Biological Image Tile Caching for Faster Pathology Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The visualization of large biological image files in digital pathology systems is hindered by the need to transfer large amounts of data over networks, leading to delayed real-time analysis and user interaction.
Innovation Solution
Implementing server-side pre-processing of image data into compressed formats and caching pre-processed image tiles on a client system to facilitate quicker delivery and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large biological image files are transferred over networks for visualization, then complete image data is delivered to the client, but the transfer time and network load increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides large biological image files into smaller image tiles (e.g., 256x256 or 512x516 pixel blocks). Only the required tiles are transferred to the client for visualization, rather than transferring complete large images. This segmentation reduces network transfer time and data volume while maintaining access to complete image data on the server.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-processes biological image data on the server by converting it into standardized image tile formats (e.g., JPEG, PNG) with appropriate compression levels before storage. This preliminary conversion allows rapid retrieval and transfer of pre-formatted tiles without requiring real-time processing during client access, thus reducing transfer time.
2Speed
If image data is pre-processed and cached on the client system, then retrieval speed improves, but server load and network dependency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a client-side caching mechanism that pre-loads and stores frequently accessed image tiles locally in the client's memory or storage. When users request images, the system first checks the cache for available tiles and serves them immediately without network requests, dramatically improving retrieval speed. The cache manager handles tile eviction and refresh operations automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cache manager component that acts as an intermediary between the client application and the server. This cache manager intercepts image tile requests, checks local cache for available tiles, and only requests missing tiles from the server. This intermediary layer reduces direct server-client communication overhead and improves perceived performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple client systems request image data in real-time, then user access is enabled, but server processing resources become taxed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments image data into standardized tiles that can be independently processed, cached, and transferred. This segmentation allows the server to serve multiple clients simultaneously by providing different tile sets to different users without requiring complete image reprocessing for each request, thus reducing server processing load while maintaining multi-user access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a server-side caching mechanism where frequently accessed image tiles are copied and stored in server memory or fast storage. When multiple clients request the same or overlapping image regions, the server serves copies from its cache rather than reprocessing or retransferring the same data, significantly reducing processing power consumption while supporting multiple concurrent users.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of displaying biological image data in an interface application on a digital pathology analysis system includes: receiving a first user input pertaining to a first patient case; contacting a remote server for one or more stored biological image tiles corresponding to the received first user input, wherein the stored biological image tiles are derived from scans of microscope slides having one or more biological samples disposed thereon, the biological samples stained with hematoxylin and eosin or stained to identify presence of one or more biomarkers; receiving location information for the one or more stored biological image tiles corresponding to the first user input; retrieving the one or more stored biological image tiles pertaining to the first user input based on the received location information; and visualizing the retrieved one or more biological image tiles pertaining to the first user input.