Microscopy Image Analysis Workflow Using Dual ML Hypothesis Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image analysis workflows for biological processes in microscopy require substantial manual expertise and effort to configure, especially for less experienced operators, making automation and efficiency challenging.

Innovation Solution

A method involving two machine-learning models is used to automatically configure an image analysis workflow by training them end-to-end to predict and confirm hypotheses, reducing the need for manual adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual configuration of image analysis workflow is used, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but operator expertise and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of workflow configurationVSAvoidtime for workflow setup
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-configuration by automatically selecting and optimizing image analysis workflows based on input images and hypotheses, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention in workflow setup while maintaining adaptability to different biological processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The machine learning models are pre-trained on large datasets of biological images and hypotheses, enabling them to automatically configure appropriate workflows without requiring operators to manually set up each analysis pipeline from scratch

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Extent of automation

If automated machine-learning configuration is used, then ease of operation improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of workflow configurationVSAvoidcomplexity of machine-learning system
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into distinct functional modules: a first machine learning model for workflow configuration and a second machine learning model for hypothesis prediction, allowing each component to be independently trained, optimized, and replaced without affecting the entire system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first machine learning model acts as an intermediary that translates user hypotheses into specific image analysis workflow configurations, which are then executed by the second model to generate predictions, simplifying the overall automation process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If end-to-end training of multiple models is used, then workflow suitability for hypothesis testing improves, but training time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of hypothesis predictionVSAvoidtraining time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The first machine learning model is pre-trained to recognize patterns between hypotheses and appropriate workflow configurations, while the second model is pre-trained for hypothesis prediction, allowing the system to achieve high accuracy without extensive end-to-end training for each new application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the second model's prediction accuracy to refine the workflow configuration generated by the first model, creating an iterative optimization process that improves reliability while distributing the training burden across multiple smaller training cycles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4414931B1Methods, systems and computer programs for adjusting a first and a second machine-learning model and for processing a set of images, imaging system
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 LEICA MICROSYSTEMS CMS GMBH
  • EP4414931B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4414931B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4414931B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Examples relate to method, system, and computer program for adjusting a first and a second machine-learning model, to a method, system, and computer program for processing a set of images, imaging system, and to an imaging system. The method for adjusting a first and a second machine-learning model, comprises inputting (110) a set of images representing a biological process into the first machine-learning model, the first machine-learning model being trained to perform an image analysis workflow or to generate parameters for parametrizing an image analysis workflow. The method comprises inputting (140) an output of the image analysis workflow into the second machine-learning model, the second machine-learning model being trained to output a prediction of a hypothesis being evaluated using the biological process. The method comprises calculating (160) a loss function based on a difference between the prediction of the hypothesis being evaluated using the biological process and an actual hypothesis (130) being evaluated using the biological process. The method comprises and adjusting (170) the first and/or second machine-learning model based on the result of the loss function.