438 results about "Histology" patented technology

Methods, devices, and systems are described herein that allow for improved sampling of tissue from remote sites in the body. A tissue sampling device comprises a handle allowing single hand operation. In one variation the tissue sampling device includes a blood vessel scanning means and tissue coring means to excise a histology sample from a target site free of blood vessels. The sampling device also includes an adjustable stop to control the depth of a needle penetration. The sampling device may be used through a working channel of a bronchoscope.

A system and method is provided for using backscattered data and known parameters to characterize vascular tissue. Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, an ultrasonic device is used to acquire RF backscattered data (i.e., IVUS data) from a blood vessel. The IVUS data is then transmitted to a computing device and used to create an IVUS image. The blood vessel is then cross-sectioned and used to identify its tissue type and to create a corresponding image (i.e., histology image). A region of interest (ROI), preferably corresponding to the identified tissue type, is then identified on the histology image. The computing device, or more particularly, a characterization application operating thereon, is then adapted to identify a corresponding region on the IVUS image. To accurately match the ROI, however, it may be necessary to warp or morph the histology image to substantially fit the contour of the IVUS image. After the corresponding region is identified, the IVUS data that corresponds to this region is identified. Signal processing is then performed and at least one parameter is identified. The identified parameter and the tissue type (e.g., characterization data) is stored in a database. In another embodiment of the present invention, the characterization application is adapted to receive IVUS data, determine parameters related thereto (either directly or indirectly), and use the parameters stored in the database to identify a tissue type or a characterization thereof.

A method and system is provided for using backscattered data and known parameters to characterize vascular tissue. Specifically, methods and devices for identifying information about the imaging element used to gather the backscattered data are provided in order to permit an operation console having a plurality of Virtual Histology classification trees to select the appropriate VH classification tree for analyzing data gathered using that imaging element. In order to select the appropriate VH database for analyzing data from a specific imaging catheter, it is advantageous to know information regarding the function and performance of the catheter, such as the operating frequency of the catheter and whether it is a rotational or phased-array catheter. The present invention provides a device and method for storing this information on the imaging catheter and communicating the information to the operation console. In addition, information related to additional functions of the catheter may also be stored on the catheter and used to further optimize catheter performance and / or select the appropriate Virtual Histology classification tree for analyzing data from the catheter imaging element.

A method of managing resources of a histological tissue processor, the tissue processor comprising at least one retort (12, 14) selectively connected for fluid communication to at least one of a plurality of reagent resources (26) by a valve mechanism (40), the method comprising the step of: nominating resources according to one of: group, where a group nomination corresponds to a resource's function; type, where a type nomination corresponds to one or more attributes of a resource within a group; station, where a station nomination corresponds to a point of supply of a resource.

A method and system is provided for using backscattered data and known parameters to characterize vascular tissue. Specifically, methods and devices for identifying information about the imaging element used to gather the backscattered data are provided in order to permit an operation console having a plurality of Virtual Histology classification trees to select the appropriate VH classification tree for analyzing data gathered using that imaging element. In order to select the appropriate VH database for analyzing data from a specific imaging catheter, it is advantageous to know information regarding the function and performance of the catheter, such as the operating frequency of the catheter and whether it is a rotational or phased-array catheter. The present invention provides a device and method for storing this information on the imaging catheter and communicating the information to the operation console. In addition, information related to additional functions of the catheter may also be stored on the catheter and used to further optimize catheter performance and / or select the appropriate Virtual Histology classification tree for analyzing data from the catheter imaging element.

A cassette for containment, storage and processing of material samples, having a top member that is slideably attachable to and detachable from the base member with minimal force and relaxed requirement for precision in the alignment operation. The top member is hingeably connected to the base member when attached and is positively locked to the base member in the attached closed position. The top member is easily opened and closed with one hand when attached to the base member, and facilitates high volume sample processing, e.g., of tissue samples for the purpose of histological determinations.

Systems and methods for image pattern recognition comprise digital image capture and encoding using vector quantization (“VQ”) of the image. A vocabulary of vectors is built by segmenting images into kernels and creating vectors corresponding to each kernel. Images are encoded by creating a vector index file having indices that point to the vectors stored in the vocabulary. The vector index file can be used to reconstruct an image by looking up vectors stored in the vocabulary. Pattern recognition of candidate regions of images can be accomplished by correlating image vectors to a pre-trained vocabulary of vector sets comprising vectors that correlate with particular image characteristics. In virtual microscopy, the systems and methods are suitable for rare-event finding, such as detection of micrometastasis clusters, tissue identification, such as locating regions of analysis for immunohistochemical assays, and rapid screening of tissue samples, such as histology sections arranged as tissue microarrays (TMAs).

