Information Processing Apparatus for Tissue Sample Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current diagnosis assistance systems face delays due to the time-consuming transmission of tissue sample images, which restricts the speed of analysis and feedback to pathologists, especially when multiple pathologists request assistance simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that prioritize the transmission of tissue sample images by receiving and analyzing lower-magnification data first, determining the need for higher-magnification data, and requesting its transmission only when necessary, thereby optimizing image data usage and reducing wait times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If higher-magnification image data is transmitted for complete analysis, then analysis accuracy is improved, but transmission time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis accuracyVSAvoidtransmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the analysis process into two stages: first analyzing lower-magnification image data to identify regions of interest, then selectively transmitting and analyzing higher-magnification data only for those specific regions. This segmentation reduces overall transmission time while maintaining analysis accuracy for critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis on lower-magnification image data before transmitting higher-magnification data. This preliminary action identifies which regions require detailed analysis, allowing the system to pre-select and transmit only the necessary high-magnification image segments, thereby reducing transmission time while preserving analysis accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If complete tissue sample images are transmitted, then comprehensive analysis is enabled, but transmission capacity is exceeded and wait time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensive analysis capabilityVSAvoiddiagnosis speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and transmits only the essential lower-magnification image data first, enabling comprehensive analysis capability at the receiving end without transmitting the entire high-magnification dataset. This extraction approach maintains reliability of analysis while dramatically improving diagnosis speed by working within transmission capacity constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial analysis initially using lower-magnification data, then supplements with selective higher-magnification data only where needed. This partial action approach enables comprehensive analysis capability to be achieved progressively, improving diagnosis speed by avoiding the need to transmit and process complete high-magnification images upfront.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pathologists request diagnosis assistance simultaneously, then service coverage is improved, but transmission bottlenecks increase and wait time extends

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice coverageVSAvoidwait time for analysis
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image data into lower-magnification and higher-magnification components, allowing multiple pathologists to simultaneously receive and analyze the smaller lower-magnification datasets. This segmentation enables improved service coverage for multiple users while reducing transmission bottlenecks, as the initial analysis can proceed in parallel without requiring complete high-magnification image transmission to each user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9361508B2Information processing system, information processing method, information processing apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium storing control program therefor
Publication Date: 2016.06.07 NEC CORP

AI summary

This invention relates to an information processing apparatus which assists diagnosis based on a tissue sample image obtained by staining and capturing a tissue. The information processing apparatus receives and analyzes lower magnification image data among a plurality of image data obtained at different magnifications for an area image selected in the tissue sample image. Based on the analysis result, the information processing apparatus determines whether analysis based on higher magnification image data is necessary. When analysis based on the higher magnification image data is necessary, the information processing apparatus notifies a request of transmitting the higher magnification image data for the area image, receives and analyzes the higher magnification image data transmitted in response to the transmission request, and transmits the analysis result. This arrangement can quickly provide high-accuracy diagnosis assistance for a tissue sample image from a pathologist regardless of the restriction of the transmission capacity.