Urinary Sediment All-Component Image Generation via Flow Cell Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing urinary sediment examination methods, particularly those using a flow method, fail to provide an image that includes multiple material components, limiting the ability to observe their distribution and states at a glance.
Innovation Solution
A measurement system and information processing device that captures images of a urine sample using a flow cell, categorizes and counts material components, and generates an all-component image resembling microscopic observation by arranging non-overlapping, focused images based on calibration curves and correction coefficients, allowing for a comprehensive view of multiple components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If image capture is performed using a flow method, then automation and efficiency are improved, but the ability to observe distribution and states of multiple material components at a glance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a synthetic composite image that copies the visual appearance of a microscopic whole visual field examination. This composite image is generated by extracting material component images from flow method captured images, categorizing them by type, and arranging them in a synthetic visual field that mimics the appearance of observing all components simultaneously, thus recovering the distribution and state information that would otherwise be lost
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from capturing images in the temporal dimension (sequential frames of flowing sample) to presenting information in a spatial dimension (synthetic composite image showing all components arranged in a visual field). This dimensional transformation allows the system to maintain automation while providing a comprehensive overview similar to microscopic examination
2Measurement precision
If material component images are extracted and categorized for analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but the retention of captured images for comprehensive observation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential material component images from the captured sequence, separating them from the continuous flow of captured images. By extracting and categorizing only the relevant component images needed for analysis and composite image generation, the system achieves precise measurement while avoiding the need to retain all captured images, thus reducing data storage requirements
Data Source
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AI summary
An information processing device includes a categorizing section configured to extract a material component image identified as a material component from plural images obtained by imaging a sample fluid containing a plurality of types of material components and flowing through a flow cell, and to categorize the extracted material component image by predetermined category, a count derivation section configured to derive a count of the material component per standard visual field, or derive a count per unit liquid volume of the material component contained in the sample fluid, for each of the categories based on the number of material component images categorized by the categorizing section, and a generation section configured to generate an all-component image in which the material component images are arranged according to the counts that have been derived by the count derivation section for each of the categories.