Cell detection workflow

You can automatically detect, count and map cells in images.

Procedure

1. Open an image OR acquire an image and save it.

   The image must be saved for cell detection to work.

2. Click Trace>Detect cells to open the Cell Detection workflow.
3. Follow the workflow's steps.
   Steps Details...

   Step 1: Image geometry

   Select the appropriate type.

   Step 2: Setup

   Detect in image planes

   Select the current section or a range of sections to apply detection.

   Use image regions

   Not available for image stacks or images in virtual mode.

   Use Region(s) of Interest: Check the box to enable the Select and Draw buttons.

   Select ROIs: Use existing contours.

   1. Click contours to select them. Each contour selected is displayed within a white box.
   2. Click continue in the left panel when satisfied with your selection.

   Draw/Edit ROIs: Trace contours to define your ROIs.

   1. Trace contours in the Tracing window.
   2. Click Continue in the left panel when all contours have been traced.

   Step 3: Preview

   Detection

   Channel: Select the appropriate channel. If you select Adjusted display image under image source, the channel is automatically set to Adj. image.

   Preset: Select a preset to apply the same parameters to multiple images. If there are no presets, you'll have the opportunity to save the parameters for this detection when you finalize the detection (Step 4).

   About presets

   Saving or deleting presets

   1. Click Presets and select Edit Presets (see about Presets below).
   2. In the Save/Update window:
      • Type a name for the preset, and then click Save.

      OR

      • Select an existing preset and click Delete.
        

   Markers/preview: Select a color that contrasts well with the image data to be used for the detection markers and for the centers of the cells that are being detected.

   Image modality

   Select the correct modality.

   Image source

   original image: No changes to how the image appears.

   Image Adjustment result: Modify the Histogram in Image Adjustment to optimize the display for detection. If you select this option, the channel is automatically set to Adj. image.

   Parameters

   Set an approximate diameter size for the largest and smallest cells to be detected (enter a value or use the Measure buttons) then click Preview.

   Run preview detection on displayed image area: Detection is restricted to the portion of the image displayed in the tracing window for a quicker preview.

   Slider: Drag the slider for an instantaneous preview. The higher the value, the more background noise is removed.

   Step 4: Filter and finalize

   Detection

   Defined in Step 3.

   Strength filter

   1. Click Detect.
   2. A histogram is displayed. Drag the red and the black bars to modify the size range for the cells and refine the filter.
   3. Once you're satisfied, click Finalize to see a preview.
   4. If you're satisfied with the detection, you also have the option to save the detection parameters as a preset.
      1. Click Presets and select Edit Presets.
      2. In the Save/Update window, type a name for the preset, then click Save
   5. Close the workflow.

    

    

See Outline objects, Mark objects