AI Dermoscopy Heatmaps for Precise Cutaneous Biopsy Marking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for marking cutaneous tissue samples for pathological study lack precision, often resulting in incomplete removal of potentially cancerous tissue due to visual estimation without additional measurements or tools, leading to inaccurate boundary definition.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing digital dermoscopy images and artificial intelligence to generate a heatmap indicating areas of interest, which are then marked with pigment, guiding the biopsy procedure to ensure accurate sampling of suspicious skin lesions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual estimation is used to mark the biopsy site, then the marking process is simple and quick, but the precision of boundary definition is insufficient leading to potential incomplete removal of cancerous tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary tool (digital marker with measurement capabilities) between the visual assessment and the actual marking process. This intermediary device captures images, provides measurement overlays, and guides the marking process, thereby enhancing precision without requiring complex surgical equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical/manual visual estimation process with a digital imaging and measurement system. The digital marker device with its display interface substitutes the traditional manual measurement and marking approach, providing enhanced precision through digital overlays and measurement tools.
2Reliability
If visual marking alone is used, then the procedure is fast and requires minimal equipment, but the reliability of complete cancerous tissue removal is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by capturing images and performing measurements before the actual marking and biopsy procedures. The digital marker device allows for pre-planning of the biopsy site with measurement overlays and guidance, ensuring that the correct area is marked before proceeding, thereby improving reliability without significant time loss.
3Measurement precision
If traditional visual marking is used, then the equipment required is minimal, but the diagnostic precision in pathological studies may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The digital marker device serves as an intermediary between the visual assessment and the actual tissue sampling. It provides measurement overlays, captures images for reference, and guides the marking process, thereby enhancing tissue sampling accuracy without requiring complex pathological equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
The method of marking a cutaneous tissue sample for pathological study uses a generated dermoscopy heatmap image in which different colors shown in the heatmap image represent differing degrees of likelihood of malignant or cancerous tissue (e.g., melanoma, basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma) or atypical melanocytic nevus of uncertain malignant potential (AMNUMP) (e.g., atypical nevi, spitz nevi, and the like) in a patient's target skin lesion of concern (TSLC) and/or in the patient's pigmented skin lesion of concern (PSLC). The patient's target skin lesion of concern and/or in the patient's pigmented skin lesion of concern is marked in vivo or ex vivo with pigment (e.g., ink, dye, or the like) in areas of interest indicated by the heatmap image. A cutaneous tissue sample is then removed by physical biopsy from the patient.