Method for analyzing biological specimens by spectral imaging

Abstract

A method for registering a visual image and a spectral image of a biological sample includes aligning a first set of coordinate positions of a plurality of reticles on a slide holder and a second set of coordinate positions of the plurality of reticles on the slide holder. The method further includes generating a registered image of a visual image of a biological sample and a spectral image of the biological sample based upon the alignment of the first and second set of coordinate positions.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method for registering a visual image and a spectral image of a biological sample, comprising:
 receiving a first set of coordinates of a plurality of reference marks on a slide or a slide holder with the biological sample and a visual image of the biological sample, wherein the first set of coordinates are independent from features within the visual image;   associating the first set of coordinates with the visual image;   receiving a second set of coordinates of the plurality of reference marks on the slide or the slide holder with the biological sample and a spectral image of the biological sample, wherein the second set of coordinates are independent from features within the spectral image;   associating the second set of coordinates with the spectral image;   creating a common coordinate system by aligning the first set of coordinates and the second set of coordinates; and   automatically generating a registered image by using the common coordinate system to overlay the spectral image on the visual image.