Patent · US Expired

Interactive automated cytology method incorporating both manual and automatic determinations

US5677966A · kind A · utility

52Cited by
9References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 7, 1995
Grant dateOct 14, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 7, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N2021/0181
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An automated interactive cytology system provides expedited handling of samples, minimizing false negatives, while not substantially increasing the number false positives. A computerized system identifies and displays the cells which are of greatest interest to the cytologist. The system then processes this information on all cells identified to classify the slide as normal, abnormal, or questionable based on a statistical analysis of cells meeting given criteria. Before displaying the results of the statistical analysis, a cytologist reviews the cells which the computer has determined to be most significant. It is only then after the cytologist has determined whether the cells are positive, negative, or questionable, that the determination is inputted into the automated system. The automated system then compares the cytologist's analysis with its own statistical analysis. Based on the two opinions, the cytologist determines how to advise a doctor regarding the sample.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.