Innovative Solutions

The karyotyping system Ikaros handles also chromosomes from plants and animals, and has an integrated karyogram form editor.

The rodent erythrocyte micronucleus assay can be completely automated with Metafer MetaCyte. Imaging automation of this test is OECD compliant.

The Comet assay can be either automatically analyzed with CometScan, or interactively with CometImager.

With VSlide virtual slides of highest quality are prepared - automatically, flexible, and easy.

MetaCyte automatically detects sperm cells in forensic samples. Position data, an image, and reliablity values are stored for further inspection.

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Finding Metaphases

(Metafer MSearch)

MSearch reliably detects metaphases of any origin based on user-trainable classifiers. Slide specific search parameters such as search window size or detection sensitivity are read in from bar code labels. Results are summarized in a convenient metaphase gallery, and each single metaphase can be relocated with a simple click of the mouse.

Fast Metaphase Finder
Training Software Included
Metaphase Quality Scores
Mitotic Indices
Clone Detection

A typical G-banded slide is scanned in less than 3 minutes. Each results file is immediately saved after finishing the scan of this particular slide and is immediately available for analysis even while the next slides are still processed.
Metafer MSearch supports a variety of staining methods, including R-bands, Q-bands, fluorescent R-bands, DAPI bands, and many more. The convenient classifier training software (included) helps to customize the detection and the quality assignment to your preferences.
Each metaphase receives a quality score based on the classifier settings. This facilitates cell ranking by quality and to select suitable metaphases for analysis. Additionally, while the system is scanning, mitotic indices (e.g. for growth media checkups) are obtained automatically.
The new, extended function to define regions on a slide can be used to either mark clones on a slide interactively, or to let the system detect them automatically after a scan. Regions or clones are then visualized in the slide preview. Each clone receives a designation which is tracked through all further analysis steps. Once the regions are defined, the number of metaphases and nuclei within each region is stored. It is then easy to select and display metaphases from a certain region, or even to ask AutoCapt to capture only metaphases from defined regions. The region number is automatically assigned to each metaphase, and is of course also transferred to Ikaros.

Relocating Metaphases

(AutoCapt and ReloSys)

Once the metaphases are detected, they have to be analyzed - for example with the karyotyping system Ikaros. But usually it is not very convenient to use the slide scanning system for the analysis work. Depending on the workload Metafer may be busy scanning most of the day, and it would be a waste to block it with analysis work. MetaSystems offers several possibilities to outsource the analysis, and to make scanning data available on remote systems.

AutoCapt: Automated Image Acquisition
Automated Immersion Oil Application
Image Enhancement

The AutoCapt upgrade independently adds immersion oil to the slides, and captures high quality images of all selected metaphases. Images are immediately available for analysis on any karyotyping system in the network - even while the next slides are still being captured.
Fluorescently stained metaphases are captured as easily as Brightfield images: Q-banded or R-banded specimen, and also FISH, or mFISH samples can be used. Metaphase data (coordinates, slide designations, case name, etc.) are stored within the image file and transferred to the analysis system. Highly efficient image enhancement assures maximum metaphase image quality.

ReloSys: Remote Metaphase Relocation
One-Slide or Four-Slides Motorized Stage

Many labs prefer to load the scanning results to one or more remote relocation systems (ReloSys). ReloSys systems are equipped with a one- or four-slide motorized stage and have direct access to Metafer's scanning data. Once a file is loaded, the gallery of detected objects is shown, and relocation of positions is just as easy as on the main Metafer system. Whilst the analysis of metaphases is done, Metafer already scans the next batch of slides. ReloSys is available with or without camera, and can be adapted to existing microscopes.

Increasing the Throughput

(SlideFeeder, Barcode Reader, and Immersion Oil Application)

Any Metafer system can be equipped with the SlideFeeder, a robotic system to feed slide trays to the scanning stage. The new SlideFeeder x80 handles complete trays holding 5 slides each. This principle avoids errors due to irregularly shaped slides, and increases the exchange speed remarkably. There is no requirement to use special mounting media or slide preparation procedures. Up to 880 slides, organized in 11 handy slide magazines, can be exchanged automatically.

