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 automated method of reviewing a specimen, comprising:
 loading the specimen in an optical instrument;   locating a first datum mark on the specimen;   locating a second datum mark on the specimen; and   establishing a coordinate system by
 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. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising
 computing a location of each of a plurality of predetermined number of fields of interest in the specimen within the established coordinate system; and   presenting the fields of interest to allow for viewing of objects of interest in the fields of interest.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the specimen comprises a cytological material disposed on a slide. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the specimen is stained with a thionin-phenol solution. 
     
     
         6 . An automated method of reviewing a specimen, comprising:
 loading the specimen in an optical instrument;   locating a first datum mark on the specimen;   locating a second datum mark on the specimen;   establishing a coordinate system based, at least in part, on the first and second datum marks;   computing a location of each of a plurality of predetermined number of fields of interest in the specimen within the established coordinate system;   presenting the fields of interest to allow for viewing of objects of interest in the fields of interest;   reading a specimen identifier; and   accessing a specimen data record stored within the computer to obtain coordinate values for the objects of interest.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising electronically marking an object of interest located within at least one of the fields of interest and updating the specimen data record to include the coordinate values of the electronically marked object of interest. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the specimen comprises a cytological material disposed on a slide. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the specimen is stained with a thionin-phenol solution. 
     
     
         10 . An automated method of reviewing a specimen, comprising:
 loading the specimen in an optical instrument;   locating a first datum mark on the specimen;   locating a second datum mark on the specimen;   establishing a coordinate system based, at least in part, on the first and second datum marks;   computing a location of each of a plurality of predetermined number of fields of interest in the specimen within the established coordinate system;   presenting the fields of interest to allow for viewing of objects of interest in the fields of interest; and   performing an autoscan after all fields of interest are presented.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the specimen comprises a cytological material disposed on a slide. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the specimen is stained with a thionin-phenol solution.