Metabolic Pathway Display for Distinguishable Toxicity Evaluation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to effectively display and support users in understanding metabolic reaction predictions and toxicity evaluations of chemical substances, making it difficult to efficiently evaluate compound toxicity.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that generates a display image showing metabolic reactions and toxicity evaluations in a systematic metabolic reaction pathway, distinguishing between compounds and displaying disappearance compounds, with adjustable display ranges and detailed toxicity determination paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If existing technologies are used for toxicity evaluation, then prediction of metabolic reactions and toxicity can be obtained, but the results cannot be effectively displayed and understood by users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunderstandability of prediction resultsVSAvoiduser efficiency in toxicity evaluation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex toxicity evaluation information into distinct visual components: metabolic reaction pathways are separated into individual reaction steps, toxicity evaluation results are divided by compound (parent compound and metabolites), and disappearance compounds are distinguished from other metabolites. This segmentation allows users to process information in manageable units, improving understandability without overwhelming the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms tabular or textual toxicity evaluation data into a two-dimensional visual display format. The metabolic reaction pathway is represented spatially with compounds arranged in sequence, and toxicity results are overlayed as visual indicators (colors, icons, or annotations) on the pathway diagram. This dimensional transformation makes abstract prediction results concretely visible and easier to comprehend.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If detailed toxicity evaluation results are provided, then comprehensive understanding is achieved, but the display becomes complex and difficult to interpret

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensiveness of toxicity evaluationVSAvoidcomplexity of display system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different visual qualities to different parts of the display based on their informational importance. Disappearance compounds are highlighted with distinct visual markers (such as special colors or icons) to distinguish them from other metabolites. Toxicity evaluation results are presented with varying visual intensities (e.g., color gradients) corresponding to the level of concern. This local differentiation allows comprehensive information to be presented without requiring uniform visual treatment of all elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visual icons, symbols, or colored indicators as simplified copies or representations of complex toxicity evaluation data. Instead of displaying detailed numerical toxicity values and evaluation criteria for each compound, the system uses visual metaphors (such as warning symbols for toxic compounds, checkmarks for safe compounds, or color-coded pathways) that convey the essential meaning without the complexity of the underlying data structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If all metabolites including disappearance compounds are displayed, then complete metabolic pathway is shown, but the main toxicity information becomes less distinguishable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of metabolic pathwayVSAvoiddistinguishability of toxicity evaluation results
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs color changes as the primary visual differentiation mechanism. Disappearance compounds are assigned distinct colors (e.g., gray or faded colors) to indicate their transient nature, while parent compounds and stable metabolites use vibrant colors. Toxicity evaluation results are represented through color intensity or hue variations (e.g., red for high toxicity, green for low toxicity). This color-coding system allows all metabolites to be displayed while maintaining clear distinguishability of toxicity information through visual contrast.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP4693303A1Information processing device, information processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP4693303A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4693303A1 patent drawingFigure 2
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AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a processor, in which the processor is configured to generate a display image that shows a prediction result of metabolic reactions occurring in vivo from a test substance and metabolites generated by the metabolic reactions and an evaluation result of toxicity of at least one compound in a compound group composed of the test substance and the metabolites, the display image showing the evaluation result of the compound in a distinguishable manner in a metabolic reaction pathway that systematically shows the metabolic reactions occurring in a chain starting from the test substance, and the resulting metabolites, and execute control of outputting the generated display image, and the metabolites systematically shown in the display image include a disappearance compound that disappears in the metabolic reaction pathway.