Operator-interactive automated chromosome analysis system producing a karyotype

摘要

An operator-interactive automated chromosome analysis system is employed by an operator to locate and identify acceptable metaphase spreads, form a karyotype by rearranging the identified metaphase spreads in accordance with a predetermined arrangement of the twenty-three pairs of chromosomes naturally occurring in human beings, and display the karyotype on a display or a hardcopy printout, or both. The system comprises the following elements: a mechanized microscope system; a microscope and closed circuit television arrangement for microscopically scanning the chromosome spreads; a metaphase detector producing an output indicating metaphase detection; a television monitor for viewing the detected metaphase spreads; a photographic printer for producing a hardcopy representation of the detected metaphase spreads; and a computer, including a video interface, for controlling the mechanized microscope stage to locate the metaphase spreads, for analyzing the metaphase detector output to determine the location and grades of metaphases, for displaying a patient identifier on the monitor or hardcopy, and for rearranging and displaying the detected metaphase spreads so as to produce the karyotype.