Imsol - Image Solutions

The Scanner is a novel hematological workstation, combining morphological and FISH information on the same cell. Automated, high resolution, full color scanning puts morphology and FISH on equal footing, reducing false-positives and improving diagnostics.*

True color imaging

• A 3-CCD, progressive scan color camera ensures true colors of both bright field and fluorescent images, just as they appear in the eyepiece.
• Imaging all color channels at once, without the need for filter replacement in fluorescent imaging,- minimizes snap time and avoids shift errors between filters.

Automated brightfield and fluorescent scanning

• Scan 10 000 cells per minute in brightfield illumination and in full color.
• Scan 2 000-10 000 cells per hour under fluorescent illumination and in full color.
• Automatic calibration of light balance and automatic setup of all optical parameters (filters, camera parameters, condenser).
• Allows customization of scanning "recipes" according to user requirements.
• Rapid, intuitive switch between automatic and manual modes.
• Automated scan can continue from stop point even after slide is removed from stage.
• All scanable areas are snapped, compressed and stored to hard-disk; any cell on the slide can be retrieved from the computer and visited virtually.

Automated algorithms for cell classification by FISH-genotype

• Sophisticated algorithms detect cells according to their DAPI stain, and detect and count colored FISH signals in each cell.
• Cell classification is done according to the number of FISH signals in each cell and customized to a specific FISH probe.
• Sort option according to the number of FISH signals in each cell.
• Algorithm runs online; target gallery and summary graph are built up in realtime.

Automated algorithms for cell classification by morphology

• Sophisticated algorithms extract many features per cell, including color, texture, size, and shape of both nucleus and cytoplasm. The extracted features are analyzed to determine cell type.
• Automatically classifies lymphocytes, poly-morpho-nuclears and bands, myelocytes, blastocytes, and plasma cells according to their morphology in May-Grunwald-Giemsa stain.
• Algorithm runs online; target gallery and summary graph are built up in realtime.
• Learning from example feature: user may define an example set, and algorithm will retrieve cells with similar morphology; cells will be sorted according to similarity to the example.

Manual cell classification

• Displays either 48 thumbnails, 12 small images or 2 full size images of cells on each page, according to user request.
• Convenient multi-cell selection for rapid manual classification.
• Each cell can be classified morphologically and by FISH-genotype. User may select to view a particular morphology class, particular genotype class, or a sub-class, defined by both morphology and genotyping, e.g. viewing all translocated lymphocytes is done by selecting both the morphology Lymphocytes class and the Translocated Cell genotype class.
• Rapid relocation for microscope review is always available, even after re-loading the slide. The motorized stage returns to the XY coordinates of the cell, while the motorized focus drive adjusts the focus.
• Cell measurement tools for classifying ambiguous cells.

Dual view - combines morphology and FISH on the same cell, for all cells

• For classification: view cell morphology and FISH image on each cell, side by side.
• For manual FISH searching: retrieve images of the same field of view in bright field, as it was snapped in the previous scan.
• Automatic registration procedure ensures matching between FISH image and bright field image.

Analysis tools

• Distance measurement: the system takes into account microscope magnification and zoom factor to calculate distance in microns, accordingly.
• Digital zoom: unlimited number of zoom-ins allowed.
• Line profile feature: displays graphical color values along a specified line of an image. Quantifies strength of signals and distance between signals. Useful to distinguish between signal fusion event and adjacent signals event.
• Color channels: display the color channels of images combined or separately.
• Export images into standard formats: JPG, BMP, TIFF.

Summary of results

• Final and intermediate results are summarized on the fly.
• Results are displayed in the following formats:
• Diagram chart showing the distribution of cells into types according to morphology.
• Diagram chart showing the distribution of cells into types according to FISH signals.
• Pie chart showing the distribution of FISH signals in one specific morphology class.
• Spreadsheet display with cell summary.

Report generation

• Report header includes details of patient, disease, sample and slides.
• Unlimited number of images may be added to report. Each image added may be printed in full size or as a thumbnail.
• Report may be sent to printer, exported to a file or e-mailed.
• Report format is in HTML, which can be interpreted by any computer. Many standard editorial programs, including MSWord, can be used to further edit a report after it is being exported.

Archiving and retrieval of cases and slides

• Slide information can be archived into CD using CD-Writer device.

Microscope
Zeiss Axioplan-2^TM fully automatic microscope, with brightfield and fluorescent illumination.

Camera
Sony^TM color 3-CCD camera, progressive scan.

Computer system
Minimal requirements- Pentium 4, 1500GHz, 256 MB internal memory, 60GB disk space, Windows 2000 OS.

Display monitor
17" high resolution LCD flat monitor or 19" high resolution CRT monitor.