Image based correction for unwanted light signals in a specific region of interest

Abstract

A method for correcting the signal in an image having a plurality of regions of interest, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image having a plurality of regions of interest, these regions of interest having areas between them; (b) determining a region of correction between at least two regions of interest; (c) calculating a correction signal from the region of correction; and (d) using the correction signal to correct a measured signal from one or more regions of interest. This invention also provides a method for defining a region of correction for use in a method for correcting the signal in an image having a plurality of regions of interest, the defining method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image having a plurality of regions of interest; (b) extracting geometric information for a plurality of regions of interest; (c) selecting a location between at least two regions of interest; (d) selecting at least one parameter to describe regions of correction; and (e) constructing regions of correction between the at least two regions of interest.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates to a method for correcting signals detected by a detection system in a diagnostic instrument. [0003] 2. Discussion of the Art [0004] Raw images generated by a diagnostic instrument having a digital image sensor as a detector, such as, for example, the Applied Biosystems Prism 7000 diagnostic instrument, can exhibit an anomaly known as “cross-talk.” Cross-talk refers to the situation where a signal from a given location in the image (for example, a given well in a plate having a plurality of wells, e.g., a 96-well PCR plate), causes a variation in the signal at a different location in the image (for example, a different well in the plate having a plurality of wells). A specific region within an image associated with an independent signal is often referred to as a region of interest (alternatively referred to herein as ROI). Each ROI defines the specific pixels within the image associated with a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] The method of this invention can be used to measure a dynamically changing signal and the effect of the dynamically changing signal on a region of interest of a specific reaction. Correcting for the cross-talk inherent in a dynamically changing signal will greatly increase the sensitivity of the method of detection used in an assay employing such signals. The method of this invention does not affect the optical path of the light collected by a detector. The method can be applied directly to an image that is collected for all the regions of interest

[0020] By measuring the signals in the regions of correction, the signal anomaly due to cross-talk can be significantly reduced.

Problems solved by technology

All of these sources of variation can contribute to a dynamically changing error in the optical signal in a given region of interest of the image.

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