Patent ID: 7612769
Filing Date: 2009-11-03
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for organizing image data representing light scattered from one or more substantially spherical microparticles, the method comprising the steps of: (a) creating a digital representation of an image produced on an electronic image plane by light scattered from one or more substantially spherical microparticles at each of a predetermined number (Q) of illuminating wavelengths, a selected portion of each of the Q images corresponding to a region of interest on or adjacent to at least one microparticle, each selected portion of each image having a predetermined number (N) of pixels; (b) for each of the N pixels in the selected portion of the image, creating an associated Image Intensity Data Array containing Q values, the Q values in at least some of the data arrays denoting the intensity of light at each of the Q wavelengths scattered from a location on a microparticle corresponding to the pixel associated with the data array; (c) from the N Image Intensity Data Arrays, creating a select set of S number of Image Intensity Data Arrays, each Image Intensity Data Array in the select set having at least one intensity value that exceeds a predetermined analog threshold; and (d) creating a Pointer Array containing N values, the Pointer Array correlating the position on the electronic image plane of the pixel associated with each Image Intensity Data Array in the select set with the order of selection of that data array into the select set.