Automated clinical system for chromosome analysis

摘要

An automatic chromosome analysis system is provided wherein a suitably prepared slide with chromosome spreads thereon is placed on the stage of an automated microscope. The automated microscope stage is computer operated to move the slide to enable detection of chromosome spreads on the slide. The X and Y location of each chromosome spread that is detected is stored. At the conclusion of this searching operation, the computer directs the microscope to again sequence through the chromosome spread locations in response to the stored X and Y locations. At this time an operator can view these spreads to determine which ones are worthwhile and which ones are not. He is provided with an accept-reject switch. The microscope stage thereafter again sequences through only the accepted chromosome spreads, and this time a digital photograph of each of the chromosome spreads is made and entered into the computer storage. The computer thereafter measures the chromosomes in a spread, classifies them by group or by type and also prepares a digital karyotype image. This image is converted to analog form, displayed and printed out and constitutes a primary output of the system. Chromosome measurement data is filed in an interactive data base for subsequent statistical analysis. The computer system can also prepare a patient report summarizing the result of the analysis and listing suspected abnormalities.