If the SlideFeeder is used, reading barcodes is the method of choice to even more increase the degree of automation. Metafer supports a variety of standards, including 2D barcodes. The labels are read using the camera and a low magnification objective lens, and no other additional hardware is needed.

Metaphase finding is usually done with a dry objective, whereas the images are acquired with an immersion oil objective. Therefore it is convenient to have immersion oil applied to the slides automatically after the search. MetaSystems offers a revolutionary oiling device for Metafer, which uses microscope hardware to dispense the oil on the slides.

The combination of Metafer with the SlideFeeder, the barcode reader, and the immersion oil dispenser assures an unrivaled degree of automation.

Using the Metafer system in routine tumor cytogenetics allows a significantly shorter turnaround time. In addition quality is increased, as more metaphases can be captured, and even small clones are detected.
PD Dr. med. Claudia Haferlach
MLL Münchner Leukämielabor GmbH, Munich, Germany
www.mll-online.com

Analysis

(Ikaros Karyotyping System and Isis FISH Imaging System)

Once metaphases are found and relocated, and images were automatically acquired, they can be easily transferred to analysis stations for karyotyping and FISH analysis. With the Ikaros karyotyping system and the Isis FISH imaging system on-screen analyses are easy, fast, and straightforward. Time is a crucial factor for routine cytogenetic diagnostics, as there is a strong demand to shorten case turnover times. Both, Ikaros and Isis are therefore designed to be the fastest systems available.

The remarkably streamlined software architecture, direct access to all functions with minimal user interaction, and unique image acquisition and enhancement tools help to achieve this goal. Metaphase images acquired with Metafer or Ikaros excel in quality due to the unique combination of a high-resolution CCD camera and a variety of dedicated software tools. The latter include automated contrast adjustment, a focusing aid to help find the best focus image, and a convenient, yet comprehensive banding enhancement filter, which is simply applied with the mouse.

Isis supports up to 12 color channels and allows the user to easily switch between different fluorochrome combinations. Global settings files (’experiment types’) contain all necessary parameters required to adjust the system to another sample - including the fluorochromes used, the automated image enhancement algorithms, the look-up tables for false color display, and more.

Documentation

(Patient Data, MetaServer, and MetaClient)

Part of any Ikaros or Isis system is the patient datasheet, with which it is possible to enter and retrieve details of the patient, the case, and the results. The datasheet is fully customizable, and the information entered is automatically stored together with the images. Any data entry can be used for reporting, and report templates can be freely composed of text and images. A flexible importing and exporting function allows for exchanging images and data with external databases or other third-party software.

MetaClient is the dashboard of any Ikaros and Isis installation. Here, not only can you get an easy overview of the cases in the network, but you can also sort and filter data to generate comprehensive statistic reports. MetaClient is connected to MetaServer, a small piece of software that does the background indexing of all data created by any Ikaros or Isis system. Hence, MetaServer will also provide the information required for the convenient and automated archiving of data to secure changeable storage media.

XCyting DNA Probes

(FISH, mFISH, mBAND, and Locus Specific Probes)

Since 1986 MetaSystems manufactures premium systems for microscopic image analysis. In the years after the successful launch of the renowned FISH imaging system Isis the company collected extensive experience with the application of fluorescence in-situ hybridization to cytogenetics and other fields of work. In 1997, MetaSystems decided to establish its own probe kit department, and as a first product the multicolor FISH probe kit 24XCyte for human chromosomes was lauched.

The outstanding quality of this first probes product and the convenient analysis tools provided by Isis generated a remarkable success, which initiated the extension of the probe kit portfolio to the comprehensive product range available today.

In 1999 MetaSystems was awarded research funds from the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for the development of the mBAND high resolution multi-fluorochrome chromosome banding technique. In the same year XCP conventional chromosome painting kits were established, followed by arm-specific chromosome painting kits.

With the growing demand for imaging automation and the increasing success of the Metafer slide scanning platform unattended analysis of interphase FISH samples became more and more important. In 2008 therefore MetaSystems decided to introduce XL, a new probe kits range for hematology assays (not for the US market).