DUAL RESOLUTION METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN AUTOMATED CLASSIFICATION OF PAP SMEAR AND OTHER SAMPLES

摘要

ABSTRACTA method and apparatus is disclosed for use in per-forming automated classification of cells of a pap smear as wellas other types of cells, such as red blood cells and blood cellneutrophiles. The apparatus generates an image that is splitinto two paths, 1) a high resolution image of primarily thenucleus of a cell, and 2) a low resolution image of the totalcell, nucleus and cytoplasm. An image scanning device locatedin the first path provides output signals representing the imageand circuitry performs measurement and analysis relating totexture of the nucleus. The image in the other path is demag-nified which provides an enlarged, lower resolution image ofthe entire cell, including the nucleus and the cytoplasm andit is projected to a second image scanning device, which provideselectrical signals that represent the image of the larger areaand circuitry performs measurement and analysis relating to thesize, density and color of the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Theanalysis obtained from each of the two circuits are applied toclassification logic circuitry for the purpose of determiningmalignant cells.