The Principles of Clinical Cytogenetics - Extra Materials - Springer

Automation in the Cytogenetics Laboratory 123
Fig. 8. An example of karyotyping software. The original metaphase is in the upper right. (Courtesy of
Applied Imaging.)
(see Fig. 9). Based on several parameters, the system images metaphase spreads (fluorescent or
brightfield) and presents them to the user for review and analysis (see Fig. 10).
Key factors for a metaphase finding system are the ability to recognize appropriate metaphases or
cells, accuracy of relocation to a metaphase of interest, speed of scanning, and sensitivity (the percentage
of metaphase cells found by the system).
Software features important for metaphase finding include the following:
• Definition of rare event classification parameters to ensure optimum scan results. The user can
define the parameters that are utilized by the system to identify the rare event.
• Ability to quickly relocate to a metaphase or rare cell for review.
• Sort function to organize metaphases or cells after scanning based on specific parameters.
Because of the general nature of the scanning system, it can also be used in other applications that
require scanning for particular cells (rare events), such as FISH spot counting (see below) for detection
of tumor cells in body fluids.
Laboratories are using scanning systems more and more for streamlining their workflows. The
systems are set up to continuously scan slides for metaphases or rare events while technologists
are analyzing the detected metaphases or cells on remote review stations. This increases throughput
while using the technologists’ time where it is most valuable: analyzing cases.