Image Processor for Protein Quantification in Tissue Samples
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for quantifying the expression level of specific proteins in tissue samples are laborious and prone to user-to-user variation, especially when combining fluorescent and DAB staining methods, which can interfere with each other, making accurate quantification difficult.
Innovation Solution
An image processor is configured to automatically derive a region of interest from tissue samples by inputting images from both fluorescent and bright field staining methods, using image processing techniques such as dilation, shape analysis, and pattern matching to extract and correct regions of interest without interference, allowing for accurate quantification of protein expression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual selection of region of interest is used, then user can evaluate protein expression, but it becomes laborious and causes user-to-user variation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic region of interest extraction and protein expression quantification without requiring manual user intervention. The image processing apparatus automatically identifies cells and regions based on staining patterns, eliminating the need for manual selection and reducing user-to-user variation while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical selection of regions with automated image processing algorithms. The system uses computational methods to automatically identify and extract regions of interest from tissue images, substituting the manual operation process with an automated digital processing system.
2Extent of automation
If DAB staining method is used, then region of interest can be extracted automatically, but accuracy of specific protein quantification is not high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines DAB staining (for automatic region extraction) with fluorescent staining (for accurate protein quantification) in a single tissue section. The image processing apparatus integrates both staining methods and processes their images together, allowing automatic region extraction from DAB while maintaining accurate quantification through fluorescent signal detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fluorescent staining as an intermediary that does not interfere with DAB staining. The fluorescent material serves as a mediator that enables both automatic region extraction from DAB images and accurate protein quantification through fluorescent signal analysis, without the two staining methods interfering with each other.
3Adaptability or versatility
If DAB method is combined with fluorescent material staining, then both staining methods can be applied, but they competitively interfere with each other making accurate quantification impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses fluorescent staining as an intermediary that does not interfere with DAB staining. The fluorescent material serves as a mediator that enables both automatic region extraction from DAB images and accurate protein quantification through fluorescent signal analysis, without the two staining methods interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different staining methods to different aspects of the same tissue section: DAB staining provides morphological information and automatic region extraction, while fluorescent staining provides quantitative protein expression data. Each staining method is optimized for its specific function, and the image processing apparatus locally processes each staining type appropriately without interference.
Data Source
AI summary
Image processor quantifies a specific biological material in a region of interest of a sample stained with a first staining reagent capable of staining the biological material and stained with a second staining reagent capable of staining a specific region of a cell without interfering with staining with the first staining reagent. A first input means inputs a first image showing the position of expression of the biological material stained with the first staining reagent; a second input means inputs a second image acquired in the same field of view as the first image and shows the morphology of the specific region of the cell stained with the second staining reagent; second image specific region extraction means extracts the specific region from the second image; and derivation means derives the region of interest based on at least the second image undergoing extraction of the specific region among the first and second image.