Transformation of digital images

Abstract

In general, the invention consists of a means for staining a sample with a fluorescent dye, a means for producing a darkfield image of the fluorescent stained sample, and a means of transforming an image of a sample stained with one or more darkfield dyes into an image stained with one or more brightfield dyes for examination on a computer monitor. The process includes applying a digital lookup table or other computational means in order to convert the darkfield data to brightfield forms, and a means of displaying said transformed information. Preferably, the imaging means is a block face microscope, and the means for transforming the images is a digital computer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An image production method comprising: 
 a) producing a first image of a sample; and    c) using a digital processor to convert said first image to an image that mimics a brightfield image of said sample.    
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein said first image is produced using a block-face microscope.  
     
     
         3 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein said converting of said first image to said second image comprises applying a lookup table to said first image.  
     
     
         4 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein said sample comprises two fluorescent components.  
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein said sample is a biological sample.  
     
     
         6 . An image production method comprising: 
 a) producing a first image of a sample and a second image of said sample; and    c) using a digital processor to convert said first and second images to a third image that mimics a brightfield image of said sample.    
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 6   , wherein said first and second images are produced using a block-face microscope.