The present disclosure describes methods and compositions for diagnosing or predicting likelihood of a OSCC recurrence in a subject having undergone OSCC resection comprising: a) determining an expression level of one or more biomarkers selected from Table 4, 5 and / or 7, optionally MMP1, COL4A1, THBS2 and / or P4HA2 in a test sample from the subject, the one or more biomarkers comprising at least one of THBS2 and P4HA2, and b) comparing the expression level of the one or more biomarkers with a control, wherein a difference or a similarity in the expression level of the one or more biomarkers between the test sample and the control is used to diagnose or predict the likelihood of OSCC recurrence in the subject In particular, the present disclosure describes methods and compositions using a four-gene biomarker signature that can predict recurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma in subjects that have histologically normal surgical resection margins.

Apparatus and techniques to address problems associated with lead migration, patient movement or position, histological changes, neural plasticity or disease progression. Disclosed are techniques for implanting a lead having therapy delivery elements, such as electrodes or drug delivery ports, within a vertebral or cranial bone so as to maintain these elements in a fixed position relative to a desired treatment site. The therapy delivery elements may thereafter be adjusted in situ with a position control mechanism and / or a position controller to improve the desired treatment, such as electrical stimulation and / or drug infusion to a precise target. The therapy delivery elements may be positioned laterally in any direction relative to the targeted treatment site or toward or away from the targeted treatment site. A control system maybe provided for open- or closed-loop feedback control of the position of the therapy delivery elements as well as other aspects of the treatment therapy.

A system and method is provided for using ultrasound data backscattered from vascular tissue to estimate the transfer function of a catheter and / or substantially synchronizing the acquisition of blood-vessel data to an identifiable portion of heartbeat data. In one embodiment, a computing device and catheter acquire RF backscattered data from a vascular structure. The backscattered ultrasound data is then used to estimate at least one transfer function. The transfer function(s) can then be used to calculate response data for the vascular tissue. Another embodiment includes an IVUS console connected to a catheter and a computing device that acquires RF backscattered data from a vascular structure. Based on the backscattered data, the computing device estimates the catheter's transfer function and to calculate response data for the vascular tissue. The response data and histology data are then used to characterize at least a portion of the vascular tissue.

A solution for preservation and / or storage of a cell or tissue is described. This simple nonaqueous composition can have 10% polyethylene glycol and 90% methanol. It can be used at room temperature. Special chemicals, equipment, and techniques are not needed. Tissue preserved with and / or stored in the solution can be processed for cytology or histology, including chemical staining and / or antibody binding, by a variety of methods; antigen, DNA, and RNA can be extracted from processed tissue in high yield and with minimal or no degradation. Advantages of the solution include: economy and safety, easy access to archival material, and compatibility with both cellular and genetic analyses. The use and manufacture of the solution are also described.

The present invention relates to a method for the histologic classification of a tissue section. The method includes acquiring a mass spectrometric image and a light-optical image of the same tissue section (the optical image having a higher spatial resolution than the mass spectrometric image) and combining optical information on the structures of a subarea of the tissue section with mass spectrometric information on the subarea (the structures not being spatially resolved in the mass spectrometric image).

A tissue processor for processing tissue samples for histological analysis. The processor comprises two retorts, wax baths, reagent containers, a pump and valve. The vale distributes the reagent from one container to either retort. Separate reagent lines connect the wax baths to the retorts. A method of infiltrating a sample containing a reagent such as a dehydrating reagent like an alcohol, where the infiltrating material is heated to a temperature at or above the boiling point of the reagent, to boil off the reagent when the tissue sample is contacted by the infiltrating material. The pressure in the retort may be reduced to lower the boiling point of the reagent.

