RESUMEN
Combining unique cytoprobe, rapid hemacyte fractionation, and novel color image analysis, The White IRIS (TWI) extends automated intelligent microscopy to leukocyte differentiation. TWI provides flow cytometry precision and microscopical resolution to review specimens flagged by hematology analyzers with differential capabilities or to complement other analyzers without these capabilities. The system includes compartments for closed sampling, rapid leukocyte-rich plasma preparation, cytoprobe-induced metachromasia, and collection and color analysis of leukocyte images, and presents the results as a single-view 500-cell differential on a 20-in. (50-cm) touch-screen monitor. Method correlations for the five mature cell types averaging r > 0.90 were obtained with a prototype system. Classification of normal and abnormal specimens showed 95% agreement with a reference method without any undetected significant morphologic abnormality. False-positive and false-negative rates of 7.27% and 3.53%, respectively, exceeded performance of current commercial systems. Case studies demonstrate the ease and speed with which unusual pathologies and leukemias can be observed and interpreted.
Asunto(s)
Recuento de Leucocitos/instrumentación , Diferenciación Celular , Estudios de Evaluación como Asunto , Humanos , Leucocitos/citología , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Manejo de EspecímenesRESUMEN
Modern evaluation of cytological and histological specimens utilizes multispectral microscopic observation of transmissively illuminated fields as well as fluorescence images to analyze specimens treated with cytochemical probes. A user-friendly, interactive, multispectral image-processing capability is, therefore, required to accommodate the needs of the practicing cytologist. This paper describes a system design for a high-speed, microscopic, multispectral image analysis that provides a natural user-friendly environment for the cytologist. The speed limitations of conventional image processors are overcome by employing multiple processors in a high-speed, highly parallel-pipelined architecture. Preliminary results obtained using a prototype system for interactive ploidy determination will be presented. Software now under development will address a broad range of quantitative cytology problems utilizing the system's capability to measure a wide variety of cytomorphic properties in apparent real time.
RESUMEN
Since 1982, "automated intelligence microscopy" (AIM) has been refined and adapted to perform the portion of the urinalysis profile traditionally done by a microscope. AIM and analytical subsystems measuring relative density and performing dipstick chemistry compose the main elements of "The Yellow IRIS" urinalysis workstation, an attended system for automation and standardization of routine urinalysis. Performance data gathered at three laboratory test sites show AIM to be analytically consistent over the required range of particulate enumeration, and show that it detects 20% more abnormalities than by conventional microscopy, and with greater precision (CVs 5 to 20%). Complete urinalysis, including the microscopic examination, requires little more than 1 min for normal specimens, 3 min for most abnormal specimens. Actual throughput rate varies with the particulate composition of specimens; typically, it averages greater than 30 specimens per hour, a 300% improvement in urinalysis productivity by CAP standards and an almost 500% improvement when typical emergency-use demands are taken into account.
Asunto(s)
Microscopía/métodos , Orina/citología , Recuento de Eritrocitos/instrumentación , Femenino , Hematuria/orina , Humanos , Recuento de Leucocitos/instrumentación , Masculino , Tiras Reactivas , Valores de Referencia , Orina/análisisRESUMEN
The microscope is the most ubiquitous instrument in the clinical laboratory. We discuss improvements in its use, in terms of "front-end" automation of specimen handling and "back-end" automation of image analysis: automated intelligent microscopy. Examples of spatial and spectral differentiation illustrate the potential of this automated version of microscopy as a useful tool with very powerful analytical capabilities for the clinical laboratory.