US6535624B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gel electrophoresis image combining for improved dynamic range
Assignee: Large Scale Proteomics Corp
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Filing: 1999-09-01
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Granted: 2003-03-18
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Expires: 2019-09-01
Abstract
Abstract A computer-implemented image processing method and apparatus for combining a plurality of gel electrophoresis images. The method includes the steps of fitting the gel electrophoresis pixel intensity values for a subject pixel to a mathematical function, computing from the mathematical function a pixel intensity value according to a predetermined rule, and inserting the pixel intensity value into the composite image. The apparatus includes an image capturing device, and a computer having a memory and communicating with the image capturing device, the computer capable of receiving and storing into the memory a plurality of gel electrophoresis images from the image capturing device, the computer being further capable of fitting a plurality of intensity values of a pixel to a mathematical function over time and computing an optimal pixel intensity value for use in the composite image.
Inventors
- 👤 John Taylor, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T3/00; G06T3/40; G06T3/4053
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A computer-implemented image processing method for increasing a dynamic range of a gel electrophoresis image by combining a plurality of gel electrophoresis images into one composite gel electrophoresis image, said method comprising the steps of: staining an electrophoresis gel scanning the electrophoresis gel repeatedly at different times during said staining step thereby creating a plurality of gel images corresponding to a single gel, the plurality of gel images showing the gel at different stages during the staining process; fitting gel electrophoresis pixel intensity values from the plurality of gel images corresponding to a protein spot to a mathematical function; computing from said mathematical function pixel intensity values according to a predetermined rule for the protein spot; and inserting the computed pixel intensity value into the composite image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A computer-implemented image processing method for increasing a dynamic range of a gel electrophoresis image by combining a plurality of gel electrophoresis images into one composite gel electrophoresis image, said method comprising the steps of: staining an electrophoresis gel scanning the electrophoresis gel repeatedly at different times during said staining step thereby creating a plurality of gel images corresponding to a single gel, the plurality of gel images showing the gel at different stages during the staining process; fitting gel electrophoresis pixel intensity values from the plurality of gel images corresponding to a protein spot to a mathematical function; computing from said mathematical function pixel intensity values according to a predetermined rule for the protein spot; and inserting the computed pixel intensity value into the composite image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image-improvement method of claim 1 , wherein said fitting, computing, and inserting steps are performed for each pixel of a plurality of protein spots present in the gel images for insertion into said composite gel electrophoresis image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The image-improvement method of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of gel images are obtained at irregular time intervals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The image-improvement method of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of gel images were taken at different exposure levels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The image-improvement method of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of gel images were taken at different sample concentrations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The image-improvement method of claim 1 , wherein said electrophoresis gel is a two-dimensional electrophoresis gel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The image-improvement method of claim 1 , wherein said predetermined rule of said computing step includes computing an intensity value based on the maximum slope.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The image-improvement method of claim 1 , wherein said predetermined rule of said computing step includes computing a value of said mathematical function at a reference time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The image-improvement method of claim 1 , wherein said predetermined rule of said computing step includes computing a maximum slope from the pixel intensity values without fitting to a mathematical function.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The image-improvement method of claim 1 , wherein pixels in said plurality of gel images are stored as an array of pixel intensity values.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The image-improvement method of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of gel images are taken of gels subjected to a protein separation procedure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The image-improvement method of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of gel images are from a nucleic acid separation procedure.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-03-17 | 2006-09-16 | 2007-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-17 | 2010-09-16 | 2011-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-17 | 2014-09-16 | 2015-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |