Cell Image Analysis Using Tone Vectors for Rare Morphology Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for cell identification, such as microscopic observation and flow-type automatic hemocyte classification, struggle with low accuracy in identifying cells with low emergence frequencies and require significant labor for training data generation, limiting the ability to differentiate between similar morphologies and abnormal findings.

Innovation Solution

An image analysis method using a deep learning algorithm with a neural network structure to calculate the probability of cell morphology classifications, enabling automated identification of cell types and abnormal findings without human intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If machine learning technique is used for cell identification, then automation is improved, but analysis accuracy and generalization capability deteriorate due to limited training data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of cell identificationVSAvoidanalysis accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses tone vector data that copies and represents the essential visual characteristics of cell images in a condensed numerical format. This allows the machine learning model to work with efficient numerical representations while maintaining the key morphological information needed for accurate cell identification, thus improving automation without sacrificing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms cell image data into tone vector parameters that capture brightness and hue information. This parameter transformation enables the machine learning model to process cell morphology data efficiently while maintaining high accuracy in distinguishing different cell types, resolving the contradiction between automation and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If user creates training data manually, then model training is achieved, but labor and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel training capabilityVSAvoidtime for training data generation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically generates tone vector data from cell images without requiring manual user intervention for each data point. The automated processing converts images to tone vectors and prepares training data independently, significantly reducing the time and labor needed for training data generation while maintaining model training reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of creating training data with an automated computational system that converts cell images to tone vector representations. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming manual work while preserving the essential training capability, resolving the contradiction between reliability and time loss.

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

3Productivity

If flow-type automatic hemocyte classification apparatus is used, then examination throughput is improved, but identification capability for low emergence frequency cells deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexamination throughputVSAvoididentification capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts tone vector features from cell images that capture morphological characteristics in a different dimensional space. This allows the system to maintain high throughput while improving identification capability for rare cell types by utilizing comprehensive tone vector representations that preserve subtle morphological differences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses tone vector parameters to represent cell morphology, transforming the data into a form that maintains both processing efficiency for high throughput and discriminative power for identifying low emergence frequency cells. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction between productivity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4697282A1Image analysis method, apparatus, and deep learning algorithm generation method
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 SYSMEX CORP
  • EP4697282A1 patent drawingFigure 1
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  • EP4697282A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is an image analysis method including: inputting analysis data including information regarding an analysis target cell to a deep learning algorithm having a neural network structure; and analyzing an image by calculating, by use of the deep learning algorithm, a probability that the analysis target cell belongs to each of morphology classifications of a plurality of cells belonging to a predetermined cell group.