Multiresolution Autofocusing for Automated Cytogenetics

该项目的目标是开发创新的数字显微镜自动聚焦技术，用于自动细胞遗传学应用。基于小波变换的数学理论，提出了一种新的多分辨率图像分析方法用于焦点测量和检测。与目前可用的单分辨率技术相比，该方法克服了它们的基本局限性，并承诺以更准确、可靠和更快的方式计算和确定图像采集的焦点图像位置。这将显著提高临床和癌症细胞遗传学应用的自动扫描显微镜仪器的能力和功效。在第一阶段，我们将根据其在荧光显微镜中的应用来研究所提出方法的可行性。我们将开发并实现多分辨率聚焦函数计算和聚焦位置确定的算法和软件。我们将测试和评估新方法与当前表现最好的算法，通过比较(1)准确性；(2)范围;(3)对其他参数不敏感；(4)速度。如果新方法取得了优异的性能，在第二阶段，该技术将进一步发展并扩展到明场显微镜应用。完全开发后，新技术将提供给应用成像公司（AIC），用于集成到PowerGene细胞遗传学自动化产品中。拟议的商业应用：一旦新技术被开发出来并符合常规应用条件，它们将提供给AIC，纳入细胞遗传学自动化设备的PowerGene产品线，无论是在销售的新系统中，还是作为细胞遗传学实验室中已经使用的现有系统的升级，从而迅速实现技术的商业化。

The goal of this project is to develop innovative digital microscope autofocusing techniques for automated cytogenetics applications. We propose a novel multi-resolution image analysis approach to focus measurement and detection, based on the recently developed mathematical theory of wavelet transform. In comparison to currently available single-resolution techniques, the proposed method overcomes their fundamental limitations and promises considerably more accurate, reliable and faster means to compute and determine in-focus image position for image acquisition. This will significantly increase the ability and efficacy of automated scanning microscope instruments for clinical and cancer cytogenetics applications. In Phase 1 we will investigate the feasibility of the proposed method based on its utilization in fluorescence microscopy. We will develop and implement the algorithm and software for multi-resolution focus function computation and in-focus position determination. We will test and evaluate the new method against the current best-performing algorithms by comparing (1) Accuracy; (2) Range; (3) Insensitivity to other parameters; and (4) Speed. If the new approach achieves superior performance, in Phase 2 the technique will be further developed and extended to bright-field microscopy applications. When fully developed, the new technology will be made available to Applied Imaging (AIC) for integration into the PowerGene cytogenetics automation products. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: As soon as the new techniques are developed and qualified for routine application, they will be made available to AIC for incorporation into the PowerGene product line of cytogenetics automation equipment, both in new systems sold and as an upgrade to existing systems already in use in cytogenetics labs, thus commercializing the technology quickly.