[Histonet] Image analysis and slide scanning machine

[Glenn Smith]

Sure Histo!  

First the slide is inserted much the same way you would introduce your bank
card to an ATM.  From there, everything is software driven including
defining the area you want to scan - entire slide or some subsection - , the
resolution settings, which light sources (various fluorescence or
brightfield) and other relevant parameters. Then simply hit scan and the
image is acquired (time for acquisition is seconds or minutes depending on
the resolution and area desired).  I would say that image analysis offered
with the software is limited - we often bundle other software as desired.
Hence our desire to work with partners in various segments like Beecher. The
aquired image is a TIFF format file importable to other preferred software.


Re how the TISSUEscope creates images without tiling, our proprietary
MACROscope lens technology gives us the ability to aquire a single image
over 10-20X scan area of that of high-end microscopes at the same
resolution.  A scanning mirror is placed at the entrance pupil position and
the beam is scanned from left to right (x-direction) across the slide.
While the beam moves from left to right, we take data at a constant rate.
At the same time, the slide is slowly moved under the scanning beam,
resulting in a raster scan of the slide contents.  I can provide more
details via a ppt or white paper that I can send offline (~ 0.6 Mb) if
you're hotmail account can accommodate?

Re Beecher, they ran a first test of their software on some of our Tissue
Array images generated with our 2 um resolution lens earlier this summer. On
a first test on their automated analysis software with our images, they
could detect cells and get measurements like nuclei count and identify
general tissue regions. Based on the quality of the images we sent them,
this speaks well to their software. (there was no IHC staining to quantitate
on the sample we sent).  We have been grateful for their feedback to improve
the instrument characteristics and continue to work with them.

Glenn Smith, P.Eng.
519.886.9013 x38

Biomedical Photometrics Inc/GeneFocus <www.confocal.com OR
www.GeneFocus.com> 
Widefield Confocal Scanning Instruments and Software


------------------------------

Message: 11
Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 22:26:42 -0400
From: "Histo Jock" <histojock <@t> hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Image analysis and slide scanning machine
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Cc: gsmith <@t> confocal.com
Message-ID: <BAY8-F104eE3VsX7PVT0003060f <@t> hotmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed


Can you describe more about how this works? How does it create the image if 
it doesn't tile? What kind of analysis can it do? You're exhibiting with 
Beecher - can it run Beecher's new software?

HistoJock.

>Message: 9
>Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 16:11:45 -0400
>From: "Glenn Smith" <gsmith <@t> confocal.com>
>Subject: [Histonet] Image analysis and slide scanning machine (Wester,
>	Martha)
>To: <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
>Message-ID: <00c101c483cd$45edc040$1f05a8c0 <@t> confocal.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="US-ASCII"
>
>Hi Kim,
>
>We supply such an instrument, our TISSUEscope - combining confocal 
>scanning laser microscopy and a wide field of view.  Depending on your 
>resolution requirements, the TISSUEscope can acquire a single image at 
>up to 1 um resolution with no mosaic and no tiling of images. A 
>standard slide (1" x
>3") is loaded into the machine and the rest of operations is via software.
>We have another model which offers submicron resolution as well.  Both
>brightfield and fluorescence detection is provided within the same
>instrument.  Please feel free to contact me offline for more details.
>
>Also, we will have one of these instruments at the NSH meeting in 
>Toronto - we'll be exhibiting in conjunction with Beecher Instruments.
>
>Regards
>Glenn Smith, P.Eng.
>519.886.9013 x38
>
>Biomedical Photometrics Inc/GeneFocus <www.confocal.com OR 
>www.GeneFocus.com> Widefield Confocal Scanning Instruments and Software

_________________________________________________________________