ANALYSIS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BIOLOGICAL SPECIMENS

A method and apparatus are provided for selecting and analyzing a subpopulation of cells or cell objects for a certain parameter such as DNA, estrogen, and then measuring the selected cells. The observer in real time views a field of cells and then gates for selection based on the morphological criteria those cells that have the visual parameter such as colored DNA or colored antigen into a subpopulation that is to be measured. The selected cells are examined by digital image processing and are measured for a parameter such as a true actual measurement of DNA in picograms. A quantitation of the measured parameter is generated and provided.