Machine Learning Model Validation via Subgroup Performance Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current regulatory frameworks lack a standardized objective mechanism to ensure that machine learning models, particularly in medical contexts, achieve sufficient performance levels for regulatory approval, leading to challenges in data sufficiency and validation.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a processor and memory with computer-executable components that train machine learning models, evaluate performance across subgroups, and determine data sufficiency using uncertainty estimates and threshold measures, incorporating active learning to optimize model performance by selecting and updating data samples.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If machine learning models are trained on large datasets to improve performance accuracy, then model reliability improves, but data sufficiency validation becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel performance accuracyVSAvoidvalidation mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual, mechanical validation processes with automated computational methods. Specifically, it uses automated subgroup identification algorithms, uncertainty estimation computations, and threshold-based approval mechanisms to substitute the complex manual validation process, thereby maintaining high model reliability while reducing validation complexity and time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the validation approach by changing key parameters from subjective expert judgment to objective quantitative measures. It introduces uncertainty estimates, subgroup performance metrics, and threshold values as measurable parameters that can be automatically computed and compared, enabling standardized validation without increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive performance evaluation across all subgroups is conducted to ensure regulatory approval, then model validation thoroughness improves, but development time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance evaluation thoroughnessVSAvoidmodel development time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by automatically identifying relevant subgroups and computing uncertainty estimates before the final approval decision. This advance preparation of validation data and metrics allows for rapid threshold comparison later, ensuring thorough evaluation without extending overall development time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The validation system performs self-service by automatically conducting subgroup analysis, computing performance metrics, and making approval recommendations without requiring extensive manual intervention. The system serves its own validation needs through automated algorithms, reducing both time and resource requirements while maintaining evaluation precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If uncertainty estimates and threshold measures are implemented to objectively assess model performance, then regulatory approval confidence increases, but the approval determination process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregulatory approval confidenceVSAvoidapproval determination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective regulatory review processes with objective computational mechanisms. Uncertainty estimates and threshold measures are automatically computed and compared, substituting manual expert judgment with algorithmic decision-making that increases approval confidence while actually simplifying the determination process through standardization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If active learning is used to optimize data selection and model updating, then data usage efficiency improves, but the training process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata usage efficiencyVSAvoidtraining process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where model performance on validation data informs subsequent training decisions. Active learning uses performance metrics and uncertainty estimates to feedback into data selection and model updating processes, creating a closed-loop system that improves data efficiency while managing complexity through automated control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20230229972A1Machine learning model development and optimization process that ensures performance validation and data sufficiency for regulatory approval
Publication Date: 2023.07.20 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
  • US20230229972A1 patent drawing
  • US20230229972A1 patent drawing
  • US20230229972A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Machine learning model development and optimization tools are provided that ensure performance validation and data sufficiency for regulatory approval. According to an embodiment, a computer implemented method can comprise training a machine learning model to perform an inferencing task on an initial set of data samples included in a sample population. In various embodiments, the model can include a medical AI model. The method further comprises determining, by the system, subgroup performance measures for subgroups of the data samples respectively associated with different metadata factors, wherein the subgroup performance measures reflect performance accuracy of the machine learning model with respect to the subgroups. The method further comprises determining, by the system, whether the machine learning model meets an acceptable level of performance for deployment in a field environment based on whether the subgroup performance measures respectively satisfy a threshold subgroup performance measure.