Specimen Observation Device for Pathology Slide Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current specimen observation devices require significant time to acquire virtual slide images for pathology specimens, even for those with no apparent issues, and are inefficient in detailing suspected specimens.
Innovation Solution
A specimen observation device with an image capturing unit for partial and whole images, an input unit for identification information, a display unit for enlarged images, and a storage unit to associate the information, allowing for quick observation and detailed analysis of pathology specimens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If virtual slide images are acquired for all pathology specimens using conventional devices, then complete documentation is achieved, but time consumption increases enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the observation process into two segments: (1) acquiring whole slide images at low magnification to identify specimens requiring attention, and (2) acquiring partial images at high magnification only for suspected pathology specimens. This segmentation eliminates the need to acquire detailed images for all specimens, reducing time while maintaining documentation completeness for problematic areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary observation of whole slide images at low magnification before acquiring detailed partial images. This preliminary action identifies which specimens require further examination, allowing the system to prioritize time and resources only on specimens showing abnormal characteristics, thereby reducing overall acquisition time while maintaining information completeness for critical cases.
2Measurement precision
If all pathology specimens are observed in detail, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but observation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying excessive detailed observation to all specimens, the system applies partial high-magnification observation only to specimens showing abnormal characteristics. This partial action maintains diagnostic accuracy for problematic specimens while significantly reducing overall observation time by avoiding unnecessary detailed examination of normal specimens.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different observation qualities to different specimens based on their characteristics. Whole slide images are viewed at low magnification for all specimens, while partial images are viewed at high magnification only for specimens showing abnormal characteristics. This local quality approach ensures diagnostic accuracy where needed while minimizing time expenditure on normal specimens.
3Productivity
If multiple pathology specimens are mounted on a slide tray, then throughput is increased, but complexity of observation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a dimensional layer by capturing whole slide images at low magnification that show the spatial arrangement of multiple specimens on the slide tray. This dimensional view allows the observer to quickly locate and identify specific specimens without physically navigating through a complex multi-specimen observation system, simplifying the observation process while maintaining high throughput capability.
Data Source
AI summary
It is possible to readily observe pathology specimens without spending much time and suspected pathology specimens in detail. A specimen observation device comprises an image capturing unit acquiring a partial image representing at least a part of one of multiple pathology specimens mounted on an accommodating section and a whole image of the multiple pathology specimens mounted on the accommodating section; an input unit inputting identification information of the accommodating section; a display unitdisplaying an enlarged version of the partial image acquired by the image capturing unit); an image designating unit designating the partial image displayed on the display unit; and a storage unit storing the identification information input via the input unit and a position of the partial image designated via the image designating unit in relation to the whole image such that the position and the identification information are associated with the whole image.