Cell Analysis Method Adjusting Threshold by N/C Ratio and DNA Content
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell analysis methods face challenges in reliably evaluating cancerous cells due to varying proportions of target cells in samples, which can be influenced by the skill of the technician and the collection site conditions, leading to inconsistent pathology evaluations.
Innovation Solution
A cell analysis method and system that extracts target cells based on the nucleus-to-cytoplasm (N/C) ratio, classifies them into groups based on DNA content, and adjusts the evaluation threshold according to the target cell proportion, using a cytometer and data processing device to determine the appropriateness of cell collection and screen for cancerous cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed threshold is used for evaluating canceration, then the evaluation process is simple, but the reliability of pathology evaluation deteriorates due to varying target cell proportions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the evaluation threshold variable rather than fixed. The threshold is dynamically adjusted based on the proportion of target cells detected in each sample, allowing the system to adapt to varying collection conditions and maintain reliable pathology evaluation across different samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the evaluation threshold based on the proportion of target cells. By modifying the threshold parameter according to the actual sample characteristics (target cell proportion), the system resolves the contradiction between simple evaluation and reliable results.
2Ease of operation
If the proportion of target cells varies due to collection conditions, then the ease of collection is maintained, but the measurement precision of canceration detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback by using the detected proportion of target cells to adjust the evaluation threshold. This feedback mechanism allows the system to compensate for variations in collection conditions and maintain precise canceration detection despite changes in target cell proportion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the evaluation threshold parameter based on the measured target cell proportion. This parameter adjustment ensures that measurement precision is maintained across samples with varying target cell contents, while collection ease remains unchanged.
3Device complexity
If a fixed evaluation threshold is used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different collection conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a dynamic threshold adjustment mechanism. The evaluation system becomes adaptable to different collection conditions through automated threshold modification based on target cell proportion, while maintaining reasonable system complexity through algorithmic rather than hardware-based solutions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the accuracy of cancerous cell detection by adapting to the variable proportions of target cells, improving the reliability of pathology evaluations and ensuring consistent results regardless of collection conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the measurement specimen flowing in the flow cell is irradiated with light, whereby a scattered light signal and a fluorescence signal are obtained for each cell
Implementation Method 2
the measurement specimen flowing in the flow cell is irradiated with light, whereby a scattered light signal and a fluorescence signal are obtained for each cell
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a cell analysis method comprising: extracting target cells from a population of cells derived from an epithelial tissue on the basis of N/C ratio representing a relative size of a nucleus to a cytoplasm; classifying the target cells into at least a first group and a second group by difference of amount of DNA; and evaluating a pathology of the epithelial tissue by comparing a ratio of numbers of cells between the first and second groups with a threshold; wherein the threshold varies according to a proportion of the target cells in the population.