Ikaros - The Ingenious Karyotyping System

General

On-screen karyotyping is a commonly used method for routine diagnostics and research all over the world. The use of image capture facilities with an ingenious software package for analysis and report generation saves time and effort in an environment where these factors are imperative for quality and cost management. MetaSystems’ karyotyping system Ikaros combines an intuitive graphic user interface with a variety of powerful tools to provide the flexibility needed for the analysis of even the most complex karyotypes. Designed to minimize the number of interactions, Ikaros guarantees amazingly fast results and is recognized as the fastest system of its kind. The flexible system architecture of all MetaSystems products simplifies the adaptation of Ikaros stations to your specific working conditions. Ikaros is network-ready and can be easily extended to a multi-user installation, including dedicated workstations for capturing, analysis, review or database access.

Ikaros Options and Links
Ikaros may also be used in combination with the FISH imaging software Isis.	more...
Ikaros can be seamlessly integrated in the metaphase finder Metafer MSearch	more...

Image Acquisition

Ikaros provides tools for all steps of  karyotyping from image capture to report print-out. Ikaros interfaces to any standard microscope and handles brightfield, phase contrast, and epi-fluorescence (Q-, R-, and DAPI banding) images. Equipped with a high resolution CCD camera, Ikaros acquires high quality images in seconds. The live image is displayed on screen during the capture, and computer-assisted microscope adjustment assures optimum image quality. An automatic focussing aid guarantees that the captured images is always in best focus. Various options allow automatic enhancement of the images subsequently to the capturing procedure. The multiple fields capture tool facilitates the acqisition of large metaphase spreads, which may be combined to one image, or just left as they are: Ikaros will automatically import the chromosomes from each image field for karyotyping.

Metaphase processing

Once acquired, a metaphase can be prepared for karyotyping with a few mouse clicks. Several tools for automatic and interactive multiple level image enhancement, a masking function for fast cleanup of the image area, and an automatic chromosome counting function offer their assistance. The macro language allows to define image processing sequences using the powerful filter algorithms of Metafer, that can be applied just with a keystroke. Colored countour lines help to identify chromosome clusters while separating. Automatic as well as semi-automatic and manual functions for the separation of attached, overlapping or clustered chromosomes provide highest possible efficiency and precision. With the new brush separation functionality (available from version 5.1) chromosomes within a cluster are simply separated with a brush that is moved along each chromosome. The original image and all processing steps are stored on disk, enabling unlimited verification and correction of any step. Any work with the image can be done either in the original metaphase, the preprocessed image or the processed (means: finally separated) metaphase. Flexible annotation functions in combination with customizable printing templates allow to create professional reports.

Karyotyping

In the karyotype view, Ikaros user trainable chromosome classifiers for G-, R-, Q-, C-, and DAPI-banded chromosomes are provided. During chromosome assignment the selected chromosome is simultaneously displayed in the metaphase context. Once assigned, chromosomes may be straightened, shifted, rotated and resized, automatically aligned at the centromeres and displayed side by side with ISCN banding ideograms. If colors are applied to the ideograms and the cut-and-join function is used, any rearrangement can be displayed.

The system supports various karyotype templates, for human metaphases and many other species. In addition, the integrated karyotype form editor may be used to create own, customized forms. Composite karyotypes are automatically created for the direct comparison of homologous chromosomes from different patients.

Integrated Patient Database

Invisible while working with the images, but accessible with just one mouse click is the patient database integrated in Ikaros. Data can be entered into a form providing fields for all relevant information. Each field can be customized or hidden if not needed. Helpful tools are integrated to generate lists of indications, tissues, patient groups and even text templates. Easy search-and-retrieve functions navigate even through large databases.

Any information entered into the database can be printed together with the metaphase or karyotype images into customizable reports. A direct link to the word processing software Word^TM opens an access to the generation of professional reports just by one mouse click. With the ability to define export and import definition a data exchange with the existing patient management system is at hand: either with the automated synchronization of data or manually by im- or exporting of data.

Options and Upgrades

Being a member of the MetaSystems product family, Ikaros can be easily upgraded with other software modules. Installation of the Isis upgrade module extends the system to FISH imaging capabilities, optionally with color karyotyping and other Isis packages (mFISH, mBAND, CGH or telomere analysis). Integration of Ikaros with the automatic metphase finder Metafer MSearch, provides the ideal solution for laboratories with a high work load.

The built-in networking capability allows for flexible multi-user environments combining complete workstations with capture, analysis or review stations.