Pathology Image Confirmation Frames for Small Abnormality Review

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pathologists face a high burden in diagnosing cancer through pathological images due to the difficulty in identifying small abnormalities and the need to extensively examine large images, which existing highlighting methods may still overlook.

Innovation Solution

A system and device that utilize an image analysis server to divide pathological images into sections, calculate abnormality scores, and assign confirmation frames with frame numbers, displayed both within and outside the image, to guide pathologists to key areas of interest.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the pathological diagnosis image is highlighted in different colors to indicate abnormalities, then the pathologist can focus on abnormal portions more easily, but extremely small points of interest may still be overlooked due to the complexity of the image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedifficulty of detecting abnormal portionsVSAvoidreliability of noticing small abnormalities

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pathological diagnosis image is divided into multiple divided images, and confirmation frames are selectively applied only to regions with high abnormality scores. This segmentation approach reduces visual complexity while maintaining detection reliability by focusing attention on specific suspicious areas rather than the entire image.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different visual treatments are applied to different regions of the image based on their abnormality scores. Regions with high abnormality scores receive confirmation frames for focused attention, while other regions maintain their original appearance. This local differentiation helps pathologists notice small abnormalities in critical areas without being overwhelmed by the entire image.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the pathologist checks the entire pathological diagnosis image carefully, then small abnormalities can be detected, but the time and effort required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of small abnormalitiesVSAvoidtime required for pathological diagnosis

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis by calculating abnormality scores for all divided images before the pathologist begins examination. Confirmation frames are pre-assigned to regions with high abnormality scores, allowing the pathologist to immediately focus on suspicious areas rather than searching the entire image, thus reducing diagnosis time while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The confirmation frame system acts as an intermediary between the complex pathological image and the pathologist's attention. It translates abnormality scores into visual cues that guide the pathologist's examination, reducing the cognitive load and time required to identify small abnormalities without compromising detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If confirmation frames are displayed only within the pathological diagnosis image, then the visual context is maintained, but the pathologist may lose track of which areas have been examined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual context maintenanceVSAvoidtracking of examined areas

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system adds a second dimension of information display by showing frame numbers both within the pathological diagnosis image (maintaining visual context) and in a separate list outside the image (enabling tracking). This dual-display approach allows the pathologist to maintain spatial orientation while systematically monitoring which areas have been examined, preventing oversight of suspicious regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20260004424A1Pathological diagnosis support device

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 PHC HLDG CORP

AI summary

This pathological diagnosis support system comprises an image diagnosis server and a pathologist's personal computer. The image diagnosis server uses an image analysis unit to set confirmation frames in which the abnormality score exceeds a threshold value, assigns a frame number of "1," "2," or "3" to each of the confirmation frames, and sends setting information about the pathological diagnosis image and the confirmation frames and the frame number "1," "2," or "3" of the confirmation frames to the pathologist's personal computer. When the pathological diagnosis image is displayed on a display unit, the personal computer controls the display unit so that the confirmation frames and the frame number "1," "2," or "3" are displayed within the pathological diagnosis image, and the frame number "1," "2," or "3" is displayed on the outside of the pathological diagnosis image.