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Regions of Interest

Many stereological probes that use systematic random scans throughout regions larger than one field of view require the identification of a region of interest (ROI).

Mapping a region of interest

Mapping a single region by tracing a contour around it is a simple task.

Make sure that the objective lens you are using is selected in the lens selection pane on the Main toolbar.

If you are using a video camera, make sure that the live video image of your slide appears on the computer screen. If not, click Acquisition>Live Image.

  1. Select a contour name from the contour drop-down menu in the Trace ribbon..
  2. Click to select a reference point.
  3. Move the mouse cursor and click any location along the edge of the region.
  4. Move the mouse and click the successive points along the perimeter of the region of interest. If you are using Continuous tracing mode, you may keep the left button pressed while moving the mouse.
  5. If the region of interest extends beyond the field of view, click Move>AutoMove, so that Stereo Investigator moves the stage and the tracing simultaneously as you trace towards the edge of the screen. This automatically moves more of the region of interest into the current field of view.
  6. Once you have finished tracing the contour, click the Close Contour button on the Main toolbar, or right-click Close Contour. This automatically connects the last point traced to the first point traced. The area and perimeter of the contour is automatically calculated using geometry, this is a biased measurement. Click the Contour Measurements button to view the results in the Contour Measurements window. While tracing a contour, the distance separating sequential points along the perimeter is up to you. It can be variable, with relatively large distances separating points along reasonably straight segments and short distances separating points at highly curved locations. Point separation also can be constant, or as nearly so as you can manage by eye. Constant point separation may be maintained by setting the circular cursor to a specified radius. Then tracing a new point only when the outer edge of the circular cursor lies over the previously traced point.