Patent ID: 6430309
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: G01N,G06F,G06K,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for assisting an observer to analyze a specimen, said specimen defining a plurality of regions, said method comprising, in order, the following steps:acquiring into a machine a set of data regarding a plurality of said regions; displaying for preview by said observer a set of biasing-information including a first subset of said regions defined according to a probability estimate that said regions are of interest, whereby subsequent screening of said specimen by said observer may be biased by said observer's preview of said biasing-information; displaying for screening by said observer a second subset of said regions; and ranking a plurality of said regions according to level of likelihood that said regions are of interest, wherein ranking said plurality of regions comprises automatically performing the following steps: detecting objects within one or more of said plurality of regions; categorizing each of said objects as being either a cellular object or a non-cellular object, wherein each cellular object has at least one cellular characteristic; classifying each cellular object at least in part according to said at least one cellular characteristic, and interpreting each cellular object as being either a normal cellular object or an abnormal cellular object, based at least in part on medical information specific to said patient.