Abstract

A device is described for obtaining counting and calculating stereological data. The device includes a number of separate counters each of which can be used to accumulate the numerical value of a point count or intersect count made using a test system typically in the form of a matrix of perpendicular lines superimposed over a display of the field to be analysed.The apparatus provides for enlarged real images of the specimen which may be on film or a microscope slide, to be formed on a frosted glass screen on which a test pattern is visible.First computing means is provided for computing from information relating to the test system the numerical values of constants required by a second computing means to convert the numerical values of point or interest counts into numerical values of different parameters of the specimen.A selector is provided in conjunction with each counter to allow selection of the parameter to be computed from the numerical value of the count in that counter and digital displays are provided for giving a continuous read out of the mean and relative standard deviation of a series of calculated values of each parameter.An additional digital read out device is provided for indicating the number of separate calculations performed.The test pattern is formed from a file overlay or is projected onto the screen with the image from a cathode ray tube and pattern generator. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThis application is a continuation-in-part of Parent Application Ser. No. 530,535, filed Dec. 9, 1974, now abandoned the subject matter of which is incorporated in its entirely herein.