In a first aspect, a method for use in biology, histology, and pathology, comprises: providing a digital first image (44) of a first slice (12) of an object (10) comprising biological material; generating a digital second image (46) of a second slice (14) of the object; determining a region of interest (50) in the second image on the basis of a region of interest (48) in the first image; determining a region of interest in the second slice on the basis of the region of interest (50) in the second image; and extracting material from the region of interest in the second slice. In another aspect, an information processing system, for use in biology, histology and pathology, comprises: a predefined set of process identifiers (64); a set of data records (68, 70, 72) associated with an object (10) comprising biological material, wherein each of the data records comprises: a slice identifier identifying a slice (12; 14) of the object, and a process identifier selected from the set of process identifiers, the process identifier indicating a process to which the slice is intended to be subjected; a user interface (52, 56, 58, 60) for enabling a user to select a data record (68) from the set of data records.

Disclosed, among other things, is a computer device and computer-implemented method of classifying cells within an image of a tissue sample comprising providing the image of the tissue sample as input; computing nuclear feature metrics from features of nuclei within the image; computing contextual information metrics based on nuclei of interest with the image; classifying the cells within the image using a combination of the nuclear feature metrics and contextual information metrics.

One embodiment of techniques for confocal microscopy includes illuminating a spot on a surface of a biological sample. A first emission intensity from the spot is detected in a first range of optical properties; and a second emission intensity in a second range. A pixel that corresponds to the spot is colored using a linear combination of the first and second emission intensities. Sometimes, the pixel is colored to approximate a color produced by histology. In some embodiments, a surface of a sample is contacted with a solution of acridine orange. Then, a spot is illuminated with a laser beam of wavelength about 488 nanometers (nm). Fluorescence emission intensity is detected above about 500 nm. Sometimes, a certain illumination correction is applied. In some embodiments, a sample holder that compresses a sample is removable from a stage that is fixed with respect to a focal plane of the microscope.

Semiconductor nanoparticles are doped with paramagnetic ions to serve as dual-mode optical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. These nanoparticles can be constructed in smaller diameters than typical MRI agents. The dual-modality nature allows the particles to be used for in vivo imaging by MRI, and then followed by histology with optical imaging techniques.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide methods and systems for delineating cell nuclei and classifying regions of histopathology or microanatomy while remaining invariant to batch effects. These systems and methods can include providing a plurality of reference images of histology sections. A first set of basis functions can then be determined from the reference images. Then, the histopathology or microanatomy of the histology sections can be classified by reference to the first set of basis functions, or reference to human engineered features. A second set of basis functions can then be calculated for delineating cell nuclei from the reference images and delineating the nuclear regions of the histology sections based on the second set of basis functions.

Scanning and analysis of cytology and histology samples uses a flatbed scanner to capture images of the structures of interest such as tumor cells in a manner that results in sufficient image resolution to allow for the analysis of such common pathology staining techniques as ICC (immunocytochemistry), IHC (immunohistochemistry) or in situ hybridization. Very large volumes of such material are scanned in order to identify cells or clusters of cells which are positive or warrant more detailed examination, and if analysis at higher resolution is necessary, information regarding these positive events is transferred to a secondary microscope, such as a conventional scanning microscope, to allow further analysis and review of the selected regions of the slide containing the sample.

A container for storing a biological sample for molecular diagnostic testing and / or histological testing is provided. The container includes a first chamber for receiving a sample holder therein, a second chamber, and a closure for enclosing the container. A breakable membrane, such as a piercable foil, extends within the container and separates the two chambers. When the breakable membrane is broken, fluid can pass between the first and second chambers. The membrane may be broken through an activator on the closure, such as a depressible member or a rotatable carrier, causing the sample holder to break through the membrane.

An automatic tissue processor for processing tissue samples for histological analysis. The tissue processor in one configuration includes a retort chamber, a wax storage chamber holding multiple wax containers, a reagent storage chamber holding multiple reagent containers, and a fluid transporting system including a rotary valve operated by a Maltese Cross gear, for selectively connecting the retort chamber with a particular wax or reagent container to supply wax or reagents to the retort chamber. Differential heating of the wax chamber is accommodated by multiple heating elements, with indirect heating of the rotary valve and the fluid transporting system. A computerized central control system for automatic monitoring and control of such tissue processor is advantageously arranged to execute a reagent management program, which enables the central control system to automatically manage reagent usage and replacement.

The present invention related to methods and kits for evaluating the histology and prognosis of lung cancer by measuring expression levels of specific gene markers. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery of 99 genes that were found to be differentially expressed among lung cancer subtypes, 30 genes which correlate with a high risk, and 12 genes which correlate with a low risk, of cancer death within 12 months.

