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 - 32 . (canceled)  
     
     
         33 . An automated method of reviewing a specimen, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) loading the specimen in an optical instrument;    (b) locating a first datum mark on the specimen;    (c) locating a second datum mark on the specimen;    (d) establishing a coordinate system based, at least in part, on the first and second datum marks;    (e) positioning the specimen to present a first field of interest;    (f) moving to a next field of interest; and    (g) repeating step (f) until a predetermined number of fields of interest are presented.    
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein twenty-two fields of interest are presented.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the step of moving to a next field of interest includes inputting a user command.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising the step of electronically marking an object of interest located within the field of interest.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the step of electronically marking the object of interest includes the steps of: 
 inputting a signal to a computer;    determining if coordinate values for the object of interest are stored as a target zone within the processor; and    adding the coordinate values of the object of interest to a list of marked target zones, if not previously stored.    
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the step of electronically marking the object of interest includes the steps of: 
 inputting a signal to a processor;    determining if coordinate values for the object of interest are stored as a target zone within the processor; and    removing the coordinate values of the object of interest from a list of marked target zones, if the values are previously stored.    
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising the step of indicating visually a marked status of the object of interest.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising the step of physically marking an electronically marked object of interest.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the step of physically marking the electronically marked object of interest comprises: 
 inputting a signal to a processor;    positioning the object of interest 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.    
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the step of establishing a coordinate system further comprises: 
 centering the first datum mark;    assigning a reference coordinate value to the first datum mark;    storing in memory the first datum mark coordinate value;    centering the second datum mark;    assigning a reference coordinate value to the second datum mark;    storing in memory the second datum mark coordinate value; and    performing a coordinate transformation.    
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the step of establishing a coordinate system further comprises comparing the datum mark coordinate values to known parameters to determine if the specimen is loaded in a proper orientation.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 33  further comprising the step of reading a specimen identifier.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44  further comprising the step of accessing a specimen data record stored within the computer to obtain coordinate values for the object of interest.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45  further comprising the step of updating the specimen data record to include the coordinate values of the electronically marked objects of interest.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 40  further comprising the step of calibrating the marker prior to marking the specimen.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the step of calibrating the marker comprises: 
 contacting the specimen with the marker;    actuating the specimen to create a calibration mark thereon;    creating an offset value for the marker by actuating the stage to position the calibration mark into a position relative to the indicia;    recording the offset value; and    applying the offset value to the marker position.    
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 33  further comprising the step performing an autoscan after all fields of interest are presented.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the marking step is performed after the autoscan step.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the specimen comprises a cytological material disposed on a slide.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the specimen is stained with a thionin-phenol solution.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the thionin-phenol solution comprises a phenol derivative.  
     
     
         54 - 101 . (canceled)  
     
     
         102 . A slide holder assembly comprising: 
 a base;    a first platform movably disposed on the base;    a second platform disposed on the first platform and including a slide receiving area;    a slide positioning member operatively connected to the second platform; and    a mechanism disposed on the base for actuating the slide positioning member.