Two-Stage Image Registration for Sub-Pixel Sequencing Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image registration methods struggle to accurately align images of nucleic acid molecules acquired at different times due to hardware movement errors and environmental changes, making it difficult to determine the sequence of nucleic acid molecules with precision.
Innovation Solution
A method for image registration involving coarse and fine registration processes, utilizing Fourier transform for initial alignment and spot detection, followed by merging images to achieve high-precision correction, particularly suitable for nucleic acid sequencing platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hardware movement is used to acquire images at different times, then multiple images can be obtained for sequence determination, but hardware movement errors cause position deviations and reduce image alignment precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image registration process into two distinct stages: coarse registration using Fourier transform for initial alignment, and fine registration using spot detection and template matching for precision correction. This segmentation allows each stage to optimize for its specific purpose, achieving both efficiency and high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary coarse registration using Fourier transform before conducting fine registration. This preliminary alignment brings images close to their correct positions, making the subsequent fine registration more efficient and accurate by reducing the search space for spot matching.
2Measurement precision
If traditional registration methods are used, then processing speed is maintained, but alignment accuracy cannot reach less than 0.1 pixel precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex registration task into manageable components: frequency-domain coarse alignment followed by spatial-domain fine alignment. This division reduces the overall complexity by breaking down the high-precision requirement into two less demanding sub-tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spot detection and template matching as an intermediary step between coarse and final alignment. This intermediary process identifies key features (spots) that serve as reference points, simplifying the fine registration task while achieving sub-pixel precision.
3Loss of time
If images are acquired with hardware movement, then temporal sequences can be captured, but environmental changes cause morphology changes that complicate accurate identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter space for comparison by transforming images to the frequency domain for coarse registration, then returning to spatial domain for fine registration. This parameter transformation allows the system to handle morphology changes more effectively by focusing on invariant features at different stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an iterative feedback mechanism in the fine registration stage, where spot detection results guide template matching, and the matching results refine the alignment. This feedback loop continuously improves alignment accuracy despite environmental variations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables high-precision image correction, facilitating accurate nucleic acid sequence determination by aligning images with an accuracy of less than 0.1 pixel, suitable for single molecule level detection.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing Fourier transform for initial alignment
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and device for image registration, and a computer program product. The method for image registration comprises: performing, on the basis of a reference image, a first registration with respect to an image to be registered, comprising: determining a first offset between a predetermined area on said image and a corresponding predetermined area on the reference image, and moving all bright spots on said image on the basis of the first offset; performing, on the basis of the reference image, a second registration with respect to said image having undergone the first registration, comprising: merging said image having undergone the first registration and the reference image, calculating the offset of all overlapped bright spots in the predetermined area on the merged image so as to determine a second offset, two or more bright spots distanced by less than a predetermined number of pixels being one overlapped bright spot, and moving, on the basis of the second offset, all bright spots on said image having undergone the first registration, thus implementing the registration of said image. The method implements high-precision image registration and satisfies scenarios having high-precision requirements on image correction.