Ghost Image Overlay for Serial Section Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The visual analysis of biological tissue samples is hindered by deformations and relative rotations of serial sections during slicing and mounting, leading to difficulties in cross-comparison and inaccurate identification of tissue structures in both manual and computer-aided analysis.
Innovation Solution
A computerized system and technique for linking digitized images of serial sections, where a ghost image is created and registered over an underlying image, allowing for manipulation and correction of deformations and rotations, enabling accurate alignment and analysis of corresponding tissue structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If serial sections are sliced and mounted manually, then the tissue sample can be prepared for analysis, but the sections become deformed and rotated making cross-comparison difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy (ghost image) of the first serial section and overlays it on the second serial section. This ghost image can be manipulated independently to match the deformation and rotation of the actual serial section, enabling accurate cross-comparison without physically manipulating the delicate tissue sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation of serial sections with computerized image processing. Instead of physically moving and aligning delicate tissue sections under a microscope, the system uses digital images and software algorithms to automatically correct for deformation and rotation, substituting mechanical operations with computational ones.
2Measurement precision
If pathologists manually cross-compare serial sections, then tissue structures can be identified, but the analysis process is lengthy and repetitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to perform self-alignment and self-comparison of serial sections through automated image processing. The computer algorithm automatically matches features between serial sections, corrects for deformation and rotation, and identifies corresponding structures without requiring continuous manual intervention from the pathologist.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the ghost image is continuously adjusted and compared with the underlying serial section, allowing the system to iteratively refine the alignment and identification of tissue structures, improving both accuracy and efficiency.
3Extent of automation
If computer-aided analysis is used without correction for deformations, then analysis can be automated, but positional accuracy deteriorates due to serial section distortions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the ghost image (position, orientation, scale, and deformation characteristics) to match the underlying serial section. By dynamically adjusting these image parameters, the system maintains high positional accuracy throughout the automated analysis process despite variations in serial section deformation.
Data Source
AI summary
Computerized techniques are provided for linking digitized images of serial sections of a biological tissue sample. Linked, digitized images of the serial section are displayed on a display and manipulation of one digitized image causes other digitized images to be similarly manipulated. To link digitized images, a copy of a digitized image of one serial section is positioned over a digitized image of another serial section. The digitized image of the other serial section is visible through the copy. The transparency of the copy is changed to effect change of the visualization of the digitized image of the other serial section. The copy is registered to the digitized image of the other serial section.