Adaptive Microscope Slide Imaging for Variable-Resolution Mosaics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital pathology systems face inefficiencies in scanning and digitizing pathology slides, resulting in overly large image files with irrelevant data, which limits their adoption and hinders the identification of imaging biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for real-time imaging and variable resolution mosaic creation, allowing for tiered magnification and data optimization by combining digital images from multiple objective lenses into seamless mosaic images, aligned with the pathologist's workflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional digital whole slide scanners digitize entire slides at high resolution, then diagnostic information is captured, but data storage requirements become excessively large (15 Petabytes per year)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by capturing images at variable resolutions based on diagnostic importance. High-resolution imaging is applied only to regions of interest identified during pathologist review, while non-critical areas are captured at lower resolutions. This selective approach maintains diagnostic quality where needed while dramatically reducing overall data storage requirements from 15 Petabytes per year to a fraction of that volume.
2Loss of information
If dedicated slide scanners are used to acquire digital pathology images, then complete slide digitization is achieved, but the process adds significant time (24-48 hours) outside clinical workflow
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing low-resolution overview images of entire slides immediately during routine pathologist review, before high-resolution imaging is needed. This initial capture provides immediate digital documentation for workflow continuity, while high-resolution imaging of specific regions is performed on-demand during the same review session, eliminating the 24-48 hour delay associated with dedicated scanners.
3Device complexity
If fixed magnification scanning is used, then scanning process is simplified, but clinically irrelevant areas are over-digitized at unnecessary resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling dynamic adjustment of magnification and resolution settings during the imaging process. The system transitions from fixed magnification to variable magnification, allowing the pathologist to adjust imaging parameters in real-time based on the diagnostic needs of different slide regions. This dynamic approach ensures that clinically relevant areas are captured at appropriate resolutions while irrelevant areas are captured at lower resolutions, optimizing the ratio of useful information to data volume.
4Measurement precision
If high-resolution imaging is applied to entire slides, then all areas are captured in detail, but file sizes become unmanageably large (over 10 GB per slide)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the slide imaging process into distinct segments: low-resolution overview capture of the entire slide, followed by high-resolution capture of specific regions of interest. This segmentation allows the system to maintain manageable file sizes while preserving diagnostic quality in critical areas. The segmented approach also facilitates easier file management and faster loading times compared to monolithic high-resolution whole-slide images.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a system and method for capturing images during review of a microscope slide. In certain embodiments, such system and method allow for the capture of images and construction of a composited microscope mosaic image within the workflow of the slide reviewer, such as a pathologist reviewing a tissue sample. In certain embodiments, said mosaic images are whole slide images constructed by and capable of being viewed at variable resolutions and magnifications corresponding to the review of the original microscope slide by the slide reviewer.