Estimating Cell Count and Distribution in Labeled Histological Samples Using Incremental Cell Search
Figure 3
Step-by-step overview of ICS. (a) A slice sample using DAB staining under brightfield microscopy. (b) The original image after color filtering. (c) The diffuse edge detection buffer. (d) Expansion region after the first search iteration, with the initial seed placed at the center of the image (the green dot). The red outline in (d) (the border of the expansion region) illustrates the edges from where future seed points will be chosen. Figures (e) and (f) show the expansion regions after the second and third iterations, respectively. The new seed shown in (e) (the orange dot) was located on the red outline in (d), and the new seed shown in (f) (the blue dot) was located on the red outline in (e). (g) shows the result after all the expansions have taken place. (h) shows the positive cell location markers placed on the image once the algorithm ends; where two markers appeared in close proximity, the algorithm has detected two adjacent cells.
