3D Data Analysis Device for Intuitive Microparticle Gating

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional data analysis apparatuses for flow cytometers require users to refer to multiple histograms or cytograms and view 3D distribution charts to perform gating operations, leading to time-consuming and potentially inaccurate analysis, especially for less proficient users.

Innovation Solution

A 3D data analysis apparatus that allows users to perform gating operations stereoscopically in a 3D coordinate space with arbitrarily selected parameters as axes, enabling intuitive and accurate analysis without relying on numerous histograms or 3D distribution charts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If users refer to multiple histograms or cytograms and view 3D distribution charts to perform gating operations, then the gating operation can be performed with reference to comprehensive data, but the operation becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegating accuracyVSAvoidgating operation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple histograms and cytograms into a single integrated 3D distribution chart that displays multiple parameters simultaneously. This merging allows users to perform gating operations on comprehensive data without needing to switch between multiple separate graphs, thereby maintaining gating accuracy while significantly reducing the time required for the operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from 2D histograms and cytograms to a 3D distribution chart that adds an additional dimension for displaying parameters. This dimensional change enables users to visualize and perform gating operations on multiple parameters simultaneously in three-dimensional space, reducing the need to reference multiple separate 2D graphs and thereby reducing operation time while maintaining comprehensive data analysis capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If users perform gating operations by referring to multiple histograms or cytograms, then comprehensive parameter analysis is possible, but the operation becomes difficult and error-prone for less proficient users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegating accuracyVSAvoidgating operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple parameter displays into a single 3D distribution chart, allowing less proficient users to access comprehensive parameter analysis in one unified interface rather than needing to navigate multiple separate histograms and cytograms. This integration maintains analytical comprehensiveness while significantly improving ease of operation by reducing the cognitive and operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

By displaying multiple parameters in a 3D space rather than requiring users to switch between multiple 2D graphs, the patent makes comprehensive parameter analysis more accessible to less proficient users. The three-dimensional visualization provides an intuitive spatial representation that is easier to interpret and work with than multiple separate two-dimensional charts, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If multiple histograms or cytograms are used for gating operations, then thorough parameter analysis is achieved, but the device complexity and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter analysis thoroughnessVSAvoiddata analysis system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functionality of multiple histograms and cytograms into a single 3D distribution chart that can display and analyze multiple parameters simultaneously. This merging reduces the overall system complexity by consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate graphical interfaces and data processing streams into one unified system, while maintaining thorough parameter analysis capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses three-dimensional space to display multiple parameters that would otherwise require multiple two-dimensional graphs. This dimensional approach allows thorough parameter analysis within a single graphical interface rather than requiring multiple separate charts, thereby reducing device and operational complexity while maintaining analytical thoroughness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2647999B13D data analysis device and 3D data analysis method
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP2647999B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2647999B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2647999B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(B)

AI summary

The present invention provides a 3D data analysis apparatus and a 3D data analysis method capable of performing an easy and instinctive gating operation without referring to a large number of histograms or cytograms or imaging a 3D distribution chart, and capable of performing analysis with high accuracy. Provided is a 3D data analysis apparatus 1 including a data storage unit 130 that stores measurement data of microparticles, an input unit 141 that selects three kinds of variables independent of the measurement data, a data processing unit 120 that calculates positions and graphics in a coordinate space with the three kinds of variables being coordinate axes and creates a 3D stereoscopic image that represents a characteristic distribution of the microparticles, and a display unit 142 that displays the 3D stereoscopic image, and the 3D data analysis apparatus 1 variably sets a separate area in the coordinate space on the basis of an input signal from the input unit 141 and displays the area in the 3D stereoscopic image.