Slide Scanner Profile Switching from Macro Image Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manually selecting scanning profiles for each slide during medical slide scanning is time-consuming and inefficient, especially when different magnification imaging is required for various applications.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method for adaptive slide imaging that uses a selected scanning profile, which includes a scanner with a processor and memory to automatically determine a classification category based on metadata, retrieve a scanning profile from a lookup table, and configure the scanner to image the slide accordingly, allowing for dynamic assignment of profiles based on slide characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a user manually selects a scanning profile for each slide, then the scanning can be optimized for specific applications, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning profile optimizationVSAvoidmanual selection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines the classification category of each slide by analyzing its metadata and content, then autonomously selects the appropriate scanning profile without requiring user intervention. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by eliminating manual profile selection while maintaining optimized scanning for each slide's specific application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-processes slide metadata and content to determine classification categories before scanning, and pre-associates classification categories with appropriate scanning profiles. This preliminary action enables automatic profile selection during the scanning process, eliminating time-consuming manual selection while ensuring optimized scanning parameters are applied

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a user needs to switch profiles for each slide in a set, then different magnification imaging requirements can be met, but the process becomes even more time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile switching capabilityVSAvoidscanning throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines the classification category of each slide by analyzing its metadata and content, then autonomously selects the appropriate scanning profile without requiring user intervention. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by eliminating manual profile selection while maintaining optimized scanning for each slide's specific application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-processes slide metadata and content to determine classification categories before scanning, and pre-associates classification categories with appropriate scanning profiles. This preliminary action enables automatic profile selection during the scanning process, eliminating time-consuming manual selection while ensuring optimized scanning parameters are applied

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 efficient and automated scanning of slides with different protocols by customizing scanner behavior, allowing for batch scanning of slides with varying applications without hardware or software modifications, and facilitating seamless profile switching and portability across scanners.

Implementation Method 1

an optical sensor configured to convert an image into one or more electrical signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4682613A1Methods and apparatus for adaptive slide imaging using a selected scanning profile
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 PRAMANA INC
  • EP4682613A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4682613A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4682613A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

An apparatus and method for adaptive slide imaging using a selected scanning profile is disclosed. The apparatus includes a scanner configured to capture a macro image of a slide and including a stage configured to hold the slide, an optical sensor configured to convert an image into one or more electrical signals, and an optical system configured to form the image of the slide on the optical sensor. The apparatus includes at least a processor and a memory containing instructions configuring the at least a processor to receive the macro image of the slide from the scanner, extract metadata from the macro image of the slide, determine a classification category of the slide, retrieve a scanning profile as a function of the classification category of the slide, and image, using the optical system and optical sensor of the scanner, the slide as a function of the scanning profile.