SlideJ: An ImageJ plugin for automated processing of whole slide images

PLoS One. 2017 Jul 6;12(7):e0180540. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180540. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

The digital slide, or Whole Slide Image, is a digital image, acquired with specific scanners, that represents a complete tissue sample or cytological specimen at microscopic level. While Whole Slide image analysis is recognized among the most interesting opportunities, the typical size of such images-up to Gpixels- can be very demanding in terms of memory requirements. Thus, while algorithms and tools for processing and analysis of single microscopic field images are available, Whole Slide images size makes the direct use of such tools prohibitive or impossible. In this work a plugin for ImageJ, named SlideJ, is proposed with the objective to seamlessly extend the application of image analysis algorithms implemented in ImageJ for single microscopic field images to a whole digital slide analysis. The plugin has been complemented by examples of macro in the ImageJ scripting language to demonstrate its use in concrete situations.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Automation*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Microscopy / methods

Grants and funding

The work was partially supported and funded by the EU FP7 program, AIDPATH project, grant number 612471. There was no additional external funding received for this study. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.