Cytological screening method

摘要

A method and apparatus is provided, whereby the level of an intracellular analyte in a cell containing sample may be determined. The apparatus is comprised of a microscope with an X-Y stage, a video camera, a computer adapted to receive video images from the video camera, and a software program for controlling the apparatus in accordance with the method. The method provided performs digital image processing so as to cause undesired features of a video image obtained by the video camera to be diminished, while desired features are emphasized. A measurement of optical densities of desired features may then be used to determine the level of intracellular analyte.