Digital Slide Validation Using Core Alignment and Control Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for validating quality data associated with slides rely on manual inspection and subjective interpretation, leading to inconsistencies and inefficiencies in diagnostic workflows, and lack standardized processes for aligning stained cores into a reproducible form.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that uses a processor to receive digital slides, determine slide identification, localize stained cores of interest, align them into a standard form, and evaluate them using predefined thresholds by comparing to control cores, generating validation outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual inspection and subjective interpretation are used for validating quality data, then flexibility in evaluation is maintained, but consistency and reliability of diagnostic results deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual inspection process with an automated computer-based system that uses image processing algorithms and machine learning models to objectively evaluate stained cores, thereby eliminating subjectivity and improving consistency of validation results
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the automated validation process to evaluate quality data independently without requiring manual intervention, using predefined criteria and algorithms to automatically determine validation outcomes
2Productivity
If manual inspection methods are used for validating slides, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and diagnostic efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the validation process into distinct automated stages including image acquisition, preprocessing, feature extraction, evaluation, and reporting, allowing each component to be optimized independently while collectively improving overall diagnostic efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automated validation and screening of slides before human review, pre-identifying potential issues and prioritizing cases that require detailed examination, thereby improving workflow efficiency by reducing manual workload on routine tasks
3Measurement precision
If standardized processes for aligning stained cores are implemented, then measurement precision and reproducibility improve, but device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual alignment procedures with automated image processing algorithms that use computer vision techniques to detect, register, and align stained cores with sub-pixel precision, achieving high measurement precision without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts alignment parameters such as transformation matrices, registration thresholds, and evaluation criteria based on the specific characteristics of each slide, optimizing processing speed while maintaining alignment accuracy through adaptive parameter selection
4Reliability
If automated validation with predefined thresholds is used, then objectivity and reproducibility improve, but adaptability to different evaluation criteria deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic validation system where thresholds and evaluation criteria can be adjusted based on the specific application, tissue type, and staining protocol, allowing the system to adapt to different requirements while maintaining automated objectivity through configurable parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves universality by designing a flexible framework that can accommodate multiple evaluation criteria and validation standards through configurable parameters and modular architecture, enabling the same automated system to serve diverse diagnostic needs with consistent objectivity
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for automatically validating quality data associated with at least a slide. The apparatus includes at least a processor and a memory communicatively connected to the at least a processor. The memory instructs the processor to receive, from the at least an optical device, at least a digital slide corresponding to the at least a slide, determine, using metadata, a slide identification, localize, using at least an object detection technique, the at least a digital slide, wherein localizing the at least a digital slide comprises identifying a stained core of interest and aligning the stained core of interest into a standard form, and, evaluate, using a predefined threshold, the stained core of interest, wherein evaluating comprises comparing the stained core of interest to a control core, generating a validation output, and transmitting the validation output to a downstream device.