CYTOLOGICAL SPECIMEN ANALYSIS SYSTEM WITH PRESCREENING AND GENERATION OF VIEWING PATH INFORMATION

A cytological specimen analyzer includes an image capture apparatus, a mapper an d a screening station. The mapper receives digital images of regions of a slide cont aining a cytological specimen and determines if each of the regions contains cytological material. The mapper analyzes the image of each region, pixel by pixel, and if the region cont ains cytological material then the coordinates of the region are stored along with a focal positi on for the region and a value indicative of the amount of cytological material in the region. Upon analysis of each region on the slide, the mapper determines the most efficient path to be travele d between regions containing cytological material to minimize the viewing time of an operator at t he screening station. Upon request by the screening station, the sequence of the aforesaid co ordinates, which is indicative of the most efficient path, are transmitted to the screening stati on.