Tissue Microarray Image Registration via Spatial Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Analyzing tissue microarrays is challenging due to difficulties in registering and interpreting images of multiple tissue cores and stains, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, hindering the investigation of disease progression and biomarker validation in pathology.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for tissue examination that registers tissue core images with a reference image based on spatial arrangement, allowing for the extension of staining patterns into peripheral areas, facilitating manual scoring and interpretation by combining morphological information and displaying registered images with the reference image for better context understanding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tissue microarray images are analyzed using standard histopathological techniques, then multiple biomarkers can be validated and disease progression can be investigated, but the analysis becomes time-consuming and labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue sample is segmented into multiple tissue cores that are arranged in a microarray format, allowing parallel processing of multiple specimens. Each tissue core can be analyzed simultaneously, thereby increasing throughput while maintaining detailed examination capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a digital copy (image) of the tissue microarray and uses image processing techniques to analyze the stained tissue cores. This digital representation allows automated analysis without requiring manual examination of each physical slide, significantly reducing time and labor while maintaining analysis quality.
2Productivity
If multiple tissue cores and stains are included in the microarray image, then high throughput analysis is achieved, but image registration and analysis become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a coordinate system as an intermediary framework to map the spatial arrangement of tissue cores in the microarray image to their corresponding positions in the original tissue sample. This coordinate-based intermediary enables automated registration and analysis of multiple stained tissue cores without manual intervention.
3Productivity
If tissue cores are extracted and re-embedded into a microarray block, then high throughput analysis of multiple specimens is enabled, but the spatial context of individual tissue cores is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the known spatial arrangement information from the microarray construction process as feedback to guide the image analysis. By incorporating this prior knowledge about tissue core positions and orientations, the system can automatically register and interpret the stained tissue cores in their correct spatial context, preventing loss of positional information.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to digital pathology. In order to facilitate analyzing a tissue microarray, an apparatus is provided for tissue examination. The apparatus comprises a data input (102), a tissue microarray analyzing unit (104), and an output (106). The data input is configured to receive a reference image of a reference slice obtained from a tissue sample block; and to receive a microarray image of a microarray slice comprising at least one tissue core obtained from at least the tissue sample block. The tissue microarray analyzing unit is configured to register tissue core images of at least one tissue core with the reference image based on a spatial arrangement of the respective tissue core within the tissue sample block. The output is configured to provide a registered result obtained from the tissue microarray analyzing unit for further analyzing purposes.