STESYS: computer graphics SW supporting semi-automatic, interactivestereology

摘要

The morphometric measurement of biological tissue components isthe main prerequisite for quantitative analysis in a number of studiesin biomedicine. Stereological methods, based on rigorous mathematicalconcepts including sampling theory, enable one to obtain unbiasedestimates of geomedical characteristics. Semi-automatic stereologicalmeasurements based on interaction of the chosen representative pictureof the tissue section or projection with the test system, i.e. thespecific raster which is superimposed, are extremely appealing inbiomedicine, because the otherwise problematic automatic segmentation isavoided. We present a simple, flexible and user-friendly, custom-madeIBM PC application software (SW) package which applies simple computergraphics to the generation of various types of test systems forsemi-automatic stereological measurements. The aim of STESYS(Stereological TEst SYStem) is to enable the simple and flexible designof custom test systems, their preview, calibration, positioning,storage, superposition on a display, export into various image formats,and output to different printers and plotters providing a hard-copysuitable for producing test systems for direct measurements via anoptical microscope or for a micrograph application