Cell Aggregation Multi-layering Detection via Spatial Luminance Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for determining the state of cell aggregation toward becoming multi-layered require expert visual judgment or reagent administration, which is time-consuming, complex, and can damage cells.

Innovation Solution

An image processing program and device that analyze spatial and temporal luminance changes in time-lapse images to determine the state of cell aggregation multi-layering without using reagents, by calculating variance or derivative sums of pixel values in small regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If visual judgment by experts is used to determine cell aggregation multi-layering, then determination accuracy is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetermination accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual visual judgment system with an automated image processing system that uses computer algorithms to analyze luminance distribution and calculate multi-layering indices, thereby eliminating time consumption and operational complexity while maintaining determination accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service determination by automatically processing images and calculating multi-layering indices without requiring expert intervention, allowing the system to determine cell aggregation states independently and efficiently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If reagent administration is used to determine cell aggregation multi-layering, then determination capability is improved, but cell damage and chemical effects increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetermination capabilityVSAvoidcell damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical reagent-based determination methods with optical image analysis that measures luminance distribution, eliminating cell damage and chemical effects while maintaining determination capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses luminance distribution as an intermediary parameter to indirectly determine multi-layering state without direct chemical interaction with cells, avoiding harmful effects while preserving determination capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If visual judgment is used to identify multiple cell aggregations, then individual aggregation identification is improved, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual aggregation identificationVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual visual judgment with automated image processing algorithms that can simultaneously identify and analyze multiple cell aggregations, maintaining individual aggregation identification accuracy while eliminating operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the image into multiple cell aggregation regions automatically, assigning unique identifiers to each aggregation and enabling individual analysis without requiring expert manual segmentation, thereby reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If visual observation is used to determine multi-layered sites, then qualitative assessment is improved, but quantitative measurement capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequalitative assessmentVSAvoidquantitative measurement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms qualitative visual assessment into quantitative measurement by calculating the multi-layering index based on luminance distribution parameters, enabling precise quantitative determination of multi-layered site positions and sizes while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3065105B1Technique for determining the state of a cell aggregation, image processing program and image processing device using the technique, and method for producing a cell aggregation
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 NIKON CORP
  • EP3065105B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3065105B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3065105B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is means for determining and outputting, the state of change of a cell aggregation toward becoming multi-layered. An image processing program (GP) is provided with: a step (S10) for obtaining images; a step (S20) for extracting a cell aggregation from each of the obtained images; a step (S50) for calculating, for the entire region of the cell aggregation, the spatial luminance in the extracted cell aggregation; a step (S70) for determining the state of the cell aggregation toward becoming multi-layered, on the basis of the calculated spatial luminance; and a step (S80) for outputting the results of the determination. The image processing program (GP) is configured so as to determine and output, from images, the state of the cell aggregation toward becoming multi-layered.