Medical Information Processing Apparatus for Gene Mutation Classification Consistency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gene mutation classification models often fail to provide accurate and consistent results, leading to potentially oncologically invalid classifications, which can result in incorrect monitoring of gene mutations and therapeutic decisions.

Innovation Solution

A medical information processing apparatus and method that acquires and compares gene mutation classification results from multiple time phases to evaluate the consistency of the classification model based on medical validity, calculating a consistency score to assess the model's reliability and selecting the most consistent model for clinical application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a gene mutation classification model is used to classify gene mutations from radiation images, then non-invasive monitoring of gene mutations is enabled, but the model may conduct oncologically invalid classification and return incorrect results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-invasive monitoring capabilityVSAvoidclassification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by comparing classification results across multiple time phases and using gene validity knowledge to evaluate model consistency. The system feeds back consistency evaluation results to assess model reliability, allowing clinicians to identify and correct potentially invalid classifications while maintaining the non-invasive monitoring advantage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If a gene mutation classification model is applied for monitoring, then therapeutic decision support is provided, but the model may return classifications representing very different tendency or extinction of gene mutation despite absence of therapeutic action

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic decision support efficiencyVSAvoidmonitoring consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a gene validity knowledge base before model application. This knowledge base contains predetermined valid change patterns (acquisition, continuation, extinction) that are used to evaluate model outputs in advance. By having these validation rules prepared beforehand, the system can quickly assess whether classification results are oncologically valid without delaying therapeutic decision support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If multiple time phase images are input into the classification model to evaluate consistency, then model reliability assessment is enabled, but additional image acquisition and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel consistency evaluationVSAvoidimage acquisition and processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the classification model multi-functional by enabling it to serve both its primary purpose (gene mutation classification) and a secondary purpose (consistency evaluation). The same model processes images from multiple time phases for both diagnostic classification and reliability assessment, eliminating the need for separate evaluation systems and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If consistency evaluation based on medical validity is implemented, then oncologically valid classifications are identified, but additional computational processing is required to calculate consistency scores

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedical validity assuranceVSAvoidcomputational processing load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the consistency evaluation process into distinct computational stages: (1) comparing classification results across time phases, (2) determining change types (acquisition, continuation, extinction), (3) evaluating against validity knowledge base, and (4) calculating consistency scores. This segmentation allows the system to process only relevant data at each stage, reducing overall computational load while ensuring thorough medical validity assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4414997A1Medical information processing apparatus, medical information processing method, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 CANON MEDICAL SYST CORP
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AI summary

According to one embodiment, a medical information processing apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry acquires first and second medical images acquired in at least first and second time phases. The processing circuitry inputs the first and second medical images into a gene mutation classification model to generate first and second gene mutation classification results. The processing circuitry judges consistency of the gene mutation classification model based on the first and second gene mutation classification results.