Applied Imaging Corp has received an additional U.S. patent for the detection of objects of interest through the analysis of multiple microscopic images. Representative objects of interest include rare cancer cells in tissue and blood, or fetal cells in circulating maternal blood. This patent further protects techniques developed by the Company and available in its clinical imaging systems to detect and analyze these targeted cells using brightfield or fluorescence microscopy.

The specific technology protected by this patent enables the analysis of multiple cellular proteins or genes within a cell. Combinations of protein and gene expression test results are emerging as required parameters when assessing the precise nature of a number of diseases, including cancer.

"We are very pleased to have received our fifth U.S. patent protecting technologies that we believe are central to the determination of the results of advanced cellular assays," stated Applied Imaging CEO Carl Hull. "Many of these innovative techniques have been incorporated in our Ariol automated imaging system and allow researchers to perform rapid, multiparametric analyses of proteins or genes that may be present in samples containing circulating tumor cells, as one example.

"With this patent, we are further extending our technological lead in the identification and precise characterization of cells that have potential clinical relevance," concluded Hull.