Abstract
A prototype system of automated reticulocyte counting has been developed. The count is performed on a separated slide on which cells are stained supravitally in the new methylene blue solution. The reticulocyte counting system consists of an optical microscope with high-speed stage, stage controller, autofocusing unit, image input unit with color TV camera, A/D converter, special purpose image processor and a minicomputer. It is important in reticulocyte counting that the number of reticulocyte be few, and, therefore, that no normal red blood cells be erroneously taken as reticulocytes. For reticulocyte detection, we found some useful and simple feature parameters of substantia granulofilamentosa of reticulocyte. Experiments yielded good results using 11 sample slides including about 2 000 red blood cells consisting of normal red blood cells, reticulocytes, cells with defect and other cells. Discriminating rate of normal red blood cells has been better than 99. 9%, and discriminating rate of reticulocytes has been better than 90%. This system performs not only reticulocyte counting but also Heilmeyer's classification of reticulocytes.
