3D Microparticle Analysis System for Cytogram Overlap Resolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data analysis methods for microparticles, such as flow cytometry, face challenges in accurately specifying target cells due to overlapping regions on histograms and cytograms, leading to inaccurate statistical data, particularly when analyzing cells like lymphocytes in human peripheral blood.

Innovation Solution

A 3D data analysis system that creates a three-dimensional stereoscopic image of microparticle distributions using measurement parameters like forward scattered light, side-way scattering, and fluorescence, allowing users to intuitively set planes to partition the data space into regions, thereby enabling accurate analysis of microparticles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If two-dimensional distribution charts (cytograms) are used for data analysis, then the device complexity is low and ease of operation is high, but measurement precision and reliability of target cell specification deteriorate due to overlapping regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget cell specification accuracyVSAvoiddata visualization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional cytograms to three-dimensional distribution charts, adding a temporal dimension to the data visualization. This allows target cells to be specified more accurately by incorporating time-based differentiation, resolving the overlap problem inherent in 2D representations while maintaining operational simplicity through automated plane generation and region setting.

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

2Measurement precision

If three-dimensional distribution charts are used to improve measurement precision, then target cell specification accuracy improves, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget cell specification accuracyVSAvoidregion setting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs preliminary actions by pre-gating regions and setting analysis planes before user interaction. The control unit automatically generates initial region settings and plane configurations based on the input data, eliminating the need for users to manually navigate complex 3D space and reducing operational complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service operation by automatically adjusting and optimizing region settings and plane configurations based on the input data characteristics. The control unit autonomously performs data processing, region partitioning, and analysis plane generation, allowing the system to serve itself without requiring extensive user intervention or expertise in complex 3D data visualization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If manual region setting on overlapping cytogram regions is performed, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision and statistical data accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidstatistical data accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By adding the temporal dimension through three-dimensional distribution charts, the system resolves the fundamental limitation of 2D cytograms where target and non-target cells overlap. This dimensional expansion allows for accurate statistical data acquisition while maintaining operational simplicity, as the system automatically manages the complexity of 3D region setting and plane configuration.

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

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables users to easily and accurately specify microparticles and obtain precise statistical data by visualizing the data in a stereoscopic view, improving the efficiency and accuracy of microparticle analysis.

Implementation Method 1

The forward scattered light includes scattered light, diffracted light, and refracted light, which are generated from the laser light at a cell surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

The fluorescence is light generated from a fluorescence dye labeled in a cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 3

the impedance is measured by the electric resistance method and is used as a parameter indicating the volume of the cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpedance measurement: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP2766880B1Apparatus, method and program for 3D data analysis, and microparticle analysis system
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP2766880B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2766880B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2766880B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an example embodiment, may be embodied in a a data analysis apparatus comprises a control unit configured to provide data representative of a three dimensional image, the three dimensional image including at least a three dimensional coordinate space which includes at least one plane that divides the three dimensional coordinate space into at least two regions, a display unit configured to produce the three dimensional image based on the data representative of the three dimensional image, and an input unit configured to provide data representative of at least one of a movement and a position of the at least one plane. In other example embodiments, the present disclosure may be embodied in a data analysis server, a data analysis system, and/or a computer readable medium.