Image analysis – Applications – Biomedical applications
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-30
2004-10-05
Ahmed, Samir (Department: 2623)
Image analysis
Applications
Biomedical applications
C702S019000, C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06801644
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image display method and an image display apparatus for displaying, using a display unit such as a CRT, at least one image and a table which indicates results of measurement performed in the image in the form of a plurality of lists. For example, the image is obtained by detecting a material of biological origin on an array chip which is provided for DNA analysis, immunological analysis, or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recent development in gene engineering technology has been remarkable. Such development in the gene engineering technology is enabling, for example, the human genome project which is attempting to unravel all of the base sequences of the human genome, although the total number of genes in the human genome are considered to be in the order of hundreds of thousands. In addition, in order to clarify causes of various genetic diseases, research on DNA is progressing rapidly.
On the other hand, various techniques utilizing antigen-antibody reactions, such as the fluorescent antibody method, enzyme immunoassay, and the like, are used for diagnosis and study.
In particular, one of the techniques which is used in research on DNA and is currently receiving attention is the so-called array technology.
In the array technology, an array chip
1
as illustrated in
FIG. 1
is used. The array chip
1
is produced by two-dimensionally and densely arraying a great number of different, specific binding materials on a support
2
. The specific binding materials are known materials, and are for example, complementary DNAs, i.e., cDNAs. The support
2
is, for example, a membrane filter, a slide glass, or the like. The DNA chip is a typical example of the array chip.
For example, the array (DNA) chips are used as follows.
A first cDNA derived from cells of healthy person is labeled with a labeling material such as a fluorescent dye, a radioactive isotope, or the like. In addition, a second cDNA derived from cells of a genetically diseased person is labeled with the labeling material. On the other hand, first and second array chips are provided, where the same sets of a plurality of different cDNAs are arrayed on the first and second array chips. Then, the first and second labeled sample cDNAs are respectively placed on the first and second array chips so that the first and second cDNAs hybridize with those on the first and second array chips, respectively. Thereafter, each of the first and second array chips are scanned by laser light to excite the labeling material, and fluorescent light or radiation emitted from the respective cDNAs is detected by a photodetector to obtain a label signal which represents detection results corresponding to respective emission positions (spot positions) on each of the first and second array chips. Based on the label signals obtained from the first and second array chips, it is possible to determine which of the first and second cDNAs hybridizes with each cDNA. Then, the amount of the first cDNA which hybridizes with each cDNA on an array chip, and the amount of the second cDNA which hybridizes with each cDNA on another array chip are compared by obtaining a difference or a ratio between the label signals obtained from the respective array chips. Based on the comparison results, it is possible to identify a varied cDNA (a cDNA increased or lost which may be related to a genetic disease). Such a cDNA can be found by viewing two images represented by the above label signals, as printed images or displayed images.
In addition, the above ratio increases with the degree of gene expression. Therefore, if, for example, the fifty greatest ratios are output in decreasing order, with the corresponding spot positions, in the form of a table of measurement results, it is possible to see which genes are expressed most by obtaining the spot position based on the table of measurement results, and it seems to be possible to confirm that the gene is likely to be expressed in the images displayed based on the label signals.
However, in practice, the number of the spots on an array chip is at least five hundred, and some array chips have tens of thousands of spots. Therefore, it is very difficult to find a spot position corresponding to a measurement result, by a visual search of the displayed images.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide an image display method and an image display apparatus whereby an operator can easily recognize a local image of a measurement spot corresponding to a measurement result.
In order to accomplish the above-mentioned object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image display method including the steps of (a) displaying a measurement result table including a plurality of lists each of which is obtained from at least two corresponding measurement spots in at least two images, where the at least two corresponding measurement spots belong to the at least two images, respectively, so that the at least two images each include a plurality of measurement spots which respectively correspond to a plurality of measurement spots in every other one of the at least two images; (b) receiving an instruction to select one of the plurality of lists in the measurement result table; and (c) selectively displaying a portion of each of the at least two images so that the portion contains one of the plurality of measurement spots which corresponds to the one of the plurality of lists.
That is, each measurement result is obtained from a set of corresponding measurement spots in the at least two images, and each list is produced corresponding to a set of corresponding measurement spots in the at least two images. The above measurement result table can be formed by arranging the above plurality of lists in rows in a predetermined order.
The image may be in a form of he obtained image itself or a pseudo color image which is represented by difference in density of color changed in the measurement spots according to the measurement result or represented by difference in general density of color between different images.
According to the image display method of the first aspect of the present invention, the operator can select, in step (b), a desired list from the measurement result table displayed in step (a). In response to the selection, the portions containing the measurement spots in the at least two images corresponding to the selected list are automatically displayed in step (c). Therefore, the operator can efficiently confirm the measurement results referring to the images (the above portions) of the corresponding measurement spots.
In addition, it is possible to display the images (the above described portions) of the corresponding measurement spots and the measurement result table at the same time in a display screen. In this case, the image display method facilitates the operator's confirmation more effectively.
In step (c) of the above image display method according to the first aspect of the present invention, the above described portions may include only the image of the measurement spot corresponding to the list which is selected in accordance with the instruction received in step (b). Alternatively, the above described portions may include a peripheral image around the measurement spot, in addition to the image of the measurement spot per se. Since the corresponding measurement spot exists in each of the above-mentioned at least two images, the images of all of the corresponding measurement spots are displayed at the same time in step (c).
The above image display method according to the first aspect of the present invention may further comprise the following additional features.
(1) In the above image display method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in step (c), a mark indicating the measurement spot corresponding to the list which is selected in accordance with the received instruction or a mark indicating the selected list may be displayed in
Ogura Nobuhiko
Shibata Hiromi
Ahmed Samir
Bhatnagar Anand
Fuji Photo Film Co. , Ltd.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for selectively displaying measurement... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for selectively displaying measurement..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for selectively displaying measurement... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3283428