Importance

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Abstract

A network system for review and analysis of computer encoded microscope slides and specimens which were originally computer encoded from a microscope (attached via an encoder device to a local computer site), during an initial examination. The encoding includes parameters of viewing locations and events of interest on the slide, with such information being stored on a networked file server. The encoding also includes information regarding the manner in which the initial examination was conducted, for quality control purposes. The computer encoded information is retrievable at all remote locations of the network (either local or connected via modem) for supervisor review or for pathologist analysis. The network is further constituted by microscope sites having similar computer encoding devices attached thereto, which function, in this aspect, as computer terminals of the network. For enhanced analysis, the computer terminals have direct access to patient background information, e.g., such as from an HIS (hospital information system) for simultaneous slide analysis review in relation to the medical history of the patient. For diagnostic support, the computer terminals are networked with an on-line library of cell type images for comparison with the slide being examined. Slide diagnosis is either directly with the original slide on the microscope or with a scanned image of the slide stored in the network server or CD-ROM and retrieved on the computer terminal. The microscope is optionally motor driven, with computer control, to re-scan slides or slide images only at designated sites.

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First Claim