Automated image analysis

Abstract

One automated imaging process, as described herein, includes: a) obtaining digital images of objects in a biological sample; b) selecting a plurality of objects of interest from the digital images; c) obtaining multiple images of the selected objects of interest at a plurality of different wavelengths; d) combining one of said multiple images with a corresponding digital image to produce a combined image; and e) analyzing the combined image in order to characterize the biological sample.

1 . An automated imaging process, comprising:
 obtaining digital images of objects in a biological sample;   selecting a plurality of objects of interest from the digital images;   obtaining multiple images of the selected objects of interest at a plurality of different wavelengths;   combining two or more of said multiple images to produce a combined image of the selected objects; and   analyzing the combined image in order to characterize the selected objects.   
     
     
         2 . The automated imaging process of  claim 1 , wherein the objects of interest comprise objects of relatively high optical density compared with other objects in the biological sample. 
     
     
         3 . The automated imaging process of  claim 1 , wherein the digital images are obtained from at least one wavelength in the range from ultraviolet to infrared. 
     
     
         4 . The automated imaging process of  claim 3 , wherein the digital images are obtained from at least one wavelength of less than about 670 nm. 
     
     
         5 . The automated imaging process of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of different wavelengths are at uniform increments. 
     
     
         6 . The automated imaging process of  claim 1 , wherein the objects of interest comprise cells. 
     
     
         7 . The automated imaging process of  claim 1 , wherein the process is used to determine a normal specimen. 
     
     
         8 . The automated imaging process of  claim 1 , wherein the process is used to identify an infection or other disease. 
     
     
         9 . The automated imaging process of  claim 1 , wherein the characterization of the selected objects includes detection of a marker. 
     
     
         10 . The automated imaging process of  claim 1 , wherein the characterization of the selected objects comprises detection of a spectral signature of an abnormal or infected cell. 
     
     
         11 . An automated imaging process, comprising:
 obtaining digital images of objects in a biological sample;   selecting at least one object of interest from the digital images;   obtaining at least one image of the at least one selected object of interest at a plurality of different wavelengths to form a set of multi-wavelength images;   analyzing the set of multi-wavelength images in order to characterize the at least one selected object.   
     
     
         12 . The automated imaging process of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one object of interest comprises an object of relatively high optical density relative to other objects in the biological sample. 
     
     
         13 . The automated imaging process of  claim 11 , wherein the digital images are obtained from at least one wavelength in the range from ultraviolet to infrared. 
     
     
         14 . The automated imaging process of  claim 13 , wherein the digital images are obtained from at least one wavelength of less than about 670 nm. 
     
     
         15 . The automated imaging process of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of different wavelengths are at uniform increments. 
     
     
         16 . The automated imaging process of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one object of interest comprise cells. 
     
     
         17 . The automated imaging process of  claim 16 , wherein the process is used to identify a nucleus. 
     
     
         18 . The automated imaging process of  claim 17 , wherein the process is used to identify the density of the nucleus. 
     
     
         19 . The automated imaging process of  claim 11 , wherein the characterization of the selected object includes detection of a marker. 
     
     
         20 . The automated imaging process of  claim 11 , wherein the process is used to determine a normal specimen. 
     
     
         21 . The automated imaging process of  claim 11 , wherein the process is used to identify an infection or other disease. 
     
     
         22 . The automated imaging process of  claim 11 , wherein the characterization of the selected object comprises detection of a spectral signature of an abnormal or infected cell.