Triangular Spillover Editor Grid for Flow Cytometry Value Editing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing particle analyzers, such as flow cytometers, face challenges in accurately displaying and editing spillover values, which are crucial for identifying different cell types based on light scatter characteristics and fluorescence emissions, due to limitations in visualization and adjustment of spillover values.

Innovation Solution

A method and computing system that utilizes a processor to display and edit spillover values through a triangular grid of display areas, each representing two fluorophores, with adjustable background colors and spillover value information objects, allowing for real-time adjustment and visualization of spillover values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a traditional display interface for spillover values is used, then the system structure remains simple, but the accuracy and efficiency of identifying cell types deteriorates due to poor visualization of spillover values

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of identifying cell typesVSAvoidcomplexity of display interface
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display interface is segmented into multiple triangular display areas arranged in a grid pattern, where each triangle represents a specific spillover value between two fluorophores. This segmentation allows complex spillover information to be broken down into manageable, visually distinct units that can be easily interpreted without overwhelming the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the traditional tabular or linear display of spillover values into a two-dimensional triangular grid layout. Each triangle's position, color intensity, and orientation encode different dimensions of spillover information, enabling users to perceive multiple parameters simultaneously and improve measurement precision through enhanced visual representation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If real-time adjustment of spillover values is implemented, then the efficiency of data interpretation improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the complexity of adjusting multiple parameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of data interpretationVSAvoidease of adjusting spillover values
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display interface provides real-time visual feedback when users adjust spillover values. As users modify individual spillover parameters, the triangular grid dynamically updates to reflect changes in color intensity and distribution patterns, allowing users to immediately assess the impact of their adjustments on overall data interpretation without manual recalculation or complex procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically recalculates and redistributes spillover information across the triangular grid when individual values are modified. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for users to manually coordinate multiple parameters or understand complex interrelationships, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving productivity through rapid data interpretation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If detailed spillover value information is displayed for all fluorophore combinations, then the completeness of information increases, but the loss of information increases due to the difficulty of visualizing and processing the large amount of data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of spillover informationVSAvoidcomplexity of information visualization
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each triangular display area in the grid is assigned specific visual properties (color intensity, orientation, position) that locally encode spillover information for specific fluorophore pairs. This local quality approach allows detailed information to be distributed across multiple localized units rather than presented as a single overwhelming dataset, reducing information loss while maintaining manageable visual complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple spillover parameters into a unified triangular grid visualization where adjacent triangles collectively represent the complete spillover matrix. By combining individual spillover values into an integrated visual pattern, the system preserves complete information while reducing the perceived complexity through cohesive graphical representation rather than scattered numerical data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3948222B1Method and computing system for displaying and editing spillover values
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 BECTON DICKINSON & CO
  • EP3948222B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3948222B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3948222B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Disclosed herein include systems, devices, methods, and spillover editor for displaying and editing spillover values. A view of a spillover editor can comprise a triangular· grid of rows and columns, representing flourophores, each comprising at least one display area and two spillover values. After receiving an adjusted spillover value, an adjusted view of the spillover editor can comprise adjusted plots determined using the adjusted spillover value.