Patent ID: 6137899
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: G01N,G06K

Abstract:
A feature classifier apparatus for performing a plurality of stages of feature extraction and object classification on cells in a biological specimen, the apparatus comprising:(a) means for acquiring at least one image of a biological specimen;(b) an initial stage classifier means for determining whether objects in the at least one image are object types of interest and other objects;(c) a sequence of object classifiers wherein each object classifier has an object type of interest input, an object type of interest output and an other object type output, and wherein the object type of interest output is connected to the object type of interest input of a next classifier in the sequence; and(d) a diagnostic classifier means for determining whether objects of interest from a final classifier in the sequence of classifiers are low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, potential high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, cancerous lesions or normal artifacts.