Biological Image Presentation Device Layer Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
When pathological tissue samples are stored for long periods, the visibility of microscope images deteriorates due to tissue slice discoloration, and differences in sectioning, staining, and fixation processes between layers result in non-identical images, making it challenging to accurately view specific cell layers.
Innovation Solution
A biological image presentation system that acquires images at multiple positions, determines a standard image, extracts feature points based on luminance changes, maps and divides images to conform to standard areas, and displays them in a manner that corrects shape differences between layers, maintaining the internal organ's shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tissue slice images from multiple tomographic layers are displayed to enable three-dimensional viewing, then the ability to view specific cell layers is improved, but the images appear as entirely different images due to shape differences caused by sectioning, staining, and fixation variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a standard image from a reference tomographic layer and uses this standard as a template to transform and align images from other layers. By copying the shape and structural characteristics of the standard image, the system makes images from different layers visually consistent and comparable, resolving the issue where images appeared as entirely different images due to processing variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms images from different tomographic layers by changing their geometric parameters to match the standard image. This includes adjusting shape, size, and position parameters through mathematical transformations, enabling images from layers with different sectioning and staining characteristics to be displayed in a consistent manner while preserving their diagnostic information
2Duration of action of stationary object
If pathological samples are stored for long periods to maintain tissue samples, then the availability of samples for diagnosis is improved, but visibility on microscope deteriorates due to deterioration and discoloring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures and stores digital image data of tissue slices at the time of examination, creating a permanent digital copy that does not deteriorate over time. This digital copy can be viewed, analyzed, and archived indefinitely without the visibility degradation that affects physical tissue slices stored for long periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a digital imaging system as an intermediary between the physical tissue slice and the diagnostic process. Instead of directly observing the physical slice which deteriorates over time, the digital image serves as an intermediary that preserves the visual information indefinitely, allowing long-term storage and repeated viewing without quality loss
3Device complexity
If images from different tomographic layers are displayed without transformation, then the simplicity of the display system is maintained, but complex operations are required to find specific cells across different layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a standardized reference copy from one tomographic layer and uses this copy to automatically align and register images from other layers. This transformation process occurs automatically in the system, maintaining simplicity while enabling easy navigation and comparison of specific cells across layers through consistent visual alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal coordinate system and image registration framework that works across all tomographic layers. This multi-functional system handles alignment, transformation, and display coordination automatically, allowing users to search for and compare specific cells across layers without performing complex manual operations
Data Source
AI summary
A biological image presentation device includes: an acquisition unit; a determination unit determining an image as a standard and an image for comparison; an extraction unit extracting, from the image as a standard, a position where a change of luminance value equal to or larger than a defined value is present; a detection unit detecting a position corresponding to the position extracted from the image for comparison; a division unit dividing the image as a standard on the basis of the position extracted; a mapping unit mapping the image for comparison to an area corresponding to each divided area of the image as a standard while modifying so as to conform to the shape of the divided area; and a display control unit switching and displaying an image for display in a display area by using the image as a standard and an image mapped by the mapping unit.