Diagnostic Imaging Support for Pathological Tissue Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing diagnostic imaging devices require inefficient processes to switch between low and high magnification images for pathological evaluation, involving adjustments to the microscope focus and aperture.

Innovation Solution

A diagnostic imaging support device and method that acquires high magnification image data, generates and classifies low magnification image data into groups based on pathological tissue patterns, and evaluates the high magnification data for accurate pathological tissue identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual switching between low and high magnification images is performed using microscope adjustments, then pathological evaluation can be conducted, but the process becomes inefficient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathological evaluation efficiencyVSAvoidtime for magnification switching

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-acquires both low magnification and high magnification images of the sample tissue before the pathological evaluation process begins. By having both magnification levels ready in advance, the system eliminates the time-consuming manual switching process that would otherwise be required during evaluation, thus resolving the contradiction between evaluation efficiency and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy of the sample tissue at multiple magnification levels, allowing the pathologist to view and switch between magnifications without physically adjusting the microscope. This digital copying approach maintains evaluation accuracy while dramatically improving efficiency by eliminating mechanical adjustment time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If multiple magnification levels are acquired manually, then comprehensive pathological analysis is possible, but the operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of magnification switchingVSAvoidmicroscope adjustment operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical microscope adjustment mechanism with a digital image processing system. Instead of physically changing magnification through mechanical adjustments, the system uses software to process and display pre-acquired images at different magnification levels, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining comprehensive analysis capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The image processing system performs multiple functions including acquiring, storing, processing, and displaying images at various magnification levels within a single integrated platform. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate operations or devices, improving ease of operation without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8787636B2Diagnostic imaging support in which image data of high magnification is generated to image data of low magnification for classification thereof

Publication Date: 2014.07.22 NEC CORP

AI summary

A diagnostic imaging support device includes an image data acquisition unit that acquires image data of high magnification of sample tissue, an image classifying unit that generates image data of low magnification from the image data of high magnification acquired by the image data acquisition unit, and classifies the generated image data of low magnification into group by each image data pattern of a plurality of pathological tissue, and an image evaluating unit that evaluates whether or not the image data of high magnification, which is to be a base of the image data of low magnification classified by the image classifying unit, is the pathological tissue of the classified group.