Biological Image Tile Caching for Faster Digital Pathology
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Solution Overview
Problem
The visualization of large biological image files in digital pathology systems is hindered by the need to transfer large quantities of data over networks, leading to delays and inefficiencies in real-time analysis.
Innovation Solution
Implementing server-side pre-processing of image data into compressed formats and caching pre-processed image tiles on a client system to facilitate quicker delivery and retrieval, reducing the load on server resources and improving response times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If image data is transferred from remote server in real-time, then network bandwidth is utilized, but response time is delayed due to large file sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides large biological image files into smaller image tiles that can be transferred and processed independently. This segmentation allows the system to transmit only the necessary portions of images to the client cache, reducing the overall data volume transferred over the network while maintaining access to the complete image dataset.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements pre-processing of image data on the server side before transmission, including converting images to compressed formats and generating image tiles in advance. This preliminary action reduces the computational burden on client systems during real-time analysis and accelerates the delivery of image data to the client cache.
2Speed
If image data is pre-processed on server, then delivery speed is improved, but server processing resources are taxed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs image pre-processing operations including format conversion and tiling on the server side before transmission to the client. This preliminary processing reduces the data size and prepares it for efficient delivery, improving subsequent access speeds while distributing the processing load across multiple operations rather than concentrating it all at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates compressed copies of image data in various formats (e.g., JPEG) and stores them in the client cache alongside the original data. These copies are used for rapid retrieval and display, reducing the need to transfer large uncompressed images over the network during real-time analysis, thereby improving delivery speed without proportionally increasing server resource consumption.
3Quantity of substance
If compressed image formats are used, then file size is reduced, but image quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms image data from uncompressed formats (such as TIFF or BMP) to compressed formats (such as JPEG or JPEG 2000) to reduce file size. This parameter change in the data format enables more efficient storage and transmission while maintaining sufficient image quality for diagnostic purposes through appropriate compression settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent generates compressed copies of image data that are stored in the client cache for rapid access. These compressed copies serve as efficient representations of the original images, reducing the quantity of data that needs to be transferred and stored while preserving the essential diagnostic information needed for real-time analysis.
4Speed
If client cache is populated with pre-processed image data, then access speed is improved, but client storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides images into smaller tile segments that are stored in the client cache. This segmentation allows the system to cache only the portions of images that are likely to be accessed, reducing the total storage requirement compared to caching entire high-resolution images, while still enabling fast access to the cached portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent stores compressed copies of image data in the client cache rather than the original uncompressed images. These compressed copies occupy less storage space while providing sufficient quality for display and analysis, thereby improving access speed without proportionally increasing client storage requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of displaying biological image data in an interface application on a digital pathology analysis system includes: receiving a first user input pertaining to a first patient case; contacting a remote server for one or more stored biological image tiles corresponding to the received first user input, wherein the stored biological image tiles are derived from scans of microscope slides having one or more biological samples disposed thereon, the biological samples stained with hematoxylin and eosin or stained to identify presence of one or more biomarkers; receiving location information for the one or more stored biological image tiles corresponding to the first user input; retrieving the one or more stored biological image tiles pertaining to the first user input based on the received location information; and visualizing the retrieved one or more biological image tiles pertaining to the first user input.