Methods and apparatus for optical segmentation of biological samples
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsRobert John Filkins, Bahman Ebrahimi Kashef, Krenar Tasimi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for the imaging of protein expression and location in biological samples using optical segmentation is provided. The steps comprise acquiring a fluorescent image of a biological sample, analyzing the image and generating a masking pattern corresponding to a specific structure within the biological sample, transforming the masking pattern into the spatial coordinates of a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) which may then be projected onto the biological sample and obtaining a masked fluorescent image. Also provided is an image analysis system for imaging of protein expression and location in biological samples using optical segmentation.
Claims17
A method for optical segmentation of a biological sample positioned on a solid support and mounted on a fluorescent microscope comprising:
- transmitting light from a light source at a predetermined wavelength on to the biological sample wherein the light causes the biological sample to fluoresce;
- acquiring a fluorescent image of the biological sample using an image capture device;
- analyzing the fluorescent image utilizing, at least in part, featured based information or pixel intensity information to generate a masking pattern corresponding to a specific structure within the biological sample;
- transforming the masking pattern into a reformatted masking pattern to register the image of the image capture device with the spatial coordinates of a digital micro-mirror device (DMD);
- projecting the reformatted mask pattern onto the biological sample using the digital micro-mirror device (DMD) wherein said DMD is positioned between the light source and the biological sample and wherein the reformatted masked pattern is registered with the biological sample;
- acquiring a masked fluorescent image of the biological sample with the image capture device;
- and
- converting the masked fluorescent image into a digital image.
An image analysis system for optical segmentation of a biological sample positioned on a solid support comprising:
- a fluorescent microscope having a stage for mounting the biological sample;
- a light source for illuminating the biological sample and positioned such that light is directed through the aperature of the fluorecent microscope and onto the biological sample;
- a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) wherein said DMD is positioned between the light source and the aperature of the fluorecent microsocpe;
- an image capture device attached to the fluorecent microscope and configured to acquire fluorecent images of the biological sample;
- and
- a digital light processor configured to;
- receive fluorescent images from the image capture device;
- analyzes the fluorescent image utilizing, at least in part, featured based information or pixel intensity information to generate a masking pattern wherein said masking pattern corresponds to a specific structure within the biological sample;
- and
- transform the masking pattern into a reformatted masking pattern to register the image of the image capture device with the spatial coordinates of the DMD.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.