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Quantification of Video‐Taped Images in Microcirculation Research Using Inexpensive Imaging Software (Adobe Photoshop)
Author(s) -
Brunner Joachim,
Krummenauer Frank,
Lehr HansAnton
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
microcirculation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.793
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1549-8719
pISSN - 1073-9688
DOI - 10.1038/sj.mn.7300094
Subject(s) - adobe photoshop , software , computer science , computer graphics (images) , digital imaging , microcirculation , biomedical engineering , image processing , digital image , computer vision , medicine , radiology , image (mathematics) , programming language
Background: Study end‐points in microcirculation research are usually videotaped images rather than numeric computer print‐outs. Analysis of these videotaped images for the quantification of microcirculatory parameters usually requires computer‐based image analysis systems. Most software programs for image analysis are custom‐made, expensive, and limited in their applicability to selected parameters and study end‐points. Methods and Result: We demonstrate herein that an inexpensive, commercially available computer software (Adobe Photoshop), run on a Macintosh G3 computer with inbuilt graphic capture board provides versatile, easy to use tools for the quantification of digitized video images. Using images obtained by intravital fluorescence microscopy from the pre‐ and postischemic muscle microcirculation in the skinfold chamber model in hamsters, Photoshop allows simple and rapid quantification (i) of microvessel diameters, (ii) of the functional capillary density and (iii) of postischemic leakage of FITC‐labeled high molecular weight dextran from postcapillary venules. We present evidence of the technical accuracy of the software tools and of a high degree of interobserver reliability. Conclusions: Inexpensive commercially available imaging programs (i.e., Adobe Photoshop) provide versatile tools for image analysis with a wide range of potential applications in microcirculation research.