An XML Cytometry Standard Based on DICOM

摘要

Introduction: The International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry (ISAC) Data Standards Task Force (DSTF) is developing a new Advanced Cytometry Specification (ACS). DICOM has developed and is extending a pathology extension. The work of both groups is complementary with some overlap. Interoperation would benefit both groups and permit each to benefit from the other's expertise. Methods: The design and implementation of the CytometryML version of the ACS schemas have been based on each schema describing one object (modularity), iterative (spiral) development, inheritance, and reuse of data-types and their definitions from DICOM, Flow Cytometry Standard, and other standards. Results: These schemas have been validated with two tools and XML pages were generated from highest level schemas. Binary image data and its associated metadata are stored together in a zip file based container. A schema for a table of contents, which is one of the metadata files of this container, has recently been developed and reported upon. The binary image data is placed in one file in the container; and the metadata associated with an image in another. The schema for the image metadata file includes elements that are based on the DICOM design. This image schema includes descriptions of the acquisition context, image (including information on compression), specimen, slide, transmission medium, major optical parts, optical elements in one or more optical channels, detectors, and pixel format. The image schema describes both conventional camera systems and scanning or confocal systems.