Hologic, Inc.

Hewlett-packard Company

Cytyc Corporation

Barry F Hunt

Ryan P Oliva

Raymond Jenoski

Eric E Grimes

Michael Cordeiro

Steven C Leavitt

Hugh G Larsen

Jeffrey D Struven

Sidney H Mayer

Paul A Magnin

Howard B Kaufman

Alwyn P D'Sa

Daniel Geagon

Ryan Oliva

Eric Grimes

An automated system for processing a sample contained in a liquid sample container includes an automated tool head configured to rotate about a first axis, and to translate along a second axis different than the first axis, an analytic element positioner having an analytic element holder configured to releasably grip an analytic element, and a specimen transfer device carried by the tool head, wherein the tool head is configured to automatically position a working end of the specimen transfer device to obtain a specimen from a sample container held in the sample container holder, and to transfer the obtained specimen to an analytic element held by the analytic element holder, respectively, through one or both of rotation of the tool head about the first axis and translation of the tool head along the second axis.

Systems for automated preparation of biological specimens

A system and method for acquiring images of objects distributed within a specimen affixed to a surface of a slide, the specimen having an uneven height relative to the slide surface using a camera having an objective lens with an optical axis that forms a non-orthogonal angle with the surface of the slide, the method including acquiring a first plurality of images of a first linear portion of the specimen; evaluating a focus of objects within the linear portion of the specimen captured in the first plurality of images; and acquiring a second plurality of images of the first linear portion or of a second linear portion of the specimen different from the first, wherein a height of the objective lens relative to the slide surface is varied during acquisition of the second plurality of images based on the evaluated focus of the objects captured in the first plurality of images.

Methods for acquiring images of cells within a specimen on a slide

Digital imaging system and method

Systems and methods for automated preparation of biological specimens

Systems and methods for preparing a cytological specimen from a patient sample in a sample container include or employ mechanisms for quickly and accurately adjusting the pressure in a pressure unit during the specimen preparation. The systems include a specimen transfer device configured for being positioned within the sample container, a pressure tank coupled to the specimen transfer device and configured for applying at least one of positive pressure and vacuum pressure through the specimen transfer device, and a temperature adjusting unit coupled to the pressure tank, and configured for incrementally adjusting the pressure in the pressure tank by heating or cooling the tank. The method includes steps of performing a coarse pressure adjustment using a supply valve and/or a bleed valve coupled to the pressure tank, and, after the coarse adjustment, performing a fine pressure adjustment using a temperature adjusting element coupled to the pressure tank.

Fine tank pressure control using thermal energy for preparing cytological specimens from patient samples

Methods and systems for collecting cells on a filter disposed in a specimen fluid containing suspended cells of a biological specimen. A short vacuum pulse is applied across a filter to sip specimen fluid. A percentage or portion of the filter surface area covered by cells is determined is representative of or correlates to the density of cells in the specimen fluid. A maximum vacuum amplitude and/or duration are determined utilizing the determined filter coverage. A longer, continuous vacuum or slurp is applied across the filter to collect cells on the filter while limiting the amplitude and/or duration of the slurp based at least in part upon the determined maximum vacuum amplitude and/or duration.

Methods and systems for collecting cells of a biological specimen

Method and system for imaging and analyzing a biological specimen on a specimen carrier, such as a slide. One or more imagers acquire images of a biological specimen on a slide and generate electronic image data. One or more analysis computers, such as a cluster of analysis computers, are connected to the imagers through a network and process the electronic image data. The number of analysis computers can be different than the number of imagers, and analysis computers can be located remotely from the imagers. The results of processing by the analysis computers are stored to a database, which is accessible by one or more review stations.

Scalable architecture for maximizing slide throughput

First and second images of respective portions of a cytological specimen are acquired at different brightness levels. Sections of the respective first image are selected and combined with selected sections of the second image of each portion to form a composite image, so that non-nuclei cytological components that would otherwise appear dark in a single exposure image are brighter in the composite image.

Method for forming an optimally exposed image of cytological specimen

The median value of data values at the intersections of each of a plurality of coordinates of one type with a plurality of coordinates of another type are respectively derived and the median of the data values thus selected is used as the display value at any of the intersections.

Apparatus for forming flow-map images using two-dimensional spatial

Apparatus for interpolating data along radial lines so that it can be displayed at display points arranged in orthogonal rows and columns by recursively adding stored values to derive signals indicative of the radial position of each display point along the radial data lines and its angular position between the radial data lines. Interpolation is done along each radial line to derive first and second intermediate interpolated values, and these values are interpolated so as to derive the final data value for the display point at its angular position. Alternatively, the intermediate interpolated values can be attained by angular interpolation and the final data value by radial interpolation.

Scan converter system

Apparatus for displaying the information represented by data samples occurring along radial lines at display points arranged in rows and columns wherein intermediate interpolated data values are derived at the intersections of a row containing a display point for which a final data value is sought with radii on either side of the display point and interpolating the first and second intermediate interpolated data values so as to derive a final interpolated data value at the angular position of the display point with respect to the radii.

Growing community of inventors

Andover, MA, United States of America

Barry F Hunt