Analysis of multi-dimensional confocal images

A confocal image understanding system was developed which used the blackboard model of problem solving to achieve computerized identification and characterization of confocal fluorescent images (serial optical sections). The system is capable of identifying a large percentage of structures (e.g. cell nucleus) in the presence of background noise and non specific staining of cellular structures. The blackboard architecture provides a convenient framework within which a combination of image processing techniques can be applied to successively refine the input image. The system is organized to find the surfaces of highly visible structures first, using simple image processing techniques and then to adjust and fill in the missing areas of these object surfaces using external knowledge, and a number of more complex image processing techniques when necessary. The system provides a powerful tool in the fields of material science and biological research such as micro-structural characterization, morphogenesis, cell differentiation, tissue organization and embryo development.