Systematic multi-demensional analysis on microscopic images of serially sectioned specimens using a computerized image recognition method

最终的目标是获得合适的三维图像，以应用于肛门直肠畸形、先天性膈疝等复杂的发育过程的胚胎学分析。为此，我们开发了一套系统，利用系统图像识别方法从一系列连续切片的显微镜标本中制作三维图像。为了获得准确和有效的三维图像重建，重要的问题是1)连续切片的特异体的共轴的调整，2)从靶器官中提取各种形式的器官，3)从2-D组织形式中推测最合适的三维空间中的器官结构。我们针对每个问题制定了最合适的措施，并完成了系统。由于一些算法仍然需要巨大的计算器质量和数量，它们在现阶段并不完全实用。新设计的系统实际应用于分析肛门直肠器官的胚胎发育和导致肛门直肠畸形的异常过程。对10枚26~44周龄的猪胚胎进行连续切片，每组418~725枚。因此，通过大量的三维图像分析，泄殖腔钢板的重要性被认识到。通过对盆底提上肌、外、内括约肌三个维度的分析，得出泄殖腔靠近尾沟的部分缺损性是导致各种类型肛门直肠畸形的原因。作为研究结果，各种缺陷被清晰而准确地显示出来。

The final goal was to have proper 3-D images for the application of embryological analysis on the complicated developmental course of ano-rectal malformations, congenital diaphragmatic hernia etc. For this purpose we developed a system to manufacture 3-D images from a series of successively sectioned microscopic specimens using the systematic image recognition method.For getting the precise and effective 3-D image reconstruction, the important problems are 1)an ajustment of the common axis of serially sectioned specipens, 2)an extraction of various forms from the target organs and 3)a conjecture of the most suitable organ structure in 3-D space from 2-D tissue forms. We developed the most suitable measure to each of those problems and completed the system. As some of the algorisms still require tremendous calculator quality and quantity, they are not fully practical at the present stage. Much is expected for the further calculator development in the future.The newly devised system was actually applied for analysing the embryologcal development of ano-rectal organs and the abnormal process to result ano-rectal malformations. Ten pig embryos of 26 to 44 gestational age was serially sectioned (418 to 725 sectionsin each) . As a result, the importance of the cloacal plate was recognized in the analysis with the numerous 3-D images. The partial defect of cloacal plate close to the tail groove was concluded to be a defective cause producing various type of ano-rectal malformations.Levator muscles of pelvic floor, and external and internal ano-rectal sphincteric muscles were analyzed three dementionally. Various defects were clearly and precisely demonstrated as the study results.