides.

1 . An apparatus for marking a specimen, the apparatus comprising: 
 an optical instrument;    a marker coupled to the optical instrument and disposed outside a field of view of the optical instrument; and    a stage coupled to the optical instrument for receiving the specimen and moving the specimen between an inspection position in an optical path of the optical instrument and a marking position for marking the specimen with the marker.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the optical instrument comprises: 
 a nosepiece;    an illumination source;    and focusing optics.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the optical instrument is in data communication with a computer.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the nosepiece comprises at least one lens.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one lens comprises a 10× objective.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the nosepiece comprises a second lens.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the second lens comprises a 40× objective.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the optical instrument further comprises a specimen identification reader.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the specimen identification reader is at least one of a bar code reader and an OCR device.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the marker comprises a nib for applying a marking substance to the specimen.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the optical instrument is a laboratory microscope.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a user interface control in electrical communication with the optical instrument; and    a console in electrical communication with the optical instrument.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the user interface control comprises: 
 at least one input device; and a stage positioning device.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the stage positioning device comprises a joystick.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one input device performs an operation selected from the group consisting of advancing the specimen to a next position in a field of view of the optical instrument, advancing the specimen to a previous position in the field of view, toggling between the first lens and the second lens, and marking an object of interest.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the user interface control comprises four input devices, each performing an enumerated operation.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the console comprises: 
 a keypad; and    a display.    
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising means for electronically marking an object of interest within the specimen.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising an indicator for indicating marked status of field of interest.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the indicator comprises: 
 an optical path originating at a light source and passing serially through the light source;    a diffuser;    a mask;    an aperture;    focusing optics;    a lens; and    a beam splitter, all disposed within a housing.    
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the optical instrument further comprises a sensor for detecting presence of a specimen.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of a proximity switch, a limit switch, a hall-effect switch, a magnetic sensor, and an optical sensor.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the specimen marking system further comprises a cap mechanism coupled to the optical instrument and engageable with the marker.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the cap mechanism is biased away from the marker when disengaged therefrom and actuatable into an engagement position with the marker by a pin disposed on the stage.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the cap mechanism includes a resilient seal for sealing a nib of the marker.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an actuator for moving the marker relative to the stage.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of a solenoid, a motor, and a fluidic cylinder.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising an audio output device in electrical communication with the optical instrument.  
     
     
         29 . A method of marking a specimen, the method comprising the steps of: 
 positioning an object of interest within the specimen to a marking position;    contacting the specimen with a marker; and    actuating the specimen to create indicia thereon at least partially bounding the object of interest.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the shape of the indicia is selected from the group consisting of line segments, arcs, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the specimen is disposed on a motorized stage.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising the step of actuating the motorized stage to position a cap mechanism into an engagement position with the marker.  
     
     
         102 . An apparatus for marking a specimen, the apparatus comprising: 
 an optical instrument;    a marker coupled to the optical instrument and disposed outside a field of view of the optical instrument; and    a stage coupled to the optical instrument for receiving the specimen and moving the specimen between an inspection position in an optical path of the optical instrument and a marking position for marking the specimen with the marker.    
     
     
         103 . A method of marking a specimen, the method comprising the steps of: 
 positioning an object of interest within the specimen to a marking position;    contacting the specimen with a marker; and    actuating the specimen to create indicia thereon at feast partially bounding the object of interest.