Pathological Image Dye Correction for Nucleus Clarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing methods for pathological stained images fail to effectively correct for dye overlap, making it difficult to discriminate between regions like the cell nucleus and cytoplasm or cell membrane, especially when DAB staining is intense.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device and method that decomposes pathological stained images into dye concentration images and corrects them by correlating dye information to emphasize specific regions, such as the cell nucleus, by performing arithmetic operations to subtract or add dye concentrations based on predetermined correction coefficients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional decomposition into dye concentration images is performed, then the image can be analyzed by dye type, but overlap of dyes makes discrimination difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the staining information by separating the captured image into multiple dye concentration images, each representing a specific dye (e.g., hematoxylin, DAB). This segmentation allows independent analysis of each dye's contribution while the correction process resolves overlap issues by adjusting the concentration values based on spatial relationships between different dye regions.
2Measurement precision
If DAB staining is intensified to improve visibility of specific proteins, then protein detection sensitivity increases, but cell nucleus discrimination becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality adjustment by performing correction processing on each dye concentration image based on the spatial distribution and concentration of other dyes. For example, in regions where DAB and hematoxylin overlap, the correction process adjusts the DAB concentration values to account for the presence of hematoxylin, thereby preserving cell nucleus visibility while maintaining enhanced protein detection capability.
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
This approach clarifies and enhances the visibility of specific regions by correcting for dye overlap, improving the legibility of pathological images and aiding in accurate discrimination of stained regions.
Implementation Method 1
a captured image I of the stained specimen is input from an imaging element that has captured light having passed through the stained specimen
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device and an image processing method capable of clarifying a specific region, especially a stained region of the cell nucleus, by correcting in consideration of overlap of staining, thereby making discrimination easy, and a pathological diagnosis assistance system using the same are provided. A pathological stained image is decomposed into dye concentration images of respective dyes, dye information on the respective staining dyes are correlated, and the respective dye concentration images are corrected to emphasize a specific region.