Standardized color measurement in automated cytophotometry with the light micrscope

Abstract

This paper discusses the need for and demonstrates the possibility of calibrating a cytophotometry system using standard colorimetry techniques. In this test, the transmittance of colored sensitometer film strips were measured from 380 to 720 nm in both a spectrophotometer and microscope TV scanning system. From the transmittance data, the CIE chromaticity coordinates of the films were calculated. The colors seen in a light microscope can be correlated to the measurements from a spectrophotometer and calibrated to the tristimulus color system, using standard measurement and analysis methods. Finally, this paper demonstrates an application of colorimetry to the cytophotometric analysis of stained blood cells.