A convolutional neural network (CNN) is applied to identifying tumors in a histological image. The CNN has one channel assigned to each of a plurality of tissue classes that are to be identified, there being at least one class for each of non-tumorous and tumorous tissue types. Multi-stage convolution is performed on image patches extracted from the histological image followed by multi-stage transpose convolution to recover a layer matched in size to the input image patch. The output image patch thus has a one-to-one pixel-to-pixel correspondence with the input image patch such that each pixel in the output image patch has assigned to it one of the multiple available classes. The output image patches are then assembled into a probability map that can be co-rendered with the histological image either alongside it or over it as an overlay. The probability map can then be stored linked to the histological image.

A method is disclosed for reversing fixation-induced cross-linking in tissue specimens that have been preserved for histological examination. The method involves placing the fixed tissue in a liquid under elevated temperature and pressure conditions that are sufficient to reverse the fixation-induced cross-linking, restore antigenicity to proteins, and permit improved molecular and proteomic analysis of the preserved tissue specimen. Methods are also disclosed for processing tissues for histological examination under elevated pressure conditions that enhance the perfusion of liquid reagents into the tissue and reduce overall processing times.

The present invention is directed to a method in a computer system for individualizing a heartbeat signal for use as a biometric marker. The invention is carried out by acquiring a plurality of electronic heartbeat signals from an individual in an electronic signal form. The signals are measured to obtain an actual measurement of a plurality of variable features of the electronic signals relating to the heartbeats. The measurements are mathematically analyzed to provide the probability of divergence of each actual measurement. Using the calculated probability of divergence, subsequently received waveform measurements are analyzed for authentication purposes.

The present invention relates to methods and devices for predicting restenosis, and for treating atherosclerosis to prevent or reduce the incidence of restenosis. Methods of predicting restenosis in a stenosed peripheral artery may include quantitative histology of the vessel. For example, a method of treating a stenosed artery (and particularly a peripheral artery) may include the steps of determining a level of hypercellularity and one or more of the lipid-richness and extent of inflammatory cell inclusion in the tissue. An index of restenosis based on the hypercellularity and lipid richness and / or extent of inflammatory cell inclusion in the tissue may be determined. Systems for treating or preventing restenosis may include one or more imaging modalities for imaging tissue regions and determining the level of hypercellularity and one or more of the degree of lipid-richness and the extent of inflammatory cell inclusion in the tissue region.

Methods, devices, and systems are described herein that allow for improved sampling of tissue from remote sites in the body. A tissue sampling device comprises a handle allowing single hand operation. In one variation the tissue sampling device includes a blood vessel scanning means and tissue coring means to excise a histology sample from a target site free of blood vessels. The sampling device also includes an adjustable stop to control the depth of a needle penetration. The sampling device may be used through a working channel of a bronchoscope.

Frequent monitoring of early-stage burns is necessary for deciding optimal treatment and management. Superficial-partial thickness and deep-partial thickness burns, while visually similar, differ dramatically in terms of clinical treatment and are known to progress in severity over time. The disclosed method uses spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) far noninvasively mapping quantitative changes in chromophore and optical properties that may be an indicative of burn wound severity. A controlled protocol of graded burn severity is developed and applied to 17 rats. SFDI data is acquired at multiple near-infrared wavelengths over a course of 3 h. Burn severity is verified using hematoxylin and eosin histology. Changes in water concentration (edema), deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration, and optical scattering (tissue denaturation) are statistically significant measures, which are used to differentiate superficial partial-thickness burns from deep-partial thickness burns.

Improved systems and methods for tissue processing are described here. The chemical process and the construction of the apparatus are simplified by using only two different solutions in two separate reaction modules. They are compatible with processing of tissue specimens for genetic analysis, histology, in situ antibody binding and hybridization, archival preservation of morphology and nucleic acids, and combinations thereof.

A custom-made matrix suitable for receiving a tissue sample is described as well as the use thereof to obtain a multiplex histological preparation. The invention also relates to a multiplex biopsy array comprising tissue and / or cell samples arranged in a matrix material and to a method for the preparation of a multiplex biopsy array. Methods for preparing blocks of matrix material to be used in multiplex biopsy arrays are also described, as well as methods for loading biopsy samples in said blocks, and methods for treating and processing said blocks to form biopsy arrays. The biopsy arrays made using the block of matrix material can be used to prepare sections and slides for histological procedures, including quantitative analyses and parallel processing.