Tissue Image Analysis for Fiber Diameter Without Height Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tissue image analysis methods are limited by the requirement for height information, which restricts the analysis to specific types of microscopes and cannot handle overlapping fibers, thereby limiting the types of tissue images that can be analyzed.

Innovation Solution

A tissue image analysis apparatus and method that includes an edge processing unit for detecting edges and performing line segment approximation, a line segment pair specifying unit for identifying pairs of line segments based on luminance changes intersecting auxiliary lines, and a feature amount calculation unit for calculating geometric features of the fibers from the specified line segments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If height information is required to calculate fiber diameter, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because only specific microscopes (atomic force microscope) can be used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber diameter measurement precisionVSAvoidcompatibility with different microscope types
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the height information requirement from the fiber diameter measurement process. By using 2D image projection and edge detection methods, the system eliminates the need for 3D height data, allowing measurements to be performed on standard 2D microscope images from optical microscopes and scanning electron microscopes, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a 2D projected copy of the fiber structure from 3D space. By projecting the 3D fiber onto a 2D plane and analyzing the projected image, the system can derive diameter measurements without requiring direct 3D height information, enabling the use of 2D imaging microscopes while preserving measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Device complexity

If it is assumed that fibers do not overlap, then calculation simplicity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because overlapping fibers cannot be analyzed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation process complexityVSAvoidcapability to handle overlapping fibers
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary separation and identification of individual fiber segments before diameter calculation. By detecting edges and tracing continuous line segments that represent individual fibers even when overlapping, the system prepares the data structure to handle overlaps, then applies simple diameter calculations to each identified segment, maintaining calculation simplicity while improving adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the complex overlapping fiber structure into individual traceable line segments. By identifying continuous edges and separating them into distinct fiber representations, the system breaks down the overlapping complexity into manageable segments that can be analyzed individually using simple diameter calculations, resolving both simplicity and adaptability requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4550262A1Structure image analysis device, structure image analysis method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 HITACHI LTD
  • EP4550262A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4550262A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4550262A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A feature of a form of a fiber included in a tissue image having no height information can be analyzed. Provided is a tissue image analysis apparatus that includes an edge processing unit that detects an edge in a tissue image including a fiber and performs line segment approximation on the detected edge, a line segment pair specifying unit that draws a plurality of auxiliary lines in a line segment image representing an approximated line segment and specifies a pair of line segments to be analyzed on the basis of a change in luminance of the line segment intersecting the auxiliary line in a direction orthogonal to the line segment, and a feature amount calculation unit that calculates a feature amount, for example, a diameter regarding the fiber on the basis of geometric information of the specified pair of line segments.